A question...
After being diabetic for 12 years I think I'm finally coming to the realization that I have this disease. For so long I sort of brushed it a side and never really made it a big deal.
I was feeling a funny tingly feeling in my right foot and started to get nervous that this was a diabetic complication (I'm 26, active, etc...) which I thought would never happen. Turns out the doc thinks I may have carpel tunnel (spelling??) in the foot, which is not related to the diabetes. I did mention that my feet were extremely cold and that's when the doc went full speed ahead with the precautions I need to take as a diabetic to ensure that I don't need to have a toe, foot, leg amputated in the future (he used the word "amputate" about three times). The way he said to prevent this was to keep in good control, really staying between 80-120 (he even said that above 120 was getting too high).
Anyway this brings me to my question: Is it possible to get in control where your numbers are always 80-120???
I left the office and burst out into tears. I always thought I was in good control, but now am realizing that constant highs and lows does not equate to good control.
I was feeling a funny tingly feeling in my right foot and started to get nervous that this was a diabetic complication (I'm 26, active, etc...) which I thought would never happen. Turns out the doc thinks I may have carpel tunnel (spelling??) in the foot, which is not related to the diabetes. I did mention that my feet were extremely cold and that's when the doc went full speed ahead with the precautions I need to take as a diabetic to ensure that I don't need to have a toe, foot, leg amputated in the future (he used the word "amputate" about three times). The way he said to prevent this was to keep in good control, really staying between 80-120 (he even said that above 120 was getting too high).
Anyway this brings me to my question: Is it possible to get in control where your numbers are always 80-120???
I left the office and burst out into tears. I always thought I was in good control, but now am realizing that constant highs and lows does not equate to good control.
posted by Rachel Segall at
10:46 AM
9 Comments:
I've been diabetic for 19 years this September 11th (I am also 26), and I fear not being in good control. My numbers are definitely NOT between 80 - 120. My A1c isn't under 7%. I ring in at 7.6% and that is after considerable effort. It's hard to be the "perfect diabetic." You need to do the best you can. I recently found my first physical manifestation of diabetes - a cotton wool spot in my right eye - and it brought me to my knees with fear. That was two months ago.
I was scared.
I am scared.
But my life keeps going on, whether I'm scared or not. Do your best. Don't blame yourself completely if things start to go wrong. They might. Or they might not. It's in the hands of your genetics and your efforts. One thing is for certain, though: You can make a difference now. Personally, my bloodsugars can get as low as 44 mg/dl and as high as 385 mg/dl, all in the course of one afternoon. That range is too huge. I'm trying now to keep within a certain range, even if it's between 100 - 180. I know that 150 is "too high" by some standards, but I would rather have a consistant sugar than a ping ponging one.
Keep at it. Be tough. And let me know how it goes.
By
Kerri., at 7:12 PM, August 01, 2005
I guess I'm not alone... Sorry about your eye, at times it feels like one can be so invicible to the complications, but I'm guessing that isn't the case. Is there anything that can be done about your eye? Can you see okay?
You really have a good outlook and a good handle on this mentally. I hear you on the 44-385 range, story of my life. Fortunately I'm obsessive compulsive about testing so I never remain high for too long. I also agree with your range, I freaked out after reading someone else's blog who was having trouble getting her bg down from 104... turns out she was a type II diabetic and that is high for her. I almost got sick at the thought that I was so out of control.
I think I may go back to a diabetes educator. I had been going to one at the Joslin clinic and I felt like she was my mom. Probably because of how she treated me I in turn acted like I was 13. Maybe I'll get more motivation to make changes in my life (no matter how much I want to resist) if I find someone that can understand my life style and where I'm coming from.
Thanks for the support!
By
Rachel Segall, at 12:09 PM, August 02, 2005
Don't worry about the eye. It doesn't affect my vision in the slightest and they think it may be a result of high blood pressure in combination with blood sugars. I've started on blood pressure medication and hopefully that will alleviate the problem. But I've been diabetic for so long that I don't consider it a sign of failure that there's a glitch now and again.
I, too, am OCD about testing. My doctor at Joslin (I see Dr. Florence Brown, who do you see?) told me to try and control my urges to test all the time. I was blowing through a bottle of test strips per day for about six months. That is, admittedly, a bit ridiculous.
Who do you see at Joslin as a CDE? Are you in the adult tier or the pediatrics unit? (I was in pediatrics until I was 24. I held out as long as possible.) If you don't want to answer via blog, feel free to shoot me an email (sixuntilme@yahoo.com).
By
Kerri., at 9:51 PM, August 02, 2005
We are going to take Bailey to Joslin in Baltimore this fall-- any suggestions. people to see, etc. would be greatly appreciated!
On another note, you've come so far in all this-- its just sometimes hard to see all the "progress" you have made. I've been dealing with this only for 8 months with our two year old-- and by the sounds of things, you have a greater handle on things than you give yourself credit for.
Dee
deeherman@gmail.com
By
Anonymous, at 5:44 PM, August 09, 2005
Thanks Dee that goes a long way.
To be honest I have never seen a young kid in the waiting room at Joslin, I always feel like the youngest by years and years (I'm 26). There has got to be a pediatric endocronologist team there, because now that I think of it there really aren't any kids where I usually wait. I'll shoot you an email about a few specifics.
By
Rachel Segall, at 10:42 PM, August 09, 2005
Just wanted to wave hi... my son has had diabetes for just over a year. He's 8. I agree with Kerri... we just do the best we can! Someone said to me once, diabetes is a marathon, not the 50-yard dash. So, focus on the big picture.
Adding you to the blogroll... Xx Martha
By
Martha O'Connor, at 10:31 PM, August 12, 2005
If I could stop time, I would write more. Good stuff here. I have been wasting time all day looking for sites on cat toys, dune buggy's, and a bunch of other things. american diabetes supplies will be my next search. Crazy search engines. I look up and there you are. Anyway, thanks for a good read.
By
Anonymous, at 2:41 AM, January 24, 2006
I like the fact that new browsers can be very easy to use. It's just that search engines cause most of the headaches. A keyword search for cheap diabetes supplies will bring up sites on cheap diabetes supplies. Not the same, but you get the idea. Good blog by the way.
By
Anonymous, at 4:04 AM, January 24, 2006
Hi there!
My numbers are not in that range at all and I'm also having some neuropathy start in my toes (although I know yours might be carpal tunnel, as you said).
I'm changing my life around though by following Dr. BERNSTEIN! Please check him out!
By
SandInMyVeins, at 8:46 AM, May 30, 2006
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