how well do you take care of your diabetes?
I just talked to a girl who is a type 1 diabetic. She said she does not check her blood sugar levels and that she eats like a "normal person". I was a bit shocked at the fact that she does not check her blood sugar. She said she has only tested her blood about two times in six months. Does she really know her body that well that she does not have to check her blood sugar?
How many times a day do you guys check your blood sugar? And do you eat like an average person does? She said she eats cake and sweets but just takes some extra insulin for it....
How many times a day do you guys check your blood sugar? And do you eat like an average person does? She said she eats cake and sweets but just takes some extra insulin for it....
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen on -
I probably lived 30 of my 42 years of diabetes like that, just because I did not know about carb counting and there were no bgs meters to test with and who knew about MDI ?
But now that I am pumping, carb counting, correcting and understand how certain foods effect me then yes I feel that is very irresponsible.
I am relatively complication free, but my endo believes that is more genetic and wow how many times do I think, what if, about being diagnosed when there were all these options.
Where is your friend, and let me give her a good talking to. ;)
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Permalink Reply by Dana Clark on -
WOW, talk about denial. That's leading a great example. Geez. I test 4-5 times a day (more because I'm dieting) and have always adjusted and taken my shots... it's what I have to do to live a wonderful life for my kids and family... and for me :) I wouldn't say I eat like a normal person either- but that's because I'm dieting and I've always eaten pretty well. So, I do watch what I eat. If I have a moment of weakness, I compensate and test. And I'm not too keen on sweets- they make me feel pretty gross. So, good luck to her but she is definitely not setting a good example and it will catch up with her some time...
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Permalink Reply by Gerri on -
I check 8-10 times a day. I want to know what's going on & how different foods effect me. Tonight I went to a friend's birthday party at a great restaurant. My dinner was trout & grilled squash & a small glass of red wine. Low carb, not too much protein. I added an extra unit of insulin so I could indulge in a small piece of bread (restaurant has incredible bread). One hour after dinner my BG was 121. Great, I thought. Insulin hasn't even peaked yet. Birthday cake arrived. I had two bites, really small bites thinking I was covered--ha!. First thing I've had like this since I was diagnosed. BG shot up to 213 in one hour! I felt fine. So of course, I corrected for this. Rest of the night I've been high & then too low. I can't imagine how anyone can not test & just guess. Even with testing, it often feels we don't always have control.
I definitely don't eat like an average non-diabetic person.
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Permalink Reply by Autumn on -
Yes, I eat sugary foods. I also check after eatting them to make sure the dose is right. The only part of my diabetic routine that sucks is exercise. I haven't been. I test at least 6 times a day, often 10-12. When I do exercise I always test more frequently because my sugar tends to drop a lot faster than I think it will.
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Permalink Reply by Bronagh on -
Yikes, twice in 6 months?! It would scare me to be that laid back. I'll admit that when I was younger I checked about once or twice a day and since I was only on two fixed injections a day, I never did much to try and fix high sugar levels. But now I check anything between 8 and 15 times a day...at times I almost feel like I get obsessive! As for eating like a non-diabetic...I have to say, over here there is never a mention of carb counting for people with diabetes, and if I wasn't the serial diabetic Googler that I am, I'm pretty sure I'd never have heard of it. I don't do that, but I definitely don't eat like someone who doesn't have diabetes. In saying that, I find that a lot of people really don't get it when I don't have dessert when we're out...I get accused of being a bore. Can't win, lol.
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Permalink Reply by Rob G on -
Eating like a "normal" person is fine as long as you're also doing a good job of keeping your blood sugars in line with a "normal" person. This can definitely be accomplished with a good treatment plan which will vary from person to person. That said, you can also eat like a normal person, test your BS twice in six months, but your A1C's and other important indicators are very likely NOT good and you're not doing a solid job of taking control of the T1. But, that is ultimately her business and her treatment.
I test 8-10x a day. Overall I'd say I definitely eat like a non-diabetic person and I have very few diet restrictions. By testing frequently, carb counting, appropriate insuling dosing and exercise at least 3x a week this has allowed me the freedom to have a less restricted diet and the ability to be able to control my diabetes without letting it control me.
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Permalink Reply by Rich De Vries on -
15 or 20 years ago this was standard way of living with the disease. I know I ate sugary foods (and still do) after diagnosis but I still tried to limit the amount. Without meters, testing was done at the lab or dr's office. My A1C when I joined DCCT in '87 was over 11%. Now with testing, I'm constantly at about 6%. I test betweeen 6-10x a day. It is recommended for pump users to test that often. I have been using the carb approach since '78 but it was not very controlled.
You didn't share what treatment this individual uses. I'm surprised her dr hasn't held her accountable.
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Permalink Reply by Cody Turner on -
Yea a dr can't hold someone accountable for their health. Not like he can say take care of yourself or I am going to do this to you. With diabetes it is about YOU taking care of yourself.
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Permalink Reply by Karen on
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My endo and physician's assistant are very supportive and really do understand how hard it is to maintain normal bgs, but if my A1C is off they are questioning me and asking for history and/or records, so I believe it is part of the MD's job to question us about our care and asking us what is up and what is going on that we are failing. I don't get a guilt trip from them, but I do get questioned and then suggestions are offered, and then sometimes it is questioned what are you eating?? Endo once asked even though my A1C was good if I ate fast food and I said yes, and he said well don't. ;)
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