Right after I posted about trusting my sensors enough to use them for corrections... I went on a run of 3-4 sensors that just didn't have it. I wonder if there is something about body chemistry that throws them off. I had such good results for a long time, and the sensors were even expired... More recently I had to toss out the box I was using because they were consistently inconsistent. Yes, they were expired, but that's not always a deal breaker.
The straw that broke the camel's back... I was doing weekend work (catering) which included a lot of hustling and moving of somewhat heavy stuff. My sensor showed me going up, and showed me at 150 mg/dl. Since I've been fighting a cold and running higher BG it' didn't seem that strange to be climbing while being active. I felt more on the low side with a jittery-ness that didn't feel high at all. I tested and found that I was 44 mg/dl. By the time I tested, my sensor was reading 180 mg/dl. So, not only was it off by a lot, it was actually showing movement in the wrong direction. Times like that, you just want to turn it off because it's no help, and you are getting false alarms.
This brings me back to my theory about body chemistry. I have read that Dex sensors are made inaccurate by using acetaminophen. Could there be things in my sinus spray that enter my system and cause my interstitial fluid to less readable by the sensor?
I've also been seeing my sensor stay the same while my meter shows an upward trend for over an hour. So, anyway, I've tossed out the box of sensors that expired in February and now I'm using a box that only expired in June. Why do I have so many expired sensors around? Because I found that I'm able to get 6-7 days on them, doubling their life. Putting them in once a week is a really good trade-off of pain and bruising to useful data. When the data is useless, you wonder...
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Breaking the Rules
I've become a loyal CGMS user. I rarely go for 12 hours without it. I've found that the few times I've cruised around without a sensor, I have some sort of surprise that takes me out of range. I believe that being able to head off a rise when I hit 130 mg/dl makes a big difference. My body is much more nimble and able to get the correction done if I'm still close to the normal range when I correct.
I've found that my CGMS data has been really accurate from 80-160 mg/dl. Like, when I cross-check it with my meter it's wicked close. I don't know if Medtronic updated their sensors, or if my personal chemistry is just jibing with the sensors better, but over the last few months I have been rather impressed, and have grown to trust those numbers on the display.
So, what I've been doing lately is breaking the rules.
You aren't supposed to base corrections on your CGMS reading. It's usually 20 minutes behind your actual BG, and could allegedly be wrong. But, lately, when I see myself hitting a predictable post-meal 130-140 mg/dl I bolus a unit on my pump. It turns it around.
I've written blog posts about the inherent inaccuracy of my CGMS and about how it would never be smart to respond with insulin to the wacky readings you sometimes get. But, I've noticed that things have changed, and I've changed my habits. One thing that makes it work for me is that the dose is small and the correction is timely. If it's post-meal and it's predictable, I'm comfortable with the scenario.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else. We all do things off-label that we consider safe, like re-using lancets, and pen needles. And, this is something that I've changed recently. If my BG gets really high (160+) I do the standard meter-check and correct.
But, this has given me a taste of what it might be like when CGMs are really accurate and you or the pump can use the data directly for minute-to-minute corrections, in real time. I'm down with it.
Ironic. I wrote this post a few days ago, and now my current sensor is doing those devious things that I thought were a thing of the past. It's diving and climbing randomly, meanwhile my meter tells me things are as stable and predictable as ever. Hmmm. I guess if you want some good thing to dissolve, you just have to blog about it.
I've found that my CGMS data has been really accurate from 80-160 mg/dl. Like, when I cross-check it with my meter it's wicked close. I don't know if Medtronic updated their sensors, or if my personal chemistry is just jibing with the sensors better, but over the last few months I have been rather impressed, and have grown to trust those numbers on the display.
So, what I've been doing lately is breaking the rules.
You aren't supposed to base corrections on your CGMS reading. It's usually 20 minutes behind your actual BG, and could allegedly be wrong. But, lately, when I see myself hitting a predictable post-meal 130-140 mg/dl I bolus a unit on my pump. It turns it around.
I've written blog posts about the inherent inaccuracy of my CGMS and about how it would never be smart to respond with insulin to the wacky readings you sometimes get. But, I've noticed that things have changed, and I've changed my habits. One thing that makes it work for me is that the dose is small and the correction is timely. If it's post-meal and it's predictable, I'm comfortable with the scenario.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else. We all do things off-label that we consider safe, like re-using lancets, and pen needles. And, this is something that I've changed recently. If my BG gets really high (160+) I do the standard meter-check and correct.
But, this has given me a taste of what it might be like when CGMs are really accurate and you or the pump can use the data directly for minute-to-minute corrections, in real time. I'm down with it.
Ironic. I wrote this post a few days ago, and now my current sensor is doing those devious things that I thought were a thing of the past. It's diving and climbing randomly, meanwhile my meter tells me things are as stable and predictable as ever. Hmmm. I guess if you want some good thing to dissolve, you just have to blog about it.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
August Averages, etcetera
I've downloaded my sensor and pump data and the numbers are kind of average. It seems like I've settled into a cost/benefit ratio for my d-management that works. I'm putting in a tolerable, habitual effort and getting fairly satisfactory results. Things haven't changed much in the last three summer months. I haven't been obsessing too much and haven't tweaked my routine too much.
Sensor average for August: 134 mg/dl
Standard Deviation: 42
Insulin TDD: 25.8 units
Food
As, I looked over my numbers, graphs and charts I can see that I'm still spending more time out of range during the hours after dinner. I'll work on that. I usually consume a decent chunk of protein with dinner and I think I have some kinks to work out with how the protein effects my BG later in the evening. I normally convert protein to an equivalent number of carbs, but it doesn't always work out perfectly. I know I could get into using TAG, but I've never been an absolute engineer about it. Is that okay? Maybe.
Routine & Exercise
Going back to work this month brought some routine back into my life, and it seems that it improved my glucose control too. I stopped my twice daily walks and increased my basal from 14 units to 18 units. It seems to be the right amount for compensating for that activity. I have plantar fasciitis, likely caused by incorrect footwear, so I'm giving my feet some time to recuperate while I'm busy with the Fall schedule. When I see some improvement, I'll make an effort to get some shoes that fit correctly and start my walking again.
Stress
As I returned to work I had planned to respond to increased stress with some basal adjustments. It seems that the basal adjustment that I made for less exercise was also enough to keep things in check for any additional stress from work. Mostly I find that I have some positive adrenaline responses (exhilaration?) from work.
Symlin Update:
First, the spelling: I had previously been spelling it wrong with an extra "i". And, apparently, so had much of the internet, if you search Symilin you will find plenty of discussion... Oops, I just noticed that most of the mispellers are me.)
I did have one episode recently with a-fib. It lasted over 12 hours which was starting to bother me. I worked a weekend evening, catering a wedding, and didn't take my evening dose of beta-blocker till I got home late. I was in a-fib all night and the next AM till about 10am, in church it finally subsided. It was uncomfortable. I felt like my whole torso was being jarred by my jumpy heart. The only trigger that I can point to is the exertion of lots of work and dehydration, and a couple bites of a cookie, which is not on my normal list of foods. I have noticed symptoms after small amounts of gluten containing foods in the past, and I think that cookie might have been enough. I'm willing to do pretty much anything to avoid those drawn out episodes.
Endo time
I think the next time I see my primary physician I will ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. I think my doc has done a great job with me, but I'd love to get a bit closer to the cutting edge studies and see what types of tests they might run to be more proactive with me. I don't want to offend my doctor that's been treating me and calling me his model patient for 12 years, but, you have to do what you have to do...
Sensor average for August: 134 mg/dl
Standard Deviation: 42
Insulin TDD: 25.8 units
Food
As, I looked over my numbers, graphs and charts I can see that I'm still spending more time out of range during the hours after dinner. I'll work on that. I usually consume a decent chunk of protein with dinner and I think I have some kinks to work out with how the protein effects my BG later in the evening. I normally convert protein to an equivalent number of carbs, but it doesn't always work out perfectly. I know I could get into using TAG, but I've never been an absolute engineer about it. Is that okay? Maybe.
Routine & Exercise
Going back to work this month brought some routine back into my life, and it seems that it improved my glucose control too. I stopped my twice daily walks and increased my basal from 14 units to 18 units. It seems to be the right amount for compensating for that activity. I have plantar fasciitis, likely caused by incorrect footwear, so I'm giving my feet some time to recuperate while I'm busy with the Fall schedule. When I see some improvement, I'll make an effort to get some shoes that fit correctly and start my walking again.
Stress
As I returned to work I had planned to respond to increased stress with some basal adjustments. It seems that the basal adjustment that I made for less exercise was also enough to keep things in check for any additional stress from work. Mostly I find that I have some positive adrenaline responses (exhilaration?) from work.
Symlin Update:
First, the spelling: I had previously been spelling it wrong with an extra "i". And, apparently, so had much of the internet, if you search Symilin you will find plenty of discussion... Oops, I just noticed that most of the mispellers are me.)
- I'm almost always taking it after a meal. It seems to work just as well if it's taken 10-15 minutes post-meal.
- I've also found that it helps with corrections at times. If I start a meal with BG above my ideal range, just the introduction of Symlin will cause a drop in glucose. I believe that it is because Symlin impacts the amount of glucose the liver is releasing. With a reduction in liver glucose, there is a drop in BG just from basal insulin and any insulin on board. I have seen discussion on Symlin corrections (see the section titled "how to really screw it up", in which Symlin is taken with a correction bolus and the two hormones work together to provide a rapid correction. I'm rather cautious, and normally don't use any insulin during the hour that Symlin is in my system, but it seems to work to effectively lower glucose all the same.
- Symlin is touted to cause weight loss. I have lost about 10 lbs. since starting Symlin in April. I have dipped below my goal weight and continued to further lean out. I am now making an effort to eat plenty of calories, specifically protein, to support muscle gain. I can't really attribute the weight loss wholly to the Symlin, but, it is one of several factors.
- One bummer is that the last couple times I have purchased Symiln I have paid the same co-pay and gotten 2/3-1/2 the quantity that I'm supposed to get. This was due to insurance schedule limits or pharmacy stock. The co-pay isn't small, so I'm hoping that this will get straightened out. If I'm paying $45 for only 10 days of Symlin, I might start to question how necessary it is.
I did have one episode recently with a-fib. It lasted over 12 hours which was starting to bother me. I worked a weekend evening, catering a wedding, and didn't take my evening dose of beta-blocker till I got home late. I was in a-fib all night and the next AM till about 10am, in church it finally subsided. It was uncomfortable. I felt like my whole torso was being jarred by my jumpy heart. The only trigger that I can point to is the exertion of lots of work and dehydration, and a couple bites of a cookie, which is not on my normal list of foods. I have noticed symptoms after small amounts of gluten containing foods in the past, and I think that cookie might have been enough. I'm willing to do pretty much anything to avoid those drawn out episodes.
Endo time
I think the next time I see my primary physician I will ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. I think my doc has done a great job with me, but I'd love to get a bit closer to the cutting edge studies and see what types of tests they might run to be more proactive with me. I don't want to offend my doctor that's been treating me and calling me his model patient for 12 years, but, you have to do what you have to do...
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
July Health Summary
My July was variable. I had a higher average glucose than I usually do. I'm okay with it. I had a great month with camp, varied activities, varied sleep and food, experiments with donating blood. All worthy pursuits, I guess...
Okay, on with the July numbers.
My average sensor BG was 136 mg/dl.
Standard Deviation was 50.
Average TDD for insulin was 24 units.
Blood Donation Experiment:
I donated blood in early July. I thought that perhaps my BG would be more stable. Studies have shown a connection between iron levels and insulin resistance. I thought that perhaps donating blood would improve my insulin sensitivity and lower my insulin needs. Not this time...
I didn't find that to be true. If anything, I found that it made my glucose levels more variable and unpredictable. I felt that I was more sensitive to carbohydrates. (a caveat: as always, if you have your dosage and correction factors up-ended by a physiological change, it can certainly make your glucose levels less predictable) For me it seemed like it was more than a factor that rocked the boat, it seemed like it actually made my levels less stable all around. I wouldn't discourage anyone from donating blood, but I would say that your results may vary. I plan to do it again, but not to gain any advantages in BG control, just to donate.
Travel & Food Variables:
I went to camp with my kids and ate camp food, left my supplements at home, and battled it out with my glucose meter. I think the absence of my supplements (insulin mimetics) made a difference for a day or two. Once my body got used to the absence I was able to control my BG again. For the first couple days at camp I was averaging about 150 mg/dl. Even with eating less than usual, sometimes skipping meals I was running high-ish. By day three I saw a return to normalcy and felt that I was back on track. I think I can adjust to life without those supplements. I had wondered if my basal and correction factors were dependent on those supplements being in the mix.
At the end of the month I took a quick trip to the Pacific North West. The stress and excitement of travel rattled my nerves enough to show an upward fluctuation in my sugar levels. The whole time I traveled it was a bit off, but there were no significant lows or highs. I guess I'm really a creature of habit and depend on my sleep, daily walks and activity to keep things in check.
Things to keep an eye on:
I have had a few days during the last month in which I felt very tired and fatigued. My motivation was very low and I felt socially and physically spent. Sometimes it lasted up to 2 days, and it seemed more common when I didn't do my AM walk due to schedule.
For two weeks in the middle of the month I have had very itchy skin, all over. The skin is not inflamed and does not show a rash. It just itches like the dickens. At first I thought it was from flea bites or something, but there is no focal point of the itching, no welts, and no redness.
The two things above can be related to thyroid function, so it's still on my radar for possible issues. I've been feeling well otherwise. Although these symptoms have passed, I'm recording it because I want to make sure I keep track of them accurately up till I see my doctor in October. He is taking a conservative stance on thyroid interventions.
Cardiology
I saw my cardiologist toward the end of the month. He didn't have much to tell me, but he's a good listener. He said there was another drug for atrial fibrillation that I might like more than beta-blockers. He said it's like the ideal medication because the side-effects are almost nil and it works well. I don't seem to have any trouble with beta-blockers (well, except maybe the item mentioned in the next paragraph), but it might be interesting to try it and see if my energy is better. My primary doctor has mentioned that the beta blocker might be what is making me feel lethargic periodically.
Additionally, we discussed orthostatic hypotension. In the past several months I have noticed that when I stand up suddenly I get light-headed for about 2 seconds and have to wait for it to pass. I think it is has to do with the beta blocker lowering my blood pressure, which was already on the lower side. He seemed to think it was pretty normal, and didn't think I should worry about. Admittedly I've gotten used to it, and I've never blacked out.
I asked him if he thought I should see an endocrinologist since I have thyroid, diabetic and cardio issues to look after. He said he didn't think it was necessary. My primary care doctor seems to be doing all the things that are needed. At least, I asked. So far, I've gone for 12 years without seeing a legit endo. My primary care doctor (an internist) has been willing to work with me and go in the direction that I'm interested in. It seems to work well for me because he trusts my knowledge and interest in getting good glucose control.
Okay, on with the July numbers.
My average sensor BG was 136 mg/dl.
Standard Deviation was 50.
Average TDD for insulin was 24 units.
Blood Donation Experiment:
I donated blood in early July. I thought that perhaps my BG would be more stable. Studies have shown a connection between iron levels and insulin resistance. I thought that perhaps donating blood would improve my insulin sensitivity and lower my insulin needs. Not this time...
I didn't find that to be true. If anything, I found that it made my glucose levels more variable and unpredictable. I felt that I was more sensitive to carbohydrates. (a caveat: as always, if you have your dosage and correction factors up-ended by a physiological change, it can certainly make your glucose levels less predictable) For me it seemed like it was more than a factor that rocked the boat, it seemed like it actually made my levels less stable all around. I wouldn't discourage anyone from donating blood, but I would say that your results may vary. I plan to do it again, but not to gain any advantages in BG control, just to donate.
Travel & Food Variables:
I went to camp with my kids and ate camp food, left my supplements at home, and battled it out with my glucose meter. I think the absence of my supplements (insulin mimetics) made a difference for a day or two. Once my body got used to the absence I was able to control my BG again. For the first couple days at camp I was averaging about 150 mg/dl. Even with eating less than usual, sometimes skipping meals I was running high-ish. By day three I saw a return to normalcy and felt that I was back on track. I think I can adjust to life without those supplements. I had wondered if my basal and correction factors were dependent on those supplements being in the mix.
At the end of the month I took a quick trip to the Pacific North West. The stress and excitement of travel rattled my nerves enough to show an upward fluctuation in my sugar levels. The whole time I traveled it was a bit off, but there were no significant lows or highs. I guess I'm really a creature of habit and depend on my sleep, daily walks and activity to keep things in check.
Things to keep an eye on:
I have had a few days during the last month in which I felt very tired and fatigued. My motivation was very low and I felt socially and physically spent. Sometimes it lasted up to 2 days, and it seemed more common when I didn't do my AM walk due to schedule.
For two weeks in the middle of the month I have had very itchy skin, all over. The skin is not inflamed and does not show a rash. It just itches like the dickens. At first I thought it was from flea bites or something, but there is no focal point of the itching, no welts, and no redness.
The two things above can be related to thyroid function, so it's still on my radar for possible issues. I've been feeling well otherwise. Although these symptoms have passed, I'm recording it because I want to make sure I keep track of them accurately up till I see my doctor in October. He is taking a conservative stance on thyroid interventions.
Cardiology
I saw my cardiologist toward the end of the month. He didn't have much to tell me, but he's a good listener. He said there was another drug for atrial fibrillation that I might like more than beta-blockers. He said it's like the ideal medication because the side-effects are almost nil and it works well. I don't seem to have any trouble with beta-blockers (well, except maybe the item mentioned in the next paragraph), but it might be interesting to try it and see if my energy is better. My primary doctor has mentioned that the beta blocker might be what is making me feel lethargic periodically.
Additionally, we discussed orthostatic hypotension. In the past several months I have noticed that when I stand up suddenly I get light-headed for about 2 seconds and have to wait for it to pass. I think it is has to do with the beta blocker lowering my blood pressure, which was already on the lower side. He seemed to think it was pretty normal, and didn't think I should worry about. Admittedly I've gotten used to it, and I've never blacked out.
I asked him if he thought I should see an endocrinologist since I have thyroid, diabetic and cardio issues to look after. He said he didn't think it was necessary. My primary care doctor seems to be doing all the things that are needed. At least, I asked. So far, I've gone for 12 years without seeing a legit endo. My primary care doctor (an internist) has been willing to work with me and go in the direction that I'm interested in. It seems to work well for me because he trusts my knowledge and interest in getting good glucose control.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Post-retro numbers June
The reason I write up a health summary every month isn't because I think my readers are really interested in the minutiae. I have found, over time, that I forget how things have changed for the worse or the better. Having monthly check-points helps me to look back and see if I'm moving in the right direction.
Because my memory is impressionistic, I only vaguely remember what June was like in the BG realm. I uploaded my data and saved it for this reason. So, I'm now digging into that data I saved.
Average BG for June was: 123 mg/dl.
Standard deviation for June was: 43.
I'm pretty sure this is one of the higher ones I've recorded. It means I had a decent amount of variability in my blood sugar levels and that I was swinging a bit more than usual. I think July will be even worse because of the impact of blood donation, and less routine in the summer lifestyle.
In the second half of June my average insulin usage per day was 25 units, with 17.5 being basal and 7.5 being bolus. On my most physically active days I have used as little as 19 units.
I did not do an at-home A1C test in June.
I don't think I will continue to do them monthly because the data is redundant with my sensor data. Also, the cost for them at the pharmacy has gone up to $25 per test. As long as there are some questions to the accuracy of the test related to hemoglobin status and red blood cell life, I think sensor data is more valuable. I don't think it will be too many years before other tests and data types eclipse the A1c.
Other factors:
Exercise: In summer I have been able to go for walks twice a day, which has added some stability in the meal and insulin department. It has helped to rapidly correct rises that I've had. It's also produced a few mild lows that had to be corrected. The standard deviation reflects some of that business.
Food: I have been eating breakfast more often during the summer. Taking an AM walk will often get me hungry and cause BG to drop a bit. So, this required me to watch the post-prandial readings for 3 meals most days instead of 2. I love breakfast, so I'm not complaining...
I have experimented with non-wheat carbs after exercise. I have read that after you deplete glycogen, your body can use a ready source of glucose for replenishment. It's the best time to have your glucose. I have used a small amount of potato, sweet potato and the occasional corn tortilla for this and it has usually worked out okay. Sometimes my body still responds too quickly to fast-acting carbohydrates, regardless to the time of day or exercise context.
Sleep: For the month of June I woke up from sun hitting my eyelids, which was generally about 6AM. I generally got enough sleep, but whenever I stayed up past 10PM with the summer family, I was getting less than optimal sleep. I have found that it shows in my BG average the next day or so when I skimp on sleep.
Symilin: I am still using Symilin with every meal. A couple times when we had special meals (Father's Day steaks and Anniversary dinner out) and I took Symilin before the meal I was disappointed when I sat down to eat and could barely stand to eat anything. I've started to take Symilin half way through the meal or just after if I plan on eating a lot. When I've skipped Symilin with breakfast I've noticed a rise that seems disproportionate to the meal. So, I think once your body is used to having Symilin with food, you are acclimated and should be consistent with it.
Weight: I plan on writing a separate post about weight management soon, but I have arrived at my weight goal that I set last summer. I am staying stable at 150 lbs. I am doing some work to gain muscle, but I have gotten to the level of leanness that is appropriate for my frame. It took me almost a year to lose about 18 pounds. I think some of my success in this area has had to do with every factor discussed above, plus daily sun exposure.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Nice! (and I don't mean Walgreen's generic brand)
Transdermal Glucose Sensor- non-invasive CGM
It's pretty awesome that we might have a painless, puncture-free option for getting constant readings. It's like... THE FUTURE.
But, right now there's a lot of future I'm waiting for...
I'll pass on the diabetes alert dog, my CGM has been sufficiently accurate lately.
Well, let's get real... I'm not really waiting for anything. I might even go low tech for a couple weeks and see how going untethered from my pump goes. The unstructured days of sweating and swimming are a great time for that. Despite diabetes, we have to enjoy the moment, right?
It's pretty awesome that we might have a painless, puncture-free option for getting constant readings. It's like... THE FUTURE.
But, right now there's a lot of future I'm waiting for...
- low glucose suspend feature on pump
- a louder, lower beep on my pump that I can actually hear
- enlite sensor
- closed loop system
- smart insulin
I'll pass on the diabetes alert dog, my CGM has been sufficiently accurate lately.
Well, let's get real... I'm not really waiting for anything. I might even go low tech for a couple weeks and see how going untethered from my pump goes. The unstructured days of sweating and swimming are a great time for that. Despite diabetes, we have to enjoy the moment, right?
Monday, July 16, 2012
Trying to figure out "diabetes advocacy" to the public
Some of the blogs that I read seem to be mainly focused on diabetes advocacy (sometimes whining?). It's about telling the world about what it's like to be diabetic. I'm not entirely sure why this matters, the readers are probably mostly people with diabetes.
As a 27 year diabetic, I don't have much interest in the plight of people with other diseases. I'm sympathetic, but, I'm not driven to learn everything I can about them. I guess I'm self-centered, and I have a limited amount of time for research. If someone is shouting it from the rooftop, how hard it is to have a particular disease, I feel kind of perplexed. What, specifically, do they want ME to DO?
As diabetics (or People With Diabetes if you like that term better), we have our problems that we have to overcome and deal with, but what does it matter what other people know or think about our issues? To me, it seems like another way of making our disease someone else's problem. "It's a hard disease, because no one understands..." It's like being a teenager again, "Nobody understands me... " Will we ever be satisfied with what the average person knows about diabetes? I don't think so...
If we tell everyone that we can eat whatever we want if we dose properly, do we get more research funding? If we tell everyone that hypoglycemia really stinks, do we improve our chances of better insurance coverage? If we get indignant when someone mixes up Type 1 and Type 2, do we get access to better medical devices?
I wonder if sometimes we are distracting ourselves from learning more and being proactive because we focus so much on getting the word out about how d-ifficult it is. I hate to say it, but diabetes is unique among many chronic diseases, in that we have the power to make our lives quite a bit better. I've improved my health over the years, and while the disease still dominates much of my life experience (and, in fact, inspires this blog), I don't see myself as a victim. I feel lucky that diabetes has taught me a lot about myself, and human health. I feel lucky that I have a disease in which choices you make can help you live a better, more normal life.
It's been years since a person that I was with questioned what I ate. In fact, more often than not, people are offering me foods that I choose to gently turn down. That's a subtle advocacy for self determination and showing the non-diabetic public that we can take care of ourselves. I'm usually the first to share about my diabetic experience with people I meet. I try to portray a picture of a person that has learned about the body and that I can take steps to make the most of a life with a chronic disease, which is a important part of my life experience.
For me, the connections that are made with other PWDs are more beneficial than anything that we can forge with the non-diabetic public. We understand each other almost automatically. I love the opportunity to share ideas, results and success with people who are living the same condition that I am.
Don't get me wrong, I want the medical community to know what's important to me as a Type 1 diabetic. I want my voice to be heard and understood to the people that matter.
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