Rick -
I do believe I said “GOOD” control with an A1c of 6.1
Highs and lows happen. that is part of being a diabetic.
Running 400+ for days on end or having swings from 22 to 500 on a daily basis is NOT good control, but that is not what Ann is describing. She is describing life as a person with diabetes. I see the brittle adjective as a cop out or a sign of weakness.
Yeah, if I am under 80 I usually don’t wait before eating… if I am high for whatever reason, I will wait longer. However, with the Dexcom I can see that it’s actually a significant amount longer before the insulin really starts kicking in (even considering the interstitial delay) than I had thought. I notice “some” drop really quickly, but it sort of plateaus for a while, then drops again as the insulin peaks. I noticed this yesterday chasing a high after dinner. I could see it having my second cup of coffee this morning, and again with lunch. I think overall it’s going to make me much less afraid of waiting to eat after bolusing. I haven’t been spiking as high today as I had been yesterday, but some of that may also be due to calibrations being closer. Dex said I was “high” yesterday (>400) when I was really only just over 200.
I was told i was brittle. My daughter was told she was brittle before me. She didn’t have a cgm, however.
When I started with the cgm, I soon learned that everytime I put fruit in my mouth, the cgm took off. Happily I had no insulinomas nor liver problems. I stopped the fruit. I didn’t exactly stop it. I can put about 6 blueberries in my mouth and it doesn’t trigger whatever. Cheers to all you who are brittle. My hat is off to you for what you put up with.
Your experience is really similar to mine. I notice that initial short drop in reaction to the bolus, then the plateau (good description), and then the peak of the insulin significantly later. I don’t think I’d have believed it without the CGM as consistent proof.
Erin,
As I said here I am new to this web page which allows a community of people like us to reach out to one another which I think is fantastic and through this discussion I have got one or two good advices or ideas that I definitely will try and see if it helps me
Having said that and with respect because I respect others; AFTER ALL THIS YOU AMAZED ME PEOPLE; WHAT WAS MY CRIME? CAN ANYBODY TELL ME? I just used a forbidden term in this blog. I DO NOT CONDEMN you; I AM AWARE AND UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM. You are trying to share your thoughts and opinions with me and others and that is fine but coming after me, i do not understand.THE MOST BIZARRE FACT IS; THAT IT FEELS AS YOU WERE THE CRUSADERS AND I’M THE PERSECUTED ONE! GOSH, I did not even know it was a sensitive term and much less that it was going to rubbed the wrong way some people here for x or why reasons. I did not started this blog to annoyed you or anybody else who does not seem to see things your way. IT IS SUCH A SHAME BECAUSE YOU ARE ACTING WORSE THAN SOMEBODY WHO DOES NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT DIABETES.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST; I WILL QUOTE FROM YOUR REPLY;“I SEE THE BRITTLE ADJECTIVE AS A COP OUT OR SIGN OF WEAKNESS” I UNDERSTAND THAT IS YOUR PERCEPTION BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR:
I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU OR ANYBODY TO IMPLY THAT BY USING THE TERM BRITTLE IS A COP OUT OR WEAKNESS! YOU DO NOT KNOW ME, MY CHARACTER, MY PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ONES TO EVEN DARE TO GO THERE!
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I AM VERY RESPECTFUL AND EMPATHETIC PERSON TOWARDS OTHERS BUT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO EVEN INDIRECTLY ATTACK SOMEBODY IN THIS CASE ME WITH YOUR IMPLICATION. IT SHOWS POOR TASTE.
UNTIL THIS POST, I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANYTHING PERSONAL; I JUST BEEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME. I LOVE BLOGS, I STILL THINK THEY ARE USEFUL, HELPFUL, INSTRUCTIVE AND FUN BUT AT NO POINT NOBODY SHOULD USE ILL MANNERED REMARKS EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL REALLY STRONGLY ABOUT A TOPIC OR DISCUSSION. WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE BUT BEYOND THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS; WE ARE ALL HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR A REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY: TO BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER SO LETS KEEP THAT IN MIND!
TO THE OTHERS THAT HAVE SHOWED SUPPORT, UNDERSTANDING,EMPATHY AND HAVE GIVEN ME SO GOOD POINTERS TOWARDS MY CGMP THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! IT COULD MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN MY TREATMENT.
I DO NOT HOLD GRUDGES SO I HOPE WE CAN KEEP DISCUSSIONS AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER!
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND HEALTHY WEEKEND!
BEST REGARDS,
-ANN =D
Ann,
Please accept everyone’s apologies and try to understand that we come from a supportive place. If you prefer a blog-style format, you have that option on your page and can start a blog and moderate comments - meaning you don’t have to allow people to post unless you approve of what they write. This topic was started, however, in the discussion threads forum, and our members often take that as a sign for open discussion, which includes healthy debate.
Secondly, please don’t type in all caps. It’s considered yelling on the internet. Obviously, you’re very upset. I understand and I’m positive that no one in this thread (I know most of these people from my time here at TuD) meant to offend in the way we’ve managed to offend you.
You will find equally vigorous debate on topics such as “is the word juvenile diabetes outdated and inappropriate?” and “are we diabetics or people with diabetes?” - topics I never would have thought would be contentious. No one is suggesting that your experience is other than what it is. We’re debating terminology here. Your description of your diabetes sounds typical - normal - not atypical, which is why I think Erin and others here are suggesting that the term brittle is over-applied.
Unfortunately, there’s another part to my recently developed case of “Brittleness”, and it is much worse: I now become both stupefied-incoherent AND unconscious at much higher hypoglycemic bG levels than before. (Previously, I could take and understand a fingerstick test at 25 mg/dL; I can now become confused and unresponsive at 50-60 mg/dL.)
For people like me, “Brittle” isn’t just a bG level; even more, it’s the loss of conscious control and awareness at bG levels which most of you would find to be ‘no big deal’ at all. I have almost no margin for error on the low side at all. Both issues presented within just a couple years of each other, so I suspect that they’re related.
??? Maybe re-read the grandparent post, 2nd last paragraph (beginning with “I can’t take solace in my A1C because that is an average…”). That is what she is describing.
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for extending your apologies on behalf of the community!
Once thing: I understand the discussion and blog settings. ;D
I am not screaming at anybody that is not who I am; my apologies if it was perceived that way. My goal was to emphasize my point without having somebody in a very passive aggressive/ self entitle way smacking me down. I definitely open to discussion(s) to listen and learn as long it is done in a civil way.
A favor to ask:
This site should place were respect and sensitivity should be present at al times; regardless the subject. .Lets go; make an effort and keep it that way, please!
Is understood by discussion, different opinions would be shared/expressed but there are subtle ways to inform/educate people without the distasteful ways demonstrated here.
Be sure; at no point I am diminishing your opinions, disregarding your life experiences and conclusions. Any helpful advice or recommendation stays with me. A courtesy certain members lacked. There is no need to keep up with this specific discussion. Not because the term but because the negativity brought in to it. Definitely has not been a positive experience at all.
** My best regards to those members that agreeing or not with the theme or discussion posted by me; sent me helpful messages, tips and support. For that I am very thankful guys!.
Have a blessed night and a better/healthier day tomorrow!
-Ann
I read the Hirsch book about three years ago and I highly recommend it to “Persons with Diabetes” and to others who want to Know more about the history and perceptions of diabetes care. I agree that the term brittle has become a " catch-all for both doctor irresponsibliity and patient hopelessness’" But I think we can read that Ann is not hopeless, she is just looking for support and others who are " similarly labile".
Let’s please not attack or be overly sensitive guys, OK? We can all learn something from these discussions. I do not have a CGMS, yet, but I am learning from others right here in this thread what to expect from the Minimed model that I may accept ( tell you about that later in another discussion).
I am not trying to be a moderator or a thread policewoman… just asking for a little bit of peace and compassion for the original poster and for each other. Now back to the viewing of the OSU-USC game; GO BUCKS!!!
God Bless,
Brunetta
I thought brittle wasn’t PC, but it applies to me. I once did a ‘study’ on myself for a whole month. I ate the same thing, at the same time each day and took out every possible variable just to see what my BGs would do. I had a 2 hour post meal variance of 145 mg/dl. Then at my next Endo appt., just after my Dr. told me “you really need to do better” I told her what I’d done. It really made her hush up. Part of me thinks I was motivated just to get that response, but it did make me feel better.
Thank you! As I mentioned before: I respect everybody’s opinions,life experiences and conclusions. I take in all but I would like to see more respect between/towards members regardless the topic. I am not a quitter neither I am going anywhere. I have to be honest; this first experience here was certainly tough; one that could drive away people in desperate need of support.
Erin, thanks again for your approach and my apologies too.
Have a blessed night and a healthier tomorrow,
-Ann
Thanks Ray for not been scared away and I hope to keep in touch with you!
Have a blessed night and a healthier tomorrow,
-Ann
Actually, Ann, we have this outlined for the community already:
Thanks Zoe from the bottom of my heart!
Have a blessed night and a healthier tomorrow,
-Ann
Thanks Rick for understanding that I am really looking for people who are facing inexplicable episodes day in and day out, their suggestions etc… Hey, I like your techi side, boom straight to the point. 
I am married to one; an IT architect for Disney.
Have a blessed night and a healthier tomorrow,
-Ann
Hi Ann: I’ve been riding the brittle diabetes nightmare roller coaster now for 43 years. The pump helps because it can deliver fractions of units but that still hasn’t prevented serious difficulties (fire department visits averaging 1 every 2-3 years, totaled my car in 2006). I tried Medtronic’s cgm when it came available but it totally let me down. My endo says I’m super sensitive to insulin. After I passed the 40 year mark without complications, he declared that I wasn’t going to be getting them. He encouraged me to consider 150 as my new 100. The weird thing about me is that I’m in many ways ridiculously healthy. I had nasal polyps removed recently. The ENT M.D. said I had healed “twice as fast as the average patient.” Last year I thought I was having chest pains. It turned out to be only muscles not the heart. The testing showed that my heart and circulatory system was about perfect: “We see a diabetic like you maybe once in 20 years. Get out of here.” I would love to share anything that would help other diabetics but I don’t know what my secret could possibly be. All I can say is that I am mostly a vegetarian that eats a little cheese, sometimes yogurt and salmon a couple of times a week. My HDL numbers have always been very high. Other than that, I take some supplements and eat blueberries once a day.
Wow. You are amazing. So all these ups and downs are the liver acting up? How does one confirm that? Are there tests?
Dear Ann,
I’m so awfully sorry to see how mean others have been in flaming you for using the term “brittle.” If there is one thing in this world guaranteed to set me off it is the passing of judgment of others by narcissistic, pompous and arrogant self-satisfied pinheads. I wish I had a thicker skin than I do and could simply say to them “thank you for your opinion” and then forget about it.
I admire your curiosity and bravery in posing a challenging question to those of us who are afflicted by similar difficult experiences.
Thank you for raising this issue.
Regards,
-Tom
When I was first diagnosed I struggled like mad to achieve the BG goals dictated by my Endo. Sometimes I achieved them, but more often than not I didn’t. After some research, I blamed it on NPH variability. I then embarked on eliminating every possible variable in terms of diet (same menu the same time every day), exercise, moderating emotions, injection location and time of administration, etc. I even tested every hour on the hour. With that, the numbers were still all over the map (and my fingers were shredded).
Then I was lucky enough to try the 1st edition of the Dexcom and was stunned at how wildly the numbers bounced around. By that time I’d been on a pump for a few months and had (mistakenly) thought it would smooth things out. It did, but not as much as I would have desired.
About a year later, after some tests I found I had gastroparesis to the extent that my stomach was 3 times slower at emptying than it should have been. Slow stomach emptying=slower transfer of glucose from digestive system to blood stream. Hooray, I thought - finally an explanation. Then after talking extensively with a gastroenterologist I learned that as with all biological processes, there is variability, and that attempting to mechanically control them is quite a huge challenge - even for an MD.
The bottom line: he said to do the best you can, keep learning and keep trying.