Which Lancet is the Finest?

Want to avoid unneccesary pain when testing your blood glucose?

Doesn't any diabetic?

Well, how about using a finer lancet?

Here are two to consider:

The BD Ultrafine, which has a gauge of 33.

Here's a page comparing it to other popular lancets, its the one on the far left, the pretty peacock blue one:

Comparison of lancets for size

I have found one other lancet which might be suitable for children, its the Tinyboy.
Its the pale blue lancet on the left in the picture below.  As you can see, its very very short.

And what about lancing devices? 

My favourite is the BD one shown at the very bottom of this photo: 

 
More Options: 

Another option to reduce pain when testing, is to use Alternate Site Testing.   
Here's an excellent article on it, which explains when its appropriate and not appropriate to use it, and how to get the best results:

Alternate Site Testing 

Where should I test if not on my fingers? 

http://gb.pinterest.com/pin/112801165641726163/

This shows the alternate sites you can use with their systems. It also shows alternate sites on the hand, (I find these just as effective as fingertip testing, you might too). As you see, you can use the base of your thumb, and the edge of your palm too.

Note that when you use fingertip testing, its usually less painful to use the side of your fingertips, rather than the flat part where your fingerprint is. 

Talk to your doctor about using alternate sites, and mention these alternate hand sites too.

A Strong Woman

 

My grandmother was a strong woman...

She raised two children on her own when her husband disappeared into the wilderness and never came home again. He was finally given up for dead many years later.

She ran the family farm out on the prairies, then moved across half a continent to give her family a better life. She started out all over again.

She was burned in a house fire, and survived skin grafts. She grew strong again, and rebuilt her home and her life, and planted a rose garden.

She was brave. Far braver than I'll ever be.

She taught me how to make bread, and told me stories of life on the prairies, and the old traditions.

She told me about my dad when he was a kid, of how much my parents were in love when they were young, of how different society was when she grew up.

She went from soddy, and horse and wagon, to telephones, and cable TV, but technology couldn't save her.

She died too soon, a brave, strong, passionate woman, taken down...   by sugar.

Type 2 diabetes

  Complications followed.

Comas, gangrene, surgery, more gangrene, more surgeries, 

and suddenly, after surviving all that, a stroke.

She was gone.

Type 2 diabetes isn't pretty. 

Its a horrible desease that kills the people we love. This is why I fight to impress on people that they need to get tested even if they don't have any symptoms.

Type 2 is a silent killer that sneaks up on you when you aren't looking. You can have it for 8 to 10 years before the symptoms start to appear from the complications and damage it causes. By then, you've already lost some of your nerve function and eye sight and may already have kidney disease. Your pancreas may have already lost much of its ability to produce insulin. As much as 80% or more of the beta cells that are responsible for insulin production will be dead.

 Everyone should be tested for diabetes at every checkup. That's the only way we're going to give people a chance to fight this disease.

Tell your friends, tell your neighbours, tell your co-workers -- "Get tested at your next checkup, ask for an HbA1c and a fasting glucose test".

  You just might save their life!

 

  

Its NOT All About Type!

I had a very interesting conversation with my endo yesterday.

He said he doesn't really believe in using the diabetes labels type 1 and 2, because no two people will have the same response to medications, and that there are so many similarities and overlapping areas between the two.

Drugs that were previously considered just for type 2 have been found to work on type 1, and vice versa. He believes there are hundreds of types and that what matters is getting results. 

Its a fact that "Type 2's" can have antibodies just like type 1s, and type 1's can still have active beta cells". 

It was refreshing to hear him discuss it; he's more up to date on this than he used to be. 

Failing to respond to oral meds doesn't make you type one, it just makes you an individual, which ALL diabetics are. What's important is getting your blood glucose under control. FORGET the labels and stop playing the blame game!

He also said that I was programmed before birth to get diabetes, and even if I was skinny, I still would have gotten it. It was refreshing to have a doc say that I am NOT blame to blame for my diabetes. He also said I was preprogrammed to be a large person, that it's in my genes, and I should NOT diet. He encouraged me to try to make good choices about food, which is what I'm doing. Its what I have been doing for years. Unfortunately I made some bad choices when I was busy renovating 2 houses and taking care of my husband after an injury left him in a cast from hip to toe for months. I'm back on track now but its a real struggle because I now have several other serious health issues and can't get enough exercise due to extreme joint deterioration.

For far too long I've been pressured to diet, and with each new diet I end up getting discouraged and gaining back even more weight when the diet fails, which ultimately all diets do.

Lately, my family doctor is all about WLS. Are you kidding? I'd probably die on the operating table and she knows this. She admits it every time we have this discussion. I have far too many complications to risk it, I am not going to be a lab experiment for some greedy doctor. And by the way, it turns out that even lap bands are not all that safe after all, and not all that successful either.

Of all the doctors I've ever had, my endo has the most positive attitude about weight, and diabetes that I've ever seen. He wasn't always like that. He's gone up several notches in my opinion, for getting more up to date on the studies and evidence regarding this disease.

I just wish more doctors, more diabetics, and family members were up to date on the research and had a positive attitude instead of blaming the diabetic for having the wrong genes.

PS. You know what's really amusing?  I was just reading the old definition of type 1 and 2, and according to it, I'm actually type 1.  Crazy!  I don't care what you call it as long as I have my insulin. Without it, I'd be in the hospital pretty quickly.

Essential Resources for Diabetics

The best page for help with daily testing: Jennifer's Page at
http://alt-support-diabetes.org/newly-diagnosed/testing


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for the USA:
How to test to get results


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for Canada and anyone else using the mmol/L system:
How to Test to Get Results, for Canadians


Great reliable online information about diabetes:

Blood Sugar 101
Blood Sugar 101

David Mendosa's Diabetes NEW website

http://www.mendosa.com/

 and his blog at

http://www.mendosa.com/blog/




Recommended Books


Diabetes for Dummies, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Type 1, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Canadians

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gretchen Becker. This is a really good book for anyone with type 2 diabetes, even someone whose had diabetes for a few years.

And for low carb recipes, have a look at The South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook.

Also look at Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health--in Just Weeks! (Paperback) By Michael Eades

Also, sign up at TuDiabetes...
http://www.tudiabetes.org/

If you're a Canadian  diabetic you can join a new group at Facebook called 
Canadian Sugar (Diabetics)
Canadian Sugar at Facebook!

If you're a Type 2 diabetic and English speaking, this group might interest you:

Diabetes - Type 2 - Living With It!
Type 2 - Living With It! (Group at Facebook)

What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?

What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?
 
First of all, it's vital that you inform your doctor about every supplement, herb and vitamin you take, as they can often affect prescription medications in a negative or even dangerous way! 

Some herbs or supplements can make prescriptions less effective, other can make them too powerful. With diabetes, either one can be dangerous. There are even problems with some foods. Grapefruit is one that comes to mind.

Herbal supplements can easily fall into this category and must be used with extreme caution. Some "herbal treatments" for diabetes contain hidden ingredients. For example, one imported "herbal treatment" was found to contain metformin, rather than herbs, and had to be withdrawn from the market. Profit can be the main incentive for some companies, you have to look out for yourself and protect yourself from these frauds. Many make false claims to cure or control diabetes. Its best to stick with a good diet, and proper medications, as the complications from this disease are so serious.

In my experience, most herbs, vitamins, and homeopathic remedies are useless when it comes to controlling blood glucose. This is a serious disease and you have to take it very seriously to get good results and avoid complications. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement can be helpful overall, but nothing can take the place of good diet, exercise, and the necessary prescription medications, especially insulin.

If you want to try supplements look for those that have been proven through independent studies to help, but approach them with caution and certainly don't rely entirely on supplements, herbs or homeopathy. Follow your doctor's advice. 

You just will not get good control with herbs and supplements, and the complications from this disease are not fun. Don’t risk your health further!

Just my 2 cents!

Why Do I Have To Watch My Carb Intake?

Carbs! They’re our primary source of energy from food. We need carbs, but when you have diabetes, your body can have difficulty dealing with them, causing a rise in blood glucose  that can lead to complications and organ damage, or even unconsciousness and death. 

Some diabetics can control their blood glucose by reducing carb intake and getting more exericse, or with oral medications. Others may need insulin. There are various types of diabetes, and you'll need to follow your doctor's advise on how to keep your blood glucose levels within healthy limits. 

Type 1 diabetics and Insulin Dependent Type 2 diabetics must take insulin to stay alive. Type 2's in the early stages may be able to manage with diet and exercise alone, but later in life progress to oral medications and finally, insulin. Type 2 is a progressive disease.

Other types include gestational diabetes, brittle diabetes, LADA, and MODY.


So which carbs should we eat?  

Carbs or carbohydrates, are either simple carbs like sugar, honey, white flour, white rice, etc. or complex carbs like whole grains, starchy fibrous veggies, etc.  
 

I'd recommend that you stick with the complex, high fibre whole foods type of carbs as much as you can and limit your intake of sugars and starches.

Processed foods such as cookies, donuts, cake, pie, candy and other treats are very bad choices as they contain a lot of sugar, white flour, and fat, and contain may contain no vitamins, minerals or fiber. They consist mainly of simple sugars that make your blood glucose go sky high fairly quickly and provide little if any actual nutritional benefit. There are healthier alternatives you will discover along the way.

When you choose a meal or snack ingredient, stick with healthy whole foods, as much as possible. In other words, eat for health, not for convenience. Avoid fried foods, processed foods, frozen convenience meals, sugar, salt, and most white foods, including most baked goods.

Processed foods provide  “empty calories”. They don’t have vitamin, minerals or even fiber in them. All they do is make your blood glucose high, and contribute to weight gain and disease. Most will also contain unhealthy levels of sodium (salt) and will raise your blood pressure, which is a dangerous condition, especially when combined with diabetes.

You should also cut back on fruit until things are under control. Fruit is high in fast carbs (simple sugars, which are the ones you want to avoid). You can eat some fruit when your diabetes has stabilized, but you’ll find that fruit will not stick with you as long, and you’ll tend to get hungrier faster when eating simple sugars like those found in fruits.

When things are under better control you can start to add in fruits that are high in fibre and lower in carbs and therefore better choices from this food group. These include: FRESH berries such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, also watermelon, fresh pineapple, pears, and apples. The fiber in them will slow down absorption of the carbs a little bit, so you won’t get hungry so fast.  They are rich in nutrients.

Also look for high fiber veggies, and whole grains. If you eat potatoes limit the amount and avoid fried potatoes except for an occasional treat once or twice a year. Eat potatoes with the skins on for more fiber and a sensation of filling full longer.  There are some vegges which are low in carbs and high in nutrition: broccoli, greens, green beans, yellow wax beans, mushrooms, the list goes on.

Eat limited amounts of grains, as they are starches.  When you do choose grains, go for whole grains, not refined grains. Avoid white pasta, white bread, white rice, etc.

For treats, you can find recipes for low carb treats online. Just Google "low carb recipes".

I've learned to make cakes and muffins from almond flour, coconut flour, flaxmeal, and other high fibre/low carb ingredients. It takes time to get used to them and learn to bake with them, but its worth it for guilt free, healthy eating. I don't eat them very often, but at least when I do, I can stick with my carb count for the meal and eat in a healthy manner. I'm sure you'll find some new and healthier favourites when you have been doing this for a while.

I'd recommend the South Beach Diet Cookbook as a starting point for finding low carb recipes. There are several different version, all with different themes. You can probably borrow a copy from your local library. I haven't had to buy one, as I found all the recipes I needed online and then adapted them to suit my needs.

For example, my chocolate birthday cake is made from almond flour, and is very low in carbs, but still very rich tasting. Its a real treat!

And here's a couple of links on carb counting to get you started: 

http://www.diabetesnet.com/food-diabetes/carb-counting/how-count-carbohydrates

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/carbintro.htm



I hope this information is helpful. Please always follow your doctors advice first, and take it slowly. 

YMMV
(Your Mileage May Vary)

I wish you success!

  The above information is my opinion, and should not be taken as medical advice. It is for entertainment purposes only. Always follow the advice of your doctor and medical team.

Where Can I Get Reliable Information on Diabetes?

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, 

you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. 

 

You may be asking yourself questions like; where do I get started, how do I eat, what can I eat, what medications do I need?

And if you have been prescribed insulin, how do I adjust my insulin?

If you have type 2, and your doctor said “just cut back on carbs”, you wonder what does that mean?

It can be confusing and overwhelming.


For help with food, ask your doctor for a referral to a diabetes dietician, who can help you learn about healthy eating with diabetes, and how it relates to your medications, including insulin, if you need it. This is a good place to start. It might take a while to get an opening, so ask now.

You may decide later that you need or want to reduce your carbs further, but at least you can get a good grounding in nutrition and what types of foods you should be eating, and what you should avoid, like processed foods, and fried, high fat, high sodium foods. It’s a good place to get started.

You also need to work with a good doctor, one who knows diabetes and understands the treatment options. Your family doctor may not be very familiar or up-to-date.

You need a well informed diabetes nurse educator too. They can often help out more than the doctor can, because they can take the time to answer more of your questions, and may be more up to date than the average family doctor.  Most doctors don’t have a lot of time to go into details with you, whereas time spent with a good diabetes nurse educator can make all the difference.

Look for reliable sources for information.

Relying on just the internet, and word of mouth information is not a good idea when dealing with prescription medications, including insulin. You need to educate yourself, and the internet is not the most reliable source out there.

Yes, its ok for getting opinions, but when it comes to a serious disease like diabetes, you need to check out at least a couple of reliable sources before making decisions on diet, or learning about medications.  You should make an effort to learn the basics from a reliable source, and for that, you’ll need a few well written books.

So head over to Amazon, your local library or book store and look for these titles:

The best place to start is with general knowledge.  

For all types of diabetes, get Diabetes for Dummies by Alan Rubin, MD.

If you’re Canadian look for Diabetes for Dummies, for Canadians. 

In Canada and some other countries, blood glucose meters, (AKA glucometers) use a different system of measurement for blood glucose, and prescription medications can have slightly different names, so finding a book relative to your country can help.

If you have Type 2, I highly recommend that you get started with Gretchen Becker’s  

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, 

also available at Amazon. It will walk you through the first year. 

Even if you’ve had type 2 for a while, this book can be helpful. It not only gives you the basics, but also deals with the emotional side of diagnosis, not just the medical side. Feelings of guilt are very common when your doctor tells you that you have type 2 diabetes. TV shows and internet articles indicate that type 2 is a lifestyle disease as if those with type 2 made a conscious decision to get diabetes. This is crazy. Most people don’t know that there are over 38 genetic defects that can be causal factors in developing  type 2. You can’t control your genes. Those who develop type 2 usually have type 2 in their family, although some do not. In any case, without those defective genes, you could eat your way to supersized obesity and still never get diabetes.

The media blames type 2’s for their disease, which is unfair, and puts a lot of pressure and guilt on someone already going through a major life crisis. Its not helpful. Gretchen Becker’s book helps you deal with these issues.

For Type 1, there is  Type 1 Diabetes for Dummies,  which is a great place to get started. I'd also recommend Think Like a Pancreas.


Ok, so your books are on order, and you’re waiting for them to arrive. What do you do in the meantime? 
 
Well, you have internet access, so I highly recommend that you start reading Jennifer's Information for the Newly Diagnosed. She gives very useful information on testing: what blood glucose targets to aim for, how often and when to test, record keeping, and getting your blood glucose down to your target range. http://alt-support-diabetes.org/new.php

If after all that, you finding yourself wanting to know more, you can really dig into Blood Sugar 101, written by Jenny Ruhl, and available on line at Amazon.

Jenny Ruhl also has a great website, at Diabetes 101

The books and websites I've mentioned have a lot of very valuable info and have proven reliable, and well researched, but remember: always check with your doctor before making changes to medications, especially when you first start them.

The Most Common Question Newly Diagnosed Diabetics Ask

Q: Did anyone else feel like their life was over when they were told they were diabetic?  

I'm depressed and scared - please help!  

A: Whether they want to admit it or not, most diabetics were  scared when their doctor said to them - "You have diabetes". 

No one wants to hear those words.

 

I suspected it and it was still a big shock to hear those words.

Diabetes killed my grandmother and I saw firsthand how much she suffered. That only served to make me more diligent about controlling my blood glucose, so that I don't suffer the same fate.

So, yes, everyone is scared of what it means, but the good thing is that now you know what's wrong and you can start taking control of your health.

There will always be things you can't control, but you CAN control what you put in your mouth and how much insulin or other meds you take, and how much exercise you get.

Life is NOT over. Your life has just taken a different path that the one you thought you were on. 

Look at this as an opportunity to get your health back on track, and you'll be able to look back in a couple of years and say it was the best thing that ever happened to you, because it was the day your life started to turn around for the better.

I'm doing much better than I was the day I was diagnosed, and you can too.