1. Introduction

2. Caffeine

3. The Diet

4. Progress

This is the first post in a series about what I’ve been up to.  Things here have been quiet for a little bit and here are some details explaining why.

My goal for a long time has been to get my A1c and diabetes in general better under control.  I have good control, but when it comes to my life, I don’t consider good to be good enough.  The reasons I started blogging here was to attempt to focus more on my diabetes instead of staying complacent and grinding it out.  By that I mean, I think most problems with diabetes management is due to the approach.  I’ve had Type 1 for 10 years now.  For the last 10 years I have used insulin to try to lead a “normal” life.  When I wanted a dessert, I had my dessert with an extra dose of insulin.  For a long time I have had trouble keeping a steady BG range.  I get 300s, 40s and everything in between.  I try to eat semi-healthy, but don’t think twice about splurging. 

If you’ve been keeping track, I stated previously that I have been weight training for around 15 years, seriously on and off.  So I’m not a slouch by any means.  My current stats are 5′10″, 200 lbs and good A1c control.

After recently seeing a good friend from high school pass away, our second daughter born and thinking about the future, I’ve decided some changes are long overdo. 

Goal

• Cut back on caffeine
• Get down to about 185-187 lbs and then build back up with lean muscle
• Get and keep my A1c well under 7.0
• Set an example for my daughter in being healthy

The next post in this series will discuss how much caffeine I’ve been drinking, the problems it can cause and my plan of attack.

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Blogging Diabetes News [series] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

• Blogging Diabetes Giveaway/Contest
• Best Books on Diabetes
• Giveaway Winner

Again, I would like to thank all those who contributed to this series.  The feedback from the blog post and tweets on twitter, were the driving force that make the Best Books on Diabetes post possible.  I will definitely be purchasing a few of the books based on the feedback I received.  I hope you found a new resource that could be just the motivation you need to take your control to the next level.  For those readers that do not have diabetes, I would suggest that one of these books would be an excellent present or “just thinking of you” gift.

Now on to the winner; the winner of the $20 Amazon gift card is Sara (Saraknic on Twitter) who writes a blog called Moments of Wonderful.  Please take a minute to check out her blog and tell her congratulations.  I hope this was a fun giveaway and I look forward to the next one!

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Blogging Diabetes Giveaway Winner is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

As promised in the first post of this three-part series, below you will find a list of the best books related to diabetes.  This list of books isn’t taken from the most popular or best selling on Amazon.  This list comes directly from the recommendations of real people with diabetes when asked the question: what do you think is the best book about or related to diabetes?

Series:

• Blogging Diabetes Giveaway/Contest
• Best Books on Diabetes
• Giveaway Winner (3/9/09)

Below, in no particular order, is the list of the best books related to diabetes by people with diabetes.

1. The Mind-Body Diabetes Revolution by Richard Surwit
2. Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes by Richard Jackson and Amy Tenderich
3. Sweet Invisible Body by Lisa Roney
4. Cheating Destiny: Living with Diabetes by James Hirsch
5. The Born Again Diabetic by William Dubois
6. Rufus Comes Home (Children’s book) by Kim Gosselin
7. Taking Diabetes to School (Children’s Book) by Barbara Mitchell
8. Think Like A Pancreas by Gary Scheiner
9. ADA Complete Guide to Carb Counting by Hope Warshaw and Karmen Kulkarni
10. Pumping Insulin by John Walsh and Ruth Roberts
11. The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes by Gretchen Becker
12. The First Book for Understanding Diabetes by Peter Chase
13. Diabetes for Dummies by Alan Rubin

The most popular response was Cheating Destiny.  Also, the information about caffeine in the first post came from The Mind-body Diabetes Revolution, both of which I will probably pick up soon.  Next up on Monday will be the announcement of the winner for the $20 Amazon gift certificate.  Stay tuned and a special thank you goes to everyone who contributed to this giveaway.

Like what you see?  Subscribe to Blogging Diabetes to stay updated on what’s new with diabetes.  The links in the post utilize the Amazon affiliate program.  Any proceeds generated will be used for future giveaways.

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Best Books on Diabetes is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

Background

So last week there were a few things that happened that got me to think of this post.  I listened to a Sweet Talk podcast (www.sweettalk.org) and heard Mike mention that caffeine can increase blood sugar levels.  When I sent the group an email asking for more information, Jill and Landileigh responded with some citations from a book on diabetes.  A few things immediately came to mind:

• I have had diabetes for 10 years and not once have I heard anything about caffeine affecting my blood sugar
• Many diabetics I know drink a lot of diet soda, like myself – why hasn’t anyone said anything
• My Endocrinologist never asked me or mentioned this
• Is this a scientific fact or just an unproven assumption
• How much can a no calorie, no carbohydrate drink raise your blood sugar (my crutch is Sugar Free energy drinks and Diet Mountain Dew)

This is a topic I am going to continue to watch and study.

Switching Gears

OK, that really got me thinking about what other information is there in books that I may be missing out on.  If this information about caffeine is correct, I could have used it about 10 years ago.  Also, my hunch is that there are others that may not know about the caffeine kicker.  Now, on to the fun stuff!

How to Enter Giveaway

You have two opportunities to enter this giveaway:

1. Follow me on Twitter by clicking here.  Also, you need to respond to a question I posted last week that asked: What do you think is the best book on diabetes or related to diabetes.  Completing this step will earn you 1 of 2 possible entries into the giveaway.
2. Comment on this blog post and answer these question(s): 1) Have you heard about caffeine raising blood sugar levels? 2) What do you think is the best book or reference on diabetes or related to diabetes?  If you already gave me this answer via Twitter, then just answer the first question.  Completing this step will earn you the second entry into this giveaway and will double your chance to win.

That’s it.  Easy, fun and you could win something!

Deadline

Comments on this post and messages via Twitter are due by midnight EST on Thursday, March 5th.

What You Win

The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.  The winner will only need to provide me with a valid email address to receive the gift certificate.  One random person will be drawn from a list of responses on Twitter and on this post.  In an upcoming post, I will reveal the list of books from this giveaway.  Also, the winner has the option to be featured in a dedicated blog post here on Blogging Diabetes.

Goals of This Giveaway

1. Provide the readers with a list of the best diabetes books mostly recommended by people with diabetes
2. Gain insights about caffeine affecting blood sugar levels
3. Give someone the opportunity to buy a book that could help save a life

Thank you for being a part of this and helping the diabetic community!  Stay tuned for upcoming posts on: the list of books, the winner and featured post.

Additional Reading about Caffeine and Diabetes

WebMD – Caffeine

Diabetes Care Study

New York Times Article

CBS News

ADA

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Blogging Diabetes Giveaway/Contest is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

1. Reusing Lancets
2. Reusing Lancets – Insights from the Net
3. Reusing Syringes
4. Reusing Syringes – Insights from the Net
5. Reusing Syringes & Lancets – My View 

Conclusion

This was definitely an eye opening experience and will put some money back in my pocket.  After just five days of reusing my lancets, I can honestly say that I didn’t notice any difference.  I would change my lancet each morning and use the same one throughout the day.  I didn’t go more than five times without changing the lancet and I always wash my hands with anti bacterial soap beforehand.  Going forward, I think I will use a lancet about three times before changing it.  There is no way I would go weeks or more without changing it because they aren’t that expensive.

As for the syringes, I’m not sold on reusing them.  I am a pumper now and have been for the past three years, so this really isn’t an issue.  However, all of the material that I read didn’t convince me that the cost saving was worth the risk.

One thing I did think about is the care of my fingertips over time.  After ten years of testing, my fingers don’t look like pin cushions [shown below] and you would never know I’ve pricked my fingers roughly 20,000 times (crazy when you think about the number of times). I’ve tried to use my arms, but they’re all hairy and mess up the sample.  So far, my fingers don’t bother me and give great samples.

Here’s a quick example of the annual savings by simply using a lancet twice.

I test about 5 times a day, 365 days in a year.  That’s 1825 lancets I need for a year.  At $13 for a box of 100, I need about 18 boxes for the year.  The cost of 18 boxes is $237 for the year.  If I use each lancet twice, that cuts my cost in half and now I only spend $118 per year.  Not bad huh.

I am a big fan of the BD Ultra-Fine lancets that are 33 gauge.  I have my BD lancet device set at the minimum depth (setting 1) and they work like a charm.  Rarely do they hurt and go just deep enough to get a good sample.  I hope you’ve found this series as interesting as I have.

After these five posts will you start, stop or continue to reuse lancets or syringes?

If you enjoy the content here, please take a minute to subscribe to the Blogging Diabetes RSS feed or RSS via email to stay updated on what’s new with Diabetes.

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Reusing Syringes & Lancets – My View [Part 5] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Reusing Syringes – Insights from the Net [Part 4] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Reusing Syringes [Part 3] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

• Reusing Lancets
• Reusing Lancets – Insights from the Net
• Reusing Syringes
• Reusing Syringes – Insights from the Net
• Reusing Syringes & Lancets – My View

As promised, here is the second post of the series where I show what others say they are doing when it comes to reusing lancets.  (Note: what works for one person may not work for everyone.  Consult your Physician before making any change.)

1) Today’s lancets are so good that they are commonly reused. The reasons to reuse lancets are obvious: It’s cheaper and quicker not to have to change them each time; it’s easier not to carry extra lancets around; and, for some users, the lancets actually seem more comfortable after being “broken in.”

Since the lancet goes into the subcutaneous space and is not being used intravenously, and since blood is flowing out of the body, sterility is generally not an issue. The rate of infections and injury from lancets is extremely low.

Many people, however, are not able to reuse lancets because they feel discomfort or they experience scarring if the lancet is not in optimal condition. Once a lancet has been used, its surface is rougher, the lubricant wears off and the point is duller. Any handling of the lancet, such as cleaning with alcohol, tends to worsen it. For these individuals, using a new lancet each time is well worthwhile.  [source]

2) I too reuse lancets, but a few years ago, I developed an infection on one of my fingers; huge blister on tip of it and it throbbed continuously; (developed overnight); It was real painful, went to doc’s and then drained it; even going thru this, I reuse them, knowing I probably shouldn’t. [source]

3) I explained that you could stretch your dollar a bit by reusing lancets and pen needles. I told her that I changed my lancet maybe bi-monthly (if I remembered) and sometimes I would go a day (or two) using the same needle. [source]

4) Here is feedback from a diabetesdaily forum post on reusing lancets:

1. Quite a few people reuse lancets and i’ll bet you most of them can’t tell you the last time they changed their lancet.
2. I really hate to admit this but I use one till it hurts, then i change it. I wont’ say how many times though.
3. I change them a coupe times a year and test about 15x a day. never had a problem, never an infection, never a dull lancet. EVER.
4. I use for a few days..No problems I know of.
5. Mine does about 50 pricks before it’s sent to the lancet cemetery. Sometimes lots more than that.
6. …so that lancet lasted 2 years
7. I try and change mine 2xs each week….LOL But it’s mostly like once a week
8. Usually when I can’t remember the last time I changed the lancet, I change it. I’ve never had any problems. I think I’ve been using the same box for the past 4 years.
9. I generally change mine on Sunday morning
10. Haven’t changed lancets since I got my current meter, which is over 2 years ago.
11. I recently went to my doc for a repeat prescription for lancets, my first repeat box of lancets in 24 years of diabetes.
12. I change my lancet about every 6 months and I test 6 times or more a day no problems yet and its been 7 years testing.

 

5) Here are some insights from the TuDiabetes forum:

1. I might change mine 6 times a year.
2. I might change mine 8 times a year – and that is a big might.
3. Hmm, don’t think I’ve changed mine in 2 months.
4. So roughly one lancet to every 50 tests
5. I maybe change it every 3-4 months
6. …I guess that’s about every two months.
7. I honestly don’t remember the last time that I bought a box of lancets
8. I usually change the lancet about every three weeks, if I remember.
9. I change mine every time, by order of my doc.
10. 4 times per year
11. You can change the lancet? (that’s pretty funny)
12. I change mine when it starts to get dull which is about once every 2 weeks.

OK, I’m picking up my chin off of the floor right now.  “I might change mine 6 times a year” – Are you SERIOUS?  I know, I am probably a little too conservative, but this is ridiculous.  Tomorrow I will take a look at syringe reuse.

What is your reaction to these responses – old news or shocked?

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Reusing Lancets – Insights from the Net [Part 2] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy

I am dedicating this week, five posts, to exploring the idea about reusing lancets and syringes.  You will hear what some credible sources say, what people with diabetes say and my thoughts on the subject. Here are the five posts for this week.

1. Reusing Lancets
2. Reusing Lancets – Insights from the Net
3. Reusing Syringes
4. Reusing Syringes – Insights from the Net
5. Reusing Syringes & Lancets – My View

Recently, I was reading a blog post where there was a mention that the person reused a lancet many times before discarding it.  I was a little taken back and remember clearly what my original doctor told me about reusing my syringes (when I was on shots), which I also took to mean lancets too.  He firmly told me to not reuse them unless I didn’t have an option.  I also remember him telling me that the cost savings didn’t out weight the risks.

So I have religiously followed my doctor’s orders by not reusing syringes or lancets unless absolutely necessary.  But, the recent article I read and listening to others talk about how they may use a lancet multiple times before throwing it out, got me questioning my doctor and practice.  Do more people reuse these items and I’m just being way to conservative?  So now being all bold, I’ve tried reusing my lancets, which you will hear about on Friday.

BD notes on the lancet box that the lancets are intended for single use.  This doesn’t surprise me because they would lose money if everyone used a lancet more than once.

Sterile single use lancets are ultra-thin for greater comfort. [BD source]

Do not reuse the lancet. It can get dull and cause pain. [Cigna source]

Here is a poll that is a little dated, but shows that as of 2004, an estimated 64% of people reused their lancets. [source]

I feel a little better knowing that I haven’t been alone in not reusing my lancets or syringes because 19% of respondents said the same thing.

How many times do you use a lancet? 

Tomorrow, you will be SHOCKED at what I’ve learned through a little research about reusing lancets.  I keep telling myself that some of these people are full of it with how many times they say they use a lancet.  I’m sure some are lying, but we are talking multiple sources.

Warning: don’t ever use a lancet or syringe that someone else has used.  Likewise, don’t let anyone use one that you already used.

.....................................................................

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and subscription. This blog is better because of you.

Reusing Lancets [Part 1] is a post from: Blogging Diabetes

Canadian Pharmacy