Hi, my name is Derek Bottoms

Funny problem Livongo Health has ran into. About a week ago, Livongo is sending those of us who use the Livongo In Touch BG meter, a lancing device that resembles the Accu Chek fastclix. I reviewed it in the In Touch In-Depth review that you can check out HERE. Apparently, I got another one. That's not the issue. The issue is that Livogo or whomever ships the device put wrong (& pretty funny) names on the hipping label. I've read where people got a name like Buttz & things like that. My name is now Derek Bottoms. Now a lot of us users of the meter are not angry or upset over this. I find it quite humerus. It is probably just a glitch in their system & will be fixed soon. Though I'd share this funny situation with you all. Quest for you is, How would you feel if this happened to you
Tweet me @Insulin_Junkie9 ; @Insulin_Diary & let me know!

Finals & Diabetes

Today's entry is about something I thought of today: How to manage Diabetes during Finals week at college or SOLs/SATs. I’ve been A type 1 diabetic since age 12, so I got to deal with all the above while managing my diabetes.

The most important thing to do during this hectic period of time is to watch your blood glucose levels like a hawk. I test quite a lot currently, but I check probably 9 times a day during these stressful times. The stress & worry of upcoming finals or whatever can cause your levels to elevate. Just make sure you check, check, check & correct accordingly & try not to stress if possible.

Next suggestion is to watch what you eat. No, not a diet. Just don’t eat too much or too frequently, because there’s nothing more agonizing than trying to study while feeling sluggish & tired. Either eat lighter or spread your meals & snacks apart.

The last thing I do (depends on your religious affiliation) is pray. I am very religious & I pray about everything that goes wrong in my life & let God handle it.

When it comes to the day/s of the finals or SOLs/SATs, make sure to test before you start the exam & have water & a low BG snack just in case & be vocal with your professors.
I hope this blog has helped & good luck on your upcoming exams!

You can hear this in audio format by clicking HERE

Thanksgiving Being A Diabetic

    First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! I hope you have a great time with your loved ones & that your BGs don't suffer too much. With Thanksgiving comes food, SO MUCH FOOD! And with such food comes family members who "Have your best interest at heart" & do things that drive you mad, like watching you [the diabetic] as you get your plate (well plates for me) or stare at your pate as you chow down. Kind of looks like the above picture right? This article is to tell you how to keep calm & enjoy Thanksgiving.
   
    First off keep in mind that they actually have your best interest at heart. Most are afraid that their diabetic loved on/s will end up on dialysis like their friend's sister's husband's grandfather or believe eating right will cure diabetes. They do care about you, just have a hard time with the fact you're diabetic. If you have one of both of the instances mentioned earlier, just try your best to hold your tongue. I know how hard that is trust me.
 
  Second,  If you expect glaring glances or eyeballs watching what you eat or put on our plate, probably indicates that you are eating too much & know it. I've been this way at times & know how hard the temptations are to pass (sweets etc...) & all diabetics have times where they cave in & have a piece of pie or something. Now, I don't eat sweets hardly ever & if I do, it's delicious! Just have to keep an eye on my BG. But just know when enough is enough.

Lastly, if you know the people that are like I mentioned, have a talk with them before the event (when you're not upset at them) & tell them how you feel. I always assure my relatives that do this that I am the diabetic & I know the do's & don'ts & if I under-bolus/over-bolus for the feast, I will handle it & appreciate their love & concern for me. Talking beforehand may ease the tension for some.

How do you overcome these types of relatives?
Comment below or tweet me @insulin_junkie9
follow me on Twitter, Instagram (insulin_junkie9) YouTube & make sure to subscribe to my blog.
Starting next semester of college I will have more time to blog, so expect more!
Again, Happy Thanksgiving everyone & God Bless!

Livongo In Touch Blood Glucose Meter In-Depth Review

Last week I (FINALLY) received my In Touch meter by Livongo health that I had been very anxious for. i posted an unboxing/Initial review video which you can watch here. This video is about the meter & all the goodies that came with it. I will leave no stone unturned! I will be giving my review (opinion) on every  undividual item & the pros/cons & a 1 (worst) to 5 (best) rating. So let us begin! I will not include the control solution or lancets.

packaging impressions

The packaging of the meter was nicely done. It felt like I was opening an Apple product. No Pros/cons here.

RATING: 5/5

Carrying Case

The carrying case is the standard black case. It has a lot of room in it [for me anyway]. I could even fit an insulin vial in it! I'm not one who likes designed cases, so I like this case. I liked the compartments where the lancing device, strips & meter goes. However, the place where the lancing device goes had to be stretched before it would fit. It took 5 days to get that darn pricker in there!

PROS:
~ Roomy

~ Easy to maneuver. 

CONS:

~ Lancing device place.

RATING: 4.7/5

Lancing Device

The worst component of this meter was its lancing device (AKA pricker). This this was rubbish! The pricker is designed to auto-eject lancets to avoid accidental puncture. I tested it out & it ejected nicely, but got stuck & would not go back in so I had to throw it away :,(. So now I have 3 boxes of lancets I cannot use.  I got the Fastclix so I am happy. I LOVE the Fastclix. Very well designed device.

RATING: 0/5 (5/5 for Fastclix)

TEST STRIPS

BOTTLE:

I like the bottle the strips come in. Very sturdy. 

STRIPS:
I love the strips size. I always have trouble grabbing strips out of tiny bottles. So the extra room in the bottle & bigger (length wise) strips makes it easier to obtain them. My only (minor) complaint is that they came in a better sorted variety of colors.  The strips come in different colors. I would like to see a cyan or red strip. & I tend to get the same 2-3 colors in every vial of strips.  I have had very few strip errors (Knock on wood!)

RATING (Bottle): 5/5

RATING (Strips): 4.9/5

MYLIVONGO SOFTWARE

I love the customer service! Always nice & helpful. The software is easy to use.
RATING: Customer Service: 5/5
Software: 4.8/5

Livongo Health has pretty decent customer service reps. All the ons I've dealt with were nice & considerate. 

RATING: 5/5

 

UPDATE 2 (4/27/16): I found out that Livongo is no longer offering the $25/month deal. Their statement can be found HERE. The statement says:
"Thanks for your interest in our Early Access Program. We are no longer accepting new applicants to our program at this time.". 
Sorry for the hype on this & the other article. I suggest if you are really interested in this meter to put your e-mail address down.

 

The Mother of All Meters: Livongo In Touch Meter--Initial Impressions

Over the past 9 years being a type 1 diabetic (T1D), I have used every name brand BG meter. I started out in 2006 (year diagnosed) using the One Touch Ultra. Here I am 9 years later using the One Touch Verio. I didn't expect to switch meters anytime soon, but then this was introduced to me & I couldn't say no to this AMAZING Meter/System. Livongo's (short for Living on the Go) In Touch Meter was too good to pass up! Here is why it is awesome & my initial impressions (while I anxiously await its arrival :) ). Let me dive right in & blow your minds with unbelievable awesomeness!

The Livongo Meter (as seen in the picture) is a full color touchscreen that is said to feel like a screen on your typical smartphone. Speaking of smartphones, the meter come with its own cellular signal (believed to be through AT&T). This signal is provided because you are able to add contacts to your "Care Team". You can add your endocrinologist, CDE or family/friends, & they will be alerted if your BG is very low (<50 mg/dl) or very high (400+ mg/dl). This meter is great for parents of a diabetic who travels to band camp or on Senior break trip. This keeps parents in the know.

When you order your In Touch Meter you will get:
- An In Touch BG Meter
- Lancing device (that ejects used lancets to avoid accidental pricking)
- 300 Lancets
- 300 test strips per month.
- charger
- manuals

The best parts about this is you get an UNLIMITED amount of strips every month. No additional cost & free shipping (7-10 business days)
If you have No insurance coverage then this is the meter for you because it does NOT contact your insurance! If you aren't sold yet you will be by the price. So how much does all the mentioned above cost you wonder? Only $25 (for 2 years). Livongo is doing a limited time offer that allows diabetics to only pay $25 a month for 2 years. After the 2 years it will be $75 a month. AND you get your first month FREE!

This deal is too good to pass up!
If you want to own your own Livongo In Touch Meter, go to www.livongo.com to sign up.
If you have any comments or questions just comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@Insulin_Junkie9)

Also, there's an awesome Facebook group for current users of this meter & those inquiring about it. Click here to join the group
________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE 1 (10/13/15): I got the e-mail today with the tracking number & I will be getting the meter tomorrow!!

UPDATE 2 (4/27/16): I found out that Livongo is no longer offering the $25/month deal. Their statement can be found HERE. The statement says:
"Thanks for your interest in our Early Access Program. We are no longer accepting new applicants to our program at this time.". 
Sorry for the hype on this & the other article. I suggest if you are really interested in this meter to put your e-mail address down.

My opinion on Reli On Diabetes Supplies

As you may know if you watch any of my YouTube videos, I am without insurance. I will be back on a new plan next month!!

While I was without, I used a lot of diabetes supplies from "Reli On". I will continue to use them once my new plan kicks in. I use teir Syringes & insulin pen needles. In this entry, I will be giving my review on both products & the company overall's rating from myself.

Let's start with the SYRINGES!
I have been using the Reli On syringes for a week or so now & I like them! A syringe is a syringe right? The only reason  use theirs is the price. (The prices are the main reason I use them). I paid $12/59 U.S dollars for a box of 100 syringes! That is a steal of a deal. Not much really to review for the syringe. Just the price is awesome!

Next is the PEN NEEDLES!
I do love their pen needles. There are 2 reasons why I love using them. 1 is the price of course & 2 is the design. I got a box of 50 needles for just $9! That blew my mind. That is another steal. These prices are without insurance too! My second reason is that it is a bit different then my standard needles. With my other needles, you have to put the needle on the insulin pen & twist it on. With the Reli On needle, you just press it until you hear 2 clicks & that's it!

OVERALL...
I highly recommend the Reli On brand. Very good quality supplies (in my opinion) & the prices cannot be beat!

RATING: 10/10

My Reaction to the "Open Diabetes" Outrage

Here is the video of my reaction to the "Open, Diabetes" "joke" Crossfit tweeted a few weeks ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYrXF3VAH3U
Sorry about my voice:)
Feel free to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel :D!

Have No Fear, The DOC is here!

Tonight's post is mainly a post out of gratitude. This is about the best resource (as far as support goes) any diabetic can get. When I was diagnosed in '06, I wasn't involved in any form of social media. But when I turned 16, I was allowed to create a MySpace account. There I reconnected with friends, family etc... But it wasn't until I got a facebook that my saving grace was found. I joined a group on facebook called "I Hate Diabetes (Type 1)". The members of this group were so supportive, they helped me further understand my diabetes. Since then, I am in A LOT of Diabetes Support groups, & have some of my own. All These groups combined are called the DOC (Diabetes Online Community). I suggest if your a parent reading this (of a young diabetic) or a diabetic of age to have social media accounts, to become a member of the DOC. You can post anything & no-one will judge you. If you do not have much support. If your family & friends bash you about the decisions that you make regarding youe diabetes management, the DOC will always support you.
Here is the links to my group & the group I referred to above.

My group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/insulinaddicts/
I Hate Diabetes (Type 1):https://www.facebook.com/groups/165111356973282/
God bless each & every one of you!

#FBS (Flash Back Saturday) ~ Sat Dblog Entry

Today's entry is about my favorite blog post. I have been blogging since 2012, but switched to this blog last year. At the time of switching, I was having issues with non-diabetic relatives thinking they knew more than I. So I wrote an entry out of frustration called "Non-Diabetic DKA" (click link to go to blog entry). It motivates me to see how far I have come in just a year, as a blogger & diabetic.

 I love this entry because I find it humorous, yet accurate. I hope you enjoy it too! Feel free to share it & leave a comment in this entry to tell me what you think!

Follow me on Twitter: @InsulinDiary to keep up to date!

Food For Thought ~ Friday's Dblog EntryThe point of monitoring

Today's entry is about managing what we eat. This entry will be short.
Most diabetics use a food logbook to keep up with what they eat & how their blood glucose levels. The point of monitoring their food intake is to understand how certain foods affect your blood sugars. My method of managing what I eat is that I do not log my food intake. I have a good memory & I can remember what I eat. I try to stay away from pasta. I also eat in moderation. My methods are simple. How do you manage what you eat?

Changed ~ Thursday's Dblog Entry

Today's questions: are there any changes, as far as your diabetes is concerned, that you need to make?The other question have you made any changes, as far as your diabetes is concerned, that others would be shocked to know?

For me, the answer to the first question is yes. Having diabetes means you will have to make a lot of changes. May you be newly diagnosed or 50+ years strong, you will have to make changes. Every time I go to my endocrinologist, I always have to make some slight changes.

The changes I have made are in my eating habits. I eat in moderation. I used to eat on how hungry I was (bad idea). Now, I still eat the stuff I enjoy, but I eat smarter. After my scare last week when my blood sugar got to over 600 mg/dl, I buckled down even more. I am at the point where I am not as hungry as I used to be. I do eat healthy from time-to-time, but I have to be in the mood for it. I have to be in the mood for a salad in order to eat it.

Are there any changes that my family & friends are shocked about? I am very open about my diabetes. I feel that I can spread awareness by telling of the thing i go through (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9uEuovmv2Y). Copy & paste the link to see my video about my diabetic life: my daily routine. My family & friends are shocked at how well I manage my diabetes. Yes, I go through periods that test me (on the brink of burnout - see burnout blog entry), but like I have said numerous times, I do not want to end up in bad shape in later years. Over the years I have received a lot of positive feedback about my diabetes management. No, I am not perfect, but I try my very best.

I'd love to hear from you! Leave comments below & tell me about your "changes". Have a great day. Remember, Test Don't Guess!

Spring Cleaning ~ Wednesday's Dblog Week Entry

In yesterday's blog entry, I told you my dastardly secret. Now in today's entry, I an going to talk about what I need to get to get rid of. If there is anything that I need to get rid of is my excess meters (broken ones). I stay with my grandparents mostly. When my grandfather was living, he was a type 2 diabetic. Between him & I, we accumulated quite the number of blood glucose meters. He had about three, I had about 6. I recently looked through them all & about three or four worked. So the rest were thrown away. So to wrap up this short entry, what do you need to get rid of? If you blog, feel free to leave your link in the comments :)! See you tomorrow!

SSSSHHHH! ~ Tuesday's Entry for DBlog Week

Today's entry in 2015 Diabetes Blog Week asks the question, Are there any secrets about your diabetes that no one knows about? For myself, I am an open book as far as my diabetes is concerned. Why? Because, I am stuck with this disease until the day I die, unless a cure is found (fingers crossed!). The way I see it, every opportunity to talk about my experience with Diabetes, or diabetes in general, is a chance for awareness. Growing up (before diagnosis), I thought diabetes was a death sentence, but it is not! Now if I had to choose something that I do not talk about concerning my diabetes is that I do not change my lancet like I am supposed too (go ahead & cast stones at me haha). YOu see, a lancet, or the tiny needle that you use to prick your finger to test blood glucose, is SUPPOSED to be changed after every single time we check our blood sugar. I cannot remember my last lancet change. I change mine when it gets dull (about once a month or so). How often do you change yours? Comment below. Now you know my dirty little secret, I'd love to know yours!

I Can! ~ Monday's Dblog Week Entry

I am participating in bittersweetdiabetes.com's "2015 Diabetes Blog Week". To kick it off we have to talk about something we did that we thought we couldn't do. Prior to being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I was very overweight for my age. To this day I still struggle with my weight, but not as bad. When I was diagnosed back in 2009, I was determined to lose weight. Here I am 9 years later & im in the best shape (weight wise) of my life. I just keep in mind that "I Can!".

My WHOA Moment

Yesterday, I ha the scariest moment of my life (since being diabetic). My blood sugar got the highest it has ever gotten in the nine years I have been a type one diabetic. When I first dxd (medical term for diagnosed) on March 24, 2006. When I was dxd my blood sugar was 464 (<130 is normal). Well, yesterday (after breakfast), I was waiting for my final exam for the semester. I felt very tired so I decided to check my sugar & it was 497! So I washed my hands & it said 353. I did my correction bolus & went & started my exam. Halfway thru my exam I decided to check again. This is when I panicked. My meter said above 600! Let's just say if I passed that exam it will be a miracle. I flew through the last half of the exam & rushed to the ER. By the time i left it was 198, so I was discharged. 

So, what caused this? Not sure. The only advice I can give you if you get in this position, is to stay calm.

Starting Monday, I will  be participating in diabetes blog week! If your interested, here is the link

http://www.bittersweetdiabetes.com/p/2015-diabetes-blog-week-topics-posts.html

Stay tuned for my entries!

Have a great day!

Tandem Diabetes T-slim Insulin Pump Simulation App demo & Review

My latest video, Tandem Diabetes T-slim Insulin Pump Simulation App demo & Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDksfaBM2Ss

I posted this entry last week as just the link to my video (feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel! :)). I figured I would do a review of he Tandem Diabetes T-slim Insulin Pump Simulation Application for IPhone/IPod/IP
ad. I will do the pros & cons & overall impression. So let's get started!

*I do not work for Tandem Diabetes in any capacity.*

PROS:

1. It lets you get familiar with the T:Slim pump. 
1. I am eagerly awaiting my T:Slim Insulin Pump! Between this app & watching mommadukes67 channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuX-mG5upSFjAmQ1RS54KXg). I am very, VERY familiar with the T:Slim Insulin Pump, well the interface at least. 
2. No lags or bugs.
1. With the actual T:Slim Pump, if you touch a part of the screen three times, it will lock on you. Say I am in the Bolus menu, & I touch the "view calculations"section three times (maybe I didn't think the touch screen registered my touch gestures). It will lock. All this means is that it will go to sleep like a smart phone.
2. Don't worry, you'll be right where you left off. 

CONS: Only 1!

1. The only con I have about this application is that it lacks features. 
1. I think they should include a simulation of changing the pump. Basically the app could be used to help one learn how to use & change a T:Slim Pump. 

Overall, the Tandem Diabetes T-slim Insulin Pump Simulation App is very handy & I recommend it to anyone who is tempted to switch of start pumping with the T:Slim. 

4/5 Stars!

Can There be A Perfect Diabetic?

Is there such thing? Everyone has their opinions as how to manage their Diabetes. You're only as good as you let yourself think you are. Every diabetic manages his/her diabetes differently, but no one is "perfect". To be close to perfect, though, can be achieved. The best way a diabetic can be on top of their diabetes is to do what Carol Cluka, a very awesome diabuddy (diabetic buddy) says, "Test, Don't Guess". Even if you are newly diagnosed, testing your blood sugar levels at least before meals & bedtime can do so much. When I was first diagnosed in '06, my pediatric endocrinologist had me checking my levels about 9 times a day (depending on my eating schedule). To this day, I do EVERYTHING my adult endocrinologist says, and if I disagree with something, we discuss what I'm comfortable with & go from there.
Now back to my question, Can there be a perfect diabetic? like I said, no one is perfect, but giving this disease everything you have. at the end of the day, you know you gave it your all. Yes, you'll have days where you have been hit by a truck multiple times,  but knowing you tried your best may help that feeling dim. As I leave you, I want you ti know that you're not alone. The days where you feel horrid, just know, you're not alone. There are a lot of people feeling the exact same way.

Stay strong. carry on

Dexcom: 2 month Review

I hope you all are enjoying the snow! I am, but it is time for spring!


I have had my Dexcom G4 Platinum for about 2 months now so I figured I would bring you the pros/cons I have had thus far! I will be doing more reviews at the 6 month & 1 year mark, so keep an eye out for that.


OVERVIEW
I LOVE my Dexcom, which I named Dexter after the show Dexter's Laboratory. It has helped me better manage my Diabetes. On average, I check my blood glucose 4-6 times a day. My readings were good, but I was getting where I couldn't tell if I was low or not & I would get that occasional unexplained high reading. With the G4 you know when you're & what your bg is in between meals & overnight. It is a great thing to have. It makes you have a tighter grasp on your diabetes.


PROS

• My biggest pro is how on point the readings from dexter to my meter is. I usually have <50 difference 
• Next pro is the color screen. It is very bright & contrast. It is easy to see when out in the sun.
• the receiver size is great too. Not too bulky.

CONS
My only con is that the sensor is a bit bulky & doesn't stick well. I hear there is a thinner sensor coming out soon)
It is not really sticky, even with IV Prep it lasts 3-5 days.

Up, Down & So On

I apologize for the lack of content as of late, I have been on one of these lately (which inspired this entry). Between managing my Diabetes & college & church , I haven't had hardly any free time. As of late, I've been riding the proverbial roller coaster & I am ready for the ride to be over! My bg hasn't been the best lately & I am not quite sure why. Luckily, I am going to see my Diabetes Team (N.P & Pump Specialist) & hopefully I can start feeling better. This is more of an update then an entry, but I will try to post as much as possible. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I battle out of this slump. Also, keep little Kycie  (Kisses for Kycie FB Page) in your prayers as she is fighting a 1148 bg reading. She's a fighter!
Her is the FB "Kisses for Kycie": https://www.facebook.com/kissesforkycie/info?tab=page_info

New Year, same disease

Happy New year everyone! With the new year comes the resolutions that most have in common, which involve health, love & money. I have no resolutions this year because I do the same each year which is not let diabetes control my life. I have loved my life even though diabetes does make it tough, but I will continue to beat this disease & not let it keep me down. Sweet & short is this entry.
What's your goals for 2K15?
Tweet me at @InsulinDiary & let me know!