[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

The_Conductor

Happy2015 wrote: »

Thank you.I am salary based-and am hoping that this three day course won't be dealt with as sick leave as I have used a lot of leave over the last two years-pre diabetes illnesses etc before becoming dka at christmas!Is there anywhere where I can get information/reading on the course-what to expect or would it be better to attend with no prior knowledge?
Happy 2015

You could always take it as annual leave- if you're not willing to ask for the sick leave to attend it? Alternatively- unpaid leave? Ask your Personnel Department- they might be able to give you a better idea- normally it would be considered as sick leave though...........

P_1

Quick q for those who've done the DAFNE. Did ye take it as sick leave or annual leave from work?

Happy2015

thanks to all your replies-very very helpful,much appreciated

Preset No.3

A good news post, and to celebrate my 1000th post.

Saw my consultant today. Ive lost 11lbs in weight.
Hba1c has gone down from 9.3 to 8.2

Changed one of my meds to Victoza injection, although he told me they may be some adjustment side effects!

Overall very happy, blood sugars are going in the right direction.

Preset No.3

F**K YOU VICTOZA!!!!!!

That is all!

CramCycle

P_1 wrote: »

Quick q for those who've done the DAFNE. Did ye take it as sick leave or annual leave from work?

I sent an e-mail to HR and said I had hospital appointments on the two days (I ended up in work later in the day anyway), no one raised a flag about it.

Dick Dastardly

P_1 wrote: »

Quick q for those who've done the DAFNE. Did ye take it as sick leave or annual leave from work?

I did a 5 day course - took 2 as annual leave and work covered the rest.

_Tombstone_

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/19/393856788/why-is-u-s-insulin-so-expensive

No Generic Insulin in the US, $400 a month and many have to do without.

calfmuscle

Got my diabetic retina screen in the post today.
I have mild retinopathy, I turned 30 yesterday. Have had type 1 for 19 years. Feel devastated to be honest, I know it's mild and I can work on it. But I'm very good about testing and correcting so it's very disappointing. What is the point

CathyMoran

I am sorry to hear that but it would have been far worse if you had not looked after yourself, remember that.

I am over 30 years a type 1 diabetic but I have other health issues too so the diabetes tends to be lower on my list of priorities but I do try my best too.

Buford T. Justice XIX

calfmuscle wrote: »

Got my diabetic retina screen in the post today.
I have mild retinopathy, I turned 30 yesterday. Have had type 1 for 19 years. Feel devastated to be honest, I know it's mild and I can work on it. But I'm very good about testing and correcting so it's very disappointing. What is the point

The thing is to keep improving. Sometimes things go haywire but you get it back under control and start again.

I had my first screen 4 years ago and had some mild retinopathy too. It was an awful shock because my control had been good. It also showed up some early cataract development.

Now those things are also issues with non diabetic relations so it may not be your glucose control that's at fault, it may just be genetic. Plus, now you are aware of the problem and can take any steps available to limit its progress.

Meauldsegosha

Got the results of my retina test today and it says there are some changes to my retina. Like others here I have good control so I'm a bit shocked to get that result. They are referring me to the optomolgy department in the Mater. Has anybody else been referred? What will they do? How long do you have to wait for an appointment?

Happy2015

hi,
Just wondering if anyone out there is using this BGM system-FreeStyle® Libre - if you google Freestyle Libre- you'll see what I'm asking about. I was told by my DNS that its not available in Ireland, but I could get it in Northern Ireland for about 1200 £- has anybody gone down this route?

graflynn

Happy2015 wrote: »

hi,
Just wondering if anyone out there is using this BGM system-FreeStyle® Libre - if you google Freestyle Libre- you'll see what I'm asking about. I was told by my DNS that its not available in Ireland, but I could get it in Northern Ireland for about 1200 £- has anybody gone down this route?

One or two people were able to get it before the website shut ROI people out. I think it only costs 130 pounds though not 1200. I can't remember how much the sensors are per month. This facebook group might have more information for you https://www.facebook.com/groups/748445301888935/?fref=ts

Happy2015

Thanks graflynn!

Also just wondering if anyone out there is using one?Would you recommend it? My fingers are so sore at the moment!

Happy2015

Hi, just reading back through previous posts as I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible-I'm only diagnosed diabetic type 1 since December 2014- does anyone have any advice about losing weight? I've gone from 9 stone -I'm 5,5 - to 10 stone - in the last three months. I mostly eat very healthily-I haven't really had to change my diet since being diagnosed because I never had a sweet tooth at all -treats being the odd takeaway and a drink. I am in the healthy weight range & bmi -but am very upset about this extra stone. Obviously I have to eat - I include a carb in most of my meals-usually a slice of McCambridge Brown bread- i dont eat potatoes/porridge/pasta or rice very often and I try to eat small portions-usually on a side plate or a bowl. I also walk or cycle to work-I only use my car for the grocery shopping or when absolutely necessary. There's so much information on dieting online-could someone recommend a diet that they've used or know someone with T 1 that has been successful. I'd really appreciated at the moment-its bad enough having diabetes and getting my head around it,without coping with my gaining dress size!

CramCycle

Happy2015 wrote: »

Hi, just reading back through previous posts as I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible-I'm only diagnosed diabetic type 1 since December 2014- does anyone have any advice about losing weight? I've gone from 9 stone -I'm 5,5 - to 10 stone - in the last three months. I mostly eat very healthily-I haven't really had to change my diet since being diagnosed because I never had a sweet tooth at all -treats being the odd takeaway and a drink. I am in the healthy weight range & bmi -but am very upset about this extra stone. Obviously I have to eat - I include a carb in most of my meals-usually a slice of McCambridge Brown bread- i dont eat potatoes/porridge/pasta or rice very often and I try to eat small portions-usually on a side plate or a bowl. I also walk or cycle to work-I only use my car for the grocery shopping or when absolutely necessary. There's so much information on dieting online-could someone recommend a diet that they've used or know someone with T 1 that has been successful. I'd really appreciated at the moment-its bad enough having diabetes and getting my head around it,without coping with my gaining dress size!

The first thing is to differentiate between weight gain and increase in fat levels, going up a stone is not always a bad thing, if you are doing more exercise or have toned up, at a certain point the weight loss through fat loss is counteracted by muscle gain and toning.

Don't look at the weight, look at your lifestyle and general fitness levels, if these have not dropped/changed then it is less cause for concern. If it is the other way though, the simplest is, other than changing your diet to foods that are unlikely to encourage weight gain (although what you have described doesn't sound like that) is to burn more than you put in.

How is your control at the minute? Do you think you were in a diabetic state or close to it for long before being diagnosed (causes weight loss, not in a good way)? Are you suffering many hypos?

graflynn

Happy2015 wrote: »

Thanks graflynn!

Also just wondering if anyone out there is using one?Would you recommend it? My fingers are so sore at the moment!

Most people in that facebook group I mentioned in my previous post would be users of the Libre and a number of them are Irish too.

Happy2015

I think my control is good at the moment- according to my meter my daily average is 7.1 mmol/L -which from what I've read seems ok. However I do get a lot of hypos- I've only had one very very bad where I really needed help and I was very lucky -I was in bed,and had help at hand. The rest of the time,when I feel low I realise it very quickly and just drink my lucozade (which I think is a major factor in my weight gain!). As for being diabetic- I reckon - I've been pre-diabetic for years. My sister reminded me of an incident in 2006 when I was unwell and she had to stay with me- and basically-looking back- what I was feeling was a major hypo. I've always had issues with low bloods-things like standing up feeling queasy/dizzy, not having enough energy,tiring easily after physical activity etc BUT because I've also suffered with anaemia - this is what I always put it down to. I am very annoyed with my doc at the moment- because in the last 2 years- I have had 12 kidney infections/UTI's- every flipping cold/bug/virus/sore throat going plus cellulitis . Every time I went to doc,urine tests were done- but I was never referred and my blood sugars were never checked. It was only when I was nearly losing consciousness and DKA in a different doc's office that I was sent to A & E and from there properly diagnosed.Thank God for insulin-because I now feel most days better than I have felt in years. Anyway,vent over- even though I'm feeling well-my diet and activity levels havent changed much since being diagnosed,my main concern now is the weight gain- I'm nervous about upping my exercise in case of hypos and nervous about cutting out any more carbs cos I dont eat that many as it is-any advice would be very welcome

graflynn

Happy2015 wrote: »

I think my control is good at the moment- according to my meter my daily average is 7.1 mmol/L -which from what I've read seems ok. However I do get a lot of hypos- I've only had one very very bad where I really needed help and I was very lucky -I was in bed,and had help at hand. The rest of the time,when I feel low I realise it very quickly and just drink my lucozade (which I think is a major factor in my weight gain!). As for being diabetic- I reckon - I've been pre-diabetic for years. My sister reminded me of an incident in 2006 when I was unwell and she had to stay with me- and basically-looking back- what I was feeling was a major hypo. I've always had issues with low bloods-things like standing up feeling queasy/dizzy, not having enough energy,tiring easily after physical activity etc BUT because I've also suffered with anaemia - this is what I always put it down to. I am very annoyed with my doc at the moment- because in the last 2 years- I have had 12 kidney infections/UTI's- every flipping cold/bug/virus/sore throat going plus cellulitis . Every time I went to doc,urine tests were done- but I was never referred and my blood sugars were never checked. It was only when I was nearly losing consciousness and DKA in a different doc's office that I was sent to A & E and from there properly diagnosed.Thank God for insulin-because I now feel most days better than I have felt in years. Anyway,vent over- even though I'm feeling well-my diet and activity levels havent changed much since being diagnosed,my main concern now is the weight gain- I'm nervous about upping my exercise in case of hypos and nervous about cutting out any more carbs cos I dont eat that many as it is-any advice would be very welcome

Hello Happy2015,

When you are talking about your Doc; do you mean your GP or your Diabetes Consultant (Endocrinologist)? The reason I ask is because in general your gp will look after all things not specific to your diabetes and your Endo looks after all diabetes only.

Are you attending a diabetes clinic that is providing you with specific diabetes education? It sounds like you need the help of a diabetes nurse specialist and a dietitian - they would both be of huge help to you.

This book might fill in some of the gaps for you and guide you on where to go for a better diabetes service than the one you have now.

Your daily average of 7.1 is really good but it's just one moment of time. The more you check your blood sugars the better chance you have of seeing the complete picture. That's why Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems are sought after.

I have a feeling that you will have more questions? So keep them coming,
Grainne

CramCycle

Happy2015 wrote: »

I think my control is good at the moment- according to my meter my daily average is 7.1 mmol/L -which from what I've read seems ok. However I do get a lot of hypos- I've only had one very very bad where I really needed help and I was very lucky -I was in bed,and had help at hand.

The average is good but it is not an indicator of your overall control, if you are having alot off hypos and your average is 7.1 it means that your average is probably deceiving you and it is in fact not that great, mine was the same when I was younger, my average was perfect, look at my records though and it was pretty awful.

The rest of the time,when I feel low I realise it very quickly and just drink my lucozade (which I think is a major factor in my weight gain!). As for being diabetic- I reckon - I've been pre-diabetic for years.

Its not the lucozade causing the weight gain, it is (most likely) the hypos themselves that are more likely to be causing any unusual weight gain. I won't go into the ins and outs, but excessive hypos and recoveries cause weight gain in alot of people. Talk to a specialist nurse or consultant but their first bit of advice will be to get rid of the hypos, in the short term, they will be the most dangerous, once they are reduced, you can work on your average.

I've always had issues with low bloods-things like standing up feeling queasy/dizzy, not having enough energy,tiring easily after physical activity etc BUT because I've also suffered with anaemia - this is what I always put it down to.

High blood sugars will also give you these symptoms as well unfortunately, it's a tricky one, and why you should always check if you can, often I have felt hypo and when I check my bloods they are hyper, if I hadn't my checker I would have had something sugary which would have made it worse.

Thank God for insulin-because I now feel most days better than I have felt in years. Anyway,vent over- even though I'm feeling well-my diet and activity levels haven't changed much since being diagnosed,my main concern now is the weight gain- I'm nervous about upping my exercise in case of hypos and nervous about cutting out any more carbs cos I dont eat that many as it is-any advice would be very welcome

As Graflynn asked, are you talking to a specialist? If not, make it a priority and get referred immediately. In the meantime focus on getting rid of the hypos, once they have reduced start working on the average. A specialist will be best for all this advice but make sure you are keeping a log book of the following things: blood sugars, insulin taken and carbs as well as a brief description of the food you are eating. look for patterns (it will take a few days to spot), this will save alot of time with the specialist, if they have this, they can start straight away, if they don't they can only talk you through the basics.

Snake Plisken

My clinic gave me a Freestyle Optium Neo as a replacement for the Optium and have to say it's crap compared to the Optium, constantly wasting strips due to E3 errors, the provided lancing device is rubbish, I though the first one was broken but got two spare and same issue even at setting 5, it bearly breaks the skin! Anyone else used this meter?

Meauldsegosha

I got a Neo last year and used it for a week before going back to the Optium Xceed. I found it useless.

Dick Dastardly

Snake Plisken wrote: »

My clinic gave me a Freestyle Optium Neo as a replacement for the Optium and have to say it's crap compared to the Optium, constantly wasting strips due to E3 errors, the provided lancing device is rubbish, I though the first one was broken but got two spare and same issue even at setting 5, it bearly breaks the skin! Anyone else used this meter?

I have a Neo but only use it for keytones - normally use a Contour Next Link which is excellent - small, fast reliable and wireless connection to my pump. Before that I used a One touch ultra kit which was pretty good too. I know it's only a small thing - but having to unwrap each test strip for the Neo gets a bit painful after a while...

Eurovisionmad

Hey has anyone got experience if getting travel insurance for an extended period (just under 90 days) VHI Multitrip won't provide extended insurance to me as Aviva Health Insurance won't cover me abroad for more than 31 days (not due to diabetes, just their policy!)

bd2012

Hi folks. Have a quick question for ye

My history- diagnosed with t2 about a year ago. Been on janumet twice daily since and have made serious changes to my lifestyle. With the result that my hba1c has over halved in that year (110 at diagnosis eek! To 52 my most recent one. Yay:) )

However last week I started on a statin to control cholesterol and my sugars are significantly up (I test twice daily). I have been eating normally (low carb/no sugar) and exercising the bejaysus out of it all week but the levels are still high. I'm 9ish in the mornings (normally low 7s) and even higher in the evening 2 hours after my main meal. I actually got it to 9 yesterday by doing a 4.5 miler after dinner (veggie stir fry with a little brown rice) but normally I'd be in the 6s.

So just wondering if anyone here has experienced something similar with statins or will it all calm down a bit as the body gets used to them.

Sorry for the long post it's just a little frustrating when you're doing everything right and the sugars are staying high.

Thanks in advance.
B

Snake Plisken

bd2012 wrote: »

Hi folks. Have a quick question for ye

My history- diagnosed with t2 about a year ago. Been on janumet twice daily since and have made serious changes to my lifestyle. With the result that my hba1c has over halved in that year (110 at diagnosis eek! To 52 my most recent one. Yay:) )

However last week I started on a statin to control cholesterol and my sugars are significantly up (I test twice daily). I have been eating normally (low carb/no sugar) and exercising the bejaysus out of it all week but the levels are still high. I'm 9ish in the mornings (normally low 7s) and even higher in the evening 2 hours after my main meal. I actually got it to 9 yesterday by doing a 4.5 miler after dinner (veggie stir fry with a little brown rice) but normally I'd be in the 6s.

So just wondering if anyone here has experienced something similar with statins or will it all calm down a bit as the body gets used to them.

Sorry for the long post it's just a little frustrating when you're doing everything right and the sugars are staying high.

Thanks in advance.
B

That's interesting, might be just your body getting used to them but worthwhile contacting your diabetic clinic and ask the nurse to check with the specialist your under, just to be on the safe side.

bd2012

Snake Plisken wrote: »

That's interesting, might be just your body getting used to them but worthwhile contacting your diabetic clinic and ask the nurse to check with the specialist your under, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks SP. I will be getting onto them alright. Was just curious if anyone else had experienced something similar.

CathyMoran

I have decided that I will try and get the pump again, I was going to wait untll they had the blood glucose montor but I feel thatr now is the time., i have been a type 1 over 30 years at this stage.

graflynn

bd2012 wrote: »

Hi folks. Have a quick question for ye

My history- diagnosed with t2 about a year ago. Been on janumet twice daily since and have made serious changes to my lifestyle. With the result that my hba1c has over halved in that year (110 at diagnosis eek! To 52 my most recent one. Yay:) )

However last week I started on a statin to control cholesterol and my sugars are significantly up (I test twice daily). I have been eating normally (low carb/no sugar) and exercising the bejaysus out of it all week but the levels are still high. I'm 9ish in the mornings (normally low 7s) and even higher in the evening 2 hours after my main meal. I actually got it to 9 yesterday by doing a 4.5 miler after dinner (veggie stir fry with a little brown rice) but normally I'd be in the 6s.

So just wondering if anyone here has experienced something similar with statins or will it all calm down a bit as the body gets used to them.

Sorry for the long post it's just a little frustrating when you're doing everything right and the sugars are staying high.

Thanks in advance.
B

Some research has revealed that statins do raise blood glucose levels. Here's the link to one report I found on it. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

I suppose the trick is managing the elevated blood glucose level and coming up with a new plan for them.