Any diabetics on Yaris World?

[jjonrofl]

Me! Type 1 since 2001. Anyone else? I use the storage compartments in my yaris for glucose tabs and orange juice :p

[rihdrkc]

I am also. Found out in 2004 when I blacked out riding my motorcycle. Hit the car in front of me, woke up on the ground with paramedics standing over me. Went to hospital and they informed me after they got done testing me.

[custom Lftback]

^ wow scary deal, glad you're ok

[jambo101]

Diagnosed 10 years ago with type 2,wish i'd known it was coming as i might have been able to make the lifestyle change to either stop from getting it or postpone it till later in life.
If you are overweight and overeat and drink a lot of poor quality foods it wont be a matter of if you are getting diabetes it'll be a matter of when,,let me tell you its no fun as to try to keep it under control everything you eat has to be scrutinized, and it can be very expensive to treat,if you dont have medical insurance the medications can easily top $300 a month.

[rihdrkc]

^ +1

I might have been able to put it off till later, but I have done all of the above all my life. Another thing against me was that it runs in my family on both sides.

When you are young, you think you are invincible, just ain't so.

A warning to anybody that reads this, get yourself checked at the doctor, if you can avoid becoming diabetic, do it because it is not fun.

[CTScott]

My wife's been a type 1 since she was 3 (and she's 43 now). She's been on an insulin pump for about 15 years. She wrecked two cars due to hypoglycemic incidents (fortunately, without hurting herself or anyone else). Due to diabetic retinopathy, her vision is not good enough to drive anymore.

[YAR1S]

Not me, but my father....

He's been on the pump for 10 years now, has a lot of complicating diseases like Chron's disease, Addison's disease, Immunoinsufficiency, and had a heart transplant 9 years ago.


He's the definition of a medical miracle.

He's had his scary moments with me, going 80 down a two lane road(35) and not being able to get him to brake while he's barrelling down the wrong side of the road towards stopped traffic, on the last minute stopping before the stopped people(inches) and then immediately seizing...... is a life changing event......


:/

[SAV912]

Checkin' in. Type 1, diagnosed 2 weeks after my 16th birthday. It was :bs: but like any other case, had to learn to adapt to it.

Was on shots/pens until 18 and a pump since then. I'm almost 24 now, so it's been nearly 10 years. Shudder to think of it.

-SAV:drinking:

[DFA]

Not yet, but my grandpa is, so it's always a possiblity.
I always try to take care of myself.

[Palmer812]

My dad is. He was diagnosed at age 40. I am 38 now. I try to take decent care of myself.

[bronsin]

Is it true if you are overweight and diabetic and lose enough of the weight you come out of it?

[127.0.0.1]

Is it true if you are overweight and diabetic and lose enough of the weight you come out of it?

not really.

there are 2 basic types, and some subtypes. also another kind, [diabetes insipidus
in which the kidneys are unable to conserve water. this is not about that.]


[diabetes mellitus is the commonly known 'diabetes type 1, 1.5, or 2]


type 1, usually hits when young, pre-teen or teens (this is genetic)

an auto-immune disorder which attacks your pancreas and reduces it's ability
to produce insulin. you have antibodies in your blood which target the beta cells.
the fix for this is take insulin to match carbohydrates ingested, and take
a background insulin to match the glucose your liver puts out, all in a goal to make
your hbA1c match a normal persons
---
type 1.5 is type 1 but hits late in life like 30's or 40's (genetic)
---
type 2 (generally the out-of-shape persons problem) this is genetic also. it is all genetic.

a disorder where your body doesn't use the insulin it does produce, or doesn't
produce enough, but not because of auto-immune disorder. no antibodies in the blood.
the fix for this is to take a lot more insulin, or drugs which increase your ability to use the insulin you
do produce, or which reduce your ability to uptake carbs in the gut, or a combination.

type 2 is the type usually triggered by 'bad habits' and this may
be fixable by diet and exercise which makes you more sensitive to insulin and you
may be able to avoid drugs

---
if you are any type of diabetic, if you can treat it with insulin alone is the way to go. it is clean
for the body. the drugs most used in type 2 have other effects and mess with your
endocrine system and it is not so great. plain old insulin has no bad effects unless you
have too much on-board and your blood glucose goes low.

but no one likes shots, so many type 2 take drugs and avoid shots like the plague.

note: the needles do not hurt 9 times out of 10.

----
if you are able to keep your a1c 'normal' then that is all there is to it. you will not
have any other health issues. if your a1c varies and goes high, then you are at risk
of complications die to high blood sugar messing with the nerves, retina, circulation...

some type 1's are lucky and they can match carbs easily and are predictable. other types of type 1
have other endocrine issues and it is almost impossible to predict the results of insulin taken
vs carbs. these are called 'brittle' diabetics and it is very hard to control. pumps really help
in these situations. otherwise, a few shots a day usually takes care of things.


there is a lot to it.

type 1 may be easy to control (my category)
type 1 may be difficult to control (lucky for me, not me)
same with type 2

the single goal, is the a1c. make that normal, life will be OK long-term.

all types are 'genetic'. type 1 you cannot hide from. type 2 you may hide from if you exercise a lot
and stay trim and eat well.

the secret to it all is a blood glucose meter and test test test test when you are first diagnosed, and dial in
your routine and keep your a1c down. and keep testing.

----

my last 5 a1c's were 5.4, 5.6, 5.6, 5.4, 5.6 which is pretty good for a type 1
normal person is between 4-6

----
I use novolog pens and levemir pens.
----
I keep glucose tabs everywhere, just in case. going really low is a ghastly feeling. but you
pop some sugar or drink a coke, and 20 minutes later, after being soaking in sweat and feeling
crappy, it is like nothing ever happened at all. I have not had anyone need to hit me with
the glucagon yet. hopefully never. I hear it takes DAYS to recover from one of those shots.

---------------


it is a myth that needles hurt. I am telling you, I use 33g needles... finer than an eyelash. only once in
20 shots does it hurt when I stab myself. and then you squeeze in the dose. only 1 in 10 times does
that 'burn' a little. just go slow. you really get used to it. the only hassle with shots is keeping the
insulin out of the heat so it doesn't go bad (take it with you in the car in a cooler or tote with a temperature
gauge). and keeping 1 tube of glucose tabs around you at all times. that is it. kinda like getting
hit by a bus when you are first diagnosed, but later on, if you take it seriously enough, it is a minor
hassle. OK..I will say that one time in a hundred I just happen to hit a nerve and it kills like all holy-hell
and I have to yank out immediately and find a new spot. and one time in 1000 that new spot hurts the
same. those are magical days lemme tell you.

the pump is a whole 'nother thing. I can't stand wearing a watch, so you think I could wear a pump ? no way

but I do not need a pump since A) I don't mind shots and B) my a1c is low

for those who need or choose a pump, they have more control than I do about the actual current
'load', so to speak, of insulin on-board (they do not use long-term insulin like levemir, it is all short term)
and as long as they are ok wearing a device:

they only have to deal with 1 prick every couple-of-days
they still need to test glucose constantly
they have more freedom at odd times when deciding to eat or not eat something
they can control a1c better when used in combination with lots of blood sugar testing
if they are 'brittle diabetics' a pump can solve that. and get them to stop going too low
or too high.

-------------------------
final note: there is a lot of misinformation or inaccurate info on the intertubes about this subject.

there is 1 golden rule: each individual is different, and the only real answer for any 1 persons
diabetic condition and how to control it is:

the goal is a normal persons a1c: 4-6

you must work with an endocrinologist initially to dial in your prescriptions and get your a1c down
(actually you only need to use a glucose meter and your brain)
you must take it seriously and not skip off or cheese-out your diet. sure you won't feel bad immediately,
but if you do not take it seriously every day, later on in life you will have kidney damage, and other
bad effects which will cramp your lifestyle or kill you

every one is different and will have 1 formula which works only for them.

[TwoBearWisconsin]

No one in my family is diabetic, but I have a cat who is. He was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I have to give him insulin shots twice a day.

[fluke_boy]

TYpe 2 diabetic. I'm hating it every day since I was diagnosed in 2001. And I hate testing my glucose level with those damned pin pricks.

[jjonrofl]

Checkin' in. Type 1, diagnosed 2 weeks after my 16th birthday. It was :bs: but like any other case, had to learn to adapt to it.

Was on shots/pens until 18 and a pump since then. I'm almost 24 now, so it's been nearly 10 years. Shudder to think of it.

-SAV:drinking:

Ah, I'm on pens right now as well. What kind of pump are you on? I was going to get the Omnipod but there is a new pump, Solo Pump, coming out which I tried and am in love with. It's FDA approved but not out yet, expected in April/May. Check it out

[jjonrofl]

127.0.0.1- wow, your A1cs are seriously in the 5s? Are you low like, always?

[jjonrofl]

TYpe 2 diabetic. I'm hating it every day since I was diagnosed in 2001. And I hate testing my glucose level with those damned pin pricks.

Have you tried meters with smaller blood samples? that way, you can subsequently use a lighter prick and not "milk" as much for blood.

Or, have you tried in your arm? I tried once. Didn't work for me, but works for others

[127.0.0.1]

127.0.0.1- wow, your A1cs are seriously in the 5s? Are you low like, always?

my a1c's are as stated
----
low ?
yes no maybe sorta

I hit the 50's at lot if I don't eat all day, and need to top off

it is common for me wake up at night and have to munch 3 or 4 tabs
usually after a killer bike ride (I race bicycles)

I'd rather do that than have an a1c any higher.
want to live a long time and be a cranky old fart
I got the cranky, the fart, I want to increase the 'old'

[127.0.0.1]

I am also. Found out in 2004 when I blacked out riding my motorcycle. Hit the car in front of me, woke up on the ground with paramedics standing over me. Went to hospital and they informed me after they got done testing me.

the biggest risk for me is:

if I haven't eaten much all day, and drink a beer. blood sugar will plummet fast. I have to have glucose tabs around. the first beer or 2 will nuke me. if I make it to the third, the blood sugar goes up on it's own.

alcohol is very odd. luckily I rarely drink. but when I do it is 4 beers or so

[CTScott]

Have any of you type 1's tried continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)? My wife uses a MiniMed pump and in December started using their CGM system. It requires you to insert a second device (a sensor which sends data wirelessly to the pump). It takes a reading every 5 minutes and alarms when you are over or under user settable alarm values. She was finding it to be pretty accurate (within 10 points of her meter value as long as she wasn't rising or dropping too quickly). Unfortunately though last week she decided to stop using it, since within 8 hours of inserting the sensor, her site would get unbearably itchy.

[SAV912]

Ah, I'm on pens right now as well. What kind of pump are you on? I was going to get the Omnipod but there is a new pump, Solo Pump, coming out which I tried and am in love with. It's FDA approved but not out yet, expected in April/May. Check it out

Wow. I've just looked up that one and it looks FANTASTIC.

I was originally on the Deltec Cozmo, but Smith's Medical went out of biz late last year and my supplies dwindled, so before I fell off of Tricare I switched over to the One Touch Ping w/the wifi monitor. It's not all it's cracked up to be, and I don't like it very much. It holds less insulin than my Cozmo did, and the battery is very sensitive to being tossed around or something. I want to get off it as soon as my new insurance through my work kicks in. I tried the Omnipod as well, but it wasn't for me. I'm a very small guy so it looked like a tumor sticking out under my clothes no matter where I put it.

On topic, A1Cs in the 5s is infrickincredible. I haven't had any in the 5s since being diagnosed, but my lowest was 6.1. I trended up when getting on the pump because I went to college that same year and got lazy, exactly like the doctors/nurses said I would. I got as high as 8.2 but have since been on the way back down to the mid 6s. Congrats on 5s though, that's almost TOO well.

-SAV:drinking:

[POORSHA]

Checking in type 2 found out 4 years ago. Med and lifestyle seem to keep it in check.

[127.0.0.1]

If i popped a 6 or higher I would freak out and do anything and everything to make it lower.
6 is far too high in my opinion. -I- -do- -not- -want- complications later in life.

[jambo101]

127.0.0.1- wow, your A1cs are seriously in the 5s? Are you low like, always?

There are two calibration methods for measuring blood sugar one is where 5-7 is considered normal the other where 100-120 is considered normal.Up here in Montreal the 5-7 is the measurement is used,down in Florida my Dad has the 100-120 measurement system:iono:

[Thirty-Nine]

Type 2 here; diagnosed in 1999.

[SAV912]

If i popped a 6 or higher I would freak out and do anything and everything to make it lower.
6 is far too high in my opinion. -I- -do- -not- -want- complications later in life.

Six is not anywhere near too high. Hell, the avg human with a perfectly normal pancreas usually hovers between high 5s and low 6s. When I was diagnosed and brought into the ER, my fasting BG was 978. When a normal human is suppose to be anywhere between 80-120, THAT'S scary.

-SAV:drinking:

[BailOut]

Just to add to 127.0.0.1's great explanation of the different types of diabetes on page 1, obesity will inevitably lead to diabetes type II.

This is because the human pancreas completes its growth late in the teen years and never grows any more. It can only produce so much insulin during each 24 hour period. Yet as you gain weight your body's "container" continues to grow and contains more blood. The more blood you have the more diluted the insulin is within it, and the less effective it is. The more carbohydrates (sugar is a carbohydrate, for those that don't know) one intakes each day the more this problem is compounded exponentially.

The good news is that it is correctable and much of the damage this does to your body's systems is reversible.

Of course, the much better option is to avoid getting into that position in the first place. :smile:

[MUSKOKA800]

Type II, diagnosed 11 years ago at age 43.
I've tidied up my diet and take a cocktail of pills to control my sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. Current thinking is that all should have the numbers of a healthy 18 year old, hence the low dosages of blood pressure and cholesterol med’s.
Thank goodness we have two drug plans. I deplete the $1000.00 per year on mine around Sept. then switch over to my wife’s plan for the balance of the year.

[127.0.0.1]

Just to add to 127.0.0.1's great explanation of the different types of diabetes on page 1, obesity will inevitably lead to diabetes type II.



incorrect. it is not inevitable. it is due to a genetic pre-disposition.

a very large number of obese people are completely non-diabetic and never will be.

in fact, the majority will never have a diabetes problem.

the large majority of type 2 are obese, however

[Thirty-Nine]

incorrect. it is not inevitable. it is due to a genetic pre-disposition.

a very large number of obese people are completely non-diabetic and never will be.

in fact, the majority will never have a diabetes problem.

the large majority of type 2 are obese, however

Since realizing I had diabetes, I lost about 35 lbs. (went from 185/180 to 150/145-ish).

As of late, one of the more frustrating things has been a higher blood sugar reading in the morning. I've been around 120-130 most mornings. Most of my other readings are between 80-120, though. (I'm not on insulin or meds; just diet/exercise)

[CTScott]

Since realizing I had diabetes, I lost about 35 lbs. (went from 185/180 to 150/145-ish).

As of late, one of the more frustrating things has been a higher blood sugar reading in the morning. I've been around 120-130 most mornings. Most of my other readings are between 80-120, though. (I'm not on insulin or meds; just diet/exercise)

It's amazing what diet/exercise can do for a type 2. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic two years ago, as my fasting BG was 114-120. Shortly thereafter, I started taking Tang Soo Do Karate classes 4 days per week with my daughter. With just adding that exercise (and not changing my diet), within six months my fasting BG was under 100.

[jjonrofl]

Just to add to 127.0.0.1's great explanation of the different types of diabetes on page 1, obesity will inevitably lead to diabetes type II.

Ignorant comment. Not everyone who is obese is a type 2 diabetic; not everyone who is obese will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One is at a much higher risk level if he is overweight or has a sedentary life style, but it is often genetic predispositions which are the key factor in a diagnosis.

[127.0.0.1]

It's amazing what diet/exercise can do for a type 2. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic two years ago, as my fasting BG was 114-120. Shortly thereafter, I started taking Tang Soo Do Karate classes 4 days per week with my daughter. With just adding that exercise (and not changing my diet), within six months my fasting BG was under 100.

for some type 1 like I have... I don't ride the bike for a week, my morning FBS may be 100

I ride like I normally do, morning FBS is usually 70-84

[churp]

Currently type II. Was borderline several years until the Doc started me on meds 2 years ago at 57, got the meds doubled last fall, and have a checkup this Friday. Probably going to change meds again because lowest readings I get are in the 140's but sometimes mid to high 200's. Yup I'm overweight but Mom, Grandma, several Aunts, Uncles, and cousins had (note the 'had') type I (and none of them were overweight). Sweating-exhaustion-feeling like crap is what life is like when uncontrolled...good luck to all that have it, and keep it controlled. I've seen loss of limbs, heart and kidney failure, and near blindness just in my family due to this rotten disease.

[fluke_boy]

Have you tried meters with smaller blood samples? that way, you can subsequently use a lighter prick and not "milk" as much for blood.

Or, have you tried in your arm? I tried once. Didn't work for me, but works for others

Sorry for this late reply - I was informed by a nurse that they discourage blood sampling from the arm as it isn't "accurate" enough. As for meters with smaller blood samples - like which ones? And are the meters and strips cheap or cheaper?

As an aside, I've noticed that the skin on my right fingertips seem to be thicker than on the left fingertips so I tend to click on 4 out of the 1 to 5 settings on the pin pricker. Any less and I draw no blood or just too less of an amount to test.

[127.0.0.1]

Sorry for this late reply - I was informed by a nurse that they discourage blood sampling from the arm as it isn't "accurate" enough. As for meters with smaller blood samples - like which ones? And are the meters and strips cheap or cheaper?

As an aside, I've noticed that the skin on my right fingertips seem to be thicker than on the left fingertips so I tend to click on 4 out of the 1 to 5 settings on the pin pricker. Any less and I draw no blood or just too less of an amount to test.


1) arm isn't accurate enough for 'brittle' diabetics whose blood sugar can fluctuate rapidly and wildly.
fingertips have more circulation...hence, more accurate gauge of current blood load and what you just ate.
many nurses (I find) don't know a lot though unless they are (1) diabetic and (2) have an A1c like mine. YOU need
to teach yourself what works for YOU.

how do I know this ? If I listened to, and did what the nurses told me initially, I'd have complications by now and an
A1c of 8 or higher. certain doom. Instead, I read books and test myself, and now all anyone can say to me
is: keep doing whatever it is you are doing, and by the way need any prescriptions filled ?

2) you can get a cheap 18 dollar one-touch meter that takes a tiny sample
and reports results in 5 seconds. you can also buy a 100 dollar one-touch meter.
all you need is the number, so go with the cheap meter. the strip is the thing
calculating glucose, the meter just displays the number based on the galvanic reading
from ferrocyanide.

3) NO strips are cheap. average price is 80 bucks for box of 100. that is just how it is.
there is 'science' going on in the strip, not the meter.

4) all strips are 'somewhat' inaccurate. the closer to normal your blood glucose is, the more accurate the strip will be. if you get a wild reading you might need to wipe and dry the finger and squeeze another drop and use another strip to be sure, and if that 2nd reading is different, burn a 3rd strip.

yes it costs to use strips, but it is cheaper than dialysis later in life, knowwhutImean ?

5) the pinkies seem to have the best blood flow. I use the sides of my pinkies after washing in warm water. max blood. ring finger next. some nutbags use the other side of the finger, below the fingernail and above the knuckle. you get blood there but I am not poking that side. to each his own.

6) some medical plans pay the most for the strips (mine does) so I can get prescribed 6-8 test strips a day, doesn't cost me much, get a boatload of boxes of strips in the mail, and I can test my self to death if I want I will never run out. That is how I can run 5.6 A1c. I test a lot.

------
All anyone who is diabetic really needs to worry about is 4 things:
have test strips, have insulin, have needle tips, have lancets.

oh yes you bet it is more complicated than that, but once you get
the routine down, it becomes second nature and then all you worry about
are the 4 things above.

***type 2 may be different. taking any other drug(s)
other than the steroid 'insulin' throws a huge monkey wrench in the mix
and how to manage it and whatnot...hopefully hard exercise can get
you normalized.

[Thirty-Nine]

It's amazing what diet/exercise can do for a type 2. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic two years ago, as my fasting BG was 114-120. Shortly thereafter, I started taking Tang Soo Do Karate classes 4 days per week with my daughter. With just adding that exercise (and not changing my diet), within six months my fasting BG was under 100.

Absolutely 100% spot on. Which is one reason I need to get out from behind this computer and go for a run.