
- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Dec. 18, 2008
Welcome to the diabetes blog
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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
February 2, 2011 11:27 a.m.
My cousin's teenage niece started losing weight, feeling very ill, becoming dizzy and fainting. Now she is on this super restrictive diet: no sugar or any carbohydrates that can turn in to sugar. Her parents don't like regular doctors and have taken her to alternative practitioners who diagnosed some kind of fungus in her bloodstream that she allegedly picked up from horses and that eats sugar. I am concerned that in reality she has diabetes. Are there really fungi that can persist in your bloodstream for two years that thrive on sugar in your bloodstream? She is better on this totally non-sugar, non-wheat, non-carbo diet. She has been a vegetarian for a long time.
- Johnna
January 17, 2011 8:32 p.m.
I manage my D. by dieting (cut down simple carbos, avoid or replace sugar with sugar substitute), exercise(daily 40 minutes on treadmill with 3% slope at 3.3 mph) and prescription medicine Insulin Injection Novolin N 10/ML. In addition I take prescription Tablets for Hypertension (Lisinopril, Metaprolol Tartarate, Lovastatin, Spironolactone) with Low dose Aspirin. I measure my fasting blood sugar every morning and its around 90 Mg/Decilitre. I accidentally did not take my Insulin 2 days ago and my blood sugar was 110Mg/Decilitre. I tried it again yesterday and it still was around 110 Mg/Declitre. Can I control my D. by dieting and exercise only without taking Insulin without any other damage(such as to Kidney etc) ?
- Jaidev
January 14, 2011 12:44 a.m.
hey! I havea momther who has diabetes 2 It is in advantaged stage. Sshe takes her insulin and then precedes to sleep all day long!! I dont think its normal. Her feet are starting to have some sores like mosquito bites adn she saids they itch very very much. shes afraid she will have a serious problem and then she will have get one of her legs aputated. help!!!!1
- No name given
January 12, 2011 2:08 p.m.
Melissa, try eating smaller portions, avoid snacking between meals or go online and look for the food pyramid or plate method diet plan. Weight loss is the key for over weight type 2 diabetics and helping with blood glucose control. Exercise is important too.
- Nancy and Peggy
January 11, 2011 11:44 a.m.
I was first diagnosed with type1 diabetes 2 years ago at the age of 66. My glysemic index was 416 and my A1C was 10.4 was not overweight and not sedentary. Iam now around 122 and 6.4. what caused this diabetes, I did have kidney stones and under went surgery,could trauma of this sort cause it, my Dr. said it could be possible........
- Jim
January 11, 2011 9:57 a.m.
Debbies, I talked briefly with one of our research doctors and was told that there have been about 40 live particle pancreatectomy transplants done in this country (at 3 facilities) since 1985 and it is generally done along with a kidney transplant. I was told it is a very touchy procedure, that is why so few are done.
- Nancy and Peggy
January 6, 2011 6:36 a.m.
i am a 42 year old woman who got diagnosed with typr 2 diabetes, high blood preasure and had a heart attack all on the same day. i am looking for somewhere to find a diabetic diet that i can follow on a very low budget - i am new to this entire way of living, please help me.
- melissa
January 2, 2011 11:56 p.m.
Has it ever been done that a healthy parent donate her pancreas to her child so he will not be diabetic & in return the parent would be?? I know it sounds crazy, but as a parent I would do whatever it took to cure my son!
- Debbie
January 2, 2011 9:55 p.m.
Hello; My husband is a type 1 diabetic,double below knee amputee,kidney/pancreas transplant '95 the Pancreas now used up back on Insulin. He is experiencing frequent dehydration as a result of extreme gastroe-paresis issues which we treat at an infusion clinic. This evening he is experiencing some low blood pressure I have had him drink a small amount of coffee and eat some potato chips. Is/was this the best at home treatment his pressure is slowly increasing and I will continue to monitor. Thanks
- Christine
December 22, 2010 11:49 p.m.
My Dad has been a Diabetic for 15 years & never really under control. I need help with meal planning & food to lower is sugar levels FAST!!!!!!
- Lynn
December 21, 2010 2:55 p.m.
Zoyanara, improving blood glucose control will help relieve the pain some usually.
- Nancy and Peggy
December 21, 2010 2:53 p.m.
Lori, I have a question into one of our dietitians. I will get back to you with a response as soon as I hear something.
- Nancy and Peggy
December 19, 2010 5:04 p.m.
I am trying to find some renal diabetic recipes for a family member. Any help would be appreciated.
- Lori
December 18, 2010 9:00 p.m.
I am 60 years old and have type2 diabetes Am taking 500mg metformin twice daily I also take 300mg Gabapentin twice a day for burning in my feet, hands now it is moving all over my body. I am very uncomfortable i dont know how to stop this disease.
- Zoyanara
December 12, 2010 10:05 p.m.
Tom: Diabetes type 2 is a progressive disease. You can do everything right. It is time to talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.
- Nancy and Peggy
December 10, 2010 5:00 p.m.
76 yr old male, in good health except have DM II and have had it for about 10 years. Eat right, excercise 5 x wk (threadmill 30 mins), but lately my results especially in the morning fasting have not been that good, like 160 - 175 Give me a magic bullet ! Have tried taking protein snack before going to bed. Doesn't work for me
- Tom
December 3, 2010 8:52 p.m.
I am 65 and have type 2 diabetes, take 1,000mg of Metformin twice daily. Injecting Victoza once daily, 0.6mg., was up to 1.8mg daily prior to Thanksgiving. Problems with nausea and vomiting caused me to stop Victoza lest I be ill on Thanksgiving Day. Began again at 0.6 mg once daily three days ago. (Previously also had nausea and vomiting with Byetta, 1.2 ml twice daily over a period of two years.) The smell of cooked food causes nausea and salivation which is frequently followed by vomiting. While not taking Victoza during Thanksgiving week had no nausea or vomiting. Had an upper GI and test to determine how quickly food passed through my stomach. Both tests results were "normal". What can be done so I can use Victoza and/or Byetta? If nothing exists to stop the nausea/vomiting what alternatives exist? Three female friends/medical professionals have remarked that my symptoms are similar theirs when they were pregnant. Trust me on this- I am not now nor have I ever been pregnant and have no intentions of becoming pregnant. Despite my preceding comment my sense of humor is fraying quickly. Any advise/assistance will be most appreciated. Thank you, Walter
- Walter
November 19, 2010 10:15 a.m.
I have type 2 diabetes, I am taking Metformin. I have a question, I would like to know why my blood sugar spikes when I haven't ate! I don't eat breakfast, no lunch...and 3/4 special K with skim milk at night. In the morning my blood sugar is 150 or up to 170. When I eat 3 meals a day and a snack my blood sugar the next morning is 82 to 90. I am sick in the morning, nausated and not hungry at breakfast. Any advise? Thanks
- Jean
November 15, 2010 8:49 a.m.
Cheri: Yes stress can be a contributing factor to elevated blood glucose. Exercise is great way to reduce stress and reduce blood glucose. Continue to follow with your healthcare provider for recommendation regarding stress and prediabetes treatment.
- Nancy and Peggy
November 15, 2010 8:46 a.m.
Ronald: We recommend that you make an appointment to see a dietician. The dietician can take into consideration your height, weight, activity, etc., and make recommendations for a well balanced diet with a recommendation regarding the amount of carbohydrates you shoul eat per meal.
- Nancy and Peggy
November 9, 2010 9:10 a.m.
Its all about exercise! With the proper diet AND exercise you can lessen the symptoms and even beat this thing we call diabetes!
- paul
November 5, 2010 2:54 p.m.
My doctor said I am prediabetic. I am a 58 eight year old female. I eat all the healthy foods recommended on a diabetic diet. I am not at all overweight (size 6/8), but I have been under a great deal of stress. The stress has also recently raised my blood pressure and I am taking meds for it. Could the stress also be causing my blood glucose to go up? I am confused.
- Cheri
November 2, 2010 5:29 p.m.
Can someone tell me how many carbs can I eat per meal? I am 63 years old and retired. I am walking at least 2 miles a day plus. I want to adjust my diet to loos weight so I don't have to start taking pills. I am 192 pounds. Thank you.
- Ronald
October 29, 2010 1:31 p.m.
Jan: Are you testing your blood sugar? You should contact your health care provider.
- Nancy and Peggy
October 29, 2010 1:29 p.m.
Jody: Is your mother seeing an endocrinologist? If not, she should request a consult. A certified diabetes educator in her community can help your mother learn how to adjust her insulin doses.
- Nancy and Peggy

565 comments posted