Arm sites for sensors (my second Vlog)

A little history of Joanie and "medical" adhesives

I got a new roll of adhesive in the mail today for my infusion sets and sensors. I had it out on the counter and forgot about it for a while. Later that day I came back in the kitchen and saw this, my "medical" tape, next to the fruit bowls, like it belonged there, it's just such a part of my every day life. Seeing that reminded me of when I was a kid.

I would sit in the bathroom at home going through our "first-aid" or "band-aid" drawer and see the rolls of medical tape. I used to take pieces off to stick them on me and pull them off again, just to see why it was considered "medical" tape. I used to wonder why this stuff even existed, I mean why in the world would you have to TAPE something to your body!?!?! It just seemed ridiculously silly

.....and 15 years later here we are

Thanks to all who participated!

So far we have over 120 submission for the first Type 1 Diabetes Survey! The results are very exciting. I encourage everybody who participated to hop over and take a look at the results. Due to it's great success I have created two more surveys regarding some different issues. I can't wait to see the results!!!! You can find them here!

My first vlog (also my first low vlog, oops)

The downside of tight control

So lately I have been really pushing hard for better control of my diabetes, I mean really pushing. I have been seeing a dietitian, an endocrinologist, and being in email contact with a CDE almost every other day. I have been feeling great, and doing great as well! What's the catch? Well yes, there are a couple, and here they are...

First there is the trouble of tighter control equalling more frequent lows and the loss of sensitivity to feeling these lows. When my numbers are relatively out of control over an extended period of time I'll 1. have less frequent lows because I am eating like a starving child who hasn't seen food in months, and 2. if I do get low I totally over-treat it and end up high again. But when my bloodsugar is cruising around 100 mg/dl or so it only take one extra unit of insulin to drop me to 60 mg/dl, likewise it only takes about a 40 carb miscalculation to drive me into a low. This leads to a lot more lows than I was experiencing when I was "out of control" (I hate that term for diabetes, you're either "in control" or "out of control", aren't we all out of control by definition of the disease? whatever). This is why by nature, good control leads to much more frequent lows, and the more lows I have the less sensitive I am to feeling them, thankfully the CGMS helps a TON here. The plus side to all of this (aside from the obvious, reduction in complications, feeling healthier and happier) is that now, when I do get low I try to practice the 15-15 rule which usually prevents the rebound highs afterwards. I am now comfortable not over-treating, I have less of a fear of the unknown (ie. how much I'm dropping, how fast, why).

My second and biggest gripe about good control is the social aspect. Non diabetics don't understand that the more you "do" the healthier you probably are as a diabetic. In the past everyone assumed I was fine and in great health because I was never seeing doctors, I was never low, never really testing in public, I was just cruising along. But now people ask, and look at me like I'm sick and dying. It is SO hard to convince them that I am going through all of this because I AM in good health. I met an old friend for lunch today and he was surprised to see me test 3 times during out chat, and surprised to hear that I had so many upcoming appointments (the subject came up unfortunately, and I didn't want to lie), he was also was confused as to why I have so many lows these days (minor lows, remember, very minor, it's not like I'm almost in a coma every other day). He looked so incredibly concerned for me, like I had really fallen off the band wagon of good health, almost disappointed. I took a lot out of me not to feel insulted and get highly irritated at this. I had to take about 10 minutes to explain to him why this is a sign of good health. It's hard for them to grasp that now I am healthier BECAUSE I am seeing these doctors and testing so frequently, not that I am unhealthy THUS I need to see them and keep testing.I *sigh*

That is my rant for the day, thanks for listening.

Take my Type 1 Diabetes Poll!

I have created an anonymous poll for people with Type 1 Diabetes! Go ahead and take the poll to see the results!