:: DiabeticDamsel ::

Novolog vs. Humalog - Day 1

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:57:17 -0500

Last week, I had an excellent endo appointment! My A1C was 6.9 and my lab results were great, Dr. Mazza was pleased. We started talking about insulin and I told her how United Health Care changed the tier of NovoLog which changed my prescription from $10 to $60. She asked me if I would be willing to switch insulin brands, and we both agreed that I was going to try out Humalog for the first time. She assured me that there was not any difference between the two brands and that their effectiveness varies from person to person. I’ve been trying to do some research on the differences and found a few interesting facts:

Humalog isn’t FDA approved for insulin pumps. MYTH! I was reading a blog about this fact and I’m not sure went it was posted but it is definitely incorrect. On the Humalog site, there is a whole page dedicated to pump therpy and they list which pumps they have done clinical testing on.
NovoLog is given 5-10 minutes before a meal and Humalog is 15 minutes before a meal. Not a huge difference but something to take into consideration.
“When NovoLog® was compared with regular human insulin, there was no difference in the frequency of adverse events between the 2 treatments.” I thought this was an interesting statement on the NovoLog site and worth adding.

With all of this knowledge I took to the butter dish and put the Humalog to work. Day 1 so far the only difference I can report is the smell of the medication is different. Stay tuned for more updates on the “NovoLog vs. Humalog Challenge”.

iguessifyoureintothatsortathing: What an amazing cover :)

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:16:23 -0400

iguessifyoureintothatsortathing:

What an amazing cover :)

WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:24:01 -0400

Hmmmm good one. I want to visit Canada. Mountains, rivers, people saying “Eh?” what more could a person ask for on vacation?!

So your blog post says you are engaged and planning a wedding in November of 2011. How are the wedding preparations going? :-)

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:17:24 -0400

Ha its funny you say that, I registered to TheKnot.com where you can manage seating charts and guest lists and they keep sending me emails saying “13 months to go!”. I think I need to clue everyone in that the date has come and gone!

Nothing like sleeping on your pump all night long.

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:28:00 -0400

Nothing like sleeping on your pump all night long.

Thanks to Erin at DiabeticDamsel.com!

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:15:11 -0400

mattchilcote:

So I have an awesome new header logo for my blog! Thanks to Erin at DiabeticDamsel.com for the Photoshop goodness!

Your very welcome Matt!

It's been awhile..

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:05:00 -0500

Wow I’m slightly embarrassed how long its been since my last past, and so much has happened!

Finally got my DexCom reciever!! The first few weeks were bumpy but the past two weeks have been stable. It’s amazing knowing what i never knew before. Thanks to everyone that helped me finacanily to get it.

Had my 25th birthday, and yes my car insurance DID go down by $50 a month!

I’M ENGAGED!! Dave and I had a very romantic dinner at Ruth’s Chris and it ended with a carrot cake dessert with a beautiful ring beside it. The night couldn’t have been more perfect. We are now slowly planning a November 2011 wedding and i couldn’t be happier. XOXO Dave

Newest A1C reading is 6.9% as of February 16th.

Lexi has an ear infection :-(

New location of my site, on my calf, so I’m sporting my...

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:15:57 -0400

New location of my site, on my calf, so I’m sporting my pump on my converse.

PAYPAL SUCKS!!

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:15:13 -0400

Just a quick blog about how much PayPal sucks!

I called PayPal last week TRYING to login because I forgot my password. Once I got a human being on the phone she kept asking me for my CC number, but of course the one that I had on file was expired so I didn’t have the card or the number. After arguing back and forth the lady got more info and I was able to reset my password.

This morning I get an email saying “You sent a payment of $60.00 USD to Skype (billing@skype.net)” following with a “Like hell i did!”. So apparently I got hosed! I immediately removed my credit card and bank account from the account and called PayPal. They submitted a claim and I have to wait 10 days to receive my funds back. UGH!

I will be closing my PayPal account once this issue is resolved. But anyway, PAYPAL SUCKS!!

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:23:00 -0400

Hit a speed bump in the 'Dexcom Adventure'

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:18:00 -0400

I received a call from Edgepark (the company I have to go through who is ‘In Network’) and they reviewed my benefits with me and said that I was ready to go with ordering my CGM. The sales lady totaled up my device and 2 months worth of sensor and said “You total will be $1200 would you like to put this on your charge card?”, slightly taken back I asked “is there a payment plan?” like a poor man standing on a street corner with dirty feet. Come to find out that Edgepark collects upfront for all medical devices.

[Insert road block here]

Discouraged, I made a call into my Dexcom guy, Brian, and asked if he has any suggestions or $1200. He said Plan B would be to order it through Dexcom, which is ‘Out of Network’ and make 3 installments on the device and 2 months of supplies. So at least another door has opened but I’m starting to think this CGM business isn’t in the cards for me.

So I have a phone call to make to Brian tomorrow with a decision whether or not I’m going to go through with it….stay tuned and send $$$

My Dexcom adventure has begun..

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:10:43 -0400

So i filled out all of the paperwork to get my new CGM from Dexcom. I had an appointment with my Endo last week and was trying to get her to finally sign the medical necessity paper (which is pretty much a signature) and i heard today from my Dexcom sales guy, Brian, that they got the fax from her!!

I’m very excited that this process is starting to make progress and i can envision the UPS man pulling up with my CGM box in hand!!

MY A1c IS 6.7!!!

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:54:00 -0400

I had my long awaited doctor’s appointment today and I’m glad to report an improved A1c of 6.7! With my anniversary around the corner, it will be an 6 year journey that got me to my lowest A1c.

Hypoglycemia weird symptoms..

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:45:00 -0400

So to inform the readers who are in the dark, hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is too low and symptoms vary from person to person. Kerri from www.sixuntilme.com had a video blog talking about her symptom which included crying. Personally, my lips will get numb and if I’m in from of the computer or reading something the words will get all jumbled and look like wingdings font. Over the weekend I had two hypo moments. First one I went down to 50 and had a bowl of Multigrain Cheerios that I couldn’t taste at all. Second time I was at 52 and I couldn’t smell my dog’s foul breath that my faithful assistant was complaining about. So I know that the symptoms vary from person to person but I’ve never heard of temporarily losing your senses???!!!

Taking advantage of the real estate

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:36:00 -0400

3 weeks ago I was doing some research on different places I can place my site on my body for my insulin pump. I normally use my abdomen but I was struggling with unpredictable blood sugar readings due to too much scar tissue and my insulin not absorbing.

First test: upper love handles. I tried to put the site as far on my back as possible, this location I wouldn’t recommend. I mistakenly put it on the side I sleep on and during the night I was waking up with my side sore and for a week I was restricted to sleeping on my belly; drooling like a crazy person too. I normally keep my site on as long as it will stay but 3 days in, I woke up with blood on my sheets and my site halfway on while I was rolling around sleeping one night. On a good note I saw an awesome change in my insulin absorption but the placement was just uncomfortable.

Second test: upper right shoulder. Although I do need my faithful assistant to squeeze my arm while I insert the needle, this location was the best so far. Numbers were better than my back location and sleeping was not compromised. I did find myself explaining what it was to a few co-workers and I did get a few people in the grocery store staring, but overall it wasn’t too bad.

After those two test and getting such a positive response I didn’t need anymore convincing. I’m hooked on taking advantage of all of the real estate that I have, all 6 feet of it, and giving my belly a break!

I'm slowing turning into my mother..

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:09:35 -0400

Recently since the heavy economic downturn I’ve been finding resourceful ways to save money, coupons for instance! I find myself printing online coupons and waking up on Sunday to grab that joyful pack that will save me 40 cents here and 50 cents there. I’m turning into my mother basically. but believe it or not, its turned into a game and gives the feeling of beating the system!

I will admit its nice to go to TGI Fridays and spend $20 on a meal for 2 with a ‘BOGO entree’ coupon and these days you do see restaurants getting more into the coupons and giving meals away like crazy. You would be stupid, or rich, no to take advantage of free-bees!

Below are some links i find the best deals..
CouponMom.com You have to register, but its a neat site where you can print coupons online (my mom told me about it).

CozyWallet.com It in a blog format that list restaurant deals, health and beauty and other valuable coupons, no registration required.

Britney is coming back to Florida!!

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:09:00 -0400

Posted today on BritneySpears.com are more tour dates that have been added. Tickets go on sale June 19th.

AUGUST 2009
20 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Coliseum
21 - Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
24 - New York, NY - MSG
25 - New York, NY - MSG
29 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden
30 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center

SEPTEMBER 2009
1 - Orlando, FL - Amway Arena
2 - Miami, FL - AA Arena
4 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
5 - Greensboro, NC - Coliseum
8 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
9 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Center
11 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
12 - Grand Forks, IA - Alerus Center
15 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
16 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
18 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
19 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center
21 - El Paso, TX - Don Haskins Center
23 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
26 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay
27 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay

Carb Counting -Part 2-

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:40:00 -0400

So i just had a WTF! moment while doing my ‘Insulin to Blood Sugar ratio’ test this morning…

Here are my numbers:

143 - 11:00 P.M. - Head to bed last night with a number i was happy with.
180 - 3:19 A.M. - Woke up to check
173 - 8:07 A.M. - Woke up for good. I started the ‘test’ and gave myself 1 unit of insulin. I was then instructed to test 20 mins after then 2 hours.
175 - 8:30 A.M. - So apparently insulin is like chocolate to my body.
177 - 8:49 A.M. - Checked again
186 - 11:38 A.M. - At this point my stomach is growling and all I’ve had was water today..AND I’M STILL HIGH!!!

So this test was crap this morning because apparently when i high i just hit a plateau and stay there. Is this normal? Am I crazy? I still don’t know my I/BS ratio and i’m starving!!

Taking Carb Counting into my own hands.

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:20:00 -0400

I recently had a doctor’s appointment with a new Endo. As we talked about my sugar readings and eating habits Dr. Mazza asked “What’s your carb ratio?”. As i foolishly turned red i replied with a “Well, um…yeah…I just guess most of the time.” She was impressed that i had such an ‘okay’ A1C level and not counting carbs, but still i saw a drop of disappointment. After leaving the office, i proceeded to the ‘Education & Research’ wing of the hospital to see how much a ‘Carb Education’ course was going to cost me. Well lets just saying, seeing the price is when i decided to (dun dun DUN!) take carb counting into my own hands!

I found a pretty cheese site that provided info to how to find my ‘Blood Sugar to Carb ratio’ and ‘Blood Sugar to Insulin ratio’ ( 2 things that a diabetic of 6 years SHOULD already know).

So i am quite excited to know these special numbers to then use to count my carbs and KNOW what my sugar will be with the amount of insulin I’m taking; what a concept, eh?

I have to perform the test with 2 to 4 hours of fasting so i will keep you posted on my results.

Movie Misquotes Diabetes Style!

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:46:00 -0400

I found an awesome blog post by Diabetesaliciousness and had to share.

“Your going to need a bigger bolus” JAWS- Diabetes style
“HOLY #DIABETES BATMAN!” Batman – The television series
“I’m Diabetes BITCH!” Dave Chappelle
“Dammit Jim, I’m a diabetic, not a Bricklayer!” Star Trek - Series
“Say hello to my little insulin pump!” Scar Face
“Show me the carb count!” Jerry McGuire
“Diabetes….phone home.” ET
“Diabetes means always having to say - Yeah, damn straight I’m aloud to eat that!” Love Story
“Bloodsugar, we have problem!” Apollo 13
“I’ll get you my pretty, and your little insulin pump too!” The Wizard of Oz
“Forget it Jake, It’s Diabetes Town!” China Town
“I see diabetics” The Sixth Sense
“I love the smell of insulin in the morning!” Apocalypse Now
“All right Diabetes, I’m ready for my close up!” Sunset Boulevard
“Is that an insulin pump in your pocket or are u just happy to see me?” Mae West
“Crying, there’s no crying in diabetes!” A League of Their Own
“We’re not bolus worthy, We’re not bolus worthy!” Wayne’s World
“Bolus, I don’t need no stinking bolus!”
“Elementary my dear Diabetes!” The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
“Hasta la vista, high Blood Sugar!!” The Terminator
“YO, DIABETES!” Rocky
“Tell ‘em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Diabetic.” Knute Rockney
“Life is a banquet,& most poor diabetics are blousing and counting carbs like crazy!” Auntie Mame
“If it weren’t for you meddling diabetics!!” Every bad guy on Scooby Doo
“Diabetes, the final frontier” Star Trek
“Let’s get ready to bolus!” WWF Wrestling