[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

gerrybbadd

Xofpod wrote: »

Without realising it, I accidentally cracked a vial of novo rapid as I replaced it yesterday. Didn't cop that it was leaking until much later so spent the entire day with ridiculously high blood sugar, a fuzzy head and peeing my own body weight. It was a very unwelcome flashback to how I felt 10 years ago immediately prior to diagnosis. Won't be doing that again.....

Has happened my a few times too. The vials are very brittle. Didn't realise it til my hand was wet with insulin solution, or i got that hospital smell rising

calfmuscle

I'm at tenerife airport on my way home from a short holiday and just realised I left my kit in the hotel .

It's going to be a long 4 hour flight!!

Xofpod

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Has happened my a few times too. The vials are very brittle. Didn't realise it til my hand was wet with insulin solution, or i got that hospital smell rising

First time it's happened to me in 10 years but it was exactly that smell that alerted me. Plus the completely unexplained soaring blood sugar of course

Brazzer

Hi Guys, just wondering if anyone here has any experience of high fasting blood sugars (5.2) while doing a GTT test? Would love to chat with someone who has done the test and experienced a morning high but all other readings were perfect. Thanks x

Harry Palmr

Harry Palmr wrote: »

I've been switching my evening meal to bulky slow release carbs - basically winter veg stew and soups. It does work for me and it I do make a good stew and I'd not miss the meat when it's not there - just load in the onions, garlic and herbs for an edge to the flavour. That and cook it and then fridge it for a day before re-heating helps and the more you do that the better it gets! By end of week (having supplemented it with more bits and pieces) you're left with a thick tasty soup. This fills you up but doesn't spike the readings, indeed a slice of buttered bread is needed really.

Just an update on this for those who might be having a hard time keeping the readings between the ditches due to diet. Since I switched to the above and opted for essentially savoury super snacking my average has dropped to 14 day average of 7.1 and a 7 day average of 6.1, the latter being a better representation as it took a little while to fully switch over to the new regime. If anything I'm a bit low, tending to wake at between 3 and 4 mmol/L.

gerrybbadd

Brazzer wrote: »

Hi Guys, just wondering if anyone here has any experience of high fasting blood sugars (5.2) while doing a GTT test? Would love to chat with someone who has done the test and experienced a morning high but all other readings were perfect. Thanks x

5.2 isn't high. It's slap bang in the middle of perfect really between 4.5 & 6.5

RobbingBandit

Feet are giving me terrible trouble think things are about to get much worse too still wearing my vacoped boot it has done major damage wearing it as I have a very busy schedule even after reducing my activities by 50%.

I have just discovered a new ulcer on my right foot which is more of a blister than ulcer bloods at chaotic the past while as well due to decreased activities things were going well before the boot and it has definitely made thing much much worse to the point of no return I have my review end of next week and I'm scared

Brazzer

Thanks gerrybbadd, seemingly I needed it to be a '5' so was .2 over.

CramCycle

Brazzer wrote: »

Thanks gerrybbadd, seemingly I needed it to be a '5' so was .2 over.

Well within the margin of error. At that point, 5.2 is no different to 4.8 in regards a fingerprick test.

banie01

RobbingBandit wrote: »

I have just discovered a new ulcer on my right foot which is more of a blister than ulcer bloods at chaotic the past while as well due to decreased activities things were going well before the boot and it has definitely made thing much much worse to the point of no return I have my review end of next week and I'm scared

I hope the review goes well for you RB, and that hopefully you are still able to overcome the ulceration.
I've no advice to offer other than follow best care, and while I know you have cut your schedule hugely you may need to cut even more

Brazzer

Thanks Cramcycle, new to this so excuse the ignorance, would a fingerprick test be any different to drawing blood when it comes to results? I had a fasting bloods drawn and then drank the glucose drink, all other bloods were fine but the fasting one was .2 over so have to take that test again and see if it comes in at 5 or below to pass...

CramCycle

Brazzer wrote: »

Thanks Cramcycle, new to this so excuse the ignorance, would a fingerprick test be any different to drawing blood when it comes to results? I had a fasting bloods drawn and then drank the glucose drink, all other bloods were fine but the fasting one was .2 over so have to take that test again and see if it comes in at 5 or below to pass...

Depends on what machine they test the glucose on but realistically, it may be more accurate with some machines but don't get hung up on that, 5.2mmol/L is fine for a non diabetic, great for an actual Diabetic.

Do you have the results of your GTT (where you drank the glucose and monitored the bloods for a few hours)? How long did it atke to return to background levels?

5.2mmol/L is not a fail, some people have slightly higher, some slightly lower and so on, there is not a one size fits all, rather a range that encompasses 95% of us.

I presume you are looking to see are you type 2.

Fasting test will only be useful if your not early stage type 2, or its been done repeatedly over a period of time. If yours is 5.2, then it is not indicating anything. Not discounting it either, just not indicating.

What makes your doc think that you maybe type 2?

Brazzer

Hi Cramcycle, thanks again for replying. No I don't have the other results, I went in and did the test, left and 2 hours later got a phonecall saying I had to attend the diabetic clinic as my fasting results were slightly raised. I asked how slightly and she said .2, I then rang my consultant and she wasn't concerned at all as she had literally scanned me right after the test and said all looked great and no signs of GD, not to worry. She was very surprised and said to take the test again so I have to do that this week. Obviously I want to do what's best for my baby but the margin is so tiny and tbh I have 4 other small children so spending mornings in the hospital is a definite non runner for me.

CramCycle

Brazzer wrote: »

Hi Cramcycle, thanks again for replying. No I don't have the other results, I went in and did the test, left and 2 hours later got a phonecall saying I had to attend the diabetic clinic as my fasting results were slightly raised. I asked how slightly and she said .2, I then rang my consultant and she wasn't concerned at all as she had literally scanned me right after the test and said all looked great and no signs of GD, not to worry. She was very surprised and said to take the test again so I have to do that this week. Obviously I want to do what's best for my baby but the margin is so tiny and tbh I have 4 other small children so spending mornings in the hospital is a definite non runner for me.

Unless your GTT result was higher after the last reading than expected (took longer to return to baseline than expected), then there is nothing in your results that indicates GD. By the sounds of it, whoever looked at this has not given you that result and is basing it on your fasting result, one which is well within the typical margin of error, and even if accurate, is still perfectly fine.

If really worried, get a glucometer and start testing. Your consultant is right though, I certainly would not be stressing over it.

Wanton

Folks,

Just wondering how many of you are using the Libre these days (specifically non "young adults")

As in, who is paying for it?

I am not a Facebook user, but do use Twitter a fair bit, I watch Simon Harris and like a few small few I take every opportunity to ask him when he is going to make it available for all. For such a big thing (in my eyes at least) its all too quiet. The entire T1D community should up in arms with it not being made available for all, but the most I have seen has been a handful of retweets and likes for various twitters posts.

CramCycle

Wanton wrote: »

Folks,

Just wondering how many of you are using the Libre these days (specifically non "young adults")

As in, who is paying for it?

I am not a Facebook user, but do use Twitter a fair bit, I watch Simon Harris and like a few small few I take every opportunity to ask him when he is going to make it available for all. For such a big thing (in my eyes at least) its all too quiet. The entire T1D community should up in arms with it not being made available for all, but the most I have seen has been a handful of retweets and likes for various twitters posts.

I imagine that they are probably moving over to medtronic 640G with the sensors, rather than looking to provide Libre patches to anyone. Basically as you get a pump or replace a pump going forward, you'll get CGM

They were also having issues with the suppliers as the Libre and Abbott were using direct delivery for their shipment model and this was causing annoyance with the Pharmacies who were not able to apply on short order, and for awhile they were not allowing them to buy on credit, so I imagine, this has all added to the delays in rolling out CGM to the masses.

There is also the negotiations for price etc. which if I remember right, Libre would not budge on, which seemed daft but I could be wrong on this.

My Dexcom patches were paid for by the HSE, I am not young anymore. Libre patches were from myself. Current Elite sensors are from the HSE.

Buford T. Justice XIX

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Feet are giving me terrible trouble think things are about to get much worse too still wearing my vacoped boot it has done major damage wearing it as I have a very busy schedule even after reducing my activities by 50%.

I have just discovered a new ulcer on my right foot which is more of a blister than ulcer bloods at chaotic the past while as well due to decreased activities things were going well before the boot and it has definitely made thing much much worse to the point of no return I have my review end of next week and I'm scared

Sorry to hear that, RB.


My only advice to you would be to not stress out, you're nowhere near the point of no return so don't look at it that way.


I think you need to focus on what you can control and start concentrating on slow release carbohydrates and more testing to see which carbohydrates are best tolerated by you and which ones lead to higher than expected spikes. And what ever exercises you can do will also help to control your bloods.


Every day is a battle, I know, but you'll surprise yourself after a short time once you can fine tune your balance.

Meauldsegosha

Wanton wrote: »

Folks,

Just wondering how many of you are using the Libre these days (specifically non "young adults")

As in, who is paying for it?

I am not a Facebook user, but do use Twitter a fair bit, I watch Simon Harris and like a few small few I take every opportunity to ask him when he is going to make it available for all. For such a big thing (in my eyes at least) its all too quiet. The entire T1D community should up in arms with it not being made available for all, but the most I have seen has been a handful of retweets and likes for various twitters posts.

There was a petition handed into the Department of Health earlier this year which had over 20,000 signatures on it. Two TD's (Frank O'Rourke & Mary Butler) also raised it during Taoiseach's Question Time on World Diabetes Day. Leo said he didn't know what the status was but would enquire with Simon Harris. Liz Murphy who runs the Diabetes Advocacy Ireland Facebook page has done a lot of work to highlight the issue and works with the two TDs who have been very active in raising the profile of access for all to the Freestyle Libre.

Meauldsegosha

CramCycle wrote: »

I imagine that they are probably moving over to medtronic 640G with the sensors, rather than looking to provide Libre patches to anyone. Basically as you get a pump or replace a pump going forward, you'll get CGM

Not everyone has or wants a pump. They shouln't be disadvantaged in their diabetes control because of this. It's very rare to be given a GMS without a pump.

CramCycle

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

Not everyone has or wants a pump. They shouln't be disadvantaged in their diabetes control because of this. It's very rare to be given a GMS without a pump.

100%, the CGM is far more beneficial to control than a pump, and this has been shown in studies time and again.

In that case I imagine they would be looking at the Dexcom rather than the Libre as that is who was getting supplied by the HSE the last time I had one, unless you were given a Libre in the first place.

On the same note, I wonder if you just got your GP to fill out the script for them and sent it in, would you get away with it. The other option being to go private and pay the consultant to write into the HSE and say it is a requirement.

For the former I have readers for the libre and dexcom, so you would only need the patches/sensor, and if you have a NFC compatible phone I think you may not even need the reader.

silverharp

interesting podcast for anyone interested in fasting as a way to reverse or improve type 2 symptoms

https://twitter.com/bschermd/status/1064978605619310592

Harry Palmr

What do people who have foil protected test strips do with the foil?

Meauldsegosha

I usually put the used strip back in the foil and throw it in the bin.

CramCycle

Foil in recycling bin, strip in clinical waste I presume.

gerrybbadd

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

I usually put the used strip back in the foil and throw it in the bin.

This. Always

Zebrano

Hi All
I have a T 1 toddler thats 3and a half. Diagnosed about a year and a half ago.
But the last week or ten days she has developed a big insulin resistance from dinner time until about 3 in the morning.
Any boluses have doubled at least
I dont think she is getting sick as surley it would have developed more by now.
Plus from breakfast until dinner is normal.
Thanks
Zebrano

CramCycle

Injections or a pump?
Are you changing sites regularly?

Could she be coming to the end of her honeymoon period, as in was she on very little insulin anyway?

I would ring the Diabetes Specialist Nurse in your hospital Just to cover yourself. I imagine as it's at a certain time than across the board, it's simply one of those things where she needs more insulin in the evening.

Lastly if it appears to be until three in the morning and she is on the pump, only increase the basal until midnight as the increase in Insulin will carry over for a few hours.

Zebrano

She on a pump
And we change the site every 2 days.
We had noticed that sometimes on the second night se was a bit higher but this has been everynight.
I dont think its anything to do with honeymoon period as i think that ended quite some time ago from what i can tell anyway.
Its just weird really it started the day after her last appointment and now its gonna screw up the a1c.
Ill give the nurse a call on monday.

gerrybbadd

Just back from Sligo after my 6 month check. HBA1c gone from 6.7% to 7.9% :eek::eek::eek:.

Sligo ordered me a pump about 2 years ago. They've never given it to me, and I ask about it every time. It's just sitting on a shelf in the hospital. I've even gotten literature out in the post from the manufacturer.

Anyhow, i spoke with the professor over the clinic, and she tells me that in order to get the pump, I need to do a Berger course. Problem is, they need to have a dietician to carry out the course, and the diabetes dietician has been covering maternity in another part of the hospital for AGES. :rolleyes:

I've been told to adjust my insulin intake now - 1.5 units per 7.5g of carbs. That's gonna be fun to work out:rolleyes:

CramCycle

They run a version of BERGER in James every few weeks, maybe ask your consultant to ring up and see can you join in. As for the Dietician thing, load of rubbish, ours was run by two nurses.