Bluevember is here!

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month & Nov 14th is our day!

If you have a Twitter, Pinterest  or you are just #Crazy4Hashtags use #DAM (Diabetes Awareness Month) & #DAD (Diabetes Awareness Day) when posting diabetes related posts!
Good way to spread awareness on Social Media!
That is all!

The Emotional Rollarcoaster

Aside from the mental & physical tolls diabetes takes on us, the emotional toll is much worse.

There are three common emotional tolls a diabetic goes though:

1.) The most common emotional toll we get is what I call a "lala land attack" (LLA). Properly known as the "burnout phase" where a diabetic throws their diabetes out the window & only focuses about living their life. I get this way about twice a year. Usually my BGs have been out if wack for a couple of days or I've been trying my best to no avail. Diabetes is bipolar. & at times dislikes you & has a mind of its own. It's likes a diabetic breakdown that takes over our common judgements as far as diabetes control & management. We tend to act like a non or borderline diabetic. Not checking our BGs regurally, or doing WAGs (Wild A** Guesses) more then normal. To sum it up its a very had time for a diabetic.

2.) The second toll is more of getting your hopes up for nothing feeling. It's when we visit our Endocrinologist! I go to my endo Michelle Hemrick every 3 months. I go to see my pump specialist, then her, then the dreaded Blood Work! As diabetics we always anticipate our A1C (average blood sugar over the 3 month period) results. We are curious how this result varies from the last. On 1/19/14 was 6.3 (which is awesome!) & on 5/1/14 it was 7.4 (according to my endo it's "fantastic"). Even though it was still great, I was upset because it went up 11 points. The blood work tests more then just A1C & if some of the results aren't good you get upset over that too. For instance, the amount of protein in my kidneys is always tested & my level was 139 (<30 is perfect) so that's no bueno! That upset me because it was 35 this time last year! Being upset over results also can lead to LLA.

3.) The most vital thing a diabetic needs is support. This is always a touchy subject. Diabetics are typically in a non diabetic family. And every member thinks there the smartest thing ever. Y grandmother bless her heart tries to help, but she can can be overbearing at times. At family gatherings my family watches me when I get food & look with disdain at my plate when I sit down. I nibble at gatherings now (lol). Our families do mean well & wants us to live a long life but their love tends to be taken harshly. My family taunts me with the thought of dialysis trying to scare me into being better. I pay no mind. I know that I will never be that way. Just because I eat 4 slices of cake a year doesn't mean I'm doomed. Were the victims if this disease not them...

No matter how hard we try we can never be perfect diabetics. I encourage anyone who is in emotional chaos to join a support group on Facebook. These groups are very supportive, understanding & care. They can relate to your pains. The group I suggest is the Insulin Addict's Support Group. Run by myself, we have 150 some members & are continuing to expand! I can't undue to join our family :)! We have BG roll calls, weekly group conversations & daily discussions. 

Remember, test, eat, repeat!

Sticky Notes: Best Adhesive Aide

First off, Thanks to my fellow Diabuddies Heather & Jennifer for sending me samples of IV Prep & SkinTac to try!

Background: I've had so much trouble with my sites staying in tact for 2-3 days! I am lucky to get a day out of my sites. I was getting so frustrated. My fellow diabetic Heather suggested IV Prep for me so she sent me some samples of IV Prep & also SkinTac. Then my other friend Jennifer sent me some off brand IV preps too. It has been 2 site changes (3 after this blog is posted :D). I did one change using IV Prep & my last with SkinTac.

I'm going to give you my impressions of each & which one is worth the extra $$! I'm grading them as 1 (poor)-10 (excellent) on Stickiness, ease of application (I'm labeling this EOA), quality & reliability.

First up is IV:

The IV is popular in the groups I admin on FB & did good for me. It was easy to apply, but at the end on my first day, my site was already peeling a bit (not much)

Stickiness: 5/10
EOA:  9/10
Quality: 8.5/10
Reliability: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

SkinTac:

SkinTac was a stickifest! by the time I was done I was a sticky mess, but in the end, SkinTac held up very (& surprisingly well). I had a blonde moment & thought it was like a alcohol swab...IT'S NOT! I was super sticky afterwards.

Stickiness: 10/10
EOA: 7/10 (after 1st use it'll be easier)
Quality: 9/5/10
Reliability: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

THE WINNER IS SKINTAC! Yes it is very sticky, but it will keep your site in place for days!

TIPS:
-If you start using SkinTac have the following handy:
    `Latex Gloves--Your hand(s) will be super sticky & will drive you batty
    `Unisolve or something that helps you remove your site easily. JUST in case it is painful.

Let me know which you prefer if either!

How I change my infusion site

I've been pumping for over 1 year now & I've learned a lot of neat things to speed up the process & make it easier!

I tried to make a video or two of me changing my pump, but my cat Sampson tends to steal my spotlight--So VICTORY IS MINE HA!

Any who, here's my detailed insulin pump site changing process:

1.) I start off by taking my old site off, cleaning it with an alcohol swab & taking a shower (I can have my pump off for no more than an hour w/o BG starting to rise--So I enjoy my limited freedom \(^_^)/ )

2.)  After my shower, I prepare my new site my shaving (Do this before shower if you do take one--It'll be less painful when you apply alcohol swab later), then I start the changing of the new site. I first fill up my 3.0 ML reservoir to the end (300 Units). I fill to the max because I was always ran out of insulin quick & I always get 3-4 days too). I use the "gravity method", which I saw someone else do in a video about a year ago--I let it go halfway, then I aide it to speed up the process.

3.) I then REWIND my pump (if requested I'll edit this is super detailed mode & explain how to rewind)

4. ) While my pump is rewinding, I wipe my new site with a alcohol swb & I  open my Mio Infusion set (by pulling the red tab off, then the wrapper & lastly the back silver tab))

5.) Ok, [my pump should be rewound by now] my Mio has the tubing wrapped in a spiral-way & I need to unwrap it. To do this, I take the bit of tubing "dangling: (I call it) T (GENITALLY) press down & start unwinding it.

6.) Now I place the end of tubing in the end of my reservoir by pressing the end of the reservoir easily then twist it once & you'll hear a click.

7.) I wipe my site with an adhesive-aide

8.) I then prime the tubing & get the Mio ready for insertion. To do that all I do is hold the Mio with one hand & cock it back.

9.) I then insert by pressing the two indention's on each side of the Mio. I then press the top of the set to ensure the canula got in Ok  then pull the set ou.

10.) I then smooth adhesive.

11.) I then fill canula.

I wait 30 mins to an hour & check BG, then wair another 20-30 mins & if it is lower the site is a go! I do not eat during this time period.

I hope this helps those who are thinking about pumping in making your decision. I know it seems like a lot, but it soon becomes the norm.

If you like this, share it please & feel free to subscribe :)
Also follow me on Twitter @Insulin_Junkie8

*Remember, November is Diabetes Awareness month!*

Derailed

I have been a T1D for almost 9 years now & it seems to never get easier. I never know what ti expect. I'm doing good one day & the next I feel like a train wreck. My "train wreck" is more emotional then physical. Due to my diabetes, my entire persona has changed. By that I mean the way I am as a human being has been drastically altered. I can even remember when my metamorphosis started to take over. I was dxd [medical term for diagnosed] when I was 12. I was just an innocent kid who was loving life. I used to love to go places because of FOOD! (If you're a non diabetic & reading this, NO, MY LOVE FOR FOOD DID NOT CAUSE MY DIABETES--MISCONCEPTION!). Maybe 6 mo after my diagnosis, I felt very tired & felt like I've lost my best friend (still feel the tired part today). Here I am almost 9 years later & I am still living & standing tall. If you're train gets derailed, you can put it back on track. Just have patience & TEST TEST TEST!

Burn Out: What & Why?

I posted about this in my old blog, but since I'm using this permanently I thought I would post again.
 Burn-Out is when a diabetic goes out of control with their diabetes & starts not taking their bg, insulin etc & doesn't care. For me, I get twice a year. Usually towards the end of each semester of college: I'm tired (in all aspects) & just shut my brain off for about 2 weeks.  Usually I rebound & am good to go. It's like a internal vacation. Usually those who "love & care about you" are breathing down our neck. You know you're not yourself when it doesn't phase you. Burn Out can be a good thing as it let's you escape the disease for a time & lets you gather yourself. The important thing is, don't be gone too long or you can end up regretting it.

I'm Taylor & I Have Dipolar Disorder!

Yes I admit it i'm Dipolar! Dipolar Disorder is is bipolar disorder but involving blood sugar. One day you have perfect readings & feel on top of the world (because you actually feel good). Then the next day your BG (blood sugar) is like "forget you!" & your at the point where you'd be happy to see a 250 reading.  Your sugar will have a mind of its own, regardless of what others tell you. You could eat nothing but rabbit food & drink water & all that "Dr recommended" stuff  & still have high readings. I am not a perfect diabetic. I know how to eat right & all that, but honestly, trying to do that makes me so upset & causes burn-out quickly. (Ill post a blog on burn-out ASAP).

I get upset because, here I am eating right, exercising (which I love, but never have time to do) & all that & my sugar (& weight) are not showing for it. This discourages me & makes me unhappy in general< thus not as I normally am.  Dipolar disorder can be very dangerous on you in all aspects.

Scenario: Here you are trying to please your endo & yourself. Eating healthy & exercising almost everyday. It has been a month & you're not happy with the results. Your BG is being the "B----" side of Dipolar disorder, how would you feel? Physically you'll feel fine because you feel descent from eating right & exercising. but mentally & emotionally you're the opposite. You're at wits end. You are about to give up. You've done what you thought was right & Burn out approaches.

No matter which "persona" our BG is we all are still strong  & fighters!

Non-Diabetic DKA

At some point & time most Diabetics endure DKA (Diabetic Kitoacidosis) It usually occurs right before a person is dxd (diagnosed) with Diabetes. It is when your body cannot use glucose to level blood sugar & with no insulin there to assist. It is like the flu 3x as worse. Luckily. I have never endured it (knock on wood).

Do you know Non-diabetics also go through DKA? Yes, you read that right. Some even go through it multiple times. You really should call it NDKA (Non-Diabetics Don't Know Anything). I am going to break down this common issue & tell you how you can help your loved ones who have NDKA.

What is it & who does affect?

• It is the state in which a non-diabetic is introduced to Diabetes & cannot simply grasp it (Denial)
• This individual usually is close to someone who has recently been dxd with diabetes
• The individual can claim they know about Diabetes & give you "useful advice"

Symptoms:

• Headaches
• Depression
• Loss of sleep
• Eye strain
• Anxiety
• Shortness in temper
• Refusal to listen

How it can be prevented:

• Those who are like this need our patience & understanding.
• Try to educate them as much as possible
• If some you know are the type who claim to know more about Diabetes thwn you do, just walk away & nod in agreement
• When first dxd, along with loved ones, attend a Diabetes class to help ypu all better understand the disease. Go to more if needed
• Encourage the individual(s) to ask your endocrinologist questions on areas they don't understand

Treatment:

• Patience: Understand that they love you & are going through this with you & are trying to help you.
• Love: Love conquers all
• Faith: They will eventually start to grasp the concepts
• R&R: Take a trip, go bowling, something to take ypur minds off of what has happened
• Breath: You can overcome this!

Remember, Your Pancreas might be down & out, but you are still standing! 

BOO to Diabetes: The Pros & Cons of being diabetic on Halloween

Yes you read that right! Halloween can be beneficial to a diabetic. It just depends on your level of self-control. It can also be depressing. You think of the times (if you had any) where you trick-or-treated without a care. Me personally, I love Halloween! I love dressing up (and yes I got trick-or-treating at the age of 20--long story ha), handing out candy etc..
The following is a list of the pros & cons of being diabetic on Halloween:

Cons:

• Temptation will be uh, tempting. With all the candy that you buy to hand out, or that your child(ren) bring back are starring you in the eyes! You know your limits, but it is oh so good!
• Non-diabetic family/friends will chastise you for having "sinful sugar" in your house
• Those who indulge in front of you will give you the "it isn't good" shtick.

Pros: Yes there are some!

• You can still dress up & enjoy time with friends & family. Just have will-power & try to avoid eating candy (at least in front of others- unless your bg is low)
• Know your limits & enjoy some candy! Sugar is not going to kill us (if you don't eat a lot, it could cause HI bg). Eat a Snickers or dum-dum. Just know your limits 
• FREE low bg goodies! Like I mentioned earlier, I am 20 & I have the appearance of a 12 year old so I take advantage & still going Trick-Or-Treating, despite being a T1D & I keep every piece of candy I get. You're probably like "Whaat?" Yes, I always get A LOT of goodies. What I do is put all the candy in a zip-lock bag a fill her up & write low bg on it so my 7 yr old cousin wont devour it.

So Halloween can be awesome, but it's up to you how awesome to make it!