Adults - Recent Threads

New Doc

sportsfan — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:50:33 GMT

College athlete looking to transition from pediatric to adult endocrinologist.

Need Dr. that works with athletes and sports oriented. DC/NOVA/MD area.

T1D Thesis Research

Jessica — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:47:05 GMT

Hello T1D Community,

My name is Jessica Smith and I am a former JDRF employee, from the Northern California Inland Chapter, as well as a T1D myself. I am currently a graduate student at DePaul University’s School of Public Service finishing my Master in Nonprofit Management degree. For my thesis project, I am examining the support network of teenagers living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the effect this support has on their health management.

This survey is intended for adults, 18 years and older, who have been living with T1D since childhood; you will be asked to reflect back on the support you received, and how you managed your diabetes during your teenage years, ages 12-17.

In this study, you will be asked to complete an electronic survey. In order to ensure that all information will remain confidential, please do not include your name. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you are free to withdraw your participation at any time. If you choose to participate in this project, please answer all questions as honestly as possible. The following questionnaire should take no more than 10minutes to complete. There is no compensation for responding, nor is there any known risk.

Thank you for taking the time to assist me in my educational endeavors. The data collected will provide useful information regarding teenagers living with T1D. Completion of the survey will indicate your willingness to participate in this study. If you require additional information or have questions, please contact me at the information listed below.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Jessica A. Smith

Master in Nonprofit Management Candidate 2013, DePaul University

T1Dcapstone@gmail.com

To complete the survey please click the link below:

depaul.qualtrics.com/SE

Newly Diagnosed Adults

Gina — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:12:19 GMT

JDRF is proud to announce the launch of a new resource for newly-diagnosed adults living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Adult Type 1 Pak (shown in this photo) will include important resources and information to educate, support, and inspire adults, age 16 and above. In collaboration with JDRF's generous Industry Partners - Diabetes Care by Bayer,Medtronic Diabetes, and Novo Nordisk - the Adult Type 1 Pak is now available through local JDRF Chapters, and is free of charge. Read more about the Adult Type 1 Pak and learn how you can get one here: http://jdrf.org/press-releases/jdrf-announces-new-outreach-kit-to-support-adults-newly-diagnosed-with-type-1-diabetes/

Which Pump to Choose?

Erin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:49:00 GMT

Hi guys, my MiniMed Paradigm 515 just completely gave up on me and stopped working (was super glitchy) and it turns out that it was no longer under warrenty. I am shopping for a new pump and need some advice.

I was pretty satisfied with MM and have been using their pumps since I started insulin pump therapy. I do have some complaints, though. I think I went through 3 paradigm 515 pumps because of malfunctions which is a bit worrysome. However, they did replace those pumps no questions asked within 24 hours of contacting them. My other complaint is that when the most recent issue arose, they asked me if I would like to send the pump to them to be analyzed. Of course I said yes! After about 2 weeks I e-mailed the rep asking when I would be getting my pump back (afterall, I paid for it with assistance from the gov't - thank you Ontario, Canada!) and they told me that I would NOT be getting it back and I would never find out what went wrong with it. I guess at the end of the day I don't really need my malfunctioning pump back but the fact that they had me send it back without notifying me that it wouldn't be given back doesn't sit well with me.

That aside, I am kind of leaning towards the new Paradigm Veo mostly out of familiarity with MM pumps but I do want advice from other pump users. I use approx. 55 units of insulin per day so that might be something to consider. I am curious to hear about the Animas and the Omnipod so any advice (pros and cons) for those would be great. I do like that a CGM comes with the Veo, however I do not have insurace that will cover the cost of the supplies. I do get assistance from the government which just barely covers the cost of infusion sets and reservoirs so there is no wiggle room to add another form of supplies. Keeping that in mind, I would like to know if Veo users are content with the pump.

Any help and advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I am currently using a loaner pump from Medtronic and need to make a decision soon.

Thanks!
- Erin

Anyone have any experience with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1?

Nikki — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:07:48 GMT

I just got blood work results and found out I tested positive for the Rheumatiod marker. I have been having issues with my right hand, foot and as of two nights ago my right elbow too. I have to speak with my endo to see what Rheumy he suggests and see where I go from here. Pretty nervous!

Newly Diagnosed

KristinaH714 — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:23:59 GMT

Hi guys!

I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last month when I went into DKA. I should have known better since I am a Physician Assistant student graduating soon and I had all the signs, but I just told myself I was being paranoid, but that's besides the point! I am currently trying to figure out a good carb to insulin ratio but am going low all the time! I am very active all day since I am doing my clinical year, and I am trying to pursue a career as a surgery PA, so I am looking for any advice on how to tweak my ratio and prevent lows. Also, does everyone else have it where they have to eat every 3 hours, is this normal? Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Kristina

How to get on track and stay on track.

Josh — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:01:46 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to get back on track with my diabetes care. I have been slacking in caring for myself due to multiple things. Between work, family, and just being plain old lazy on my part, I have fallen way off of the wagon for lack of better terms. I am looking for some ways that you guys use to help you stay on track. I have a minimed pump with a CGM. I try and use the CGM as much as possible, however I keep telling myself I will put in the sensor in the morning when it is the better time for me, I usually end up not putting it in due to a lack of time in the morning or other reasons. It comes down to the same thing with checking my blood sugar. Some of the things that stop me from checking it are I know it is going to be high probably to start off, so it is almost as if I put my head in the sand and just kind of ignore it. Anyways, if you guys could throw me some ideas as to what has worked for you to keep/get back on track that would be greatly welcomed.

Workplace Discrimination??

theresamd — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:30:38 GMT

I could write a book!

What is unique about my story is that I have been part of the management team in these corporations.

I always disclose because my Type 1 Diabetes is in the 2% of difficult to control. Extremely brittle (I know people don"t like that word). I made my request for reasonable accommodation up front: flexible scheduling for dr appt, meds, snacks, meals, and hypoglycemia. This was a condition of my accepting employment.

Before switching to an Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor 4 years ago, I was on Intensive Insulin Therapy with 8 insulin injections per day.

In the 80's I heard, "Gosh, can't you just eat more in the morning?" This was my boss expressing her frustration that I needed to eat lunch 5 hours after arriving at work. She used to tell me to take over the cash register and tell people to watch me as I slipped into an insulin reaction and began to shake and sweat and lose the ability to count the money. Then she would laugh and say, OK go ahead. Take your lunch break.

In the 90's there was a VP who told me that I made people uncomfortable when I would say, "I need to eat," then pace back and forth during an insulin reaction. This same person also said, " You are a Worker's Comp Case waiting to happen." and "We feel that your Diabetes is a weakness."

In 2009 a Human Resources Manager said," OK so you are saying that your blood sugar is low and you can't drive an hour to the office with it at 35, but we are having trouble understanding why you can't work from home by logging on to our system remotely, monitoring sales, preparing reports, and participating in conference calls during that time."

That was my last full time job in corporate America. I am now on SSDI

I fully realize that I had legal avenues to help me, but as part of the management teams of all of those companies, I was fully aware of how they really felt about anyone needing an accommodation. It wasn't worth the additional headache to pursue them.

Stopping T1 diabetes with an old vaccine?

Scott — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:59:23 GMT

I got this from Web MD - my endo says we do not use this vaccine in America, but it is being studied.

Information and Resources

Can TB Vaccine Stop Type 1 Diabetes?

New Study Suggests Old Vaccine Can Treat Long-standing Diabetes

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Aug. 8, 2012 -- Can an 80-year-old TB vaccine cure diabetes?

Maybe. A small clinical study found "proof of principle" that the BCGtuberculosis vaccine might help adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes.

Over a decade ago, Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School showed that the BCG vaccine worked in diabetic mice. By stimulating positive immune responses, the vaccine stopped the haywire immune responses that cause diabetes. Once this happened, the animals' insulin-making cells regenerated.

Other researchers duplicated the mouse studies. This led to "a lot of happy mice," Faustman says. But translating the findings to humans hasn't been easy. For starters, it required learning a lot more about the immune system and a lot more about type 1 diabetes.

It didn't look promising. A 1999 study found no effect of BCG vaccination in kids newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

"When we started, there wasn't too much enthusiasm about trying to reverse diabetes in people 15 to 20 years out with this disease," Faustman tells WebMD.

She persisted.

"Surprisingly, our data was so good we got a signoff on doing a safety trial from the FDA," she says. "Even more surprising was that in this safety study, at a very low dose and after only two BCG vaccinations, we started seeing indications that this vaccine is doing the same thing in people as it does in the mouse."

Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Type 1 Diabetes

Hopeful Signs but No Lasting Effect

In the study, six insulin-dependent adults with type 1 diabetes received either two doses of BCG or two fake vaccinations. The two groups were compared to one another, to 57 diabetes patients, and to 16 people without diabetes.

In the three patients who received the vaccine:

"Bad" anti-insulin T cells began dying off.
New "good" regulatory T cells increased.
There were signs of new, albeit temporary, insulin production from pancreatic beta cells.
The vaccine was safe.

The same things happened in one of the patients who received a placebo. This, Faustman says, is because the patient happened to come down with mononucleosis, a viral infection that triggered the same immune responses as the BCG vaccine.

"We did not kill all the bad T cells, but we killed a lot, and we also saw transient resurrection of C peptide [a sign of improved beta cell function]," Faustman says. "So now we will try to move forward with a phase-two study to figure out the right dose and the right frequency for benefit."

If the treatment works, patients likely would have to receive repeated BCG vaccinations -- probably for life. But Faustman says the vaccine's long history shows this would be safe.

Can BCG Work Where Other Immune Therapies Failed?

A lot more evidence will be needed before Faustman convinces most diabetes experts that she's on the right track. One skeptic is Steven Wittlin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the diabetes service at the University of Rochester, N.Y.

"We are always hoping for an immune cure for diabetes," Wittlin tells WebMD. "But so far all the immune studies that looked promising in early human studies have failed in large-scale trials."

Wittlin notes that previous efforts to treat or prevent type 1 diabetes with BCG vaccine have failed.

"But the devil may be in the details" of how Faustman's team is using the vaccine, he suggests.

Faustman hopes so, too. If this approach works in people with diabetes, she says, it may also work for people with other autoimmune diseases. Such diseases include Crohn's disease, lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.

Faustman and colleagues are recruiting type 1 diabetes patients for a phase II clinical trial of the BCG vaccine; the study will not start until funding becomes available. So far, she's raised $11 million of the estimated $25.2 million cost.

The Faustman study appears in the Aug. 8 online issue of PLoS One.

Workplace discrimination??

xxseggyxx — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:19:12 GMT

I recently started a new job and before starting I was told to find myself an independent health insurance plan (with any and all coverage that I need) and that they would reimburse me 70% of the cost. I have never before had to apply for independent insurance (I have always been on corporate policies), so I did not realize what a hassle it would be. I was denied for all plans, and my only option was to take part in COBRA from my previous employer. (I confirmed that my new employer would allow me to be on COBRA before starting my new position). When I started working, they freaked out at the high cost of the COBRA plan ($630.82/ month), and immediately started shopping for a different plan for me. The picked a horrible high deductible plan that they made me apply for, but I was of course denied (thank goodness). Now that they realize that COBRA truly is my only option, they are telling me that they will not be paying me 70%, but only a maximum of $300 per month. I pointed out that I was told 70% when offered the job, and their argument is that at the time they did not know that I was diabetic or that my insurance would be so high. I don't see what that has to do with anything. Don't they have to offer the same percentage to me, as all other employees? They also claimed that they did not know the amount before I started working, which I do not believe is true because that information was requested, and I gave it to the recruiter with all of the other paperwork I had to fill that they received. And again, they told me to pick any plan that I need, and did not put a price cap on it. If I had another option I would have picked it, just to bring down my 30% cost! And in the state of CT there is a pre-existing health insurance, but you have to be without any health insurance for 6 months before you are eligible, so that won't work either. I would not have taken the job if I had known they would be covering less than 50%, I cannot afford $330 per month for healthcare, plus all co-pays. Is this discrimination? Can they do this? Are there laws protecting diabetics from situations like these? What do I do?? Please help.. I am so worried that I just screwed myself by leaving a job with an affordable, good-coverage, corporate health plan to come here now that their stories about what they will pay for are changing...

High Blood Glucose No Matter WHAT I Do!!!!!

Emily Petit — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:46:40 GMT

Hi guys,

My blood sugar has been high ALL DAY for the last several days! What am I supposed to do? I increased Lantus by two units and changed my carb ratios. :( I haven't gained any weight, cannot be pregnant, am not on my period, and get regular exercise. Someone please help me! What can I do to not be so high all the time? I had an appointment the other day and all the blood work was perfectly normal. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLOGS! :)

Ashley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:44:33 GMT

Hey there. My name is Ashley. I have been Type 1 Diabetic for 4 years now. I have a blog that normally revolves around diabetic topics and I would love if you would read some of my posts and give me some feedback. Also, I am asking for suggestions for topics! What do you want to hear about?! :) Please leave comments.

Here is the link to the blog: www.iamjuvenated.blogspot.com

Diabetes and Obama Care

Nikki — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:12:23 GMT

Has anyone looked into the affects Obama Care will have on those of us living with Diabetes? Will we be covered for disability insurance now seeing that this new health care is supposed to help out people with pre-existing conditions? Will it affect those of us that are already insured through work when we need to see our Endo? Will we be told who we can see and how often? Will we be told what prescriptions we can have and how much? I have tried looking up information but can't find much specific to our (diabetics) situation. I'm just trying to get some info to either confirm or clear up my fears.

Thank you,

Denied Health Insurance in CT.. Help?

xxseggyxx — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:36:21 GMT

I live/work in CT and have been Type 1 Diabetic for 9 years. I just recently got a new job that I will be starting next week. This company does not have a company health insurance plan, but they will reimburse employees for 70% of the individual plan that they chose. This is the first time that I have had to find my own insurance, rather than being on a company policy. I was shocked to find that I was automatically denied by every company that I contacted, because of my Type 1 Diabetes. I tried Cigna, Anthem, Connecticare, Aetna... What can I do? Apparently Obamacare's law that insurance companies cannot deny someone based on a pre-existing condition does not go into effect for adults until January of 2014. This is so disappointing.. I saw that there is a pre-existing condition insurance, but you are not even eligible to apply for it until you have been without insurance for at least 6 months. Any suggestions? What do the rest of you from CT do for insurance? Thanks so much for the help!

Just a post ;)

brad68der1 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:28:17 GMT

hello all. Last week I was at my eye doctor. He said all is well. Keep it up. Teusday I was at my endo. Current A1c,, 5.8! I'm so happy and proud that I have finally found a way to stay consistant. Pumping insulin is the way to go, should have been doing this years ago.

Just wanted to let ya'all know I'm doing what I need to do to stay healthy. :)

Have a great weekend!

Daylight Savings Time and Injections

Jeff — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:12:18 GMT

Ok since today is the day we change back to Standard Time, we lose an hour and adjust our insulin schedules accordingly. In four months we change those schedules again and back to DST. How do you manage this change? What prompts do you use to ease into, or jump into the time difference? An hour is longer than I care to let slide on my long acting insulin, and I use alarms on my cell to remind me when I am due for an injection. So this twice a year change for me is really unhelpful at best, and very annoying each time it pops its ugly head up. Thoughts ?

Medtronic users?

brad68der1 — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 15:09:08 GMT

Hello, My name is Brad, Been using a Medtronic paradigm revel pump with a CGM now for almost 2 years. Seems like there arent many folks on here that use Medtronic pumps. Am I missing something? Why Animas? And how is your control with Animas? Medtronic was recomended by my endo and I was been very happy with it. I was just wondering why there seems to be fewer users of Medtronic than there are Animas. Any input would be great.

Thanks,

Brad

Type 1 mom wondering which formula to give my 3 month old baby -

since7 — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:52:56 GMT

I'm a type 1 diabetic of a 3 month old baby boy. I've been nursing, which I know is best, however, am going to have to start supplementing with formula soon. My problem is I'm not sure what formula to use. I've heard that giving "cows milk" based formula to infants, can actually make them more susceptible to developing diabetes in their lifetime. Because of this I used soy based formula for my first, but now looking back I'm not sure if that was the right choice either. Does anyone have any information/thoughts/experience on whats best to use. Should I get the formulas that they use for babies that have milk allergies, soy, or, just don't worry about it!

Insulin and Medicare

Jeff — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:25:57 GMT

Being this time of year, I fall into the donut hole for coverage. I use Humana Walmart for additional insurance coverage and I had something happen I need to get off my mind. I called the Walmart pharmacy and asked what the costs were for my next prescription was going to be, I find it impossible to cover 300 dollars insulin costs a month at one time. I like to live indoors and have electricity at the same time. Anyway, I spoke to the pharmacy about getting one bottle at a time, that is how I have to survive with the fixed income I have. He said ' I am sorry there is an issue with the Lantus bottles and we had to send them all back, we have none' , I thought that was strange and began to search what might have happened, but I have not been able to find any recalls or issues. I had to have my prescriptions transferred to another pharmacy so I could get my insulin, this is something I just cannot stop taking until the next time I can find it. So they sent it to another store (not Walmart) and I got the insulin I needed. What happened to me was biased and from what I can tell, almost illegal for them to deny filling this in less than one month supplies. Anyone have any ideas what I could do about this ? I know I cannot be the only one in this situation, and there has to be recourse to help others not have this happen to. Thanks!

Go off meds

Carl — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:22:05 GMT

Anyone else been able to go off all there meds and maintain good sugars? I have lost about 30 lbs over the last 18 months, eat well and excercise and barely take any insuline (15unitls 1 time a day of Lantis). I was diognosed as type 1, but am thinking maybe I was type 2?

Looking for a good walk theme!

since7 — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:55:28 GMT

We're looking at theme ideas for our walk. Any suggestions!

Anyone NOT have an endocrinologist?

Elie — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 02:40:53 GMT

I'm wondering if anyone gets precriptions through his/her PCP. I'm trying to save time and money. I also don't really see the point of seeing an endocrinologist. I pretty much just go for insulin and supplies.

Insomnia anyone?

kesoconally — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:40:07 GMT

I have had Type 1 for nearly 28 years (I am 30), and I've always had trouble sleeping!

I am doing a study to see if I'm the only one...and I am offering a cash prize draw for people who complete my questionnaire.

Three chances to win, £50, £25, and £25 (if you're in the USA, that's about $75, $37.50, and $37.50!)

So whaddoya say? Help this girl get her MSc and help lots of people with Type 1 get better sleep at the same time!

And maybe win some money while you're at it!

Here is the link:

http://uwehls.qualtrics.com/ SE/?SID=SV_efBedEYI7lMjAk4

If you have any questions, please email me: kestrel2.oconally@live.uwe.ac.uk

University of the West of England, Bristol

Eating at Disney World???

Amber — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:45:48 GMT

I'm going to Disney World in Florida next month. This will be my first trip to Disney with Type 1. Does anyone have any dining tips for eating healthy without breaking the bank?

Just diagnosed

Naomisage — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:04:46 GMT

Hello, I was just diagnosed with T1D a few months ago (I'm 36) after having "gestational diabetes" during my second pregnancy. I had follow-up A1c testing and at first they thought I had T2 so told me to lose weight (I lost 20lbs and am now normal weight), exercise more (I was already running 5 days a week and doing pilates 3 days) and eat fewer carbs (I was already limiting meals to 2-3 servings). This resulted in my A1c going from 6.2 to 6.8. Luckily my son was in a screening research study for T1D and has the genetic marker for it, so I told the endocrinologist to test for GAD antibodies. Turns out it was T1D afterall. At least it makes more sense now. I think I have adjusted to the diagnosis pretty well (I'm a psychologist afterall!), but the logistics of 4 injections a day and not being allowed to eat between meals has been hard. i have two young boys (ages 1 & 3), work full time and have a busy social life. I am currently trying to figure out how much insulin I need without going too low (lowest so far was a 47...) and trying not to test a million times a day to figure it all out. I would love to hear from other parents with T1D or other people who were diagnosed as adults and what worked for them. Any advice would be appreciated! And ladies...any leads on cool looking purses/bags for the diabetes supplies?

Naomi