MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'a1c'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:59:49 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992924&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35213&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fblogspot%2FYNchP%2F%7E3%2F47ITBlhFAuU%2Fa1c-at-83.html proof he's not keeping it under control at all.  Can hardly wait to see what the other labs show, but probably won't have the results til Tuesday due to the weekend. I had a wonderful staycation at my sister's place.  So rested.  Came back Friday.  He fell Thursday evening going down the stairs and didn't tell me until I got home.  Hurt his back.  Taking dilaudid again.  Fine with me....I'm just going to "use" this as ammunition that we need to get to a one level as soon as we can.  :o) So, his back is hurting him and everything for the weekend got cancelled.  Not going to slow me down.  I'm back from my morning errands and I'm off to the movies next.  Taking care of my stress the best I can. DW (Source: Wife of a Diabetic) Wife of a Diabetic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992924 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:22:00 +0100 4992924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953266&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F1VmdRVOZXyQ%2Flet-me-bounce-this-off-you.php I had an appointment with my endocrinologist this week. When I got there I posted what Karen described on Twitter as one of the best #waitingwithdiabetes pictures we’ve seen.   I tend to agree. How many of you have a piano in your doctor’s waiting room? Exactly!   Overall the appointment went well. My endocrinologist is a good fit for my needs. My A1c came back at about the same level as my last one and my blood pressure and weight are still good. I am waiting on the rest of the lab work that was ordered after my appointment (two vials and a cup as I described to Kerri ). The endo asked me if I was still doing the “blogging thing” and I told her about my upcoming trip to San Diego. She reminded me that the DexCom headquarters are there and suggested I should try to see... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953266 Sat, 18 Jun 2011 05:31:15 +0100 4953266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592621&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FRSFgc_pUMCA%2Fnever-say-never-again.php Even though it only lasted fifteen minutes, I felt today's endocrinologist appointment was much more productive and less rushed than the past couple times. (Hmm, has he been reading my blog posts? The ones where I considered switching to an internist for my diabetes care, hmm?)The bigger news, but shorter conversation surrounded the 6.1% that came back as my A1C level, up from 5.8%. While my endocrinologist did not insist I needed to go on medication, he gently steered me in that direction, which was a direction I knew I wanted to take if the upward trend I predicted materialized today. As much as I whined about metformin and the nasty gastrointestinal side effects it produced, I am giving it another chance at a lower dose. I will be working my way up to 500 mg twice a day over the ne... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592621 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:07:35 +0100 4592621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517309&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FnWCi4pBo4Dk%2Flowered-defenses.php Stress is doing a number on my body.I suspect that when I see my endocrinologist in a couple weeks, all those key numbers will come back to paint an ugly picture of what stress has been doing to my body. I already know the scale is going to return a number last seen six years ago the first time I saw my endo following diagnosis by my primary care provider. Based on what my meter averages tell me, I could be looking at my highest A1C level, which would be higher than at diagnosis. Based on what my body is telling me, I have a feeling my blood pressure will once again considered borderline high, something that plagued me in the years before I got healthy in spite of type 2 diabetes.The thing is, I recognize that stress is doing a number on my body, even if I do not have all the numbers to pr... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517309 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:51:33 +0100 4517309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460119&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FeD0yA6ygYoQ%2Fthe-most-awesome.php BackgroundThe endocrinologist prescribed diet, exercise, and blood glucose monitoring in our first meeting. Such a difference from what the primary care physician prescribed upon my type 2 diabetes diagnosis - metformin. The endocrinologist recognized the effort already made in reducing carbohydrates, exercising, and losing weight. The primary care physician told me I was losing weight because of high blood sugar and suggested a weight loss drug.Guess which one is still my doctor?“The most awesome thing I have done in spite of diabetes is . . . . “...doing things that I could have never dreamed possible before my type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Doing things that could have not been possible had I listened to that primary care physician who wanted to give me a prescription for metformin with n... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460119 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:53:07 +0100 4460119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175908&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FxgaY2aBB33o%2Fheaded-to-the-endo---win-a-prize.php This morning is my regular endocrinologist appointment. I think the diabetes online community (subconsciously?) books our appointments together because there are a bunch of us with appointments this week and last (according to official Twitter reports: at least Scott, Cherise, and George).This is my first appointment after getting my DexCom, and I printed some summary reports to show the doctor. I thought I'd use the information the Dex gives me to offer a little "guess my A1c" game. I will send a World Diabetes Day pin to the three people who guess the closest. Why three? Because I already gave the rest of my supply away! I don't normally like to share this type of information because I hate it when we compare ourselves to each other (YDMV), but I would think it would be hard to... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175908 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:12:23 +0100 4175908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994226&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FTjF1c6Y9HoM%2Fto-be-continued.php I should be thrilled with the A1c news I received. I should be thrilled about the latest blood pressure reading.   I should be thrilled that I can keep managing my type 2 diabetes and blood pressure through diet and exercise alone.  But I'm not.The twenty pounds added to my frame in the past year became the focus of the discussion at today's endocrinologist appointment.  It could be my thyroid out of whack once again or the mess of hormones stemming from two surgeries involving the female reproductive system in less than a year.  No wonder a blood draw occurred on a day when only a simple in-office finger-stick A1c was supposed to be pulled. Though it could very well be the anti-depressant I began taking last summer if all those labs come back normal. &nb... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994226 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:46:37 +0100 3994226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3903095&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F7lOCGOHFiEQ%2Fi-told-you-so-and-a-fun-new-project.php I had my quarterly endocrinologist appointment this morning. You know when you have those mornings when nothing goes right, this wasn't one of them! :)First of all, this is the entrance to the building where my doctor is located. It's pretty ridiculous! You have to check in before you can even get on the elevator.I arrived at the office with five minutes to spare. I checked in, snapped a picture for George (more on that later), and was called back to my room.The one downside of the whole morning was that the CDE (side note: the practice uses a CDE instead of a nurse to do all the info gathering before the endo comes in) used one of those one-size-does not fitfits-all lancets to get blood for my A1c test. I wasn't really paying attention, and she got me right in the middle of my index finge... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3903095 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:45:39 +0100 3903095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740767&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Ff8v_WcTzLjw%2F  I enjoyed my first visit with Dr. B and really enjoyed his office staff.  What I liked the most about Dr. B is, he did not try to tell me how to control my diabetes.  He asked, "So, you have diabetes?"  I let him know I did.  He said, "I see you are here because you need a referral to see an Endocrinologist?" I said, "Yes."  He said he doesn't deal with insulin pumps; I loved his honesty.  I wish a lot of other PCPs felt the same way. We decided it was best to send me to the lab for my A1C test, c-peptide, TSH and a few other things but I forgot.  He said he would put in a referral for me to see a Endocrinologist that he sends all of his patients to.  I asked if the End was diabetes techno savvy with good bed side manners.  He said ... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740767 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:32:00 +0100 3740767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666159&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FmxlMP26GD8k%2Fa1c-now.php "Unless you have concerns between now and then, I will see you in September.  We probably only need to do an in-office A1c test, so no lab slip today."Not exactly the words I wanted to hear from my endocrinologist back in March.  For the first time, I felt disappointed with the appointment, even though my recent A1c had been 5.8%.  I was facing my second surgery in under six months and felt out of control with eating and lack of exercise.  I shook those feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty off after a few days.  After all, I needed to be focused mentally on the challenge of healing from the second surgery.  While in the hospital, no blood glucose monitoring was done due to the recent A1c level being under 6.0%.  There wasn't much to do for me anyways, n... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666159 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:01:14 +0100 3666159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595831&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fz13SVrhmlsA%2Fcleveland-rocks.php I have a confession to make. I had not been to the endocrinologist in *cough* months. I actually don’t know how long it had been. I loved my old endocrinologist but she never came back from her maternity leave and I just could not connect with her replacement.Perhaps it was the fact that he entered my room the first time citing the ACCORD study before even opening my file. I was used to a relationship with my doctor where we could have a conversation about what I was reading or we could work together to try out new medications or technologies. After my last appointment with the frustrating endocrinologist, I called the office (it is an endocrine practice with a few doctors) and requested to switch. The nurse asked me why, and I am not sure if she was satisfied with my answer, but she said... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595831 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:30:46 +0100 3595831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487307&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fbalancing-pregnancy-with-diabetes-the-book-the-interview.html Cheryl Alkon, journalist and D-blogger at Managing the Sweetness Within (pictured right) has written the book that many a would-be-mom with diabetes has been waiting for: an ‘insider’s guide’ to having a baby with this illness. Titled Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-existing Diabetes, it covers the whole pregnancy experience, from the months before you begin trying [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487307 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:00:15 +0100 3487307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3454116&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fsneak-preview-extreme-diabetes-makeover-underway-at-tcoyd-now.html If you enjoy “The Biggest Loser” or other reality shows in that vein, and you have diabetes, you’re gonna love this!! Several years in the making, the TCOYD “Extreme Diabetes Makeover” program is underway now; episodes will start airing in May on TCOYD.org and its own TV channel, on YouTube, and at RealAge.com, the popular consumer [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3454116 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:01 +0100 3454116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416243&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2FXTiICQYptqE%2F I have been blessed to have been using a Dexcom cgms for close to 4 years now and have religiously had my Dex by my side. Amazingly I have not lost it in all that time and have found it to be a great tool in helping me manage my disease. My most recent A1C [...] (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416243 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:46:53 +0100 3416243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408581&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fgive-your-kidneys-some-love.html March is National Kidney Month (yes, they have a month for that organ! and even a World Kidney Day on March 11).  I realize the month is nearly over this year, but it’s never too late to show your kidneys some love — especially if you have diabetes, which possibly puts them at risk. I must admit, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408581 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:00:54 +0100 3408581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318612&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fyfd2Pw6L868%2Fgame-over.php I don't know what to be more surprised over - the A1c result I received yesterday or that my endocrinologist mailed the results in advance of my appointment in a couple weeks.  Last week, I decided to just go ahead and have my blood work done, no use delaying the inevitable news that some control had been lost.Only it hasn't.  5.8%, down from 6.0% in November.  I had to look at it several times, certain it was actually reading 6.8%.  It just goes to show how much is missed when I'm not testing my blood sugar, though.  I usually test anywhere from one to five times a day.  What is really happening in between those tests?  Perhaps things are going smoother than originally thought - or they could be rougher.  And what about the accuracy of test str... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318612 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:13:07 +0100 3318612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298532&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FI-kYU-QFUXM%2Ftransparency.php Raise your hand if you tend to be a "better" person with diabetes in the weeks before you know that an A1C blood draw will occur.   You know what I mean - you count carbs more, you test your blood sugar more, you exercise more.  It's not that you don't take care of yourself the rest of the time, it's just easier to be "better" when you know you're going to have a number presented that will subliminally judge your diabetes control.  Am I right?This time around, I decided to have the blood drawn today, three weeks in advance of my next endocrinologist appointment.  I was near a lab for my annual eye appointment* anyways, so I figured why not?  I know I've struggled to maintain the control I have had in the past, thanks to the prolonged recovery from surgery.  I ... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298532 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:41:42 +0100 3298532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262826&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsmall-but-mighty-who-is-jimmy-insulin.html Today, our series on the many small, ‘maverick’ organizations making an impact the diabetes world continues with Jimmy Insulin — the alias for a new diabetes mentoring program. Who the heck? you may ask.  My question exactly. To find out, I’ve been in touch with the man behind ‘Jimmy,’ Founder & Executive Director Jeremy Weisbach, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262826 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:41 +0100 3262826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193959&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FDjoqOUzFcBY%2Fbehind-the-numbers.php The numbers on the meter and the results of our A1C tests should not define what kind of person with diabetes we are.  It is not a judgment of our control, it is not necessarily linked to our future destinies.  We can go into each day, each month, each year with the best of intentions, with all the effort we can muster, with the motivation to stave off complications.  Sometimes we win.  Sometimes we struggle, but we still win when we do the best we can.Sometimes the numbers go beyond diabetes, as I know quite well from my recent experience with a large abdominal abscess.  If you follow one train of thought on treating type 2 diabetes, you may look at my most recent A1C of 6.0% and think that I could do better, that I must not be treating myself well enough, that my... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193959 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:26:40 +0100 3193959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146159&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwayback-wednesday-wisdoms-from-my-favorite-joslin-doc.html The following post, dating back to June 2005, was one of the first expert interviews I ever published here at the ‘Mine.  It was originally titled ‘Surprising Interview with a Joslin Researcher,’ although that title seems quite dated to me now, because the good doctor’s recommendations are so basic (yet still so relevant, and with [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146159 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:20:44 +0100 3146159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044953&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F3C4vVSnE8EE%2Fthe-averages-didnt-lie.php A1C6.0%.  Right in line with the averages I had on my meter before losing all the information due to a battery change.  Yes, I can improve.  Yes, I'm seeing my endocrinologist again in three months, then taking medication action if needed.  Yes, I'm a bit down and out.  I watched it all happen.  To be honest, I haven't been exercising.  I've been dealing with a non-diabetes health issue that has made it hard to jump on the elliptical for a full 30-minute workout or even make it through a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood.  I see a specialist on December 14 to address the health issue, so hopefully I'll be back into a regular workout routine sooner rather than later.  (This is why my endocrinologist is so awesome - he was more concerned abou... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044953 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:11:16 +0100 3044953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774847&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fhome-a1c-testing-vs-the-lab.html So it was time again for my A1C and other blood tests last week. Over-time, in fact.  You know how I hate going in to the lab when I have to be fasting for lipid tests and can’t even have a latte on the way over in the morning. Ugh! And who ever said diabetics [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774847 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:35 +0100 2774847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463216&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F06%2Finitial-tidbits-from-ada-2009.html It’s Sunday morning, and as predicted, my feet hurt already. Been so busy running around the halls of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center here in New Orleans, meeting D-folk and soaking up as much info as possible, that I haven’t had much time to post yet. Been twittering intermittently, though. Catch up my [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463216 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:18:45 +0100 2463216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2453047&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdiabetes-makeover-report-a-little-hand-holding-goes-a-long-way.html When Melanie Imhoff submitted her entry to the New Year, New You Diabetes Makeover Contest held here in January, she described herself as a “52-year-old type 2 diabetic that has been overweight for many years.” She was on an insulin pump, but wanted to reduce her required doses, and be healthier overall. As a grandmother, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2453047 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:00:13 +0100 2453047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2453049&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fnewsflash-bayer-releases-new-home-a1c-kit-medtronic-acquires-new-cgm-technology.html Once again, I’ve returned from the gym to discover major diabetes announcements in my inbox. Why do these things invariably hit the wire while I’m off spinning? Anyhoo, two pieces of big diabetes device news today: * Bayer today has announced release of the new and improved A1c Now SelfCheck home testing kit, the technology it acquired [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2453049 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:39:51 +0100 2453049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365342&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2FPwJ3lUqssDA%2F Whiskers on his horse…funny new P.S.A. about diabetics managing their A1C levels Just finished this one this a.m.    Its pretty funny stuff.  I hope ya like it.  Feel free to pass it around if you want to…..Thanks Bob If you cant make the link work, you can see it and others at      www.youtube/1diabetic (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365342 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:20:02 +0100 2365342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2210710&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F_7e-SLLh3AY%2Fthere-is-no-substitution.php Late last year, I received the good/bad news that my endo was going on maternity leave and was planning not to return to the practice. I wrote about it on the Diabetes Daily forum. Here's what I wrote: I just got a letter from my endo's office (not even mail merged - btw - how easy is that!!) stating that my endo would be leaving the practice on December 1st... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2210710 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:29:35 +0100 2210710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074365&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F500571575%2F2009-goals.php In 2009, I shall turn 33 years old in April.  In commemoration, I have three simple diabetes goals:Keep my A1C level below 6.0% and keep my lipid levels similar to the range they were when last tested in April 2008.... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074365 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:13:09 +0100 2074365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074838&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2Fp7gsdI2OEWs%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,630,377801,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() What are your goals for the New Year? If you’re like me, you HATE when people ask about that! LOL. I hate goal making, but I do like to continually improve on things. Rather than create some large hurdle to climb, I try to look at it a different (and more manageable) way. For example, rather than saying I want to “lose ten pounds” I say I want to work out five times a week for 30 minutes. In doing that, I probably am going to lose ten pounds because working out will inspire me to do other things, like eat healthier. Diabetics are especially hard on themselves when it comes to resolutions. They will often say they want their A1c be... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074838 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:11:30 +0100 2074838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848001&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F409335964%2Fwinding-down.php It's hard to believe (at least for me) that there is just about a month left until my due date.  Our baby girl is almost ready to make her debut and we couldn't be more excited.  Nervous, yes.  But I... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848001 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:47:45 +0100 1848001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1775606&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F387227789%2Fbacktonormal.php I'm back to being a member of the 5% Club.  I can hardly believe it, given that I've been limited on exercise and not taking my metformin on a regular basis due to nasty side effects.  Restricting carbohydrate intake to... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1775606 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:22:44 +0100 1775606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1773265&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F386325699%2Fwaitingforresults.php The way our endocrinologists work is different.  Yet with both of us, the wait for lab results is difficult.  Whether it is waiting after lab work before my endo appointment or waiting after lab work before the letter from his... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773265 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:45:57 +0100 1773265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423300&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fmandatory-registries-for-diabetes.html In 2005, I wrote about the blatant invasion of privacy of with patients with diabetes' health records happening in New York City. Yours truly represented (see p. 49) the interests of people with diabetes at the 2005 public hearing on what was then a proposed registry, and I have remained outspoken on this issue. But thanks to a complete lack of representation from the representatives at the American Diabetes Association, and the American Civil Liberties Union who were handling the case until internal turmoil at the ACLU New York chapter resulted in a resignation of the woman handling the case, there has been little challenge or even media attention about the issue. Even fellow New Yorkers, never a group that keeps their opinions to themselves, expressed an inexplicable non-interest in the ... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423300 Tue, 06 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100 1423300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1408289&cid=t_102390_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F29%2Fshaking-my-fist-at-diabetes%2F The point was driven home today that diabetes is a bigger threat to me right now than nineteen years of HIV/AIDS. I’ve heard it before and frankly, despite taking blood glucose-lowering medications, I just haven’t managed to get the crucial numbers under control.  Things went off the rails this time last year, with Craig’s accident and death, [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1408289 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:00:28 +0100 1408289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1263500&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F242434764%2F This study evaluated 307 patients with diabetes — 258 with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis and 49 who did not have kidney failure. The researchers compared the standard HbA1c test with a newer test (glycated albumin, or GA) that measures the amount of blood sugar that has reacted with albumin, a protein in the plasma. The GA test reflects blood sugar control over the previous three to four weeks. Blood samples were also analyzed to determine recent blood sugar levels. Among the 307 patients with diabetes, 258 in end-staged kidney disease on dialysis and 49 who did not have kidney failure, the researchers found that the HbA1c values were considerably lower in comparison to the GA test results. Scary indeed. The thought process on the marginal difference is that the red blod c... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1263500 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:43:37 +0100 1263500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1216534&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35216&url=http%3A%2F%2Forsaaetas.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fwhoa.html Long time. I've been working on another project and have been so busy with that, that I haven't gotten to post here at all!I put a site in my leg for the very first time tonight! If you haven't tried it, I have no complaints so far. I'm pretty much betting that I'll rip it out very very soon... but I'm hopeful.I had an endo appt recently and it went much better than my last few visits with her. She was pleasant and I didn't feel like a failure or disappointment. I'm even considering weight watchers like she suggests EVERY appointment! Does anyone have experience with the online program?!My A1C went down from 8 to 7.8 or was it 7.6... I think it was 7.6...7.8 was my guess before my appt. Anywho, the logs I showed her were HORRIBLE, but due to her illness my appt was bumped back two days, so... orsa aetas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1216534 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:59:00 +0100 1216534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1212105&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fmy-take-on-accord.html I've heard from quite a few people today asking me what I think of the news that the ACCORD study seems to have found a connection between lowering the A1c below 7% and having cardiac patients die more frequently. Deaths Partially Halt Diabetes StudyI'd like to see a more detailed report on the actual findings than what is currently appearing in the press,There is very little information here about what were the actual protocols used in this study. Follow up releases include claims supplied by the maker of Avandia that the study did not connect the excess deaths with the use of Avandia or "any drug."But the little I could find about how this study was designed suggests that it may be impossible to tease out what really caused the excess deaths, because the study participants were given not... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1212105 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:29:00 +0100 1212105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=935313&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fa1c-grrr.html I've been seeing the best blood sugars I've had in years these past few months. So I was really curious to find out what my latest A1c would be. My last one was in April and was 5.6%.The best A1c I'd had since starting insulin was 5.5%, but that was taken two weeks after the Christmas holiday period when I'd been eating what you'd expect me to be eating that time of year, so I figured that was why it was higher than the 5.2% I'd been expecting.But this time I'd been eating right for months and testing enough that I knew there were no hidden spikes going on. So I was looking forward to a pleasant surprise.Wrong. The A1c came in at 5.8%. The DCCT formula suggests that a 5.8% A1c results from running an average blood sugar of 129 mg/dl. No way! My fasting blood sugar has been a rock solid 92 ... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=935313 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:24:00 +0100 935313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=906123&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Feasd-why-ogtt-fails-to-predict-heart.html Diabetes in Control reported today on a study presented at EASD by Dr Esther van 't Riet which found that in normal people the A1c is predictive of non-fatal heart attack, but, both fasting bg and the 2 hour OGTT [Oral Glucose Tolerance Test] results are not.http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/results.php?storyarticle=5146Before you conclude that this study "proves" that post-meal spikes are not what cause heart attacks, it is worth considering how the OGTT works and why it does NOT mimic the way your body responds to high carb meals.The OGTT involves sucking down 70-75 grams of pure glucose and then testing blood sugar at various intervals to see what happens. It is a convention of medical research to use the OGTT value to diagnose "Impaired glucose tolerance" when the 2 hour result is over ... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=906123 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:00:00 +0100 906123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=882671&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwhy-monitoring-doesnt-reduce-high-a1cs.html This AP news releaseDiabetics Try New Round-The-Clock Sensortouting the success of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (GGMS) cited this statistic attributing it to Dr. Irl Hirsch of the University of Washington: Diabetics who do the worst job fighting their disease aren't going to put in extra effort to improve just because of a sensor, says Dr. Irl Hirsch of the University of Washington."We learned that lesson the hard way," says Hirsch, who presented research at a recent diabetes meeting suggesting the sensors instead will most benefit patients who can't lower their blood sugar to optimal levels — a score below 7 on a test called the A1C — despite following best-care guidelines.Hirsch finds the sensors help lower A1Cs between 7 and 8.5, but not those who start out higher.[emphasis... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=882671 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:15:00 +0100 882671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=875139&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35196&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabeticliving.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwatch-out-run-away-a1c.html Last six months has been crazy with my A1C swings.6 months ago, my lab result said A1C was 7.8. I was shocked. Promised myself that I would take better care of food and exercise.3 months ago the lab check said A1C was 6.4. I was beginning to relax.Then came a bunch of family and a lot of stress related to them and work.So last week I get by blood test, A1C numbers are now at 7.6This is very depressing. "Don't just take it. Fight your Type2 diabetes." - www.fighttype2.com (Source: Living with Diabetes) Living with Diabetes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=875139 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:10:00 +0100 875139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=858407&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwhy-a1c-average-doesnt-match-meter.html In this study the scientists measured the lifetimes of hemoglobin cells in normal people and diabetics and found that the cells of the diabetics turned over much faster--as little as 81 days, while normal people's could live up to 146days.They suggest that getting better control will cause the cells to livelonger. But when they live for a couple extra months, they will also continue to glycate--i.e. collect the bits of sugar that are measured in the A1c test. Cells that are living longer may collect after 5 months of life the same amount of glucose a person with poor control might collect in 3 months. That doesn't mean they have the average blood sugars as the person who developed that degree of glycation in the much shorter period.This data also suggests if you lower your blood sugars fro... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=858407 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:55:00 +0100 858407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811213&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Ftodays-nytimes-diabetes-report-misses.html Gina Kolata wrote a series of articles that appeared in today's New York Times. One of them, "Obesity only part of the puzzle" cites two findings that have been published on my web site for 3 years--that there's an 80% concordance among identical twins for Type 2 diabetes--strong evidence that it is genetic, and that only a very small fraction of the obese ever develop diabetes. Kolata says 10%. I written at least 5 letters to the Times over the years protesting their articles stating as a fact,"Obesity causes diabetes," so this was very good news. Unfortunately, the good news ended there. Instead of featuring the "Diabetes NOT caused by obesity" news, the paper chose to give most of its attention to another article by Kolata that reads like an advertisement for statin drugs. The article ... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811213 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:11:00 +0100 811213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825599&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F145383160%2F Have you heard of biofeedback? Biofeedback is a technique in which patients improve their health by using signals from their own bodies, ie. heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and sweating, Now have you heard of using biofeedback to help treat your diabetes? I am referring to mainly type 2 diabetics. There is research that shows after just 10 sessions of biofeedback and relaxation therapy, diabetics blood sugars and A1c were lowered and stayed that way for up to 3 months. And a bonus… depression and anxiety among these patients also decreased. Here would be my hunch why this type of treatment could be effective… The Stress Effect Biofeedback may decrease cortisol, a stress hormone linked to insulin resistance. Some of you may remember me writing abo... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825599 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:23:23 +0100 825599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=765738&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F30%2Fny-diabetes-database-raises-privacy-concerns%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Research, SupportThe New York City diabetes database, created to track the growth of (type 2) diabetes amongst the city's residents, has raised the ire of some who claim it violates their right to privacy. A reporter for the Staten Island Advance quotes resident Melissa: "Every time I go to have my blood sugar checked, my test results are being wired to the (city) Health Department. The idea of your privacy being taken away from you goes across all bounds." Melissa also says she doesn't think the city has justification to track patient records for something like diabetes, which is not contagious like, for example, tuberculosis.My first instinct on reading this: cry me a river, Melissa. Residents should be aware their blood sugar levels are being sent to the hea... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=765738 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 765738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=718087&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fwhy-type-2s-have-3-times-more.html A very interesting study presented at the recent ADA Scientific Sessions, which did not get picked up by the media, found that Type 2s have three times as much neuropathy as Type 1s.http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/results.php?storyarticle=4928From the Diabetes in Control report: "Factors associated with higher diabetic neuropathy in a multivariate analysis were male gender (P=0.02), increasing age (P (Source: Diabetes Update) Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=718087 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:04:00 +0100 718087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=696854&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F26%2FDiabetes-control-has-improved-dramatically-in-U.S.%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, ExerciseMy dad keeps track of his daily blood sugars and corresponding insulin usage on a spreadsheet. When he visits his doctor, he brings it along -- a self-generated report card of his blood glucose control. He has always been organized, down to the tools in the garage. In 2001, only one-third of Americans with diabetes had their disease well-controlled. This was based on lab tests of 4 million type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Poor control silently damages blood vessels, which results in a host of problems such as limb loss, blindness and heart disease. But diabetes management is improving. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated analyzed 22.7 million hemoglobin A1C lab tests of diabetics between 2001 and 2006. The A1C reveals whether a... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=696854 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 696854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676325&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fe-medical-records-dont-guarantee.html If you listen to the software industry or some politicians (including my own Senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton), the implementation of electronic medical records will remove vast amounts of waste that now sits on paper charts that are in many family doctors' filing cabinets nationwide. The claim is that those making these records electronic will miraculously enable any doctor, anywhere nationwide, to have access to a patient's full records, thus reducing errors. But the reality isn't quite as rosy as proponents would have you believe. For one thing, pushing doctors to adopt computerized medical records does nothing to guarantee this information will actually be used in treating patients, although it does eliminate medical billing and coding that adds to the time necessary to pay a claim. But... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676325 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:21:00 +0100 676325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=654450&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F02%2Funderstanding-glycemic-goals-empowers-type-2-diabetics%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, BooksThe best part of blogging for The Diabetes Blog is the steep learning curve you embark upon as you research media outlets with an eye on diabetes. I've grown up as a sister and daughter of two brothers and a mom and dad with type 1 diabetes, but the challenges type 2 diabetics face are entirely foreign. Alarmingly, recent surveys reveal about 60% of type 2 diabetics are not reaching glycemic goals. A new book, Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: Five Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life, offers type 2 diabetics tools to better manage their health. Authors Richard A. Jackson, MD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School and Amy L. Tenderich, MA, diabetes blogger, journalist and author, hope the book can guid... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=654450 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 654450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644731&cid=t_102390_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F5%2F27%2Fsage-a-needle-free-fast-free-diabetes-screening-test.html Given the drawbacks of the current commonly used diabetes screening methodology – fasting blood glucose – and the fact that more than 20 million people are thought to have undiagnosed diabetes in the US alone, an easier and more convenient screening test would be a very welcome addition to the diabetes testing armamentarium. Fasting Plasma Glucose The limitations of using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as a screening test for diabetes include the following factors:You have to fast overnight before having the test – that means you have to get yourself to a clinic or laboratory in the morning before going to work. Hmmm. Not such an easy thing to do when you have to get the kids to school and yourself to work. So, if you are like me you keep putting it off and putting it ... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=644731 Sun, 27 May 2007 23:19:17 +0100 644731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620298&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fmisunderstanding-ukpds-7-is-not-good.html The ADA board is full of people with A1c test results over 7% whose doctors tell them they are doing fine. They aren't. The doctors who tell them this are as irresponsible as if they told them not to worry about a "touch of cancer."My guess is that uneducated doctors think an A1c near 7% is "fine" because they've only read the one line summary of the findings of the UKPDS. That "25 words or less" version is that people with Type 2 Diabetes who attained A1cs of 7% reduced the incidence of complications.What this summary statement ignores, is that UKPDS also showed that, while the rate of complications in the population with A1cs of 7% was better than that in the population with A1cs of 9%, people with those 7% A1cs still developed microvascular complications at a very significant rate, an... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620298 Thu, 17 May 2007 13:45:00 +0100 620298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=586129&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35161&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarainwestpalm.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Frandom-diabetes-related-update.html If you are looking for a non-diabetes related post - may I recommend this one (serious) or perhaps this one (funny - I hope). I really thought the first one would inspire more comments than it did - I guess we just aren't as fired up about that as we used to be.I recently finished reading Cheating Destiny by James Hirsch. It is part autobiography, part diabetes history, part social exposition, part call to action. I LOVED it. I actually recently participated in a chat with him that I found out about here. I actually finished the book the day before the chat so it was great timing. He seemed very nice and I highly recommend his book to anyone who wants to know more about diabetes. I guess you could buy it on Amazon - I did :).It is well documented that I am a perfectionist. I have recently ... Sara in West Palm blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=586129 Wed, 02 May 2007 00:44:00 +0100 586129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=545825&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F16%2Fcustomer-for-life-but-only-what-they-want-to-sell%2F This study was published around the time when all of the synthetic human insulins were sweeping the Nation. I tried calling my local CVS Pharmacy on Saturday morning to see if I could get some purified porcine insulin. No such luck. Go figure. The big guys were successful at convincing the medical community and patients that no other insulin is better. Correction - no other insulin is cheaper to manufacture and that means it is better for them. And the importance of C-peptide was overlooked entirely - or was it? C-peptide prevents the complications associated with injecting insulin - but that sounds like another marketable drug. After all - synthetic human insulin doesn't have C-peptide. REAL HUMAN INSULIN does (the way it comes out of the beta cells, in natural form, it does)!!! And as lo... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=545825 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 545825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=516398&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F02%2Fpig-islets-10-years-and-counting%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Research, Events, SupportIn 1996 a 41 year old male (a type 1 diabetic for 18 years) was injected with biocapsules containing pig islets to regulate his blood sugar level. The transplanted cells helped reduce the patient's insulin requirement by 34% for over a year, which provided better control. By 2005 the patient's glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) remained lower than the pre-transplant levels. Ten years later, the patent contacted Living Cell Technologies to inform them that he believed the transplanted pig islets were still alive and well. After tests were conducted, it was concluded that the pig cells were (as he reported) still functioning. This proved that the LCT patented technology for xenotransplantation was effective. It allows the is... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=516398 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 516398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=509318&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F29%2Faccidental-diabetes-drug%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, ResearchMuch like a roadblock, but with a fortuitous outcome -- an experimental heart drug didn't achieve the primary goal of a late-stage trial but it did dramatically reduce the risk patients would develop diabetes. The anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory drug, the first of its kind, reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 64% and demonstrated a small but statistically significant reduction in blood sugar after 12 months. The study included data from 6,144-patients. The company believes this finding to be a serendipitous outcome, despite the initial shortcomings of the trial objective. They need to confirm it in a large clinical trial. The impressive diabetes results may come as a surprise to investors who have abandoned AtheroGenics or who have b... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=509318 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 509318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=509317&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F29%2Fmy-friend-jeff-the-trucker%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Research, Opinion, ServicesAbout a year ago, I met a guy named Jeff Mather. Well, we never met, personally. But we spoke many times over the phone about diabetes and how it has affected our paths in life. Jeff had lost his job, the one he had for over 10 years. The job he wanted to have since he was a little kid. According to Federal Safety Guidelines, if a trucker takes insulin - they are no longer safe to drive across state lines. Jeff wrote letters every day. He posted to online forums. He contacted politicians and pleaded to every diabetic organization in existence to get him back on the road. And sure enough - his perseverance paid off. He took his predicament all the way from Washington D.C to National Public Radio. The story on NPR includ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=509317 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 509317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478748&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F09%2Fcaveman-therapy-session-and-diabetes-care%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Research, Services, SupportI love the Geico commercial with the Caveman-- the one where he's in the therapist's office and his phone rings . He says, "My mother's calling. I'll put it on speaker." According to a recent study published in the medical journal Diabetes Care, researchers have found that family communication and problem-solving skills are important for helping young people with type 1 diabetes to manage the condition. Specially tailored family therapy can help teens with type 1 diabetes keep their blood sugar levels under control. A family-based behavioral therapy program was specifically tailored to address diabetes-related family issues. The program consisted of 12 sessions offered over six months, and included training in "behaviora... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478748 Fri, 09 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 478748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478754&cid=t_102390_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F07%2Fanalyze-this-for-better-blood-sugar-control%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research, ProductsRemember that movie with Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro, Analyze This? Well we all don't have super-risky mobster lifestyles to induce depression like Paul Vitti's, but according to a new study of depressed type 2 diabetics -- depression has a negative impact on blood sugar control. Researchers treated 93 patients with type 2 diabetes and depression with the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin). They chose the drug because it is capable of reducing depression and weight simultaneously. The hypothesis behind the treatment was mood enhancement and weight reduction would, in fact, improve blood sugar control. (Always a gold star day in my book!) The results were documented in the March issue of Diabete... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478754 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 478754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=491078&cid=t_102390_134_f&fid=35161&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarainwestpalm.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fupdate-on-run.html I am headed off to the gym but wanted to get off a quick update before I go.I went to the endocrinologist today. Got my lab work back - everything looks good and my A1C was 6.8. I think it is pretty good but I am a perfectionist so I would like to be in the lower 6's.I showed her my logbook from Kevin and she was very impressed with the layout.I have been having a lot of early morning lows, and while I usually adjust my basals myself I thought that since I had an appointment coming up I would talk to her about it. I figured we would lower my dawn phenomenon basal rate, but she lowered my 3 PM - 3 AM rate (I exercise in the evening) instead. I will give her idea a shot but I think that I will be lowering my dawn rate in a week or so as well.After reading Bernard's blog I also asked her abou... Sara in West Palm blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=491078 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:38:00 +0100 491078