New Member Introduction

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/1/2005 4:18:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dbi_mod@... writes:

> as well as humulin regular on a sliding scale.

Welcome, Wanda. After 20 years with diabetes, I'm sure you have some helpful

knowledge to share.

Would you please explain how your sliding scale dosing is implemented?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/1/2005 4:18:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dbi_mod@... writes:

> as well as humulin regular on a sliding scale.

Welcome, Wanda. After 20 years with diabetes, I'm sure you have some helpful

knowledge to share.

Would you please explain how your sliding scale dosing is implemented?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/1/2005 4:18:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dbi_mod@... writes:

> as well as humulin regular on a sliding scale.

Welcome, Wanda. After 20 years with diabetes, I'm sure you have some helpful

knowledge to share.

Would you please explain how your sliding scale dosing is implemented?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi, Wanda, welcome to the group.

I'm going to post my " standard newby letter " here. Even though you've

been diabetic for 20 years, you may find information that's new to you

and may be helpful. Be sure to follow the links too.

First of all, let me refer you to two of the best books about diabetes.

Read 'em and you'll learn a lot:

The first one is called

" The First Year, Type Two Diabetes, An Essential Guide for the Newly

Diagnosed " by Gretchen Becker. Gretchen is a list member and her book

is an excellent guide. It's in paperback and available online from

Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it.

The second book is called

" Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions " by K. Bernstein, M.D. You

can get it from the library but it's such a good reference that you

really should have it in your home library. Dr. Bernstein is a longtime

type 1 who controls his diabetes using a lowcarb diet as well as

insulin.. Many of us - both type 1 and 2 -- on this list have found

great success using his plan or a modified version thereof.

.

And here's the URL to Dr. Bernstein's website, where there's lots of

good stuff:

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/index.shtml

These two books will give you good basic information on the ins and

outs of diabetes management.

I would further refer you to an excellent informational website titled "

" What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes "

http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/

If it isn't there for some reason, let me know and I can email you the

contents -- I have it in my archives now.

I would also refer you to Mendosa's website, where

there's a wealth of diabetic information and good links. He also has

an online diabetes newsletter which is very good. It's also an

excellent source for information about the GI index (glycemic index).

www.mendosa.com

There's one thing that's sure to make BGs rise and that's carbohydrates.

Cutting out high GI carbs is an excellent way to control your BGs and

the more you cut, the better. Most of us find that the " whites " --

breads, cereals and pastas, in fact anything made with grain - will

raise our BGs. Also, rice and potatoes will do the same. And of course,

cakes and cookies and sweets of all kinds, including fruits and fruit

juices.

Watch out for " low calorie " foods; often they're higher in carbs. Learn

to read food labels.

Dr. Bernstein recommends about 40 carbs a day total. This is really only

for the dedictated low carber and IMHO hard to maintain over the long

run. However, I've read that the average American eats about 300 carbs a

day, so the truth is somewhere in between. The best thing you can do

for yourself (if you haven't already) is buy a meter and use it

FREQUENTLY. At the beginning you want to learn how different foods

affect your BG and to do this you need to eat one food at a time,

testing first...then test one and two hours afterwards. Weigh out the

amounts and keep good notes. You'll use up a lot of strips in the

beginning but the rewards are definitely worth the expense and bother

because in the end, you'll know what foods to avoid and which are okay.

Diabetes is a very individual disease and we often say YMMV - " your

mileage may vary " -- what works for one may not work for another.

You want to aim for postprandial (two hours after meal) BG of 120.

Keeping your BGs between 70 and 140 are your goals. If you can do this

longterm, you can probably avoid the dreaded consequences of longterm

poor BG control...and I'm sure I don't have to list those for you. (I

will if you want, though).

Here's my own list of pretty lowcarb veggies:

Spinach

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Summer squash (zucchini, crookneck)

Spaghetti squash

Mushrooms

Asparagus

Greenbeans

Cabbage

Sauerkraut

And of course lettuce and avocados which aren't a veggie but a

fruit .but they're definitely lowcarb. I have a large mixed lettuce

salad with avocado every night with dinner.

You can eat a reasonable portion (4-6 ounces) of meat, chicken, fish

without problem; it's all protein, no carbs.

Berries are the lowest carb fruit but even so, you should eat them very

sparingly. Here's the website of the USDA, which you'll find very

helpful. It has carbs, calories, protein, etc.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

It's helpful to have a food scale. A cup measure isn't nearly so

accurate. I use a Salter scale. It weighs in both grams and ounces and

cost me somewhere around $35. I got mine at a local gourmet shop but

they're available online too. Just do a Google search for " Salter food

scales " .

The A1C is a test that measures your average BG for a three-month period

with slightly more weight given to the latest month. All diabetics

should have this test every three months. And you should ask for, and

keep, copies of all your lab reports.

Good luck. And keep those questions coming. There's a really steep

learning curve at the beginning of your diabetes education but hang in

there -- it will all make sense eventually. And remember -- the only

stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

Vicki, diabetic since 1997, A1Cs comsistently under 6 for a long time,

no complications, planning on forever no complications,

smile.

New Member Introduction

>

>

>>Dear Sir,

>>

>>I have been a diabetic for 20 years and on insulin for just over a

>>year. I also take the max of metformin and actos and at least 2

>>shots a day of 70/30, as well as humulin regular on a sliding

>>scale. I hope this site will give me some insight of how others are

>>handling their diabetes. Thank you

>>

>> Wanda

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> Please welcome Wanda to our group!

>

> Rick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Wanda, welcome to the group.

I'm going to post my " standard newby letter " here. Even though you've

been diabetic for 20 years, you may find information that's new to you

and may be helpful. Be sure to follow the links too.

First of all, let me refer you to two of the best books about diabetes.

Read 'em and you'll learn a lot:

The first one is called

" The First Year, Type Two Diabetes, An Essential Guide for the Newly

Diagnosed " by Gretchen Becker. Gretchen is a list member and her book

is an excellent guide. It's in paperback and available online from

Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it.

The second book is called

" Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions " by K. Bernstein, M.D. You

can get it from the library but it's such a good reference that you

really should have it in your home library. Dr. Bernstein is a longtime

type 1 who controls his diabetes using a lowcarb diet as well as

insulin.. Many of us - both type 1 and 2 -- on this list have found

great success using his plan or a modified version thereof.

.

And here's the URL to Dr. Bernstein's website, where there's lots of

good stuff:

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/index.shtml

These two books will give you good basic information on the ins and

outs of diabetes management.

I would further refer you to an excellent informational website titled "

" What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes "

http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/

If it isn't there for some reason, let me know and I can email you the

contents -- I have it in my archives now.

I would also refer you to Mendosa's website, where

there's a wealth of diabetic information and good links. He also has

an online diabetes newsletter which is very good. It's also an

excellent source for information about the GI index (glycemic index).

www.mendosa.com

There's one thing that's sure to make BGs rise and that's carbohydrates.

Cutting out high GI carbs is an excellent way to control your BGs and

the more you cut, the better. Most of us find that the " whites " --

breads, cereals and pastas, in fact anything made with grain - will

raise our BGs. Also, rice and potatoes will do the same. And of course,

cakes and cookies and sweets of all kinds, including fruits and fruit

juices.

Watch out for " low calorie " foods; often they're higher in carbs. Learn

to read food labels.

Dr. Bernstein recommends about 40 carbs a day total. This is really only

for the dedictated low carber and IMHO hard to maintain over the long

run. However, I've read that the average American eats about 300 carbs a

day, so the truth is somewhere in between. The best thing you can do

for yourself (if you haven't already) is buy a meter and use it

FREQUENTLY. At the beginning you want to learn how different foods

affect your BG and to do this you need to eat one food at a time,

testing first...then test one and two hours afterwards. Weigh out the

amounts and keep good notes. You'll use up a lot of strips in the

beginning but the rewards are definitely worth the expense and bother

because in the end, you'll know what foods to avoid and which are okay.

Diabetes is a very individual disease and we often say YMMV - " your

mileage may vary " -- what works for one may not work for another.

You want to aim for postprandial (two hours after meal) BG of 120.

Keeping your BGs between 70 and 140 are your goals. If you can do this

longterm, you can probably avoid the dreaded consequences of longterm

poor BG control...and I'm sure I don't have to list those for you. (I

will if you want, though).

Here's my own list of pretty lowcarb veggies:

Spinach

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Summer squash (zucchini, crookneck)

Spaghetti squash

Mushrooms

Asparagus

Greenbeans

Cabbage

Sauerkraut

And of course lettuce and avocados which aren't a veggie but a

fruit .but they're definitely lowcarb. I have a large mixed lettuce

salad with avocado every night with dinner.

You can eat a reasonable portion (4-6 ounces) of meat, chicken, fish

without problem; it's all protein, no carbs.

Berries are the lowest carb fruit but even so, you should eat them very

sparingly. Here's the website of the USDA, which you'll find very

helpful. It has carbs, calories, protein, etc.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

It's helpful to have a food scale. A cup measure isn't nearly so

accurate. I use a Salter scale. It weighs in both grams and ounces and

cost me somewhere around $35. I got mine at a local gourmet shop but

they're available online too. Just do a Google search for " Salter food

scales " .

The A1C is a test that measures your average BG for a three-month period

with slightly more weight given to the latest month. All diabetics

should have this test every three months. And you should ask for, and

keep, copies of all your lab reports.

Good luck. And keep those questions coming. There's a really steep

learning curve at the beginning of your diabetes education but hang in

there -- it will all make sense eventually. And remember -- the only

stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

Vicki, diabetic since 1997, A1Cs comsistently under 6 for a long time,

no complications, planning on forever no complications,

smile.

New Member Introduction

>

>

>>Dear Sir,

>>

>>I have been a diabetic for 20 years and on insulin for just over a

>>year. I also take the max of metformin and actos and at least 2

>>shots a day of 70/30, as well as humulin regular on a sliding

>>scale. I hope this site will give me some insight of how others are

>>handling their diabetes. Thank you

>>

>> Wanda

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> Please welcome Wanda to our group!

>

> Rick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Wanda, welcome to the group.

I'm going to post my " standard newby letter " here. Even though you've

been diabetic for 20 years, you may find information that's new to you

and may be helpful. Be sure to follow the links too.

First of all, let me refer you to two of the best books about diabetes.

Read 'em and you'll learn a lot:

The first one is called

" The First Year, Type Two Diabetes, An Essential Guide for the Newly

Diagnosed " by Gretchen Becker. Gretchen is a list member and her book

is an excellent guide. It's in paperback and available online from

Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it.

The second book is called

" Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions " by K. Bernstein, M.D. You

can get it from the library but it's such a good reference that you

really should have it in your home library. Dr. Bernstein is a longtime

type 1 who controls his diabetes using a lowcarb diet as well as

insulin.. Many of us - both type 1 and 2 -- on this list have found

great success using his plan or a modified version thereof.

.

And here's the URL to Dr. Bernstein's website, where there's lots of

good stuff:

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/index.shtml

These two books will give you good basic information on the ins and

outs of diabetes management.

I would further refer you to an excellent informational website titled "

" What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes "

http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/

If it isn't there for some reason, let me know and I can email you the

contents -- I have it in my archives now.

I would also refer you to Mendosa's website, where

there's a wealth of diabetic information and good links. He also has

an online diabetes newsletter which is very good. It's also an

excellent source for information about the GI index (glycemic index).

www.mendosa.com

There's one thing that's sure to make BGs rise and that's carbohydrates.

Cutting out high GI carbs is an excellent way to control your BGs and

the more you cut, the better. Most of us find that the " whites " --

breads, cereals and pastas, in fact anything made with grain - will

raise our BGs. Also, rice and potatoes will do the same. And of course,

cakes and cookies and sweets of all kinds, including fruits and fruit

juices.

Watch out for " low calorie " foods; often they're higher in carbs. Learn

to read food labels.

Dr. Bernstein recommends about 40 carbs a day total. This is really only

for the dedictated low carber and IMHO hard to maintain over the long

run. However, I've read that the average American eats about 300 carbs a

day, so the truth is somewhere in between. The best thing you can do

for yourself (if you haven't already) is buy a meter and use it

FREQUENTLY. At the beginning you want to learn how different foods

affect your BG and to do this you need to eat one food at a time,

testing first...then test one and two hours afterwards. Weigh out the

amounts and keep good notes. You'll use up a lot of strips in the

beginning but the rewards are definitely worth the expense and bother

because in the end, you'll know what foods to avoid and which are okay.

Diabetes is a very individual disease and we often say YMMV - " your

mileage may vary " -- what works for one may not work for another.

You want to aim for postprandial (two hours after meal) BG of 120.

Keeping your BGs between 70 and 140 are your goals. If you can do this

longterm, you can probably avoid the dreaded consequences of longterm

poor BG control...and I'm sure I don't have to list those for you. (I

will if you want, though).

Here's my own list of pretty lowcarb veggies:

Spinach

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Summer squash (zucchini, crookneck)

Spaghetti squash

Mushrooms

Asparagus

Greenbeans

Cabbage

Sauerkraut

And of course lettuce and avocados which aren't a veggie but a

fruit .but they're definitely lowcarb. I have a large mixed lettuce

salad with avocado every night with dinner.

You can eat a reasonable portion (4-6 ounces) of meat, chicken, fish

without problem; it's all protein, no carbs.

Berries are the lowest carb fruit but even so, you should eat them very

sparingly. Here's the website of the USDA, which you'll find very

helpful. It has carbs, calories, protein, etc.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

It's helpful to have a food scale. A cup measure isn't nearly so

accurate. I use a Salter scale. It weighs in both grams and ounces and

cost me somewhere around $35. I got mine at a local gourmet shop but

they're available online too. Just do a Google search for " Salter food

scales " .

The A1C is a test that measures your average BG for a three-month period

with slightly more weight given to the latest month. All diabetics

should have this test every three months. And you should ask for, and

keep, copies of all your lab reports.

Good luck. And keep those questions coming. There's a really steep

learning curve at the beginning of your diabetes education but hang in

there -- it will all make sense eventually. And remember -- the only

stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

Vicki, diabetic since 1997, A1Cs comsistently under 6 for a long time,

no complications, planning on forever no complications,

smile.

New Member Introduction

>

>

>>Dear Sir,

>>

>>I have been a diabetic for 20 years and on insulin for just over a

>>year. I also take the max of metformin and actos and at least 2

>>shots a day of 70/30, as well as humulin regular on a sliding

>>scale. I hope this site will give me some insight of how others are

>>handling their diabetes. Thank you

>>

>> Wanda

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> Please welcome Wanda to our group!

>

> Rick

>

[Guest guest]

Wanda wrote

>I have been a diabetic for 20 years and on insulin for just

> over a year. I also take the max of metformin and actos and

> at least 2 shots a day of 70/30, as well as humulin regular

> on a sliding scale. I hope this site will give me some insight

> of how others are handling their diabetes. Thank you

>

> Wanda

Hi Wanda.

Just saying g'day and welcome. 20 years? You should have a lot of

experience to pass on, I look forward to hearing more from you.

Cheers, Alan, T2 d & e, Australia

[Guest guest]

Wanda wrote

>I have been a diabetic for 20 years and on insulin for just

> over a year. I also take the max of metformin and actos and

> at least 2 shots a day of 70/30, as well as humulin regular

> on a sliding scale. I hope this site will give me some insight

> of how others are handling their diabetes. Thank you

>

> Wanda

Hi Wanda.

Just saying g'day and welcome. 20 years? You should have a lot of

experience to pass on, I look forward to hearing more from you.

Cheers, Alan, T2 d & e, Australia

[Guest guest]

I should have done this before but get so tired of explaining over

and over how I came to this place in my life...it's like going to a

new doctor again and trying to explain in as few words as possible

how my life has beocme merely a shallow existence of what it used to

be.

I am 44 and have had FM for aprox. 15 years...at least that is how

far back I can trace the most significant symptoms or the beginning

with IBS flares. Now I am house-bound, waiting on word from DDS

about my disability, divorced after 23 years of marriage and so angry

and disillusioned that I can't even stand to be around myself!

I read the post about the steps we all go through and could see my

own progression reflected in it. I think that right now I am very

angry at the loss of my life and am trying to accept the fact that it

is merely a shell of what it used to be. It's not easy. Not at all.

Five years ago I just thought I was sick. I was wrong. I had no

real comprehension of just how bad it could get. I wonder if five

years from now I will look back to today and say, " I just thought it

was as bad as it could get! " I wonder if five years from now I will

even be here to wonder as I don't think I can take this much longer.

It just keeps getting worse.

I know that the people here are the only ones who truly understand

what I am talking about and I know that you can empathize with really

not wanting to live like this another day. My x-husband didn't get

it. My doctors don't get it. My family, bless their hearts, don't

get it and surely, DDS doesn't get it! But you all do.

What if it does just keep getting worse? What if SSA doesn't approve

my disability and I end up in a shelter in downtown Dallas? What if

tomorrow I wake up and decide that I just cannot take it another day?

I know that if your FM is as bad as mine you have asked yourself

these same questions.

I take methadone, lyrica and hydrocodone, (all three everyday) for

pain. I take Aricept for Alzheimer's because my last congnitive

function test results indicated congnitive function abilities equal

to those of an 85 year old woman. I take Verapamil to manage the

Complicated Vertebral Basilar Migraines, (with aura) that cause the

TIA's that have turned me into a mushroom. I take clonazepam for the

anxiety, hives and sleeplessness. Add to that some 23 vitamin

supplements a day and there you have my so-called treatment for this

disease. Is it effective? Are you kidding me? The most physical

thing I do all day is to walk to the other end of the house and back,

just to work out the stiffness. I can't work. I have no motivation

or energy and I can't carry an intelligent conversation with anyone

because of the aphasia. Meanwhile; SSA is sitting on their ass and

will probably deny my claim which is the only income I would have.

Do you think they care?

My diagnoses include: FM, CFS, Aluminum Poisoning, IBS, Complicated

Vertebral Basilar Migraines, (with aura), Depression, PTSD, Anxiety,

Cognitive Dysfunction, Aphasia, Connective Tissue Disease...need I go

on? (And DDS sent me to a shrink to decide if I qualified for

disability on a mental level!) I am so enraged with the US

Government that I could just go postal! I mean, they took money from

every paycheck I drew for my entire working life and now getting

approved for the so called " insurance " is like solving the Middle

East Crisis! Worst of all, they do not care if I sit here eating dog

food for lack of money or get put out on the streets because I cannot

pay my rent with no income! It's insane!

I maintain a website about this disease and have added it to the

group's links; hopefully it will help just one person in this world

not to end up like I have.

Do you ever just want to give up? Just throw in the towel and say to

hell with this; I am done! What is the answer? For years I have

tried every treatment I can find and still I grow worse by the day.

Is there any hope for getting my life back?

Thanks for listening. I hope that God blesses you all with a pain-

free day. I don't think it will happen for me today but just maybe

it will for you. God bless you all for being there.

Tammy Elaine

[Guest guest]

Welcome Tammy!

I know this is frustrating for you! I too have been hombound since

2000 and have had fibro for 20 years with many other chronic pain

issues.

Believe me, SSA is hard! KEEP fighting and take the MENTAL

disability if you can get it. Most of the invisibleness if Fibro and

other pain perceptions are not accepted by the SSA. Believe me,

even though we fight to say this is NOT in our head - and IT isn't.

It does make us full of anxiety and we are depressed! You may not

be depressed in a clinical fashion as you are worried about - but

you have to be depressed when you are struggling with pain and can't

work anymore.

I still go through many stages of anger over this.... but in order

to get SSA you will have to go under whatever category they deem

necessary. This is not a life sentence and it will NOT carry a

stigma to anyone you know or the world. IT will give you peace of

mind, a paycheck at the end of the month, Medicare and Drug coverage

after 2 years, and some independence knowing that you did it!

Hey, you probably worked all your life like I did! You paid for

SSA!!! YOU deserve it!!!! I fought myself with no lawyers! And, I

finally did it!

If I had not, I'd be sitting where you are wondering again if I'll

be on the street in some homeless shelter.

I'll keep you in my prayers!!! I'm pretty SSA knowledgable from my

experience so maybe I can help. Yah... and I do wonder every day

when they may come back to me for another round of do you still

qualify. But, I will deal with that the day it comes.

Greetings and welcome. I'm a newbie to the group too! I have found

this to be a wonderful family of caring individuals who truly wish

to help.

mncjl