Conversion Chart for Blood Glucose Readings

Here's a chart that you can use to convert
mmol/L to mg/dl and vice versa. 

Do you carry glucose tabs with you at all times? 

Do you have a glucogon kit for emergencies? 

Does anyone besides you know how to use it?

A really bad day...

This morning I took my Lantus as usual, but about an hour later I was shaking severely, nauseated, and my heart was pounding like crazy. I could barely speak, and it was hard to think. There's no way I would have been able to walk to another room to get help. 

I checked my blood sugar, which wasn't easy because the shakes were so severe. My blood sugar was 3.0 and dropping fast!  (54 in US scale). Yes I was in insulin shock. 

No idea why it happened except that I must have hit a vein. I didn't see any blood, and there was no vein visible where I injected, but I can't think of any other explanation. I must have nicked something. It was not a new cartridge and I dialed up the right dose.

I didn't accidentally inject my mealtime insulin (that pen records the dose and time, and it hadn't been used since yesterday). So not the wrong insulin.

I didn't inject too much. Just the usual dose in the usual area and suddenly I'm in big trouble.

Fortunately my husband was there and got my glucose tablets out, and helped me get my meter out. I couldn't even open the kit.

I also had him get out my glucogon kit, just in case. I really thought he was going to have to use it this time, it was so bad and so sudden. The glucose tablets just weren't working fast enough.

Insulin shock is nasty. I survived another day, but its still rough. It usually takes me 3 or 4 days to get over this type of thing. I felt NO symptoms until it was severe, no warning at all. If my blood sugar goes down from getting a little too much mealtime insulin, it usually happens slowly and I can feel it coming on and test and treat it. Not this time.  I was suddenly so weak and confused that I couldn't manage the stupid zipper on the kit. I needed assistance.

Normally 1 glucose tablet will bring my blood sugar up enough, but this time I had to keep forcing them down, it took about 12 to 14 tablets, plus a glass of Tang, (I keep Tang powder on hand just for emergencies in case I can't keep the tablets down). 

I didn't take any insulin until late today for supper, and believe me, I was very reluctant to use it. 

If you use insulin PLEASE keep Dex4 tabs on hand at all times. Have at least one large bottle, and make sure its already been opened because at times like this you won't have the strength to get it opened. I keep them in the kitchen, beside my bed, and in the living room beside my chair. If I hadn't been prepared, I'd probably be dead now. My husband wouldn't have been able to hunt them down in time. 

Fortunately I was prepared. 

I'm going to be getting some liquid glucose, and gel too, the dry tablets keep well, but in this type of emergency they're too hard to chew and swallow. 

Please get yourself some glucose tabs, plus gel or liquid,  and a glucogon kit too, someday it may save your life. 

If you need a quick increase in glucose, glucose tablets are the best option, however, in an emergency, if you are not prepared, you can use Lifesaver candies, or orange juice, or regular pop (NOT the sugar free kind!). You can even eat regular table sugar, but its a lot easier to use glucose tablets, and if you carry them, you'll know you're always prepared. 

When you get a glucogon kit make sure someone knows how to use the kit, besides yourself! 

PS. I 've heard that some of the tube icing for cake decorating is made from glucose. I'm going to be checking that out, because I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than the glucose gel tubes at the pharmacy. Look for icing that has a peel away tab after you unscrew the cap. Some require using a pair of scissors to snip off the end of the tube. This is not something you need to worry about in an emergency! Either way, I'm going to have at least 2 gel tubes in each location, just in case, in addition to the tablets. 

New Mini-Dose Glucagon kit coming soon!  

http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2014/12/update-mini-dose-glucagon-coming-soon/

Standard treatment for Low Blood Sugar   http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes-control/low-blood-sugars/treatment

Update: I did hit a vein, I developed had a huge bruise where I did that injection, lots of bleeding under the skin, and it has not cleared up yet (it's been over a month). 

Glucose Tablets: An Essential Safety Measure for Insulin Users

Essential Safety Measures for Insulin Users

Something we all need once we start using insulin

 is a quick fix if our blood glucose goes too low.

If you're a type 2, and on oral meds, diet and exercise, your blood glucose may go low occasionally. However, when you start insulin, you'll experience more severe lows, that have a sudden onset, and you may not have the physical strength and presence of mind to deal with it, if you fail to prepare ahead of time.

One item you must have on hand is glucose tablets.

There are several brands, but I find the least expensive and most widely available brand is Dex4.

You can buy Dex4 in large jars of 50, which will treat about 15 lows, and there are also 10 tablet tubes. The tubes will only treat 3 lows or possibly 4.  The larger bottles are more economical. 

There are other brands of glucose available, these are simply the brand that I prefer, as it is easy to find, and not as expensive as the other ones. 

You should always carry glucose tablets with you when you go out, even in your own backyard. You should keep some in a small jar in every room of your home too. They should be easy to see at a glance, and easy to reach from whatever chair you normally sit in. For example, you should be able to reach them at your desk, your living room chair, kitchen table, in your car, your place of work, and where you sleep.

They should never be out of reach! 

Take the time now to break the seal on the bottle and open the lid, then screw it back on just enough to close, so its not tight. You need to keep moisture out, but have the lid loose enough for a weakened person to open in an emergency. If you go low, you will be weaker than normal, and probably confused as well.

If you take the time now to put at least 6 to 8 glucose tablets in small jars, label them, and put one in each location, it could save your life someday. It will certainly give you some security, knowing that you're prepared for the lows that will occur.

Why got to all this trouble you ask? Well, when a real low strikes, you may be too weak to walk, let alone hunt for and open a new, still sealed jar. You may not even have the strength to open a lid if its screwed on too tightly. Confusion is part of extreme low blood glucose, so be prepared now, so you can deal with it when it strikes.

Family members need to know what and where your glucose tablets are too. They need to know how to help if you get so low you can't even think of taking glucose tablets.

Here's a handy product that can be used to carry them when you're away from home, at work, etc.

This is the Quick Fix Key Chain for glucose tablets. The Dex4 tablets fit into these perfectly.

I rotate mine, as they do absorb more moisture when stored in these key-chain holders. You can find this product at  Quick Fix Key Chain

I've also seen these on Amazon.com 

 Dex 4 is available in tablets, gels and liquid form. The 50 count jar of tablets is the most economical form, and easier to find too. Other brands may be more readily available in your part of the world. The important thing is to get some, and have them on hand, where you'll need them, not stuck in the back of a cupboard somewhere, collecting dust!

Take the time now to get some glucose tablets and put them where you can easily find and use them, when the need arises.

You won't be sorry that you did! 

 

Control

 Control


What is this circle of testing,
counting carbs, and injecting insulin?


What does this tight control gain?
Why do I test over and over,
repeating the endless cycle of blood?



I celebrate each little victory,
a lower A1c, creating a new recipe
that doesn't send my glucose soaring,
finding a few moments of peace
when I actually forget my diabetes
and just live in the moment.

Control - I never knew
how much I would learn
to value that word.

I control my blood glucose 
as much as humanly possible,
instead of letting it...

Control me.


No comas, blindness, amputations,
no suffering like my grandmother,
had to go through.

Who am I to complain
about a few finger sticks,
counting carbs, injecting insulin,
getting labwork done,
overcoming my fear of needles,
when it can save my eyes,
save my feet, save my very life?

So what if I have to count carbs
and feel like a pincushion?
I'd rather count 

than die a little
every day...

Wouldn't you?


Control...

Its worth every moment that I give,
every day, month after month,
to stay here and enjoy
the spring blossoms on the apple tree,
the crash of waves on the shoreline after a storm,
the voice of my sweetheart in the starry dark,
my daughter's smiling face,
and someday...

the laughter of my grandchildren.


Petra

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.

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)

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.