Thank you for the opportunity to be included. Much of my life spent travelling before the year 2000.
I am grounded now, with home, spouse and kid (going to college soon?)
Diabetes specialists, educators, dietitians, cardiologists, pump specialists and lasting relationships, are now part of my life. Building this extensive team is exhausting.
Diabetic, type 1, since 1971. Thrilled glass syringes and pig insulin no longer exist.
In a working life, it would be difficult to manage or see such a team.
I seem to have time now. I have time to research, ask questions and read more.
Diabetes complications from an insulin sensitive lady (brittle diabetes). Last one was heart disease, with heart stents.
Yup, I am living the life. That was a good motto before the heart attack. I am trying to avoid total vision loss, kidney failure and amputation. I am eager to converse and talk.
Welcome to TuDiabetes, @Dot3! The words in your post lead me to believe that you are now retired and are taking advantage of that to work toward better health. When I retired in 2011, I finally had all the time I needed to really pay attention to my diabetes needs.
I turned a major corner in 2012 when faced with a diabetes complication diagnosis, I decided to do whatever it takes to improve my health. Looking back, I can see 2012 as a major inflection point in my diabetes care. Every measure I see improved from that year, a lot.
You’ve had diabetes for a long time, but it’s never too late to work to improve your health. I’ve found the peer support here helpful. It’s given me a place to get much-needed nuts and bolts help and it’s also given me an outlet to share what I’ve learned. Helping others provides a deep satisfaction earned no other way.
Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.
Yes, please Terry.
10 years ago, no worries except for thyroid issues. Complications are scary and I thought I was on track as the healthy eater, at work. An advocate for movement too.
As I continue to emphasize advocacy , I find diet to be the biggest rubix cube to solve.
Dietitians are still pushing carbs. Low carb is helping me tremendously <100 daily. My dietician and I agree Mediterrean.
What I have learned is that my experience of my diabetes is not universally shared with other T1Ds. Having said that, I find that my experience is similar for many. Your Diabetes May Vary or YDMV is a truth I accept.
I’ve learned that curiosity, knowledge, and persistence can help improve outcomes for people with diabetes.
I’ve learned that doctors, especially endocrinologists, are not the high priests of diabetes. There are limits to their knowledge, especially when it comes to insulin dosing.
Diabetes is a disease of carbohydrate intolerance. Carb limiting, for me, has been a big deal. Fewer carbs = less insulin = smaller mistakes!
Following my diabetes data daily from a meter, pump, and CGM is a beneficial habit that engages my motivation at a subconscious level. When I measure and then observe it makes me want to improve that measure.
While diabetes can often seem like a bottomless pit of neediness, I’ve discovered that giving it everything it wants is finite. There is a bottom to that pit of seemingly endless needs.
Take ownership and pride in your diabetes competence, especially when dealing with medical professionals. You have lived with diabetes for about 411,000 hours. You know more about your glucose metabolism than your doctor will ever know!
Taking on new diabetes tasks can seem like a hit to quality of life. Stick with those new tasks long enough will push your efforts into a habit. I find that habit-incorporated tasks reduces my conscious attention and frees up time with a quality of life improvement.
Marginal improvements are a big deal. Reducing a blood glucose average from, say, 120 mg/dL down to 115 mg/dL (6.7 - 6.4) may seem like a small improvement but it will make you feel physically and emotionally better.
The effects of daily exercise, even walking, is magical. Exercise is the catalyst that makes everything work better.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to go on for so long. I could add to the list but I’ll stop for now. I’m glad you’re here!
Check out Franziska Spritzler’s low carb website. She is a “Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator who believes in a well-balanced, low-carbohydrate lifestyle.”
She’s truly a breath of fresh air in the ranks of registered dietitians.
Here’s a link to a 2013 discussion we had here about Franziska Spritzler, a video interview she participated in here, and a long thread of comments.
Hello Dot3, this is a great place. I was DX’d in 1974 so we are of nearly the same diabetes age. You will find this a great place. We welcome you and I think you will love our community.
Welcome !
I like your mention of rubiks cube. You may find one of my old posts interesting. In 2011, I started using dexcom, and finally got things figured out.
