Okay, I've made a jump to a new site located here:
The Jagged Edge
Please let me know what you think of it.
Take care!
Mark
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Pasta!
Growing up with diabetes is challenging. I was constantly reminded how deadly going too high or too low (in terms of blood sugar) can be, especially at bedtime. Over the years, I've focused on tips and tricks to manage my bg numbers when eating pasta or pizza. Frankly, I love both. Pizza will always be a staple in my diet. That said, being on MDI (multiple daily injections) has cramped my pasta eating abilities.
While on the pump, I could set a small temporary basal before bed to account for the carbs in pasta. Guess what? On MDI you can't do that. I had a wonderful baked ziti dish for dinner last night. Complimented with fresh baked garlic-buttered bread. My bg before bed (11 pm) was a respectable 118. This morning, much to my dismay, I jumped to a disgusting 257.
Thankfully I had my bottle of Novolog ready for the correction, and now I'm sitting at a 130 (even after breakfast). As soon as the hot, sticky summer heat is past, I promise to go back on the pump. Believe me, I can't wait.
Enjoy the summer!
Mark
While on the pump, I could set a small temporary basal before bed to account for the carbs in pasta. Guess what? On MDI you can't do that. I had a wonderful baked ziti dish for dinner last night. Complimented with fresh baked garlic-buttered bread. My bg before bed (11 pm) was a respectable 118. This morning, much to my dismay, I jumped to a disgusting 257.
Thankfully I had my bottle of Novolog ready for the correction, and now I'm sitting at a 130 (even after breakfast). As soon as the hot, sticky summer heat is past, I promise to go back on the pump. Believe me, I can't wait.
Enjoy the summer!
Mark
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Predictability
Yes, predictability - intransitive verb - to make a prediction. For our purposes today, to ably predict how much insulin we need for food.
My inner child spoke. "Okay, yesterday for breakfast you had a 1/2 bagel with two slices of cheese and a diet coke. Your post meal bg was 150 which fell to a 68 before lunch. Today, you had the identical same breakfast and your post meal bg is a 248. You took the same insulin. You had nearly identical morning bg numbers (129). What gives?"
(My life...sometimes)
I've heard that diabetes loves routine; it loves predictable moments. However, I don't believe it. Better yet, I am doing the same thing today as I was doing yesterday. So, my inner child asks a very good question. What gives?
Our life equations go something like this:
A(x) x B(x) x...= God only knows
Bg numbers, food, possibly exercise, stress, hormones, other illnesses, can all play dirty. There is no predictability about them. I ate the same food, took the same amount of insulin, and halfway expected around the same post meal bg. But no, that didn't happen. It's this unpredictable disease that takes a toll on us.
Nothing like a little insanity to begin my day. :-)
My inner child spoke. "Okay, yesterday for breakfast you had a 1/2 bagel with two slices of cheese and a diet coke. Your post meal bg was 150 which fell to a 68 before lunch. Today, you had the identical same breakfast and your post meal bg is a 248. You took the same insulin. You had nearly identical morning bg numbers (129). What gives?"
(My life...sometimes)
I've heard that diabetes loves routine; it loves predictable moments. However, I don't believe it. Better yet, I am doing the same thing today as I was doing yesterday. So, my inner child asks a very good question. What gives?
Our life equations go something like this:
A(x) x B(x) x...= God only knows
Bg numbers, food, possibly exercise, stress, hormones, other illnesses, can all play dirty. There is no predictability about them. I ate the same food, took the same amount of insulin, and halfway expected around the same post meal bg. But no, that didn't happen. It's this unpredictable disease that takes a toll on us.
Nothing like a little insanity to begin my day. :-)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Medtronic STAR 3 Trial
I saw the original headline from Diabetes Health, so I can't take credit for finding this. However, I've become more and more fascinated with studies using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
Alas, Medtronic has conducted and published their study here:
STAR 3 (website)
STAR 3 (pdf)
I have argued this point before, so I'll do it again. I believe the CGM is probably the most significant and vital product of our time. And arguably, more important than the insulin pump.
Why?
At the end of the day, our blood sugar levels determine the functionality of our lives. Damage to our bodies can occur if we are not in control. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't take care of myself for many years and it led to minor complications. I'm better now, but only because I try to keep my sugar levels in control. I have my good days and my not so good days. I test myself approximately 8 times a day. Do I plan on using a CGM in my near future? Sure do!
And in other news...
This diabetic is taking a break from pumping this summer. I've tried everything just short of duct tape to keep my infusion set on in this heat, and I can't make it stick. I usually apply Mastisol, and generally it works great, but for some reason my sweat is dissolving it. Strange, but true. Going back on shots hasn't been too bad though. It has made me think twice about whether to eat a snack. Hello weight loss and more time in the pool! When given lemons, make lemonade...sugar-free preferably.
Keep strong!
Mark
Alas, Medtronic has conducted and published their study here:
STAR 3 (website)
STAR 3 (pdf)
I have argued this point before, so I'll do it again. I believe the CGM is probably the most significant and vital product of our time. And arguably, more important than the insulin pump.
Why?
At the end of the day, our blood sugar levels determine the functionality of our lives. Damage to our bodies can occur if we are not in control. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't take care of myself for many years and it led to minor complications. I'm better now, but only because I try to keep my sugar levels in control. I have my good days and my not so good days. I test myself approximately 8 times a day. Do I plan on using a CGM in my near future? Sure do!
And in other news...
This diabetic is taking a break from pumping this summer. I've tried everything just short of duct tape to keep my infusion set on in this heat, and I can't make it stick. I usually apply Mastisol, and generally it works great, but for some reason my sweat is dissolving it. Strange, but true. Going back on shots hasn't been too bad though. It has made me think twice about whether to eat a snack. Hello weight loss and more time in the pool! When given lemons, make lemonade...sugar-free preferably.
Keep strong!
Mark
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