First Followup with Endo

DCaplinger · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Well, y'all, I had my first follow-up visit with my Endo yesterday. As my newest A1c reflects, my current count is 8.7 (down from 13.4).

At my next visit, we'll talk about the pump. I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford it or not, though. I think I've got a 20% copay with my insurance, and money is very tight.

To be completely honest, this disease couldn't have come at a worst time for my family, financially. We were already struggling to stay afloat, and now we've got to pay for insulin and all the goodies that come with it, and a lot of extra doctors visits. We'll manage, somehow... we always do.

Anywho, the Endo is very happy with my daily readings, and of course he's happy that I have been smoke free for almost 3 months (It will be 3 months come Wednesday). He's starting to give me the go ahead to have more control over my insulin intake. Instead of taking my insulin based on current blood sugar readings, I'll start taking it based on the amount of carbs I'm about to consume.

Does anyone know what the normal is on a GAD antibody test? I think I saw something on the sheet he showed me yesterday that said from 0.0 to 0.2, and mine was like 30.0. He said it was literally off the charts. Anyway, I am for sure a Type 1 (LADA) or what I believe these forums call a 1.5. My Endo recognizes Type 1.5, but says I am a Type 1, whatever he means by that.

Anywho, sorry I've been quiet lately, just not a lot to say. I'll catch up with you all soon.

Regards,

gettingby · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 08:59 PM

That's a wonderful drop in your A1C Darian. Keep up the good work.
Sorry about your financial situation. Hopefully things will get easier (financial wise). Hang in there and be glad of your accomplishments.

morrisma · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:13 AM

Great work on the A1c. The doc allowing you more control will also help the brain as well as the diabetes.

Hope you guys avoided all that water where you are. A lot of MO looks very wet indeed.
Mike

DCaplinger · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 07:45 PM

Nope, we took it head on. I am in Springfield, MO. We were right in the middle of the flooding. In fact, we still have areas that have roads under water. Even this morning, 4 days after the storms, we have cars that are being swept off the roadway on some low water crossings. Thankfully, I'm a city boy. LOL.

This week, we are forecasted for more rain, and some storms. Now we get the tornado season coming back to us.

As to the control, I am learning quickly that it sucks to go hypo. So far, I've only gone down to 55, but that was bad enough. I have some friends that have described their hypos as low as 30, and it scares the **** out of me. What happens if I'm alone and that happens? Sure, I've started carrying glucose, but what if I forget to grab it in the morning?

I don't talk about my feelings much, but this is one of the few parts of the whole **** disease I just haven't come to terms with.

Regards,

buddy7 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 01:53 AM

Hey -- Darian!!

sorry I've been quiet lately, it's been noted LOL, I'm so please to see you've got things under control, A1c down, that's great news, please to see you've given up the ash, probably was a great contribution to your wonderful progress.

Your finances LOL, at some time or the other, we've been there, any consolation, you're not on your own, things will perk up soon, just keep your chin-up.

Sorry about the bad weather you're having at the moment, over the last few days its been snowing in parts of the UK, we've had a little in our area, would've done with-out that at Easter.

Does anyone know what the normal is on a GAD antibody test?
I'm truly sorry Darian can't help you this time, don't have the answer, I'm sure, other fellow posters will be able to help, (sorry).

At the moment I'm reading, DIABETES RESEARCH TIMELINE, fascinating stuff.

Something I picked up from Glaxo Smith Kline " you can beat it, you're stronger than Diabetes and there's hope, there are people who can help you, be aggressive about it, be proactive about it, then you'll be stronger than Diabetes, there's no doubt about that"

You once said to me! "you'll beat the beast", keep trying my friend, don't give up.

but this is one of the few parts of the whole **** disease I just haven't come to terms with. we are aware it's an awful disease we bear, we come to terms with it, or die!

So all the best my friend, hope things get better for you at your next posting LOL.

B/7 ESSEX UK.

kgm0612 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 06:26 AM

Great job getting your A1c down in a short period of time. Keep up the hard work!

Karen

morrisma · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 07:13 AM

I used to live in Columbia and did some spelunking near Springfield if I recall - 34 years ago - wouldn't want to be in any of those caves right now with all the water for sure!

As for the sugar fixin's, I have a kit I carry with me everywhere that has my meter in the outside pouch and sugar, extra strips & pump supplies on the inside. Also has my glucagon kit. The other thing I do is that anywhere I spend time has a stash. Granola bars (heat resistant) in the car and other high sugar items at work. Been caught without enough to make this prep part of my existence.
Mike

Jan B · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 08:10 AM

Darian,

Unfortunately, the lows come with the territory. As marvelous as insulin is, it's potentially dangerous too. I'll still keep the insulin though and accept the risks. You will learn to always carry glucose tabs with you. Put them in cars you drive, your house, office. And use them before you get too low to be smart enough to eat them. If you even think (for example when driving). . . well, I can wait til I test . . . don't. Just eat a couple, or more. (Sadly that happens too -- the brain is often the victim of severe lows -- confusion sets in that can include the lack of comprehension of what to do for yourself.) One of my worst driving while low experiences . . . I had glucose right in the car with me and didn't "know" it.

I don't think we warned and talked about the downside enough during the times you were learning that you were really type 1. Now you know. Our life is all about the struggle for a happy balance. It's also about being grateful for life . . . much more so than for people who have never been close to losing life. We understand how fragile life can be.

When I lived in KC, it was great fun to travel to Springfield to the Bass Pro Shop. Nowadays, Bass Pro has gone to so many more locations, even one close to me in Grapevine, TX. I still love Springfield though -- I hope you stay safe. Yeah . . . it's tornado season for us too.

DCaplinger · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 03:29 PM

I repeat what I said before, I will beat this beast. However, I never said I didn't show it proper fear. Hehehe.

I am the only Type 1 in my family. We have lots of T2's, but none that are on insulin. I'm having to learn this all from scratch. Remember, I did a ton of study about Type 2, because that's what I was diagnosed as originally. Now, I'm learning about Type 1, and all the blessings that come with it (I'm not joking, I consider it a blessing to be T1, not T2, because again, I don't have to deal with medications). Shots are easy. You barely feel it when you poke yourself (heck, it hurts me more to stick the finger, than it does to take my insulin).

I am only worried about going low when I'm alone. Since my doc has allowed me to go at will on my insulin (carb counting), my control, even in the past few days, has been tight... very tight. So, who knows, maybe I can lose the fear, and just keep it as a healthy respect.

Anyway, I'm rambling again. You all tend to get me to do that. Hehehe.

I occasionally miss smoking. The sensation of missing doesn't last long, because I most definitely do not miss waking up feeling like I was going to choke on my own mucous. I can breathe, freely and deeply, without coughing. I love it. Tomorrow, I past 90 days, which means it's also the 3 month mark. I really look forward to the 100th day. I'll celebrate it then.

Regards,

tanyatype1 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 04:07 PM

Hi Darian ~ I just wanted to tell you that (in my opinion

) sometimes the fear of going/being low is worse than the low itself! I've panicked a little to see a super low number on my meter, and when the adrenaline kicks in you feel even worse! I concentrate now on relaxing when I'm low, and let the sugar that I've taken do it's job ~ no more freaking out!

DCaplinger · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 04:26 PM

Tanya,

I think you misunderstood the fear. I have no fear of going low... I fear going low when I am a) alone and b) have no sugar with me. What then? If I am not in an area where I can get to sugar, then I'm screwed. That's what I fear.

Regards,

gettingby · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCaplinger

Tanya,

I think you misunderstood the fear. I have no fear of going low... I fear going low when I am a) alone and b) have no sugar with me. What then? If I am not in an area where I can get to sugar, then I'm screwed. That's what I fear.

Regards,

Darian, the best thing to do is to always carry glucose tabs with you. You can get one of the little containers and a bigger one to use to refill the small one. The small container holds 10 tabs and fits wonderfully in a pocket.
I always try to make sure I have glucose tabs within easy reach. I keep the small container in my purse and the big bottle by the bed. I also try to keep the really small cans of Sprite in the fridge for emergencies.

Eddy · #13 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCaplinger

I think you misunderstood the fear. I have no fear of going low... I fear going low when I am a) alone and b) have no sugar with me. What then? If I am not in an area where I can get to sugar, then I'm screwed. That's what I fear.

Avoid (b), alone or not. I always try to carry 80g (worth about 200 mg/dL in me) of sugar with me as an absolute minimum. I've had a couple nasty experiences where I needed more; one was over the course of a few hours, the other went down in 45 minutes or so. If you have BG in the 40s, 30s, 20s, or even below, that's _not_ the time to go looking for sugar.

I also keep friends/family numbers on mobile's speed dial, which remains with me.