For the diabetics

[bruce]

I wasn't happy with the blood sugar tester I had, after doing some shopping around found Accu-Chek.

The neatest part is that it carries it's own test strips in a canister, and *auto* dipenses them, and holds them in a way that makes getting the blood sample onto the strip, really easy. While if you don't have the shakes, it's no big deal, but on a bad hair day, it's a million times easier then dealing with the AL foil covered test strips. Also only takes 5 sec to complete the test. And you can use sites other then you finger tips.

Also, if you've not heard about them, there are diabetic socks that make walking around alot easier. They're extremely bulky and make for additional cushioning.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

thanks for the tip bruce.
my dad was just diagnosed with diabetes this week, and i will pass the word on to him about the Accu-Chek .

how long have you had diabetes?

BW

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by Quick6'n'-K.C.
thanks for the tip bruce.
my dad was just diagnosed with diabetes this week, and i will pass the word on to him about the Accu-Chek .
how long have you had diabetes?

It's been about 3 years, but it was probably masked with other problems for longer then that. It wasn't until an eye exam that they caught it.

Might pass it along also about the feet being really important to watch, it really makes a difference in having comfortable shoes, being sure they're *bindfree*.

 

[KevinBroadwater]

I use the One Touch Ultra.I've had this stuff for 25 years and im only 30.I did lose my right eye over this.What ever you do LISTEN to the DOCTERS they do know some things.Thanks

 

[Intercooler]

It's a bad one. Untreated it can do some damage! I always thought I may have it but according to my tests every year they say not. One of these days I am going to get the real test to see. Is this one you are born with or is in your genes or is it from diet?

 

[KevinBroadwater]

It has nothing to do with want you eat. It is heritary and I have it on both sides. It skips generations, but I am the only one out of my cousins who have it, yet. But it is worse on my dad's side.

 

[S2V6RACER]

Originally posted by KevinBroadwater
It has nothing to do with want you eat. It is heritary and I have it on both sides. It skips generations, but I am the only one out of my cousins who have it, yet. But it is worse on my dad's side.

Well, NO family member has it on my side that is still alive and my wife's side of the family either. My daughter was diagnosed the day after Thansgiving at the age of 7. Folks, this is a disgusting disease and pay attention to the signs. Frequent urination, thirst and weight loss. If you have urine strips and glucose is present. Bingo. Simple test that would have shown us before she lost a lot of weight. EVERYBODY is a candidate for diabetes. It is good to see all the breakthroughs and I really think she will see a cure in her lifetime. Ever wish it was you? I would have taken it in a minuit to save her.

We/she uses the accucheck. Works pretty well, and is accurate. She has been given a lot of other equipment for testing, but we have just stuck to what she is comfortable with since it is her body.

Type #1 is loss of eyelet cells in your pancreas. You just stop making insulin. Most cases you start having sugar problems and are diagnosed, then your body starts producing insulin again, referred to the "honeymoon" period, and often no insulin injections are needed. Your immune system destroys your eylet cells untill you have none, so you need to constantly monitor your sugar untill you have no anitbodies in your blood then you know there is no activity in your immune system. They are working on eylet transplants, which have been successful in most cases to date. Type #2 is unsulin resistance, which insulin is needed for your cells to accept sugar and can be a little more of a challenge to maintain your sugar levels.

 

[bruce]

Heredity might make you more prone to develope it, or how much it effects you, but there our outside influences. Some medications can even trigger it.

If in doubt get tested. Any signs of foot problems, or eye prescriptions changing more then they used to, or rather sudden lose of night vision, are two of the ones that lead them to actually check me. Like I said it wasn't until an eye exam that they actually caught what was going on, with me.

 

[OneQuikV6]

Originally posted by Ted A.

Type #2 is unsulin resistance, which insulin is needed for your cells to accept sugar and can be a little more of a challenge to maintain your sugar levels.

Just a small correction here. In Type 2, insulin is not always required. Many of the oral agents work fine in increasing the bodies ability to use the insulin is has. Of course it is sometimes supplimented with insulin, but not always. Just depends on the patient. Type 2 does tend to be more problematic, however, as Type 1 is simply an absence of endogenous insulin alltogether and is easier to monitor and control.

Key to living with diabetes is this: Regular excersize, diligent blood sugar monitoring, prudent eating habits and routine check-ups to watch for complications.

Mike
Type 1 since 1976
EMT/LPN