My thumb has still been tingling/twitching/ having tremors today. This is so frustrating. My blood sugars have been A-okay. Not high. Not low. Slightly high at 150, but that's pretty great for me. :/
I don't know if this is just a "normal" problem? Some kind of glitch. My mother, a nurse, suggested I eat some potassium, so I'm going to do that in a bit and see if it helps.
I just fear that it's something more serious. At this point, after being diagnosed with two chronic diseases, it's kind of hard NOT to fear the development of additional complications and diseases. Autoimmune diseases seem to enjoy one another's company.
Okay. Well... on to the bananas!!! :)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Diabetic Neuropathy?
I've only had diabetes for about a year and a half now (a long 1.5 years), but I am already experiencing what I think are early signs of diabetic neuropathy.
I first experienced these feelings before I was even diagnosed. I remember my foot "flopping" uncontrollably on two separate occasions. After being diagnosed, I felt tingling in my right foot. The tingling and numbness occurred nearly every morning, in the first few minutes after waking up and stepping out of bed. My first endocrinologist informed me that I was experiencing diabetic neuropathy and that nothing could be done about it. I was told that my symptoms would go away when my sugar is under better control and that my only other options would be to be prescribed cymbalta or an anti-seizure medicine. My second endocrinologist (only visited him once b/c he was crazy) told me that there was no way I had diabetic neuropathy because I had only been a diabetic for such a short amount of time. He also recommended that I visit a podiatrist and claimed that my problem was not diabetes-related. The third endocrinologist (in my hometown) told me that endo #2 was crazy and that the tingling was caused by my high sugars, but that hopefully that should stop when I get on a pump and lower my sugars. I am still waiting for insurance to process my request for a pump.
So, here I am now, 1.5 years later...and I am STILL experiencing tingling in my foot in the morning. Only in my right foot. There have also been occasions where it has "twitched" -- sometimes after walking a lot on campus.
To complicate matters even more (as diabetes tends to do!), I had (what I believe to be) another related neuropathy episode last night: tremors in my left hand.
YIKES!
The tremor felt like it was in the (2nd from top) joint in my thumb. It was a very obvious, uncomfortable vibration. Yet there wasn't much movement that went along with it.
I'm hoping that the tremors were just a fluke, but I had them on-and-off for a few hours. I will post again if I experience any more in the days to come.
I wonder if any other diabetics have experienced diabetic neuropathy so early in their diabetic life? I never had any problems like these prior to becoming a diabetic. I am almost certain that these problems -- the foot problems, at least -- are the result of diabetic neuropathy. This scares me so much because... If diabetes has damaged my nerves this much in only ONE year, what kind of damage will it have done to my nerves in 10 years? 20? 30? etc. Perhaps I should go to a neurologist? My endocrinologists haven't seemed as knowledgeable about neuropathy. I need to find other tips on how to control my neuropathy, in addition to lowering my sugars (working on that). Exercises of some sort maybe?
I first experienced these feelings before I was even diagnosed. I remember my foot "flopping" uncontrollably on two separate occasions. After being diagnosed, I felt tingling in my right foot. The tingling and numbness occurred nearly every morning, in the first few minutes after waking up and stepping out of bed. My first endocrinologist informed me that I was experiencing diabetic neuropathy and that nothing could be done about it. I was told that my symptoms would go away when my sugar is under better control and that my only other options would be to be prescribed cymbalta or an anti-seizure medicine. My second endocrinologist (only visited him once b/c he was crazy) told me that there was no way I had diabetic neuropathy because I had only been a diabetic for such a short amount of time. He also recommended that I visit a podiatrist and claimed that my problem was not diabetes-related. The third endocrinologist (in my hometown) told me that endo #2 was crazy and that the tingling was caused by my high sugars, but that hopefully that should stop when I get on a pump and lower my sugars. I am still waiting for insurance to process my request for a pump.
So, here I am now, 1.5 years later...and I am STILL experiencing tingling in my foot in the morning. Only in my right foot. There have also been occasions where it has "twitched" -- sometimes after walking a lot on campus.
To complicate matters even more (as diabetes tends to do!), I had (what I believe to be) another related neuropathy episode last night: tremors in my left hand.
YIKES!
The tremor felt like it was in the (2nd from top) joint in my thumb. It was a very obvious, uncomfortable vibration. Yet there wasn't much movement that went along with it.
I'm hoping that the tremors were just a fluke, but I had them on-and-off for a few hours. I will post again if I experience any more in the days to come.
I wonder if any other diabetics have experienced diabetic neuropathy so early in their diabetic life? I never had any problems like these prior to becoming a diabetic. I am almost certain that these problems -- the foot problems, at least -- are the result of diabetic neuropathy. This scares me so much because... If diabetes has damaged my nerves this much in only ONE year, what kind of damage will it have done to my nerves in 10 years? 20? 30? etc. Perhaps I should go to a neurologist? My endocrinologists haven't seemed as knowledgeable about neuropathy. I need to find other tips on how to control my neuropathy, in addition to lowering my sugars (working on that). Exercises of some sort maybe?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Accidental Insulin Overdose
Three days ago, I made a VERY huge diabetic mistake.
I was talking to my mom while giving myself insulin. Paying no attention to what I was actually doing, apparently. I set my fast-acting insulin pen to 12 units (the set dosage I take twice a day for my long-lasting insulin) when I had only intended to take 2 units.
I was only at 230. Each unit of fast-acting insulin drops my sugar by 50. 2 units would have put me at 130, close to where I needed to be.
But 12 units? Let’s do the math here. 2 units: 130. 4 units: 30. 6 units: -130. 8 units: -230. 10 units: -330. 12 units: -430. I took enough insulin to drop me 600 points, from 230 to -430.
As I went to pull out my insulin needle, I looked down and instantly realized what I had done. In mid-conversation with my mom, I said in a very low-voice, “oh, shit.” My mom worriedly asked me what was wrong. I told her. She made me start chugging on a milkshake (she had just waled in the door with one — good timing), a bottle of regular mountain dew. She even laced my milkshake with extra sugar.
I had NO idea what was going to happen. I knew that my sugar would drop really fast. If it dropped too low, too fast, I could have become unconscious, unable to eat/drink. In that type of situation, I would have to be injected with glucose. Well, I don’t have any glucagon injections ((note to self: get some!!)). To be safe, my mom drove me to the local hospital emergency room. We didn’t go inside. We simply parked right outside the ER just in case. I checked my sugar every 15 minutes for about 3 hours, while constantly chugging down sugary drinks. At one point, my sugar had dropped 100 points in only 15 minutes.
And, because of all of this testing, I ended up running out of test strips! Perfect timing, right? My mom left me in the ER waiting room and ran to Wal-Mart to purchase some Contour test strips. The only package available was the 100 count, which is $100! I usually purchase test strips using insurance (which is still expensive), but over-the-counter costs are ridiculous.
Fortunately, by the time she had got back, which was 3 hours after my initial mistake, I was finally starting to feel “safe.” I knew that I had consumed enough sugar to fight off any further lows. We came back home, and, bless her heart, my mom kept waking up to check on me through the night.
Insulin overdose. Hypoglycemic episodes are scary enough, but unintentional insulin overdosing? Yikes. Leave it to me. *sigh*
I am just glad that I realized my mistake and immediately started to correct. I am also glad I had my mom there to help. Lesson learned: talking while injecting is the diabetic equivalent of drinking and driving. Insulin can be a life-saver, but it can just as easily be a deadly weapon. Must use with caution. Always.
I was talking to my mom while giving myself insulin. Paying no attention to what I was actually doing, apparently. I set my fast-acting insulin pen to 12 units (the set dosage I take twice a day for my long-lasting insulin) when I had only intended to take 2 units.
I was only at 230. Each unit of fast-acting insulin drops my sugar by 50. 2 units would have put me at 130, close to where I needed to be.
But 12 units? Let’s do the math here. 2 units: 130. 4 units: 30. 6 units: -130. 8 units: -230. 10 units: -330. 12 units: -430. I took enough insulin to drop me 600 points, from 230 to -430.
As I went to pull out my insulin needle, I looked down and instantly realized what I had done. In mid-conversation with my mom, I said in a very low-voice, “oh, shit.” My mom worriedly asked me what was wrong. I told her. She made me start chugging on a milkshake (she had just waled in the door with one — good timing), a bottle of regular mountain dew. She even laced my milkshake with extra sugar.
I had NO idea what was going to happen. I knew that my sugar would drop really fast. If it dropped too low, too fast, I could have become unconscious, unable to eat/drink. In that type of situation, I would have to be injected with glucose. Well, I don’t have any glucagon injections ((note to self: get some!!)). To be safe, my mom drove me to the local hospital emergency room. We didn’t go inside. We simply parked right outside the ER just in case. I checked my sugar every 15 minutes for about 3 hours, while constantly chugging down sugary drinks. At one point, my sugar had dropped 100 points in only 15 minutes.
And, because of all of this testing, I ended up running out of test strips! Perfect timing, right? My mom left me in the ER waiting room and ran to Wal-Mart to purchase some Contour test strips. The only package available was the 100 count, which is $100! I usually purchase test strips using insurance (which is still expensive), but over-the-counter costs are ridiculous.
Fortunately, by the time she had got back, which was 3 hours after my initial mistake, I was finally starting to feel “safe.” I knew that I had consumed enough sugar to fight off any further lows. We came back home, and, bless her heart, my mom kept waking up to check on me through the night.
Insulin overdose. Hypoglycemic episodes are scary enough, but unintentional insulin overdosing? Yikes. Leave it to me. *sigh*
I am just glad that I realized my mistake and immediately started to correct. I am also glad I had my mom there to help. Lesson learned: talking while injecting is the diabetic equivalent of drinking and driving. Insulin can be a life-saver, but it can just as easily be a deadly weapon. Must use with caution. Always.
The Ride Thus Far...
It would be pretty impossible to tell you all of the specifics that have
occurred over the past year and a half. But I will try to give you a
general overview of what has happened thus far, since being diagnosed
with Type 1.
((Warning: Graphic. Might want to skip over!)) I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in June of 2010. I had been experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding for a few months. The bleeding progressively worsened. At first, I would only see slight traces of blood with a bowel movement. When I decided it was time to see a gastroenterologist, I could just sit on the toilet, not even passing a movement, and blood would just come out. It was incredibly scary. I was worried that I had something serious, possibly colon cancer. A colonoscopy confirmed that I had Crohn’s disease. I was prescribed two medications. 1. asacol 2. entocort. Within a month or two, the bleeding had stopped…
But the weight loss had not stopped. I weighed only 104 lbs in September 2010. (I am 5’5 & typically weigh about 125-130.) My hair was falling out in clumps. I was constantly drained. I became incredibly thirsty. This is kind of embarrassing — but I stopped buying soft drinks because my habit was becoming too costly. I was probably drinking ~8 cans of soda a day). When I visited home for Fall Break, my mom told me I looked incredibly sickly and made me go to the doctor for bloodwork. The lab called to give the startling results — just as I had arrived back in my college town (Murfreesboro), 3 hours away.
I made an appointment with a general doctor in Murfreesboro. My blood sugar was 498 that day. The doctor gave me a prescription for glipizide to use for a few days until I got started on insulin. My loving (slightly overprotective) mother, who is also a nurse, was furious that the doctor let me walk away with my blood sugar that high. My mom DROVE all the way to Murfreesboro, picked me up, and took me to an awesome female nurse practitioner (Lucy) back home. “Dr.” Lucy (who is young, blood, gorgeous) has an autoimmune disease herself, Lupus. As such, I found it extremely easy to relate to her. She truly seemed to care that I realized the seriousness of my diagnosis. She immediately put me on the Novolog and Levemir pens that I still use to this day.
When I returned to Murfreesboro, I saw an endocrinologist there. Let’s just refer to him as Endo #1. Well, Endo #1 was not the greatest doctor. He was okay, but after 2 visits, he started sending me to his nurse practitioner, who would simply check my glucometer and ask how my feet were doing, every single visit. My blood sugar was still in the upper 200s and 300s, with frequent lows. My a1c was getting under better control, but I was having too many scary lows. Mostly at night. After adjusting my insulin again, I ended up being too high again.
Desperate for help, I visited Endo #2 in December 2011. Big mistake. Endo #2 was a complete whacko. On a positive note, he pointed out how ridiculous it was that Endo #1 had not recommended I get a pump yet. But that’s the only positive of the visit. Endo #2 spent the first 10 minutes of the visit, talking to me about the history channel. He brushed off my questions and interrupted me. He told me I need to see a podiatrist about my feet, claiming that my tingling has nothing to do with diabetes. He told me he’s never heard of any diabetic having headaches after eating, and dismissed that as strange. I asked him how to calculate my carb intake/ insulin ratio. He responded, “well..what do you usually take? you’ve been doing this every day.” …
Fortunately for me, I moved back to my hometown after Christmas 2011. I say this because I truly had TERRIBLE experiences with every doctor I visited in Murfreesboro. After two failed endocrinologists, and my a1c climbing higher and higher, I knew that it was time to get a new endocrinologist back home. I was able to get in with a wonderful doctor (Endo #3) on January 31, 2012. He listened to me, he knew what he was talking about and spoke in a way that was easy to understand, he couldn’t believe my horror stories from the previous 2 endos. And he told me that a pump would be life-changing for me. Until the pump comes through (stupid insurance companies), I still have to use insulin injections. He did some mathematical calculations, told me both my long-acting and fast-acting insulin dosages were way off. With the new adjustments he gave me, I’ve already dropped from averaging about 300 to averaging 200. Only 2.5 weeks later, and I am already doing MUCH better. What a relief!
Waiting. For. My. Pump.
((Warning: Graphic. Might want to skip over!)) I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in June of 2010. I had been experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding for a few months. The bleeding progressively worsened. At first, I would only see slight traces of blood with a bowel movement. When I decided it was time to see a gastroenterologist, I could just sit on the toilet, not even passing a movement, and blood would just come out. It was incredibly scary. I was worried that I had something serious, possibly colon cancer. A colonoscopy confirmed that I had Crohn’s disease. I was prescribed two medications. 1. asacol 2. entocort. Within a month or two, the bleeding had stopped…
But the weight loss had not stopped. I weighed only 104 lbs in September 2010. (I am 5’5 & typically weigh about 125-130.) My hair was falling out in clumps. I was constantly drained. I became incredibly thirsty. This is kind of embarrassing — but I stopped buying soft drinks because my habit was becoming too costly. I was probably drinking ~8 cans of soda a day). When I visited home for Fall Break, my mom told me I looked incredibly sickly and made me go to the doctor for bloodwork. The lab called to give the startling results — just as I had arrived back in my college town (Murfreesboro), 3 hours away.
I made an appointment with a general doctor in Murfreesboro. My blood sugar was 498 that day. The doctor gave me a prescription for glipizide to use for a few days until I got started on insulin. My loving (slightly overprotective) mother, who is also a nurse, was furious that the doctor let me walk away with my blood sugar that high. My mom DROVE all the way to Murfreesboro, picked me up, and took me to an awesome female nurse practitioner (Lucy) back home. “Dr.” Lucy (who is young, blood, gorgeous) has an autoimmune disease herself, Lupus. As such, I found it extremely easy to relate to her. She truly seemed to care that I realized the seriousness of my diagnosis. She immediately put me on the Novolog and Levemir pens that I still use to this day.
When I returned to Murfreesboro, I saw an endocrinologist there. Let’s just refer to him as Endo #1. Well, Endo #1 was not the greatest doctor. He was okay, but after 2 visits, he started sending me to his nurse practitioner, who would simply check my glucometer and ask how my feet were doing, every single visit. My blood sugar was still in the upper 200s and 300s, with frequent lows. My a1c was getting under better control, but I was having too many scary lows. Mostly at night. After adjusting my insulin again, I ended up being too high again.
Desperate for help, I visited Endo #2 in December 2011. Big mistake. Endo #2 was a complete whacko. On a positive note, he pointed out how ridiculous it was that Endo #1 had not recommended I get a pump yet. But that’s the only positive of the visit. Endo #2 spent the first 10 minutes of the visit, talking to me about the history channel. He brushed off my questions and interrupted me. He told me I need to see a podiatrist about my feet, claiming that my tingling has nothing to do with diabetes. He told me he’s never heard of any diabetic having headaches after eating, and dismissed that as strange. I asked him how to calculate my carb intake/ insulin ratio. He responded, “well..what do you usually take? you’ve been doing this every day.” …
Fortunately for me, I moved back to my hometown after Christmas 2011. I say this because I truly had TERRIBLE experiences with every doctor I visited in Murfreesboro. After two failed endocrinologists, and my a1c climbing higher and higher, I knew that it was time to get a new endocrinologist back home. I was able to get in with a wonderful doctor (Endo #3) on January 31, 2012. He listened to me, he knew what he was talking about and spoke in a way that was easy to understand, he couldn’t believe my horror stories from the previous 2 endos. And he told me that a pump would be life-changing for me. Until the pump comes through (stupid insurance companies), I still have to use insulin injections. He did some mathematical calculations, told me both my long-acting and fast-acting insulin dosages were way off. With the new adjustments he gave me, I’ve already dropped from averaging about 300 to averaging 200. Only 2.5 weeks later, and I am already doing MUCH better. What a relief!
Waiting. For. My. Pump.
Current Specifics
I use insulin injections to control my diabetes. I use 2 different
types of insulin pens. I take two daily 12-unit injections of Levemir
(long-acting insulin). I take injections of Novolog (fast-acting
insulin) every time I eat; the amount varies according to how many carbs
I eat.
My current 14 day blood sugar average is 213. (way too high) My last A1C (1-31-12) was 7.8. (way too high)
I use a
Bayer Contour meter. I prefer this one, as it has been the most accurate glucometer I have used. Cool bonus is that it comes in different colors. Mine is purple.
I do not follow any regular schedule. I keep odd sleeping hours. I don’t eat a set 3 meals a day. I simply DON’T have a routine. (It amazes me how this is so mind-boggling for doctors. I mean, surely I am not the only one who doesn’t have a “perfect routine” life?)
To complicate matters even more, I am one of those pesky little vegetarians. I am not a vegan. I still eat dairy (cheese, eggs, milk). But I do not eat any type of meat, nor do I eat fish / seafood.
Complications that have developed after diabetes diagnosis: vision problems (blurred vision, dry spots on eyes), nerve problems (twitching/tingling in my right foot — happens frequently, especially when i first wake up), post-meal headaches (like instantaneous. as soon as i eat something, i have a headache).
My current 14 day blood sugar average is 213. (way too high) My last A1C (1-31-12) was 7.8. (way too high)
I use a
Bayer Contour meter. I prefer this one, as it has been the most accurate glucometer I have used. Cool bonus is that it comes in different colors. Mine is purple.
I do not follow any regular schedule. I keep odd sleeping hours. I don’t eat a set 3 meals a day. I simply DON’T have a routine. (It amazes me how this is so mind-boggling for doctors. I mean, surely I am not the only one who doesn’t have a “perfect routine” life?)
To complicate matters even more, I am one of those pesky little vegetarians. I am not a vegan. I still eat dairy (cheese, eggs, milk). But I do not eat any type of meat, nor do I eat fish / seafood.
Complications that have developed after diabetes diagnosis: vision problems (blurred vision, dry spots on eyes), nerve problems (twitching/tingling in my right foot — happens frequently, especially when i first wake up), post-meal headaches (like instantaneous. as soon as i eat something, i have a headache).
Introduction
I am a 25 year old female, born and raised in small-town, Tennessee.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in October of 2010, at age 24. Only 3 months prior, I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Let’s just say “24” was one hell of year. :)
So here I am now. Less than a year and a half after diagnosis. Still trying to figure out how to control this rollercoaster of a disease.
Join the ride?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in October of 2010, at age 24. Only 3 months prior, I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Let’s just say “24” was one hell of year. :)
So here I am now. Less than a year and a half after diagnosis. Still trying to figure out how to control this rollercoaster of a disease.
Join the ride?
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