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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Dec. 18, 2008

    Welcome to the diabetes blog

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

565 comments posted

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and according to the American Diabetes Association there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8 percent of the population, who have diabetes.

Unfortunately, 1 out of every 4 people who has diabetes is unaware. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, and lower-limb amputations. Persons with diabetes can decrease their risk of complications by controlling their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

With your help, we hope we can increase awareness and find ways that you can help each other manage your disease.

If you're already managing diabetes, you know it can be time consuming.

The daily routines of diabetes self-management involve foot care, exercise, carbohydrate counting, self-monitoring of blood glucose, oral medications, insulin, or even a combination of oral medications and insulin.

Here are some questions for you:

  • How much time do you spend managing your diabetes every day?
  • Have you ever been tempted or even tried taking a vacation from your diabetes self-management?
  • If so, what happened if anything, and what did you learn from the experience?

We look forward to you sharing your responses with us. Welcome to the blog.

- Nancy and Peggy

565 comments posted

blog index
  • February 12, 2012 9:04 a.m.

    I don't understand why people put up with the apathy associated with two words, diabetes and cure.

    - L

  • February 9, 2012 7:35 p.m.

    The Charles Bar Celebrity chef Charles Mattocks, aka the "Poor Chef", is proud to introduce his newest creation, the Charles Bar. The Charles Bar is unique in that it offers chocolate lovers a premium Belgian chocolate indulgence that's sugar free, gluten free, low in net carbs and guaranteed to be some of the best chocolate you've ever tasted, bar none. A diabetic himself, it was important for Charles to find a premium quality chocolate that was diabetic friendly and yet possessed all the desirable attributes of fine chocolate- rich robust flavor, creamy texture, pleasing mouth feel and no unpleasant aftertaste. After sampling many of the sugar free chocolate products widely available in stores and finding none that measured up to his standard, he didn't know if it would be possible. Then one day he remembered eating a really good sugar free Belgian chocolate bar while living in California. With a little effort, he found the company that made the sugar free chocolate he remembered- Amber Lyn. Charles approached the Southern Utah company well known for its premium sugar free and no sugar added chocolate confections. It was to be a match made in sugar free heaven. Working together, the chocolatiers at Amber Lyn and Charles created a blend of imported Belgian chocolate with healthy natural ingredients including coconut oil, and a unique melt-in-your-mouth truffle like texture. The new bar met all of Charles' demanding requirements. In Charles' words, &quo

    - vicki

  • January 31, 2012 5:56 a.m.

    I have had type 2 diabetes melatus since 2007 and not sure how long it pre-existed before then.I have had a major concern with High Fructose Corn Syrup being part of the problem. I have been drinking massive ammounts of diet cokes and now find it is in most food products.Was wondering if there are studies out there that deal with this problem.Since it seems to be prevalent in all food sources.

    - richard

  • January 30, 2012 6:33 a.m.

    I am a diabetic. My sugar level average about 130. Currently I am taking plavix, nifedical, lisinopril, metformin and other vitamins. I am experiencing unexplained weight loss. I am down more than 10 lbs. Someone said that it could be the metformin. Can anyone commemt on this.

    - Mae

  • January 29, 2012 6:05 p.m.

    Hi - I am using the Dex Com - I had the Navigator and it was so accurate - anyone using the Dex Com do you think it is accurate? It is so off the wall with readings for me. Thanks

    - Lisa

  • January 29, 2012 8:50 a.m.

    I was just told that I am type 2 diabetic. My doctor has just started me on metformin. But I feel some mornings that I have no strength to move. What's can I do?

    - Joan

  • January 25, 2012 1:14 p.m.

    Update since my Nov 9th comment: Hallelujah! My A1-C is now down to 6! Thanks for this blog and everybody's comments, questions & encouragement. We can do this! It's not easy but we can do it. Use your medical team -- don't skip meals -- get off the couch -- test test test! It works. When you're discouraged and want to give up, call your diabetic nurse educator. They are GOLD MINES of help & support & new ideas for coping with this awful disease. Use them! Best wishes to everybody coping with diabetes -- it's no picnic. But we can do it! Some snacks that help me: sugar-free chocolate pudding, sugar-free popsicles, plain popcorn. Budget something yummy into your day when you're having temptations. Don't keep any of your "trigger" foods in the house -- don't set yourself up for failure. Keep trying & call for help when you're having a rough day.

    - Linda

  • January 25, 2012 12:47 p.m.

    I have had Type 2 for about 10 years and up until about 6 months ago I did pretty good with my A1C and daily counts. I take Byetta, Junument and Glyrbride 2 times a day and have to barely eat to keep my counts under 200. I just started the Byetta and was wondering how long it takes to start seeing a difference>

    - Barb

  • January 24, 2012 7:08 a.m.

    My son ia newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. Complains of how he does not have the level of energy that he is used to , sugars are coming under control, excercises on a regular basis, trying to follow a balanced diet... help!

    - Sandy

  • January 21, 2012 11:58 a.m.

    Candice: Our hearts go out to you. After my 11 year old nephew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, my sister located the nearest chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (USA) which has been a great resource for her. They have great resources and support. Here is the link: http://www.jdrf.org/ Hope this helps!

    - Peggy

  • January 19, 2012 11:41 a.m.

    After reading some of the posts, I have one real problem. I am 63 years young, have had three strokes, right carrotid artery surgery, and chemo for breast cancer. When I exercise, my blood sugar goes up. I've found that is I do more in the AM and spend the rest of the afternoon being a couch potato, I get the best results. Also, I lost 15 pounds after the third stroke and have kept it off for over a year. My eyes haven't changed in two years and still show no signs of diabetes. I've been diabetic for 10 years now. I've given up trying to figure things out. Usually I eat what I feel like which isn't much since chemo. All the veggies I used to love, now I can't stand even the sight of. No one has been able to explain any of this to me and it is frustrating. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you....

    - Dee

  • January 14, 2012 12:15 p.m.

    dpes anyone have a solution for neuropathy besides meds. i take neurontin now.

    - bonnie

  • January 6, 2012 9:58 a.m.

    Hi My D\dauhter is 3 years old and just got dignosed this year with type 1 diabetes. It's hard because she is so young she doesn't understand why she can't have more of something and can't drink milk all through the day like she used to. It's overwhelming, but we are getting through it 1 day at a time. was just wondering if theirs anuone else readind this who hae young children with diabetes... God picked my baby for a reason. He has a path and plans for her to do great things in this world...

    - Candice

  • January 3, 2012 1:43 p.m.

    I was diagnoised with diabetes 7 years ago on Halloween. At frist i didnt take it seroiusly. I have always been alittle over weight, so when my numbers were so high that i started losing weight without even trying i LOVED It.!! I mean we are talking a jean size every wk to wk and half. About 40lbs in a couple of months. Everyone was calling me skinny and it felt great !!! My daily numbers were 500 and 600 all day long. After about a year of this my Dr. wanted to start me on insulin I said to her after i lose 20 more lbs ok? She said sure if you want to be a skinny blind person. well i have to beautiful daughters and two beautiful great granddaughters so i really did not want to go blind. I started on insulin A1c was 15 I have gotten down to 10 but need to push myself to excerise now because meds arent doing it. As you all know when your numbers are that high you dont have the energy to even get off the sofa much less excerise. So i am reaching out to fellow dibetics and asking for all of your prayers. Pray that i get the energy and the push i need to do this. Also while you are praying It would be nice if you could pray that i find a good Dentist to work for that gets all this. Thanks to all of you who do this for me. I am only 52 years young and want to live a long happy life. Doris

    - doris

  • December 30, 2011 7:18 a.m.

    After seven years of successful yearly checkups following cataract surgery and implants, doctor said you better get control of your diabetes you have bleeding behind your left eye. Went to internet and found book You can reverse type 2 diabetes.Ordered it and took its advice. Walking using walking sticks thirty minutes at least three days a week, lose weight, watch diet.Began immediately, lost 15 pounds and one year later at checkup doctor said," I cannot believe what I am seeing. Your eyes are completely clear. This rarely happens with someone your age.[78].What have you done?'Explained my actions.Keep it up and come back in a year unless you have a problem. Looking forward to next checkup in April. Praising God at 80.

    - Hubert

  • December 19, 2011 2:05 p.m.

    Pat: We recommend that you ask your doctor to see a dietician. Caloric intake depends on your level of activity and whether or not you need to lose weight.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • December 18, 2011 4:42 p.m.

    I am 27 years old with type one diabetes. I would like to know how many calories I should intake in a day.

    - Pat

  • November 19, 2011 7:43 p.m.

    I just got my mayo clinic diabetes book2 weeks ago following the diet my sugars have already come down and looking forward to getting my diabetic jourual

    - Teri

  • November 16, 2011 2:02 p.m.

    I am pre-diabetic & take 500mg of metformin 2x daily I also take I also take 1.8mg victoza daily.My diabetes is under control.My husband is a type 2 diabetic and has meds precribed 2 him but refuses 2 take them.He is not over weight,as a matter of fact he is 2 thin if you ask me.He drinks @ least 2 20oz sodas a night not counting what he has @ work.He eats candy & fried food all the time (no I do not condone nor do I cook like this for him!)He refuses 2 go 2 the doc.He says he feels better not taking the meds,but he looks bad,2 skinny,no muscle tone,pale,his legs hurt all the time,he has had toenail fungus for years & it is bad.He is constantly moody,gets crabby & yells.I am @ my witts end w all of it,I have begged,pleaded,cried.I am at the point of leaving I don't know what else 2 do.He says that u don't have 2 take meds just because you have been precribed them.This is true.I see this as intentional suicide!! What is so hard about taking a few meds & exercising every day if it means your life? Any suggestions?? I need input I need some real advise!!

    - Kim

  • November 14, 2011 8:02 p.m.

    anybody have the problem i have--fbs around 200 and the rest of the day normal levels. what's up?

    - denise

  • November 14, 2011 1:11 p.m.

    Lori: So sorry to hear about your father. Your question as far as what his chances are is best answered by his attending doctors. Again, so sorry.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • November 13, 2011 7:48 p.m.

    I am beyond frustrated. I have been on lantus for nearly a year and my A1C is 7.5. I need to lose weight and have been eating right (average calorie intake is 1500/day), keeping my carb count at 40 per meal, and exercising 3-5 times a week (usually brisk walking for 30-40 minutes. I have not been able to lose any weight. I tried Weight Watchers for a month and gained 2 pounds. Can anyone give me some specifics on how they have been able to lose weight on insulin?

    - Sheila

  • November 12, 2011 6:26 a.m.

    My father, 77yrs, has been in the hospital since 08/23 from an accident that crushed his chest; ICU/vent, with his right diaphram in the extended position and not working. 4 weeks later, while still in Hosp his colon ruptured. Fighting numerous infections; one putting him back on the vent in ICU. He now can not swallow; struggling to keep thrush under control, has a feeding tube, catherization; fighting UTI's, colostomy bag, huge abdominal wound; fighting C-dif, and after 79 days in several hospitals, he was found unresponsive with blood sugars raised to 500. He is now back on a vent in ICU. My question is, what are his chances of coming out of this?

    - Lori

  • November 9, 2011 1:02 p.m.

    I took a "vacation" from my diabetes self-care for 10 months. I didn't give a rip anymore - I rebelled & quit trying. I paid for my "vacation" dearly! Results? Increased depression, urinating every 45 minutes around the clock, muscle weakness, fatigue, insomnia, horrible thirst & hunger, & blood glucose readings from 400-500! An A1C of 15.9! And horrible itching burning yeast infections all over my body! I was so weak & so sick -- when I was moving to a new place, I had to literally lay down & rest every time I packed a little box. I was desperately sick. Thankfully, I got into my clinic & got on track. Now my A1C is 9.2 instead of 15.9 & I'll get it lower. My bloods run between 70 to 200. I'm eating right, slowly losing weight, am less depressed, sleep better, itch less, have no more yeast infections, & go 5 to 6 hrs without a bathroom visit. Hallelelujah! I have a new attitude of gratitude. Thank goodness for insulin! Thank goodness for the meds! Thank goodness for healthy food choices! And thank goodness for my endocrinologist, my diabetic educators, and the whole team! I'll carry on with good control & keep learning more & caring. It's worth every minute I have to spend on diabetes care -- I've gone from being sick & miserable & weak, and headed for certain disability & death.....to feeling stronger, healthier, & hopeful! Keep trying, everybody! The rewards are worth it!

    - Linda

  • October 24, 2011 10:04 a.m.

    I've had T2 diabates for 8-years and am on two insulins for about 4. I have trouble find breakfast thats wither too high ion cards or too high in fat. I purchased a protein powder drink from a fitness store. It has no cars and little fat. My blood sugar spikes really high with my morning insulin. What causes this spike with no carbs in the drink.

    - Glenn

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