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Please run from Cigarettes, Alcohol, Fatty foods and Red Meat. Actually, the human body is harshly affected by meat products of any kind, and no I'm not a 7th Day Adventist, however their are plenty of ways to get correct protein, which is a must, while on a complete vegetarian diet. You can get some very good food idea's watching the food preparation segments on cable channel 3ABN. Please check with a good Primary Care Physician and a Dietitian before changing your diet. Through proper control and care, you may live a long and productive life. You can find me on Facebook as "Papa Tom" if you have questions you would rather talk to a successful Diabetic about. ALWAYS verify any changes you want to make in your Diabetes Plan and please get a team of Doctors, Specialists, Dietitians, Dentists, Dental Extractionist's, Eye Specialists etc. and put all of them in your cell phone and/or your home phone, if you can program it. I can not tell you how important that is.
Never go anywhere without your testing equipment and a snack that does not need refrigeration. Your body will inform you of what is going on, once you have been trained to understand all the symptoms of this condition. I will keep you in my mind and prayers. It couldn't hurt to have God in your corner! Papa Tom.View Thread

I am using Humalog on a sliding scale prior to each meal, and 45 units of Lantus per day. I have a problem that I can not get a handle on.
Low sugar before breakfast. [40s>
Normal sugar before lunch. [80s>
High sugar before supper. [200-390>
High sugar upon retiring. [240>
Last A1C was 7.1 My doctor was concerned that 6.0 that I had kept it at was beginning to be too low, leaving my brain with less than desired blood flow.
Exercise other than walking short distances is not something my Doctor wants to see me doing.
I have only a few tiny seepage points in the Macula in my eyes. However, My eye specialist says that is not a concern. I am corrected to 20/30 and I have lens implants in both eyes due to cataract removal.
Total calories per day = 1,400. If my blood sugar upon retiring is less that 200, I bottom out in the morning.
Other items that may affect proper control. [All are treated medically>
Thyroid gland has gone south.
My gall bladder has been removed.
COPD
Anxiety
Arthritis in Hips, knees and hands.
Easily contract Sinus infections
Dry Mouth
Ulcer on left foot, nearly healed...has taken 14 months of treatment.
Heart angiogram - No blockages, Proper size. however the lower central nerve misfires on occasion. Must sit 5-10 minutes till recovery.
I carry my meds and testing equipment in a briefcase along with my journal. My blood sugar meter is a One Touch VerioIQ.
I check my Blood Pressure twice a day or more if my heart acts up. My Cardiologist says my heart does not require a pacemaker at this time.
Is their any thing else a man of my age can do? Specifically, concerning my Blood Glucose readings. I would like to see my Grandchildren become adults before I pass.
They are 8, 6, 5, 3 & 20 Months. The 3 year old has CP and Scoliosis.View Thread

A. Just prior to my evening meal.
Q. If you are high as the day wears on, as you seem to be, and you correct with a bedtime bolus of Humalog you may need to back off on that dose to prevent early AM lows.
A. My correction dose of Humalog at bedtime, is 1/2 the normal correction dose during the day.
Q. This happens to some people with the frequent use if the same, convenient injection sites.
A. I rotate injection sites constantly. This was one of the first things I was taught upon switching from pills to Insulin.
Q. Medtronic has a device called the IPro...
A. My GP doctor was one of the first to set up a program using that at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. We had a short discussion about that a couple of months ago. I'll ask him about it again, but there is one problem here. Part of what keeps me from being a retired couch potato, is my Volunteer Childcare work. The median age groups I work with is 2 to 4 years of age. This age is very inquisitive, and I fear that it would be too easy for them to be detrimental to the equipment. At this point, I don't know whether my insurance would even cover that type of equipment. I am usually in a rocking chair tending to the children with separation anxiety, or with disciplinary issues. (Time outs with discussion, one minute for each year of their age.)
Thank you for your kind information.View Thread

Old School...yes, At the beginning I was resharpening needles, boiling glass syringes and using "test tape" to approximate my blood sugar levels.
I am leery of using a pump because of having 2 grandchildren and their Mom living with us, and I do Volunteer Childcare 3 to 4 days a week for 3 to 4 hours each day. The children are very curious and could easily pull the canulous (sp) out.
I'm taking 45 units of Lantus along with all other meds, including Humalog with my evening meal.
Corrections at bedtime are actually 1/2 of the normal meal time corrections. Yes I do have a small snack at bedtime...usually 100 calories. Of greater concern is my spikes before supper. [200-390> and High sugar upon retiring. [240>
Humalog volumes:
- Breakfast: 17 units
- Lunch 9 units correction - (possibly not enough)
- Evening 7 units correction - (possibly not enough)
- Bedtime - correction @ 1/2 normal correction 100 calories.

The long acting insulin that I indicated was "Lispro" is made in Germany, and is called "Lantus."
Do not mix these insulins together. The action of Lantus is not stable if it has any amount of any other insulin in it. This is critical. Even using one type first, and drawing Lantus up later in the same syringe will contaminate Lantus making it unstable.View Thread

12 hours ago Macsiurtain The criteria for controlling Diabetes should come from a Diabetic Educator, Primary Care Physician, and your personal observations. While I cannot say perfect control is possible, diligence will enhance a future lifestyle. Type 1 Diabetes requires a "TEAM" effort to achieve the best control.Your team should consist of the list above, plus any doctor that you are in regular contact with. Each member of your team should be sharing your records with each other.
DO NOT let your "Team" say that it is not necessary to share your records with any other doctor. It is imperative because Diabetes affects every cell in your body.
Two shots per day is definitely NOT a good control method for Diabetes Type 1. You have 2 options that will work better for you.
- A fast acting insulin such as Humalog immediately prior to each meal and a 24-hour, long acting insulin such as Lispro, usually at bedtime.
- A programmable insulin pump will keep an insulin drip going all the time, and you may program it for extra volume for each meal.
I wish you the best as you and your "TEAM" determine your best course of action. Each and every case of Diabetes is like a fingerprint. Your case will be unique because you are unique.
View Thread

There are some similarities between Type 1 and Type 2; however, it is my observation that Type 1 is actually easier [now> to control than Type 2. My observation of friends with both types tells me that Type 2 diabetics have fluctuating insulin production by their own pancreas, which makes their blood sugar go out of bounds for no apparent reason.
Most likely, you understand that treatment for any type of Diabetes is a 3-way balancing act.
1. Diet, your Body Mass Index, and food utilization.
2. Insulin and/or Oral Medication.
3. Exercise.
The criteria for controlling Diabetes should come from a Diabetic Educator, Primary Care Physician, and your personal observations. While I cannot say perfect control is possible, diligence will enhance a future lifestyle. Keep working on the balance.
My last A1C was 7.1 and I gradually moved it from 6.0 at my primary care Physicians request. He told me that studies have shown that the move to 7.0 actually enhance general health, and it appears that this has made a positive change in my health.
I volunteer Childcare a few hours a week for three groups of Parents. That is what helps make my day brighter, happier and gives me more joy than I can give the children. I have several handicaps including, Diabetes, COPD and Arthritis. The children do not seem to mind at all. I am usually in a rocking chair with one or two children that exhibit separation anxiety, they may want to have books read to them, or want to make up funny stories with you.
For me, the Childcare helps me balance out the exercise needs. This may not be perfect; however, it is much better than vegetating in front of a TV all day.
One more thing; it will be a great advantage, if a daily Journal is kept. Record Blood Sugar Results just before and two hours after meal, and just before going to sleep at night. When your bedtime blood sugar is in the range of your sliding scale, you should use only one-half the recommended additional insulin. If it is low, have a light snack, then go to bed. This will bring your blood sugar level approximately to normal upon waking in the morning. I know this may seem tedious; however, your results will please you. Once you have made it a part of your lifestyle you will hardly notice the change in your daily routine.View Thread

There are some similarities between Type 1 and Type 2; however, it is my observation that Type 1 is actually easier [now> to control than Type 2. My observation of friends with both types tells me that Type 2 diabetics have fluctuating insulin production by their own pancreas, which makes their blood sugar go out of bounds for no apparent reason.
You mentioned that as a Type 2 Diabetic, "My A1C is 7.9 and I really would like to see it at 6.0 or so" and "My blood sugar has a tendency to be high about 165-180 fasting and when I eat it spikes up to 250-300." You, most likely, understand that treatment for any type of Diabetes is a 3-way balancing act.[br>[br>
1. Diet, your Body Mass Index, and food utilization.
2. Insulin and/or Oral Medication.
3. Exercise.
The criteria for controlling Diabetes should come from your Diabetic Educator, Primary Care Physician, and your personal observations. Make it a team effort. While I cannot tell you perfect control is possible, your diligence will enhance your future lifestyle. Keep working on the balance.
My last A1C was 7.1 and I gradually moved it from 6.0 at my primary care Physicians request. He told me that studies have shown that the move to 7.0 actually enhances general health. It appears that this has made a positive change in my health.
I volunteer Childcare a few hours a week for three groups of Parents. That is what helps make my day brighter, happier and gives me more joy than I can give the children. I have several handicaps including, Diabetes, COPD and Arthritis. The children do not seem to mind at all. I am usually in a rocking chair with one or two children that exhibit separation anxiety, they may want books read to them, or want to make up funny stories with you.
For me, the Childcare helps me balance out the exercise needs. This may not be perfect; however, it is much better than vegetating in front of a TV all day.
One more thing; it will be a great advantage, if you keep a daily Journal and record just before and two hours after meal, and just before going to sleep at night. When your bedtime blood sugar is in the range of your sliding scale, you should use only one-half the recommended additional insulin. This will bring your blood sugar level approximately to normal upon waking in the morning. I know this may seem tedious; however, your results will please you. Once you have made it a part of your lifestyle you will hardly notice the change in your daily routine.
View Thread
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