Willpower with Frog and Toad

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Laddie

One of my favorite children’s stories is “Cookies” found in Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel.

The plot follows the two amphibians as they work out how to resist eating a whole batch of cookies baked by Frog. After eating “one last cookie” several times, Frog determines that they need “will power” to stop eating all of the cookies. In reply to Toad’s question about the meaning of will power, Toad says “Will power is trying hard not to do something that you really want to do.” They consider various ways to stop eating the cookies such as putting the cookies in a box tied up with string or putting them on a high shelf. But they are smart enough to figure out that scissors and a ladder can easily overcome those obstacles.

Finally Frog takes the cookies outside and yells for the birds to take them away. When Toad bemoans the fact that they no longer have any cookies, Frog replies “Yes, but we have lots and lots of will power.”

I’m not sure that it is really willpower when you take away temptation, but removing tempting treats from my house is the best way for me to resist eating them. I have very little problem resisting “bad” food throughout the day, but the post-dinner hours are another story. It’s a boredom issue, I think. It’s also an issue that chocolate tastes really good and sometimes I crave it so much that it hurts. I’ve never been able to figure out why I am so satisfied with one piece of chocolate when it is a sample given out at Costco and then I can’t stop at one (~~five~~) at home.

I love cookies. I love candy. I love ice cream. I hate willpower.

Lest you think that Frog and Toad have it all figured out, the story ends with Toad’s scathing dismissal of willpower: “You may keep it all, Frog. I am going home now to bake a cake.”

I know what you mean, Toad.

Willpower

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Laddie

Willpower is passing this

and buying this

day after day after day.

It’s Not as Hard

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Laddie

I am at a stage in life where caring for my Type 1 Diabetes is easier than it has been for most of my life. I initially titled this post as “It Gets Easier”. I decided that to use the word “easy” anywhere on the same page as diabetes was a total travesty. Diabetes of any type at any time is always hard. Hard as rocks. Hard as nails. Hard as anything you can think of. But right now for me it’s not as hard as it used to be.

Partial hypo-unawareness makes it easier for me not to over-correct. No more sitting at the kitchen table in the middle of the night eating bowl after bowl of Frosted Flakes in a soaking wet nightgown. No more drinking an appropriate glass of orange juice followed by just one Wheat Thin that turns into half a box. Most of my nighttime lows are taken care of by one or two glucose tabs eaten from the stash on my bedside table. (Note to self: don’t tell your readers how often you silence Dex alarms to roll over and go back to sleep.)

I am currently retired from my part-time job and I am able to walk my dog every morning right after breakfast. Through most of my years with diabetes, breakfast has been my most problematic meal. The same meal could have post-prandial readings that varied by a hundred or more points from day to day. By walking immediately after eating, I usually prevent the extreme spikes that require large doses of insulin to bring me back to an in-range reading. Although I occasionally have an outrageous high with no discernible reason, most of my mornings are somewhat level and predictable now.

I am lucky to be able to escape Minnesota winters and spend several months in Arizona. This means that my exercise level can be consistent throughout the year rather than taking a nosedive in the endless dark, cold, and ice of winter in the Upper Midwest. I am a true believer that exercise is the key to a successful life with diabetes and consistency in exercise helps for stable basal rates.

My newest continuous glucose monitor, the Dexcom G4 Platinum, has improved my physical and mental health in almost immeasurable amounts. This is my 3rd CGM system (after the Medtronic CGM and the Dexcom 7+), but it is the first one that has been life-changing. Occasionally it will cry wolf for non-existent lows, but in general it is incredibly accurate and alerts me to lows before I reach the 50’s and 40’s. I can go about my day with the confidence that it will alert me when I’m out of range and it lets me forget diabetes sometimes.

At age 61, I’m past those pesky hormones that can wreak havoc with BG levels throughout the month. There are some definite downsides to having fewer hormones, but blood sugar control is not one of them.

I eat fewer carbs than I used to and average about 100 grams per day. In the old days, that was considered Low Carb. Because there are so many people who go much lower than that these days, I think I’m now on the low end of Moderate Carb. I believe that each one of us has to make our own choices when it comes to our diet, but I have never been able to match insulin to high carb meals and snacks. By reducing the post-meal peaks, I’ve gotten rid of many of the lows that result from preventing or treating those highs.

I think the reason I’m feeling good these days is that my hard work seems to be having good results. We’ve all had spells where we do the “right” things and diabetes just laughs at us. But right now it’s smiling. How long will it last? Probably not long.

So do I have Type 1 Diabetes figured out? Nope. I still love sweets and struggle with evening carbfests that lead to bad overnight highs and lows. I still have highs that make no sense at all. When I go high, I can’t seem to take enough insulin to bring my BG back to normal. I have daily lows in the 60’s and 70’s. I am fighting my third frozen shoulder despite having good A1c’s. I have to take diabetes into account for almost every activity in my life.

But most of the time, I’m doing okay. And that’s a win in my book.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Buying a New Pump

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Laddie

This post is my June entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival. If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2013/june-dsma-blog-carnival-3/ The topic is: How do you select the diabetes devices you use? To others looking into new or replacement devices, what would be your best advice to someone shopping around?

When I select medical devices, I put on a blindfold, turn around 3 times, and pin the tail on the donkey. Oops, wrong game. But that is what it felt like when I bought my last pump in December 2012.

When I began my pump search, I was using an out-of-warranty Medtronic Revel pump and a Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor). I had previously used the Medtronic CGM and found it to be painful and inaccurate. But I loved having a sensor augmented pump and only having to carry one device. So a pump/CGM combo was my #1 criteria for my next pump. Unfortunately there was no device on the market that had the features I desired given that I was unwilling to use the Medtronic CGM.

Medical device companies are prohibited from giving detailed information about pumps in development and they have no control over how long FDA approval will take. So ultimately I had to make my purchase decision based on my best guess of which future pump would have the features I wanted along with a guess of how soon it would get to market. So I put on my blindfold and went to work.

I was very happy with my Medtronic pump and I knew that their improved Enlite sensor system would “soon” be available in the USA. Animas was on track to release a pump that would be combined with the newest Dexcom G4 Platinum CGM. The new kid on the block, the Tandem t:slim, was a touchscreen rechargeable pump that would also eventually link up with Dexcom. I didn’t have any reason to consider the Accu-Chek pump, so I ignored it in my decision. I don’t mind tubes and was not interested in the Omnipod.

Normally I would love to make a chart and compare features pump by pump. But I didn’t have sufficient information to do that with my most important decision points. I had no way to evaluate the Medtronic Enlite sensor system, and I wasn’t willing to leave Dexcom to take a chance on it. I found the Tandem pump intriguing, but they had no upgrade program in place and I wasn’t willing to risk not having an affordable pathway to buy their future sensor integrated pump. I chose Animas because it will be the first pump released with an integrated Dexcom CGM and I am guaranteed a $99 upgrade fee to get that pump.

Am I happy with my Animas Ping pump? Not really. I knew that I would hate the menu system, but I actually underestimated how much I dislike it. But it’s a good pump and it does the job of delivering my insulin safely. Do I regret my decision? No, because I made the decision based on the future which has not arrived yet. I am still waiting for the Animas Vibe to come to market and I think that it will fix the things I don’t like about the Ping. It will definitely give me the pump/Dexcom combo that was and is my #1 requirement.

My advice to others who are shopping for their first pump or a new pump?

Do your homework:

With yourself. Decide which features are most important to you. Do you want tubeless? Do you require a large reservoir? Do you want a Pump/CGM combo? In most cases you won’t get everything on your wish list, so be open to considering several brands of pumps.
With the pump companies. Visit their websites and request their brochures. If a local rep is available, meet with him/her to see the pump and learn more about it. Omnipod even has a non-operational sample pod that allows you to try it out on your body.
With your medical team. If this is your first pump, your medical team may require classes about pumping and carb counting before prescribing a pump. I think it’s valuable to ask for your team’s opinions on pumps, although ultimately you should get what you want not what your doctor likes. Your doctor’s office might also have demo pumps and infusion set samples.
With your insurance company. Many insurance companies will cover all pump brands. But if they don’t, it’s good to know that up front. For example, Medicare will not pay for the Omnipod at this time. Also, it’s a good idea to determine your financial responsibility for the pump purchase and the ongoing supply expense.
With other pumpers and the online community. Message boards and blogs are a wonderful source of information and opinions on pumps. Fortunately most people end up happy with the pump that they choose, but it’s still helpful to learn as much as you can about the pros and cons of each brand.

It has been six months since I purchased my pump. The questions I would have liked answered then are still unanswered. The Animas/Dexcom pump has been submitted to the FDA, so there has been progress. I have some regret that I did not go with the t:slim, but for the most part I think I made the right decision. And if you think about it, it’s only 3-1/2 years until I go shopping for my next pump!

To Dose or not to Dose?

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Laddie

To dose, or not to dose, that is the question.

That’s not exactly what was phrased by Hamlet in the opening soliloquy of the Shakespeare play. But it is a question heard frequently around the diabetes online community when considering our CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) systems. And it is a question that some would argue has life or death implications.

My answer to this question is sometimes, in certain circumstances, and within certain guidelines.

My current CGM is the Dexcom G4 Platinum and it is by far the most accurate system that I have used. The numbers are almost always in the ballpark with my meter readings. Twitter is littered with my photos of identical G4 and Verio meter readings. Earlier this week I downloaded my Dex into Dexcom Studio and my 3 meters into Diasend. Comparing the 2-week reports from each, my average BG differed by only 3 points. The standard deviations were also 3 points apart and my graphs were remarkably similar. So essentially I am getting the same information from these devices.

Like everyone with Type 1, I am awash in data and make decisions knowing that none of the numbers are 100% accurate. My meters are allowed to have a 20% variance. My pump is very precise in its insulin delivery, but my body’s absorption of insulin may vary based on the location and age of the infusion set, my exercise patterns, and various hormonal excursions. There are inherent inaccuracies in carb counting. Food labels are allowed a 20% fudge factor. Fruits may differ in their carb impact based on ripeness or variety. One portion of vegetable soup might have more potatoes than another portion filled with green beans and squash. So the Dex CGM is not perfect, but neither are my other tools.

I start my day with a fasting BG reading on my meter. If a correction is needed, I bolus for it. If my Dex calls for a calibration, I record the number. After this I will rely on my G4 for my breakfast bolus and throughout the morning for alerting me to lows and highs. Late morning I’ll take a fingerstick and make sure that the Dex is still on track. If a correction bolus or snack is needed, I’ll take it. Then when lunch comes, I’ll usually use my Dex as the guide for my bolus along with carb counts. Same for the afternoon, dinner, and throughout the evening. I use the meter for a “grounding” every few hours, but rely on the Dex the rest of the time.

I play the game of mistake management and try to minimize the number of diabetes mistakes that have serious consequences. If I am woken at night by a high alert from my Dex, I will double check the reading with my meter before taking a correction bolus. That is because an overdose of insulin while sleeping is potentially life-threatening. If my Dex wakes me with a low alert, I often pop a couple of glucose tabs from my bedside table without a meter confirmation. The result of a Dex mistake in this case is just an errant high from eating glucose tabs.

Similarly, I take driving with Type 1 Diabetes very seriously. If I’m on the south side of BG 100 or have any symptoms of a low, I will always test with my meter before driving. No way that I want to have a low at 65 miles per hour. On the other hand, if the Dex shows me level at 110 and I feel good, I’ll probably trust the Dex and head out. At this point I’m comfortable I’m in a target range that is safe although I may not know the exact number.

During the daytime, I usually trust the Dex high alert and bolus based on it. I have to admit that I get some false lows from my G4, but I get very few false highs. Sometimes it will alert me with a 180 reading and I think “no way!” But the Dex is usually right.

My trust in my G4 is bolstered by an average of 8 meter readings a day. Some of these are for calibration. Others are before driving or halfway through a round of golf. In general, my meter helps me trust my Dex while the trends on my Dex helps me trust my meter. (As a caveat, I don’t trust the Dex on the first day of sensor insertion and I lose confidence as it approaches Day 14.)

In summary, I confidently bolus throughout the day based on my Dexcom G4 readings. Why can I do this? First, because I also test a lot with my meter. Secondly, because I have the Dexcom G4 to alert me if I make a mistake.

(I will end this post by reminding everyone that Dexcom and our doctors advise us never to bolus based on our CGM numbers.)

Diagnosis by Pancakes

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Laddie

I was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus in mid-November 1976. I wasn’t diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I wasn’t diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Those terms were not in use in the 1970’s. I went to the eye doctor because I was having blurry vision and thought I needed new glasses. I suspect I smelled like fruity nail polish remover, and he told me that it was likely I had diabetes and should see a doctor immediately.

I was 24 years old, recently married, and although I had heard of diabetes, I was totally ignorant about the specifics of the disease. I dutifully went to see the recommended internist the next day.

Now you’re expecting to get to the part of the story that says he took my blood and tested my c-peptide and GAD antibodies. Those tests were not part of the laboratory diagnostic arsenal then. I was given a urine test and told to go downstairs to the medical office restaurant. I was instructed to have a pancake breakfast with lots of syrup and come back in two hours. Once again I was given a urine test and was immediately told that I had diabetes. I didn’t know enough about diabetes to be worried, scared, or surprised. This was a Friday and I was told to go home for the weekend and be admitted to the hospital on Monday morning. That seems odd to me in retrospect, but Monday morning came and I started my life as a PWD with a 4-day hospitalization. Like many Type 1’s, I learned to give shots on an orange. I was discharged with a 2,200 calorie exchange diet and prescribed Ketodiastix for testing my urine for glucose and ketones. I was instructed to take 35 units of Lente insulin daily in one injection. No mealtime insulin in those days.

Not once in the 36 years since my diagnosis has any doctor suggested that I wasn’t in the category of what we now call Type 1 diabetes. I have still never had a c-peptide or an antibody test. My understanding is that I will be required to have a c-peptide test when I reach Medicare age in order to keep my pump.

With today’s sophisticated lab tests and the increased knowledge about diabetes, I don’t understand why so many young adults are being misdiagnosed as Type 2. They are given pills instead of insulin and often must struggle for months or years to get a correct diagnosis. Many doctors are blinded by the Type 2 epidemic and are not considering that the incidence of Type 1 in all ages is also increasing.

It makes me think that maybe a pancake diagnosis wasn’t so bad after all.

Why is it a Mistake?

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Laddie

On Sunday I went to my grandson’s birthday party. My blood glucose was in the 90’s at the beginning of the party. I had no snacks. For dinner, I had one small roll with cheese along with some celery and other raw veggies. As far as I know, I bolused properly for what I ate. Instead of birthday cake and ice cream, I had a cup of tea.

When I got home, my blood glucose was 186. My typical reaction would be to look in the mirror and say that I made a mistake. I hardly ate. I estimated the carbs and took a bolus. I wasn’t even tempted by cake and ice cream and had none.

So what did I do wrong?

Not a darn thing.

Stop the Guilt Already!

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Sue from New York

Please welcome Sue from New York who will be one of the writers for this blog. Today she is addressing a subject that we all know too much about. To learn more about Sue, click here.

My son was born in 1971, a beautiful, happy, healthy baby. His sister was born in 1974. In 1975, shortly after his fourth birthday, my son began to lose weight, wet the bed, and he developed an unquenchable thirst. We took him to the emergency room of the hospital late one night, and we were told that he was a juvenile onset diabetic. He was admitted, and we learned to give shots of insulin into an orange first, and then to our little boy. When we brought him home, my mother in law expressed guilt because as an adult onset diabetic, she felt she was responsible for her grandson’s diabetes. At that point my mother informed me that her cousin was a juvenile onset diabetic since the age of three. So I was then able to tell my mother in law that it was not her fault that my child was now diabetic, and I could now bear the blame. At one point I told myself that I wished it was me with the diabetes instead of him. I subsequently developed type 1 diabetes when he was 17.

Raising a diabetic child in the 1970’s and 1980’s was a real challenge. Blood sugar testing was nonexistent, and we checked his urine to see how his control was. He was on one shot of insulin a day. We mixed his NPH and regular insulin in the syringe in the morning, and he was on a fairly strict schedule of meals and snacks to coincide with the action of the insulin. We tried to explain to our young daughter why her brother couldn’t eat sugar, but something got lost in the translation. She had a recurring nightmare that her brother would eat sugar and explode. And she felt responsible for this nightmare, because she wasn’t watching her brother carefully enough.

There has been a theory that type 1 diabetes may be caused by mothers giving their babies milk before they are six months old. I’m pretty sure I put milk in his bottle before he was six months old. Oh great.

On July 2, 1999 my son was living and working in New York City, seeking work in the theatre, his passion. One day he stopped to buy a sandwich and was on his way to the subway, where he planned to eat the sandwich. He awoke in Bellevue Hospital with a broken left leg after suffering a hypoglycemic episode. He thinks he was hit by a taxi, but there were no witnesses available when the ambulance arrived. We drove 4 1/2 hours to the hospital, picked him up and brought him back to our home to recover. My husband took him to PT three times a week, and a couple of months later he had surgery again on his leg. When he recovered we returned him to his apartment in Queens. A couple of years later he developed proliferative retinopathy and needed laser surgery, which continues to this day. He had to give up his dream of acting and get a job with health insurance benefits to pay for his laser treatments. Within a month of his accident, my mother had a debilitating stroke which left her paralyzed on her right side. My son told me last week that he was responsible for her stroke because of the stress she suffered when he broke his leg. I did my best to inform him that a stroke is not caused by stress, but by high blood pressure and/or a blood clot. So he lived with guilt for 14 years that was not his doing.

Diabetes is a full time job. It’s not our fault that we developed diabetes. We need to learn to deal with the day to day existence of living with it, and let go of the guilt we associate with it.