For years I’ve watched her cook, laughed at her jokes and simply enjoyed her from my living room couch.

I also wondered how someone who made such beautifully rich food could not have some health issue.  I figured she took care of herself like we all should and was lucky.  Not every person that eats good, rich food gets or has diabetes.  It was one of the things I had to learn to deal with when I was diagnosed.

A week ago, while watching Fox and Friends in the morning, they talked to Paula’s son Bobby who was debuying a new show  “Not My Mama’s Meals” on the The Cooking Channel.  He is taking Paula’s recipes and reworking them with less calories and fat, and all the other bad stuff some of us would cringe at.

The weekend after that show, I was getting a mani and pedi and while sitting there was watching one of Paula’s shows on the television.  I mentioned to Willa (whose husband is a T2 like me) that I really loved all the recipes Paula created, but I couldn’t eat them nor know how to fix them other ways so I could.  We figured that was the reason for Bobby’s new show.

The next week, Fox and Friends reported Ms. Deen had announced she had Type 2 Diabetes and had been dealing with it for three (3) years now.

To say I was floored is an understatement – but not at all surprised.   I don’t wish this condition on anyone and I will not say it is because of her lifestyle with food or anything else.  How you “get” diabetes is still hit and miss.  Yes, there are people who get T2 because of their body issues, but not all of us.

Then a few days later I heard many people, including chefs, were speaking out about how Paula should have told everyone earlier and some people were pretty nasty about it too.

Having dealt with being a PWD for many years now, I was appalled at those sentiments.  When I was first diagnosed to say I was on shock is putting it mildly.  It took at least two years before my doctor and I found the right combination of medication to have it under control.   And as the years have moved forth, the learning and adjusting has never stopped.  You cannot simply take a pill in the morning and that is all you do to keep this condition in line.

So if Paula did  not want to tell us for three years about her T2, so be it.  I can only imagine from experience what she has been going through to bring her to this point.

Here is one ignorant, meant to be hurtful, comment by that idiot Joan Rivers: “Paula Deen and a stick of butter is kind of like Melissa and me. Sooner or later we’re going to kill each other,”.  Joan – butter has nothing to do with it.

This is what ignorance is all about people.  Some of it comes from fear, some from wanting to make a name for themselves  by basking in others misfortunes and most is from jealousy.   Joan Rivers is a has been and we all know it.  This way she can keep her face and ugly mouth in the media.

I saw a lot of similar statements made on Twitter.

I just shake my head and laugh.   I was a size 6 and weighing in at 110 pounds when diagnosed.  My endocrine system had already been damaged with my Thyroid condition years before and a lot of thyroid patients have diabetes and vice verse.

So you ignorant bunch of animals out there, I have one thing to say:  Be careful who and what you  laugh at – karma is a bitch.

I wish Ms. Deen all the best as she travels this new road in her life.   As a diabetic you can still enjoy good ol’ home style southern cooking, but moderation is the key.  Be vigilant and you can live a very long life with T2.

Welcome to the family Paula.  Good Luck!

When I was prescribed my Lantus back in October 2005 I was instructed to take it in the evening.  However, now that I am waking up in the low 60′s and spiking to the 200′s an hour later, something had to change.   So I did a bit of research on the Internet and found many people took their Lantus in the mornings.

I tried it and liked it.   I seem to have better control throughout the day and into the evening.

But, my dose doesn’t take me well into the next morning.   Granted I’m not having readings in the low 60′s anymore, but like this morning, it was 138.   So now what do I do?   I’m going to try taking about five extra units before going to bed and see how my morning readings are then.

Taking the ten units in the morning has also reduced my need for as much Novolog as I was using. At times I was using up to 20 units a day.  Now, if I really watch what I eat, I can go all day with just the initial five units I take in the morning for the spike.

And how was your week?

The poster reported having gone on a camping trip to a national or local park with friends and children.  While in the course of their time there, the poster had to take an insulin shot and instead of hiding in their tent, the shot was taken out in the open by the fire.  At the time this was happening, other people walked by and started shouting at this person, calling them a junkie, asking how they could do drugs in front of children, etc.  Of course they didn’t respond – but the ignorance of people dropped my jaw.

People – if you are reading this post for whatever reason – educate yourself ASAP!  Insulin is taken with a needle.  That means it could look like someone is “shooting up” (well in a way they are), but its for living, not recreation.

I know what would have happened if that had been me and hubby, he’d've educated them post haste and they would have been so chastised afterward they wouldn’t ever do something like that again.

It is also a said state of affairs in this country where drug use is so prevalent, that necessary medication taken in injection form is looked upon as illegal drug use.   The pens used to administer insulin are expensive and a lot of people who have to pay for their own medications, or with larger co-pays, use vials & needles instead of the pens.  Raising Hand Here!  I take two insulins a day.  One is taken at home and one can be taken in public.  Yes, I usually go to a restroom if necessary, but I still don’t hide it.

If taking insulin in public shocks someone, so be it.  Since the schools in this country are more worried about teaching sex between gays than real issues they could deal with, we have some seriously ignorant people walking around.

I think employers and employees in America need to get their act together and read up on this.

Questions and Answers About Diabetes in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

I just read a post by someone on a support forum who lost their job because they were out too many days due to their diabetes.  Now, I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding their being let go, but if there was a violation of the ADA by the employer, they might have some recourse.  This person now has no insurance, can’t get any state or federal assistance (even from Obamacare), and was begging to find out how to obtain their medications on the cheap or free.

There are organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other areas they can receive help, so that is a good thing.

Insulin

Fortunately, and by the grace of God, I work in the best place on the planet.  There is no harassment, discrimination or repercussions from my condition.   I also have never hidden it which could be part of it.  If someone is in the lady’s room when I need to administer some insulin, I ask them if it bothers me using the needle.  Most say no, and if someone says, “I hate needles!” I’ll laugh and say, “so do I, but I like living.”  Everyone has been very supportive.  The gals on my team know where my glucose tablets are, or have someone in their family with diabetes and know how to react with bad lows (which fortunately I haven’t had here).

I felt so bad for the person mentioned above for losing their job.  Yes, there could be other circumstances, but if there is proof her condition is why she was let go, her previous employer could be in some serious trouble.

Listen – I pretty much hate anything the federal government does outside of the requirements of the Constitution … BUT!!!! Discrimination should NEVER occur in this country and especially against people with medical conditions. 

Jack Challem‘s article on dlife.com, titled “A Spoonful of Vinegar Helps the Blood Sugar Go Down” provides more insight.

“Scientific studies over the past 10 years show benefits from vinegar consumption,” says Carol Johnston, Ph.D., head of the nutrition department at Arizona State University, Tempe. Vinegar decreases both fasting and postprandial (after-meal) glucose levels, she says. “It’s inexpensive and can be easily incorporated into the diet. Used in combination with diet and exercise, it can help many people with type 2 diabetes.” Much of the vinegar research comes out of Johnston’s laboratory and that of Elin Ostman, Ph.D., at Lund University in Lund, Sweden.

Anything that can help me from having to take more medication is a bonus. And to the article’s point, I have tested before eating a salad with balsamic vinegar as the base of the dressing and afterward, my levels have gone down.

Do you use vinegar to help manage your glucose levels?

Initially I was using it to cure the spikes and not as a preventative.  How did that work for me? Not too good.  Not only was I still experiencing massive highs, the lows were more and more.  It was difficult determining how much to use for a high, the actual ratio over normal to units of Novolog.  After much searching on the internet, I was still confused.  Some folks said one unit would drop your glucose 55 points.  Well, not for me!  Then I fell upon several articles where people were using a 1:20 or 1:25 ratio to bring down a high.  I thought that sounded more real.  I started using the 1:20 ratio and the lows abated.

But, I was still experiencing massive highs an hour after my morning readings and after eliminating everything I consumed but water within that first hour, nothing worked.  I also found many users that took their Lantus in the mornings, or a shot am & pm.  I was only taking mine at night.

So this week I did another expirement.  Hubby had four days of medical appointments at 7:30 am and I had to take him.  The procedure was such he couldn’t drive afterward is why.

So Tuesday morning I got out of the shower and tested at 106.   I took five units of Novolog AND 10 units of Lantus.   Then I ate my bowl of ceral and some almonds.  I just knew I’d be crashing soon.  I mean, 106 and I’m pumping IN fast acting and long acting insulins?  Well – I didn’t.  Two hours later I was at 84. Before lunch I was 88 (I took Novolog with a 1:15 carb ratio before I ate).  After lunch I was 92.  Before supper I was 92!  BONUS!  I took another evening dose of Lantus 10 units before going to bed.  I was at 78 when I got up Wednesday.   I did the same process and had a great day as well.   Because I was so low in the morning, I backed off my Lantus at night to 8 units and this morning I was 109.   However, this morning, I forgot to take my Lantus until we got back from the doctor’s office and it was up to 160 before lunch.   I’m also using Glucerna mini-snack bars for snacks.

But clearly, there is something going on in the mornings after I get up that is shooting my glucose up and the Novolog is the only thing that is bringing it under control.

The added benefit is I am feeling so  much better than I was before getting the Novolog.  I’m sleeping better and have more energy.  At first I was going to use the Novolog only (if I could) as a way to get me back to where I was, but clearly this is an extra step that is needed and has proven beneficial for me.  When I go back in four months for a follow-up, I’m going to ask Doc to switch me from needles and vials to a pen for the Novolog.  I’ll stick with the Lantus in a vial since I don’t have to take that with me during the day.

So I’m going to keep trying.  I hope to adjust my Lantus down in the evenings to where I’m taking 10 units only in the morning -  but if an additional 10 units in the evening is what is going to work, so be it.  Doc will probably snort around a bit I took this upon myself adding it, but if my A1C is down under 7, I think he’ll get over it.

What does a diabetic look like?

Blank for an answer? 

Me too.

While getting through the paperwork to purchase this, I mentioned to the salesmen that the OnStar (free for one year) would be a great thing to have, seeing I’m a diabetic and we can crash while driving.  He looked at me and said, “You don’t look like a diabetic.” 

I didn’t have a response.

So — what does a diabetic look like?  Amy here doesn’t “look like a diabetic” does she?  Diabetes is worn on the inside and we don’t have a letter D emblazoned on our chests.

I “think” what he meant was the sterotypical “look” is someone that is overweight.  No, I’m not overweight yet some diabetics have to loose weight to help with their treatment.  So, we may not physically look like someone with a disease, but then you can’t tell all the time when someone has a back problem either.

I wear a med-alert bracelet, but it doesn’t say “diabetic” on it.  It opens to a small peice of paper with my medical information on it listing that I am both a thyroid patient and Type II diabetic.

But to look at me – I don’t fit the sterotype.

So how about today we decide that “looks” of a disease don’t match what you thought it was and start to learn that no matter the shape, race, or age, diabetes can strike at any time.

I know my salesmen meant no harm and it was a compliment, but I buttoned up my lip in getting snarky with him — he was selling me my desire

I’m still trying to rule out what is causing them.  Do I not eat enough?  But doesn’t eating cause levels to go up?  No and Yes.  But what you eat is what can cause it more and I wasn’t eating the right stuff and at times not eat at all.  When you don’t eat, for a non-person with diabetes (PWD), your liver kicks in and provides your body with the energy (glucose) it needs.  For me, when that happens, there is no way for my body to compensate and shove the extra into my fat cells.  So it collects in  my blood and then my levels climb until I bring it down.  Once it is too high, eating won’t help it all.  I have to burn it off with exercise or use insulin.  Having the Novolog has helped a lot keep it down below 200 – if I catch it.  I didn’t tonight.  I was a nice 87 at 3 pm and didn’t eat anything and by the time I got home, my body was screaming for energy and there went the liver.  It was 210 by the time I was where I could test and fix it.

These are just daily events for diabetics.  Our lives surround finger sticks, medication, eating right and in some cases insulin injections.   I am a Type II Diabetic which means my pancreas still works, but my fat cells are slammed shut to the glucose.  Yes, I can gain weight as our medications help us open those cells, but for the most part, I loose weight first.

Its a strange self-induced cycle I’m on right now.  It is clearly my fault it got this bad again.  But the fact I haven’t felt this good in a while gives me the incentive to wrangle this back under control.  The last few days have been good.  Tonight’s high is the first over 200 in two days.  That’s a win for me!

Tomorrow will be better and the next day and the next.

My blood pressure medicine has a side effect of high sugars, so I tried the below today to see if that was the culprit:

Out of Bed Reading: 75 - Did not take my BP (Benicar) meds.  I will only be having coffee for now with half/half creamer and artificial sweetener.

Hour Later: 171 – At this time I took a bite of a Glucerna snack bar, about 1/4 of it.

Approximately an hour later:  211 – Took 3 units of Novalog to get it down to normal levels.  Finished off the Glucerna snack bar, took the Benicar and now 1000mg of Metformin.

(hold on fingers!)

One hour later: 246  Up 35 points.  Is it the Benicar?  Not sure.  The Glucerna bar shouldn’t have done it.  Really odd.  I am experiencing a bit of edema from my Lantus, could that be it?  Having a bowl of ceral with Almond Milk with 6 units of Novalog and then will take a walk.

My sugars did well the rest of the day and I even crashed after supper (not enough carbs in the meal).  I have no clue why this is happening, so will just have to live with it.  Depending on the out of bed readings in the morning, I may take a small dose of fast acting insulin about an hour later to keep it under normal until I eat breakfast and then take the normal five units.

Diabetes is an odd condition.  As my DH reminded me, I’ve been high for so long my body has adjusted.  It may be just trying to get back that high because its comfortable there, or has been.

More up dates later.  If anyone else has experienced this, please comment and let me know how you worked it out.

It has been a long, long time since I’ve even blogged about my diabetes, even though this is why I started blogging.  But like other events in people’s lives, as things get better, we tend to forget about them or they are just a niggle in the back of your mind.

About a year ago I got sick and tired of stabbing myself several times a day to test my glucose and constantly watching what I eat.  I stopped walking, let my gym membership lapse and just muddled through life ignoring the ringing, er clanging bell in the back ground.

All of us diabetics know that eventually, the disease jumps back up and bites you in the ass – hard – and this is what has happened to me.  Like a sledge hammer to the skull, I woke up one morning with high sugars again and throughout the day.  It was a wake up call.  That and a couple family members having strokes opened my eyes.

Using what I knew and the medication I had on hand, I did my best to wrangle it back into control – and failed.  Oh don’t think I’m crying because of that.  Nope – no tears in my milk for something “I” caused.  Instead, I went back to the doctor, confessed my ills and asked for additional help.  To that end, he prescribed Novalog before meals and when needed.  This stuff rocks!  I was a 374 in the doctor’s office that morning and he gave me a 10 unit shot.  Oh the headache when the glucose started coming down.  When my glucose gets too low, I get a massive headache.  So, my body having been used to highs thought I was going low.  Ouch!

Now I’m going through the re-adjustment process; making sure I’m testing pretty regular and watching what I eat and how its effecting my readings.  I broke out the walking shoes again and started back, slowly, trying to put a mile in every other day.   Memorial Day weekend was rough.  Up and down, back up and back down – with a sinus infection on top of it.  I was so ill on Monday I could barely function.  It wasn’t “need to go to the hospital” ill, just my body was exhausted from the fight again.

So along I go working to get back to normal and watching my health AGAIN!

I screwed up – and everyone can – so if you’re in the same boat I was a few weeks ago, pull up your big girl panties, tough it out and get going on the right track again.

I will try and do better about updating this in the future weeks!