Crikey. Did the cloudy one you ditched have an expiry date on the vial label? Was it old or... well, I don't want to think what else. Faulty?
It wasn't old (realize, I've only had diabetes since May 2nd of this year -- so I am still very new to all of this).
I didn't see an expiration date on the vial, some weird coded bar code looking stuff, but that was about it. I've been very anal retentave about keeping my vials in the fridge, and in the dark (I keep them in an index card box in the 'butter drawer' of the fridge).
Maybe I left it out overnight one time? I don't know. I wouldn't think that being out overnight would be enough to kill a whole vial, though.
Being morning, and now thirteen hours since that injection -- I can say with ALMOST certainty that that was the problem. The way I feel this morning -- compared to this time yesterday morning is simply no comparison. I feel like a new human being today.
I read the "information sheet" that came with my other vial of Lantis and it even said that if the solution is NOT crystal clear, to throw it away and use a new vial -- immediately.
I've probably been injecting myself with this stuff for about two weeks now (considering I spent a week in the hospital).
(EDIT) : I went to go look for the vial to confirm the expiry date thing -- but it was sitting on the bloody styrofoam container of a steak I made last night. I'm not about to touch that thing. My 'new vial' doesn't seem to have a date on it. Just that weird barcode-looking thing.
Lantus has bar codes on the vials. As far as being out overnight, I've never put mine in the fridge. People have told me not to, people have told me to, and I don't know the difference. I DO know you can't let them get warm.
Your savings may be better spent getting insurance. I don't know where you live but in many states it is illegal to deny insurance because the person has diabetes. Insurance is expensive but not as bad as the supplies themselves. Also, you can call the companies. Suppliers often give out free meds to people and you can apply for it. If you are approved it is sent monthly for a year and you have to apply again. Ask your doctor about it.
Also- as far as insurance goes- I think most have a 2yr thing- after 2 yrs- all penalties for pre-exsisting conditions go away. I could be wrong, though. Has been a while since I looked.
From New Scientist magazine, 6 August 2005, No. 2511, p 44:
Quote:
A walk in the woods can do great things for your body and mind. Small wonder, says Joan Maloof, since trees emit dozens of therapeutic compounds through their leaves.
"Even before the car stopped on the isolated dirt road, a sweet, rich, earthy smell filled my senses...When we discuss what we miss about forests after they have been cut, we usually mention the sight or the shade or the species; but now I was breathing deeply of a forest gift I had forgotten: the air! Americans largely ignore this dimension of the forest's allure, but the Japanese recognise it and have a name for it: shinrin-yoku -- wood-air bathing. Japanese researchers have discovered that when diabetic patients walk through the forest, their blood sugar drops to healthier levels. Entire symposiums have been held on the benefits of wood-air bathing and walking."
Joan Maloof is assistant professor of biology at Salisbury University in Maryland. The New Scientist article is extracted from her new book Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest (University of Georgia Press, 2005).
From New Scientist magazine, 6 August 2005, No. 2511, p 44:
Joan Maloof is assistant professor of biology at Salisbury University in Maryland. The New Scientist article is extracted from her new book Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest (University of Georgia Press, 2005).
I've known this to be true for many, many years. Since I was a kid, actually. Being born and raised in a crazy metropolitian area like Atlanta -- I'm thankful enough to know where the "get away" places are. Ask anybody and they know how much I despise this place -- yet geographically? It is wonderful. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other, world's largest underground waterfall (Ruby Falls) only two hours away. Plus, there are plenty of woods (and large enough) to get lost in for an afternoon.
I wouldn't knock the power of true meditation. I'm lucky that my parents taught me how to do that since I could walk.
actually check on the 'pre existing condition' thing. I thought the same thing. I knew something was wrong with me and waited till I had insurance for a while, only to find out that it is illegal for them to deny diabetes supplies in my state. So CHECK. I know my wife deserved better than I gave her when it comes to ease of mind. Your loved ones do too. CHECK, ask specifically about diabetes.
Alternate site testing (forearm, for example) is fine if your blood sugar is more or less ok. It's inaccurate at extremes. Also, lantus should always be clear, not cloudy like some other types of insulins.
One word of advice on technology and blood sugar testing. Make sure your doctor has download capacity, or esle bring in copies of your printouts. A lot of cool information, like % high, % low % target is great for an overview, but is not always helpful for practical adjusting of insulin or other medications.
So just make sure your MD and you are format-compatable. I also think anyone with diabetes, especially anyone requiring insulin, should see an endocrinologist.
It hasn't effected me greatly. I'm pretty much borderline.
But the key is getting it diagnosed EARLY!!!.
If it's in your family, make sure your Doc tests you for it occasionally.
A CBC Blood Test can find many things you may think you're "never gonna get".
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With CBC I assume you mean complete blood count. Well, unfortunately I'm not sure where you've gotten that information but its not really correct. It can tell you things like if you have an infection, blood cancers, anemias. You definitely cant diagnose diabetes from it. Unfortunately there is no specific test for diabetes on someone who has never been diagnosed before or never had any symptoms. CBC can't tell you if you have kidney or liver problems (there are other lab tests for that like a complete metabolic profiles). It cant tell you if your thyroid is not working.
Type 1 or what alot of people refer to as Juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes are more common in children and its usually due to a lack of or dysfunctional insulin production.
Type 2 is more common in adults and usually the patients are more obese. We are actually seeing more children with type 2 diabetes due to the sedentary life styles of our children and believe it or not children are more "obese" today than 20 yrs ago.
Last edited by arcticmaniac; 08-13-05 at 11:15 PM.
Well, unfortunately I'm not sure where you've gotten that information but its not really correct.
Ya know what?
I really don't give a freakin', flyin' Fire Truck whether this particular info is "exactly", "technically" Correct, or not.
If it gets just ONE person into their Doc to get tested,
and then makes a complete Fool of themselves about their "misinformation" about a CBC
.....I don't care!
At least they got in and got tested! :approve:
.
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All's I know is I went in and got a CBC,
the Doc called and said I have Type II.
It's a "Public Forum", for the most part
full of Laymen, NOT Medicaly Profound Graduates.
Flame at will. :hide:
I'll be gone again for a few days.
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I really don't give a freakin', flyin' Fire Truck whether this particular info is "exactly", "technically" Correct, or not.
If it gets just ONE person into their Doc to get tested,
and then makes a complete Fool of themselves about their "misinformation" about a CBC
.....I don't care!
At least they got in and got tested! :approve:
.
.[RIGHT][size=1]All's I know is I went in and got a CBC,
the Doc called and said I have Type II.
It's a "Public Forum", for the most part
full of Laymen, NOT Medicaly Profound Graduates.
Didn't mean to get your panties in a wad, and you wonder why health care is so expensive. You dont just go to your doctor and say you want to get tested for cancer, diabetes, etc. You are dealing with real lives here. All these tests are expensive. (Granted we medically profound graduates have to have the latest Axim toys too)
This site is for the exchange of information, not just from people with expertise in the matter but also people with daily experiences. Don't get all bent out of shape if some corrects you. Its for the common good.
You are right MrKlaatu, if someone is experiencing similar symptoms they should be tested. :)
Alternate site testing (forearm, for example) is fine if your blood sugar is more or less ok. It's inaccurate at extremes. Also, lantus should always be clear, not cloudy like some other types of insulins.
One word of advice on technology and blood sugar testing. Make sure your doctor has download capacity, or esle bring in copies of your printouts. A lot of cool information, like % high, % low % target is great for an overview, but is not always helpful for practical adjusting of insulin or other medications.
So just make sure your MD and you are format-compatable. I also think anyone with diabetes, especially anyone requiring insulin, should see an endocrinologist.
---Lynn Allen (endocrinologist!)
Excellent advice. Also, for my trip to England (Oct. 2nd through the 29th) -- my mother there (whom I am visiting) has already let her doctor know I am coming over. And tomorrow I'm finishing up my rounds with the hospitals and SOME of my doctors to get full release copies of my medical records to take with me -- just in case.
Better safe than sorry.
My numbers are back up. And I can't seem to get the pump. The damn things are something like $4000 and up. I'll stay with my 6+ injections a day... o-well. It was a good idea.
... My numbers are back up. And I can't seem to get the pump. The damn things are something like $4000 and up. I'll stay with my 6+ injections a day... o-well. It was a good idea.
6+ injections a day? wow! Thats not including the finger sticks to check you glucose I assume. Yeah, tight control is the game to avoid some of the longer term complications of diabetes.
Your insurance wont cover the pump?
You figure with the insulin and supplies if it might cost more than that per year.
6+ injections a day? wow! Thats not including the finger sticks to check you glucose I assume. Yeah, tight control is the game to avoid some of the longer term complications of diabetes.
Your insurance wont cover the pump?
You figure with the insulin and supplies if it might cost more than that per year.
Yup. Six plus injections a day. Twice as many blood/glucose tests.
And I do not have insurance. I pay out of pocket. This piece of crap we call a country (USA) will cover Viagra, yet not nsulin. Go figure.
I just talked with my friend of twenty-seven years. He lives in DC with his uncle. His uncle "Charlie" is the technology advisor to the Chief's of Staff and directly to the President of the United States of America. I asked him, why should I continue with life, if I half to live with injections for the rest of my life, or with a pump that I simply can not afford.
I'm in a VERY down mood today, and I did try to suicide today -- by mass injecting myself with insulin today. I took (via injection) over 150 units of Humilog-R today. I can not handle this. I can not afford the "pump" that my doctors say I need. I've been declined every possible "state and federal" aid I have applied for.
My friend's uncle spoke to me some words that have made me continue for another day. Really, I'm sick of this. I can not bear living having to survive off of injections, or a "pump" for the rest of my days. When I "overdosed" on insulin earlier today, I only went from 480 to 310 B/G numbers. I took in (via injection) to kill an army of horses with hypoglycema... I've taken in well over 150 units of insulin by injection, with nothing to eat. And all that did was drop my numbers by a about a hundred and a half.
I do not want to live like this. I can not stand the thought of living day-by-day with injections, or via a pump that gives me four-hundred and eighty injections a day -- just to stay alive. The ex-wife is taking me to court on September 21st for back child-support (which I acknowledge that I rightfully owe) -- but selling coccaine, marijuana and extasy to just to cover child-support/alimony (which is my second concern -- my first is keeping myself alive -- I do nobody any good if I am dead) will surely land me in jail. As I have no idea what I'm doing selling drugs (today, I made a "call" to start selling firearms, I don't know the first thing about guns... But I am at my wits end. I do not know what else I can do) selling drugs, will surely land me in jail. And from what I have read, 3 out of 5 type 1 diabetics die in the first two weeks of jailtime -- as the guards think you're intoxicated.
What do I do? I do not want to die. I do not want my children to suffer, I do not know what else to do... As I said, I am at my wits end...
On the "plus" side of things, at least I know for FACT that President Bush himself will hear of my plight tomorrow morning when my friend's uncle (who is the "technology advisor" for the joint chief of staff (who also meets with the President himself about two times a week) will bring my "plight" to the president of the USA himself... I do not like Bush, but hell, *****ANYBODY***** give me other options...??????????
I've cross-posted this message on Lee Iaocaca's (SP?) forum as well...
Genuinely sorry to hear you're on a downer today, Alex. Your posts and general attitude have provided an inspiration to me. Indeed, I have spoken to friends of the positive attitude of someone facing unexpected and very heavy adversity.
I can only hope things work out a bit better for you soon. When it's dark enough, you can see the stars.
Genuinely sorry to hear you're on a downer today, Alex. Your posts and general attitude have provided an inspiration to me. Indeed, I have spoken to friends of the positive attitude of someone facing unexpected and very heavy adversity.
I can only hope things work out a bit better for you soon. When it's dark enough, you can see the stars.
Thank you. Really, I mean that. I can not stop crying today. I hate this. I really Fuc*ing hate this.
I tried to kill myself today. THat didn't work. I am to sell about 8 grams of coccaine tomorrow night at a club. That and the 12 extacy pills I'm selling will keep me alive for another month.
I hate this... I really, really, hate this........
Thank you. Really, I mean that. I can not stop crying today. I hate this. I really Fuc*ing hate this.
I tried to kill myself today. THat didn't work. I am to sell about 8 grams of coccaine tomorrow night at a club. That and the 12 extacy pills I'm selling will keep me alive for another month.
I hate this... I really, really, hate this........
Alex,
Sure sorry to hear how things are going. Try to hang in there, huh?
If you have some time, come read some stuff on our website. I think you can find some answers here that will help. No religion. Nothing to join. Just some good solid DOCTRINE.
Diabetes is a very insidious disease. Most people don't realize they have high blood sugar until they have problems that require medical intervention. In my case, I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Type II. And it was caught early enough since I've been seeing my oncologist every six months for blood tests and yearly for an exam. I also at that time had a thorough eye exam which uncovered above normal eye pressures. Fortunately, taking daily drops keeps it under control.
It’s been 20+ years since I was first diagnosed with cancer (Aug 1983). Had a chronic ache in the side. After an ultrasound showed a mass near the kidney, I was opened up for biopsy and tumor removal. Unfortunately the mass was too entwined with the aorta and kidney to do any resection.
Biopsy came back as a “poorly differentiated semanoma”, probably of renal origin. Even went to Shands hospital in Gainsville for another look. They weren’t real sure what it was, but started me on chemo for renal type. My wife wasn’t satisfied in the conclusions and the fact that the type of cancer couldn’t be pinned down. In consultation with my urologist, biopsy’s were sent to a clinic in D.C. (can’t remember the one). Came back testicular in origin, which was treatable. The renal kind was a death sentence.
However, I was stage 4 requiring very aggressive chemo treatments. One week a month in the hospital and then I.V, infusions once a week. Sick as a dog and couldn’t eat much.
Fortunately the tumor was responding to treatment. After six months of chemo, I was opened up to remove any of the dead mass. During surgery my aorta burst. There was a top notch vascular surgeon available so it was fixed. However, they had to remove my kidney along with the mass. No time for delicate surgery. Spent a week or two in intensive care hooked up to tubes.
At this time I had gone from 160 to 99 lbs. Also had tissue damage in two fingers of the left hand and one in the right hand. Very painful requiring constant pain meds. Grafting of the tissue damage didn’t work which required the tips to be amputated.
So, the cancer was gone, but I wasn’t finished yet. I developed bowel blockage from scar tissue that required further surgery. That was successful and I finally made it home for good in March 84.
With all the IV’s during that time the veins in my arms were so traumatized that they can’t be used to draw blood. They have to draw from any vein on the arm that decides to co-operate. Boy, I would have given my right nut(they took my left) for ports which weren’t available then. That would have saved my veins.
Fortunately I had health insurance. Cost of the whole deal $100,000+.
Can’t remember ever giving up during this ordeal. Had three children at the time and didn’t want to leave them. I guess God wasn’t ready for me.
Wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this month.
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Good to hear that Bud. Can't give up hope even at the darkest hours.
And I'm sorry to hear Alex that you have to resort to such drastic measures. I assume you have applied to your state's medicaid program. Even if medicaid wont pay for the pump, they will at least pay for the insulin. Also, 6 shots a day seems like alot. Are you also seeing a diabetic specialist or just a general practioner? I understand that money is tight.
Was diagnosed with Type 2 in July this year. Oral meds with diet and exercise. I've chosen to go down the carb/protein/fat counting route for my diet to reduce carb, fat intake and calorie intake. Testing once per day with an Accu-Chek Compact.
I've found DiabeticPIM (Diabetic Pocket Insulin Manager available here), along with the DiabeticDIM (Desktop version) to be very helpful. It is geared more towards Insulin dependent diabetics (computing bolus values for each meal), but has a great food database (over 10,000 items, including many common fast-food and name-brand foods). Pocket and Desktop versions sync. Food database is editable and can let you "merge" several items into one (e.g. if you regularly have a turkey and mustard sandwich on Roman Meal Carb Aware Whole Wheat, you can make a "my turkey sandwich" entry). Has option to log exercise and comments.
Reporting is nice--showed the PDA copy to my doctor last visit and he said he expects to see hard copies of the reports the next time I'm there...
Only suggestions I can make (and have) would be to add tracking of other vitals (e.g. I'm also hypertensive, so I need to track blood pressure readings--granted, I use the "comments" option now, having BP data in the same report would be great for my doctor). Also, it would be nice if I could upload my readings from my A-C Compact via the IR port...
Also suggest you get a complete eye exam. Fundus photos(diabetic retinopathy,hypertension,macular degeneration),pressure checks, and a visual field test.
This will give a baseline for tracking any changes that would affect your vision.
I wear glasses, so my optometrist picked up high pressure during one exam. Keep tracking it until it became higher than he liked. Now on eye drops. But I go every six months for pressure checks and a yearly exam. I have a baseline of data that will indicate any problems that may come up.
--Bud
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I came up type-II about 2 years ago myself ... was trying to apply for some term life insurance. They not only said no, they said HELL no. (Heh...)
Last year was working on a Private Pilot's license. Discovered due to the type-II I couldn't pass the medical. The doctor's first <default> response was to put me on glycemic medication. Fasting glucose was in the high-100's to low 200's. The medication did nothing but give me diarrhea.
Discovered a book by Atkins (yeah, the diet guy) that was for diabetics. Read it from cover-to-cover. Made a lot of sense - so I just stopped eating bread, french fries and all that other stuff. Just by modifying my intake like that I dropped my fasting level to about 108-120 and finally passed the FAA medical requirements (to say nothing of the health improvements). I still have to stay on top of my carb intake - but watch it with a meter every other day or so. If I see it sliding up more than about 10 points I just drop back into no-carb mode for a day or two and it squares right up.
The best part of it is not only that I'm back to pilot training again but my eyesight has begun to actually improve and the nerve damage in my feet seems to have halted and may even be reversing.
Dunno if doing this would help any of you guys with more advanced cases or not - but the simplicity of this change seems to have really worked. I'm sure I'll always be diabetic - but it's nice to be able to control it without popping pills. Now I just need to drop another 20 pounds or so and see if my BP goes down along with it.
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