Diabetic Recipes
The other day, Michelle posted about censoring her blog to not upset her mother sometimes. I realize I do this too, but not for the same reason. I tend to censor my writing out of superstition. I'm like one of those people who mouth the word cancer. When things are going good for me, I know if I blog about it, things will quickly turn around.
Last week, I chose to not look over my shoulder (or toss salt over it) and jump up and down with glee over my new pump. I was so excited about it, and how much easier it made my diabetes control.
I should know better than to speak up when things are going good. I should have whispered instead. I even knocked wood to fend off the fates, but I guess they heard me over all that banging.
This week, things got more complicated. First, I forgot to reconnect the tubing after my shower over the weekend, resulting in an afternoon-long high. Then today, I've been fighting lows all day.
I know, I know. I had the nerve to announce I hadn't been under 70 once since getting the pump. Yesterday, I found myself at 63 before dinner. Today things got even worse.
I had a small breakfast, with just enough insulin to barely cover the carbs. I got the boy dressed and into the stroller, and headed off for our morning walk. About 30 minutes into it, I was feeling low, so I tested my blood sugar and it was 90. That's not low at all, so I figured I was just pushing pretty hard and feeling it.
About 15 minutes later, I found myself about a mile from home, with a peacefully sleeping baby in the stroller, and a sudden overwhelming urge to cry. There was absolutely nothing wrong emotionally, I wasn't overcome with anything in particular, so I tested my blood sugar to find it was 57. I knew there was a reason I kept glucose tabs in the stroller at all times, even though, until now, I haven't needed to use them. (And might I add, the orange flavor aren't nearly as tasty as the grape.)
Things seem to have levelled off now, but then again, just typing that may mean another challenge is up ahead.
Rebecca,
Please don't beat yourself up! It is a learning process. We all mess up sometimes, and even sometimes we don't mess up but our bodies do weird things! I think you are doing awesome! Just keep those glucose tabs handy! I like the fruit punch ones best!
Mousie
p.s. I ate supper last night ( was 100 before supper), bolused correctly, got dressed to leave for my evening exercise class and the next thing I know, I was laying on the kitchen counter with a 39. I have no idea why!!! Go figure....and that was with a full belly!!
I have the same "blogging superstition". If I say I've been running high, my blood sugar immediately swing way too low. And vice versa. I stupidly blogged about having my best A1C yet . . . which probably means my next one will be the worst ever!! :)
Hang in there with the pump- it does get easier. I've had mine since mid-April, and I'm still learning. But it has gotten so much easier than it was that first month or so. Don't get me wrong - I loved it from the beginning. But, you know, it takes some time to get into the swing of it.
Karen
I have been on the pump since June. It is still confining and my glucose still runs too high or too low. It was so low one morning (20) that 911 was called - almost went into a comma. The pump does not ever get fine tuned. Wonder if it ever will.
gerenda
Hey! I just started on a pump 2 weeks ago, (and haven't blogged about it yet)and although I am enjoying playing with the new gadget I have had the opposite experience. My BG hasn't gotten out of the stratosphere in a week and a half, and I'm about ready to start adjusting insulin levels without benefit of doctor's advice! Wednesday was the most aggravating, my dinner was a lean steak, steamed vegetables, and a salad. Two hours later my BG was 386!! I shall soldier on, however, in good spirits and realizing that not everyone gets the chance to go on a pump, eat a steak, have a doctor, or enjoy soldiering on.
Can anyone tell me how to blog on a website here? I would like to join the "insulin pump" website but can't post anything.....help
Thanks
I have been on the pump for 2 weeks & am trying to get use to it. Find it time consuming & confining. Seems like the younger people like it more. Anyone in their sixties trying to get use to a pump? I am having lots of problems getting use to it. Help!!!!
I'm 55, and pretty anti-technology, but it does get simpler and quicker to operate the pump as time goes on. I have to fine tune my recommended bolus at times, since I have figured out some of my blood sugar quirks (like being sure to decrease my adjustment bolus just before bedtime since my sugars drop when I'm sleeping). Hang in there!
I have been on the pump for 2 weeks & am trying to get use to it. Find it time consuming & confining. Seems like the younger people like it more. Anyone in their sixties trying to get use to a pump? I am having lots of problems getting use to it. Help!!!!
i am seriously thinking about going off the pump. ive been on it for 1 year now. Has anyone else gained ridiculousy amounts of weight from the pump? i sure have. my sugars are much better but i truly cant take the weight gain.
I use the Omnipod insulin pump (going on 2 years now) for several reasons. First, I'm so clumsy that I would rip out the tubing on most pumps every day! I've only had the "pods" dislodged about 6 times over the past 2 years, and it was a painless & bloodless experience. Second, it's so nice to not have a device clipped to my belt, which can advertise my diabetes. No one has ever noticed or mentioned detecting the "pod bump" on my abdomen under my clothing. Lastly, before getting the pump, I discovered that EVERY BD meter is calibrated to record my sugars as being higher than they actually were, causing me to have low sugar reactions when the meter told me I was OK. I tried several different BD meters, and even called BD customer support about this - they said their meters were withing the "acceptable range". Not for me - the FreeStyle and One Touch were much, much more accurate. SO - when I discovered that the MiniMed pumps used the BD meter technology, I knew they would not be truly accurate. The Omnipod has a built in FreeStyle meter, so that was the selling point for me. My insurance covers the pods 100%, and I only had to pay a deductible for the PDM (pump brain). Sometimes my sugars still just go nuts on me - days where it seems just looking at the insulin bottle can make me go low and other days when I keep on bolusing to bring down a surprise high - but overall my levels are greatly improved on the pump! If you are using another brand of pump, you may want to look into the Omnipod. I have never regretting it.
I have been on the pump for two years now. I love the pump but I have the same highs and lows as you. I am 55 years old; diagnosed type 1 at 52 years old (go figure) and I am still adjusting all the time. Exercise causes my blood glucose to drop like a stone so I have to decrease my pre-meal insulin before the exercise by 1.5 to 2 whole units in order to get through the exercise (aerobic). On the other hand, if it is lifting weights or other non-aerobic exercise my BG rises. It takes quite a while to figure these things out. Don't give up on the pump.