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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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July 17, 2009
Blog: More diabetes myths
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
This blog is the second in a two-part series in which we discuss the top 10 diabetes myths.
Hi bloggers. Last week I gave you the first half of my top 10 list of diabetes myths. Here are the final five.
I feel fine, why should I be concerned about my diabetes.
Diabetes generally has no symptoms. At least not until the blood glucose is quite high, and then the symptoms can be rather vague — increased thirst, increased urination and fatigue. A large number of people are walking around with diabetes and are unaware of it. In the long term, consistently elevated blood glucose (above normal range) can cause diabetes complications. Diabetes can be a silent killer. I compare it to having high blood pressure: High blood pressure has no symptoms, but we all know that in the long run uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
I don't need to test my blood glucose; I know my blood glucose level by how I'm feeling.
Many people with diabetes will tell me they instinctively know their blood sugar level by how they feel. While I agree that some people with diabetes seem to be sensitive to changes in their blood glucose levels, research suggests that the majority of people with diabetes cannot accurately judge blood glucose levels. So while some people tell me they don't feel well when their blood glucose is slightly over 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/L), others may have blood glucoses of 350 mg/dl (19.4 mmol/L) and not be aware of it.
If I really take care of myself, always follow my meal plan and exercise faithfully, I can avoid taking diabetes medication.
I wish I could say this is always the case, but I can't. Diabetes is a progressive disease, and multiple factors play a role in its progression. I do feel that in most cases a person can stave off the progression of the disease by good diabetes self-management.
Insulin will make me gain weight.
Being on insulin can make it more of a challenge to lose weight, but it can be done. For many people newly starting insulin, weight gain may be attributed to the fact that insulin helps you use calories that had previously been lost in the urine from high blood glucose levels. Also, people will gain weight from treating frequent low blood glucoses. Insulin resistance can also make it more difficult to lose weight.
If someone is on insulin, they must have type 1 diabetes.
For many people with type 2 or other secondary types of diabetes, insulin is the treatment of choice for controlling their blood glucose. Insulin may be the optimal and safest option for them.
This completes my top 10 list of diabetes myths. I look forward to your comments.
Regards,
Nancy
42 comments posted
March 23, 2010 6:11 p.m.
You really got me scared. I hoped I could live with diabetes but according to your position, I am in death row. Your comments are quite discouraging if, as you stated, diabetes is a progressive illness and no mattor how good you behave, your world is doomed.
- Orlando
February 26, 2010 6:24 p.m.
One of the biggest myths about Type 1 diabetes is that it is a childhood disease. This dangerous myth means that many adults with new-onset Type 1 diabetes are misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes, and given inappropriate care for the disease they have. Since the 1980s the autoimmune nature of Type 1a diabetes has been known, and antibody testing (glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), islet cell antibodies (ICA), and insulinoma-associated (IA-2) autoantibodies) has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of Type 1a diabetes. In numerous scientific studies, approximately 10% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were found to be antibody positive and in fact had Type 1a diabetes, sometimes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or Type 1.5. In a recent survey conducted by Australia’s Type 1 Diabetes Network, one third of all Australians with Type 1 diabetes reported being initially misdiagnosed as having the more common Type 2 diabetes. In a recent dLife poll (dlife.com), 13% of respondents said that they initially had been misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes when in fact they have Type 1 diabetes.
- Melitta
February 7, 2010 8:32 p.m.
Is it possible for a person orginally diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic become a Type 1 Diabetic and if so HOW???
- Rebecca
January 7, 2010 8:38 p.m.
iam at a very confused point, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two yesrs ago at the age of 50 . for no apparent reason I started to lose weight at a rapid pace, was very thirsty, urinated contantly, dry mouth , vag itch etc, Dr. took blood samples said your type 1, took oral meds worked well sugar levels were very low, gained weight back, felt great. now sugar very high 350-490 even without food, weight 112, 5 3 inches, iam I in menopause, sweats, almost every hour, then chills?? is menopase making sugar high?? My Question if a person can have gestational diabetes, then can a person also get temporary diabetes while menopausel?? Also no family history of diabetes at all.thank you
- karen
January 4, 2010 2:36 p.m.
Could you please give us the latest news on Lantus (Lantis)? Are there alternative drugs when one is taking Novolog and Lantus?
- Sharon
December 12, 2009 12:58 p.m.
Regarding testing ones self via for glucose levels, I never test myself because if my glucose levels were high, what would/could I do about it? In the beginning when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I tested myself several times a day for about 6 months recording every result correlated with what I ate and how much I exercised. Now I never test myself anymore. I follow a plan I developed for myself and the result is that my A1C remains at 6.0 or lower. I see no need to resume daily testing until the A1C begins rising. This works for me but each person needs to determine what works for them.
- Ed
December 3, 2009 7:31 p.m.
WHO WOULD KNOW WHY THAT SOMETIMES AFTER A GOOD STEADY TREADMILL RUN . MY SUGAR READING WOULD ON OCCASION RISE 10,15 OR 20 POINTS. I RUN IN THE MORNING WITHOUT ANY BREAKFAST FOOD .
- NICK
October 27, 2009 6:48 p.m.
I forgot to mention that I cannot exercise because of physical problems: fractured pelvis, torn rotator cuffs in both arms. fractured tailbone that is healing from being glued back together. I do walk as much as I can with the help of one crutch for balance.
- Barbara
October 27, 2009 6:40 p.m.
I have been off of "sweets" for over 40 years. I have Type 2 for many years. Metformen is one I cannot take so I take glyburide 2.5 (as needed) because even if I take 1/2 after a test before bed which showed 275 I woke up at 2:00 AM shaking and sweating. I knew something was wrong, took my blood sugar and it was 60 so I ate a handful of raisins and hoped it would bring it up. I went back to sleep and woke up at 5:00 AM with a B/S of 90. Is this called brittle diabetes and if so how can I be sure that this won't happen again? My Primary MD doesn't seem to be concerned.
- Barbara
September 25, 2009 11:27 a.m.
My daughter just diagnosed this past summer is now going through the honeymoon period, she complains about her stomach hurting all the time. her peditrician says talk to the endocrinologist, and the endocrinologist says it's a stomach bug. that is not it, i feel like more could be wrong. any suggestions???
- Mel
August 11, 2009 3:47 p.m.
nancy- I have heard this question before and a number of people I have seen for education have told me they have experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia prior to being diagnosised with diabetes. I would recommend reading our diabetes expert's article on "reactive hypoglycemia" by Dr. Collazo-Clavell. Nancy
- Nancy and Peggy
August 7, 2009 9:09 p.m.
Where would I find the FIRST half of your list of myths? I was just diagnosed today with Type 2 Diabetes. I'm trying to learn everything about it that I can.
- Yvonne
August 5, 2009 1:02 p.m.
Just wanted to ask you if hypoglycemia is a pre-condition to diabetes? Thanks for your answer and great advice.
- nancy
July 30, 2009 3:32 p.m.
Josh, exercise is great for type 2 diabetes. It will decrease your blood glucoses and diabetes medication. Exercise helps you use your insulin better and besides gives you nice muscles.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 29, 2009 4:27 p.m.
I have had type 1 diabetes for almost 40 yrs. I have constant trouble with my balance, my doctor says it is my inner ear nerves. I have neuropathy and am interested in knowing what I can do to make this situation better, I know, walk slower. I fall a lot and have taken to using a cane.
- Jacqueline
July 24, 2009 5:05 p.m.
I have diabetes type 2 for the last 5 years. I recently started working out in the gym to put on more muscles. is this good for me or not ? Thanks. Josh.
- Josh
July 22, 2009 10:34 p.m.
Have been type 1 since 1966. Best advice was my doctor telling me to walk, and take stairs. Before retiring in 2005 I worked a 12 hr shift. We check our miles walking and average was 12-14 mile per day. Very important to keep feet soft without callous buidup. Aquafor, or vaseline at night. Dont go without socks, and shoes. I made a few mistakes and learned from spouse who was brittle diabetic. She was an early transplantee at U Wis, Madison in 1987. She also got a kidney which lasted 9yrs. Pancreas worked fine til 2003- pneumonia, and MRSA and that was that. We joined a support group to explain the good, the bad, and the ugly to post transplantees. Thanks for your time.
- John
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42 comments posted