Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jrtpup on October 16, 2011 at 12:32pm

dickrichard, yes I agree it's controllable, but control means different things to different people. It's not always possible to control it as well as one wishes, even knowing how to work the tools. Some of us can get excellent control, some just don't get great control no matter what they do. It's not a matter of commitment or 'learning to work it', it's that our bodies and our diabetes is so individual.

I believe this is one of the biggest issues that contributes to depression in PWD. 'I did everything, I have the tools, I learned everything, I tried everything, and I still can't get my D to behave the way I want it to. I give up!!!' Been there, done that. It's not irresponsibility, ignorance, inconsistency or anything but D itself. We can't blame ourselves or others for less than excellent control. It's one of those things that just happens. It's too easy to fall into the trap of blaming ourselves and go down a negative path.

One of the best things (to me) about TuD is how different we, and our bodies, are; how differently we all need to deal with our D. I'm constantly learning!

I assume you've got it figured out for your body - congratulations! It's not easy to get there and reflects a lot of work :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gerri on October 16, 2011 at 1:19pm

There are people who can't afford a pump or CGMS. A meter, of course, is critical. Good control, however that's defined, is also obtainable without a pump or CGM. Saddens me that people believe devices are the magical answer to their situation. Those who can't afford the latest techno gizmo believe they're being left out in the cold &, if only they could obtain these, all their problems would be solved. Seen many PWD with the latest & greatest fail to get the results they need. Some improve, some don't.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on October 16, 2011 at 2:36pm

The true meaning of good control has yet to be defined. Even major organizations such as the ADA and AACE can't agree on that. There is so much yet unknown about all types of diabetes, so much individual variation, and so much going on biologically that we CAN'T control, that I think your statement is meaningless. The real goal is for everyone to do their best, accept their own individuality and live as best as they can, but no one should trivialize the struggles of people who are NOT achieving so-called good control. They may be doing their all-out best, and who am I to scorn them when I am not walking in their shoes?

I DO hope that YOU are achieving your own definition of good control -- nothing wrong in being happy about that, but you can't generalize to everyone.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on October 16, 2011 at 2:48pm

Uh, I have type 1 and even with all the latest technologies (which I have), I still find things completely uncontrollable at times. And I know how to work these devices quite well. But there are unfortunately just SO MANY things that impact BGs. Hormones for me are a big one. I spend about half the month chasing highs and lows because of hormonal fluctuations....ugh.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kari on October 20, 2011 at 6:48pm

To piggyback on what MyBustedPancreas said, I have to agree that even with the best technology, sometimes things are uncontrollable. Stress causes highs. Illness causes highs. Exercise can cause lows hours (like...8) later. And don't get me started on the hormones. Some months I'm high for that whole special week. Other months I'm low that whole week.

This is a very reactive disease. By that I mean that much of what we do has to be reactive to our blood sugars. Yes, we can hopefully act to avoid some highs and lows - but it's just not possible to have perfect (or even close to it) control.

I also don't like the OP's comment about how 'after you learn how, you will be able to enjoy life again'. Once upon a time, I was very very very uncontrolled. But I never felt that I didn't enjoy my life.

Making these generalized blanket statements doesn't do much to help others.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on October 16, 2011 at 4:01pm

I wish it were that easy. I tried a pump and it made things worse - it is not some magic tool that people can use to get perfect blood sugar. I have been without CGMS sensors for several months and trying to get more. Like Gerri said, just because stuff is there doesn't mean they will get it nor does it mean perfect control if they do manage to get them. I am currently fighting my insurance just to get the insulin I like so I don't have the energy to fight over sensors.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helmut on October 16, 2011 at 4:50pm

I agree. I understand enough about the mechanics of diabetes to keep my BG in the normal range. Do I really do it? Hell No! I enjoy eating pizza. Pizza should not be one of my choices. I sat in my doctor's waiting room. People were revealing details about their nasty diseases. I felt very lucky. I only have to keep my BG in range to stay out of trouble. At least this is my illusion. Keeping my BG in the normal range only means that I can be one of them. It is an illusion that perfect A1C will make me invincible. If I cross a street a truck might run me over no matter what my A1C is. Thanks to advances in diabetes care T1 is no longer an early death sentence. Being one of the others is no that comforting. All of a sudden I have to watch out for a thousand diseases and one of them will get to me. Now I am the Average Joe. The grass is always greener on the other side. Enjoy your life. If you don't die of diabetes complications you will have worried for no good reason.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jen on October 16, 2011 at 5:54pm

I guess "learning how to work" diabetes is harder for some of us than for others. I certainly haven't achieved the "control I wish" despite having a pump, testing 8-10x per day, and putting in a tremendous amount of effort. The pump has helped a lot, but it definitely has not solved everything, and I think a CGM would be much the same.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helmut on October 16, 2011 at 6:12pm

I value my Dexcom 7+ much higher than my OmniPod. Being able to see how my BG reacts to certain foods is invaluable. Timing is the free lunch of diabetes control. A pump is nice. A CGM that works gives back eyesight to a blind person. Seeing is believing.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kate on October 17, 2011 at 8:13am

+1

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MossDog on October 18, 2011 at 4:06pm

I agree with Helmut to a point. A CGMS helps my control in ways a pump can't. Not to take anything away from a pump because it does greatly help me but CGMS takes my control to the next level. With it I "feel" like I can be more agressive which is what needs to happen to take control to the next level, for me anyways.

I also agree with what others have said. A CGMS makes all the difference in the world to me but for others it may actually do the opposite (stress etc). Then there are those that regardless of the situation "good control" will never come. Most the time the reasons are unknown. Hormones, stress, the weather, whatever may effect you more than me.............

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laddie on October 16, 2011 at 8:05pm

Frankly I think this is a very naive statement. Meters, pumps, and CGMS certainly make life a bit easier, but they don't give me a guaranteed flatline. In fact, sometimes they just make it easier for me to watch the huge peaks and valleys.

One thing that I am missing in my arsenal of diabetes tools is really fast acting insulin. Because injected (or pumped) insulin is not injected directly into the bloodstream, there is a definite lag-time for it to start working. And it works no where as fast as insulin in a non-diabetic person. If I eat any carbs, I find it incredibly difficult to take an insulin dose that will prevent post-meal highs without sending me low later. I have all the tools: pump, CGMS, etc. It's still very hard. The insulin that stops the highs causes the lows. I go months with great pump sites, but now am in the middle of a few weeks with lots of painful and bloody sites that cause highs.

Attitude does help in having a good life with diabetes. So keep up the positive attitude.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• …
• 6
• Next ›
• Page