Diabetes Education and Research Center
Back Chats
On Thu Dec 5 23:38:22 2002 jessica (trini_jesse@yahoo.com) said:
well , i
just want to hear your views on this issue
On Thu Dec 5 21:11:20 2002 grannypj (CORRECTION!) said:
3 carbs, 2
proteins
On Thu Dec 5 21:04:46 2002 grannypj (grannypj@hotmail.com) said:
to Squats:
Brittle in doctorspeak seems to mean "clueless". Pete's levels rise and fall for
no apparent reason. He has his records kept back 15+ years and there was never a
pattern. Faith described it very well. Pete's levels drop to 39 or rise to 420+
for no reason at all. Diet and exercise have no particular effect either. And
those days he is really sick they seem to remain steady - which we all consider
to be Divine Intervention. Fortunately his normal range day to day is 60-260.
With no precipitating factors he keeps his diet very stable - doesn't count
grams but balances every meal 3 carbs, 3 proteins. He eats about the same
amounts too. Snacks only as required by any extra readings. Tight Control is the
best program for him, tests faithfully 4 times daily and since he cannot tell
after all these years whether he is high or low (common problem later on) he
tests if he feels symptoms. If we are in a crisis situation with extremes we
will all pitch in and test every 2 hours round the clock if necessary. He took
Ultalente for 3 years and it suddenly didn't seem to work at all so he switched
to Lantus which seems to be helping or at least not letting things get worse.
The one set of people we learned to avoid is the "nutitrionist" - those ladies
seem to think everyone should go on the end-stage renal failure dietm and that
everyone works at a desk. His doctor doesn't expect him to call when levels are
too high or too low. His is rather a unique case and he manages it with a
sliding scale. As a refresher - when he was 9 years old he was struck by a
semi-tractor trailer going down a hill as he crossed the highway on a 4-wheeler.
They found him embedded in the radiator. Being in a farm community they took him
to the nearest community hospital with an xray machine and when they found no
broken bones, sent him home to heal. A CT or MRI would have found internal
injuries specifically to the pancreas. It is a miracle he lived. Then when his
family doctor suspected diabetes the following Feb and wrote it into the medical
records, the parents didnt' take him back until October when he got sick. For
the next several years he managed his case himself, some years didn't even go to
a doctor. The only concession by his parents was to take sugar out of the foods
fixed for him. They didn't read any books, still don't seem to realize what this
is. He grew up thinking it was an inconvenience, had no idea how life
threatening diabetes can be. Went into a real depression for a while when he got
some solid facts. By now he just goes thru the days hour by hour and works
around it. Nobody expects him to have normal life expectancy. Although low
bloodsugar is life-threatening but not destroying cells the way high is. And
actually it doesn't make any difference what the stats are etc. - one day at a
time, sometimes one hour at a time. But I can say my son's brain cancer and
subsequent intractible epilepsy that has him in a nursing home at 32 was nothing
compared to Pete's diabetes for an on-going hour by hour crisis management
issue.
On Thu Dec 5 18:43:33 2002 Sam (raneysam@excite.com) said:
Faith; I have had
IDDM 10 years now. Went on the pump 3/16/00 Dr Robert Sjoberg Endocrinologist,
St Luke's Specialty Clinic, Duluth Mn. I was allergic to Ultralente'insulin ,
which I was initially put on, from the Mayo clinic. Systemic rash, awful &
itchy. I had a blood sugar of: 403 last night..one before..52 and I am in 'good
control" just brittle as heck.
On Thu Dec 5 17:05:14 2002 Faith () said:
For years, early on in my
diabetes, the doctors would refer to me as a 'brittle' diabetic. As one doctor
explained, with no apparent changes in diet, exercise, or routine, ones levels
can plummet and/or soar. I haven't had a doctor refer to me in that way in a
long time.
On Thu Dec 5 14:30:26 2002 Squats () said:
Granny: By "brittle" do you mean
Pete has trouble sometimes keeping his bloodsugar high enough? When I am active
over a long period of time, even one hour in the gym, bg plummets! I know
farming is unpredictable. Upping fat can help stabilize things and IF THE DOC
SAYS IT IS OK, upping protein as well. If his calories are too low, that can
wreak havoc as well! Body wasting can also have serious effects. Hope this
helps.
On Wed Dec 4 22:07:25 2002 Grannypj (grannypj@hotmail.com) said:
to Squats:
Pete doesn't have any side effects that have ever been detected, the ACE
inhibitor is intended to prevent any heart or kidney damage. He started having
killer headaches, so bad he can barely stand up and move; also really bad
stomach pains. The last time he had these symptoms they did all the tests and
found nothing. Now without insurance of any sort he doesn't want to have the MRI
or CT etc. Stopped taking the ACE and yesterday no headache and stomach was
better. Those are known side effects. Scarier though is a lump Molly told me
about in the lymph nodes under one arm. It is growing. Could be just an
autoimmune response but certainly must be looked at. I told her if he doesn't
want to think about the bill we will pay for the doctor and whatever comes up.
He has been diabetic over 15 years now, way out of control no matter what. Is a
Brittle as brittle gets. Finally found a doctor with an explanation of "brittle"
- means they are clueless and he will just have to deal with the condition day
by day and sometimes hour by hour. So he does. Tested 137 the other day when he
got back in from the barn. Decided to take a nap and when he woke up two hours
later it was 59. Back and forth all the time. To the mother with the new baby -
could be a transient bloodsugar off balance and your milk is expected to have
enough sugar content to offset it. But actual diabetes is not a condition that
comes and goes, the pancreas produces insulin that controls the bloodsugars. Be
sure your child is seeing a pediatrician and if you have a medical center within
100 miles take the baby there to see a specialist. Any Childrens Hospital is a
good bet. MERRY DECEMBER? probably, the stores have had the Christmas stuff for
weeks and the carols playing too. It won't be very merry december or christmas
by the time we go thru 3 mores weeks of this!
On Wed Dec 4 14:57:43 2002 Faith () said:
Sam, How long did you say you have
been a diabetic? Who put you on the pump? It seems whoever did that must have
considered you were a Type I. Even though I was 21 when I was told I was a "D",
they still referred to me as a Juvenile diabetic, (the term used waaaay back
then). It's not your age, but what your pancreas can do or in my case not
do.
On Wed Dec 4 11:18:47 2002 () said:
MERRY DECEMBER?????? DON"T YOU MEAN
MERRY CHRISTMAS???????
On Wed Dec 4 11:16:01 2002 Sam (raneysam@excite.com) said:
Squats &
GrannyPJ..thanks for the heartening words! I do have a treadmill in the
basement..maybe I will haul it up and clean it up & see how far I can go.
Put it by the fire & vcr. But...after Friday, when I see what's happening
with my lab tests. I am a type A person, hate to be less active. This may be an
interesting Christmas..I have no family here, every penny goes toward my car
loan..and my Doctor just did a "C" peptide test, because she thinks I CAN'T be a
type one, at my age, even though I wear a pump. Strange world we live in. The
test should tell. Merry December to all. Sam
On Wed Dec 4 09:23:14 2002 Faith () said:
Good morning all! I've been
reading, but what with going out of town for Thanksgiving and getting ready for
our trip to Hawaii, haven't had time to post.
I did fairly well with my BG last week. So on that score I'm doing ok. My
shoulder is still giving me fits, but am going to PT and doing exercises at
home.
Had my yearly eye exam! At the clinic they are now having diabetics come in
and get a panel of pictures of the eyes taken. Then you leave. They then exam
the pictures and if anything is wrong they have you come back in right away. If
everything is ok, they send you a report. I'm doing great. After all these
years, 34, of being a diabetic, I only have minimal bleeds. Nothing to worry
about, but will continue w/the yearly exams.
I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Take care and all have a good
day.
On Wed Dec 4 08:33:31 2002 altaamare (altaamare@yahoo.com) said:
i have a
newborn with thiscondition,and i was told to breast feed as often as
possible.does this go away?
On Wed Dec 4 03:30:26 2002 Squats () said:
Granny: Sorry you are not feeling
well. What side effects is Pete experiencing from the ace inhibitor? If at all
possible, he should continue. As far as heart trouble is concerned, flaxseed oil
or a blend of essential fatty acids can be very helpful. Have a good holidaay
season.
On Tue Dec 3 22:46:30 2002 grannypj (grannypj@hotmail.com) said:
Hi! Thanks
for the good words! No, I haven't given up, just waiting for the dust and
feathers to settle. Haven't been feeling too swift either. And Pete has been
really doing badly and we are sure it is the ACE inhibitor so he has stopped
taking it. Some choice - it is supposed to help prevent heart and kidney
side-effects but if the side-effects are not acceptable there is a calculated
risk to deal with. He has to be able to function. I am not going to worry about
the crazy flamers here. They have sad little meaningless lives to begin with if
the highlight of their days is poking fun and insulting folks here. Squats and
Sam you are inspirations here! Hey, I uncovered the treadmill and managed to
walk for 60 entire seconds. Okay, it's a start. I am not overweight but sure am
out of shape otherwise!So I need to take Squats and Sams' examples and get withe
program.
On Tue Dec 3 22:19:23 2002 Squats () said:
Sam: Sorry to hear about your
autoimmune disease! It seems even Grannypj has given up! Two weeks ago, I had
Carpal Tunnel surgery and the sutures should be removed on Thursday. It will be
great to return to work. Went to the gym today and did legs. Hardest workout in
some time. I will be sore tomorrow! Didn't go any heavier than 410 lbs, but went
for maximum repetitions. Please post and let me know how things are going.
On Tue Dec 3 17:24:34 2002 Sam (raneysam@yahoo.com) said:
To Reader...the
ones that have the time and the anger, attack us who want to give/receive facts
about diabetes. That's why this board was started. But we just get attacked..and
we know its going to happen. I still read, but rarely post. I am a "pumper" and
60. Female. Certainly a strange one! I have an Autoimmune disease...it's getting
my endocrine system, and now I have rheumatoid arthritis, acute, and it's awful.
But..there are many good people on here..begin an anonymous e-mail, like Yahoo,
Excite Or Hotmail..many may write. You can connect to some who are serious that
way. It's very sad that others attack people with the same disease.
Small-minded, even.
On Tue Dec 3 09:17:52 2002 a reader () said:
Not one useful decent post
since Grannypjs Sunday November 24. What have you morons done to this place?
On Mon Dec 2 15:25:17 2002 () said:
THIS IS IT
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