Diabetes Talking

Question:

Su…… looks like you have a good dawn phenomena it would appear that you were up for 2 hours and ????? didn’t have food during that time?? if so, then for sure it’s the dawn phenomena…… the liver detected no food and dumped glucagon for you……. this is slightly different from a ‘liver dump’ or simogyi affect from dropping too low 4.4 is a perfectly fine number to be….. and you climbed up a bit more in that first hour you were awake i have to eat very shortly after waking up (time for potty, face wash and do my shot…. then it’s time to eat) and i can have my shower and read the newspaper after i have the food end of things sorted out hope this helps…… btw…. your numbers look great!!! kate — Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org — /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/ I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience. Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an expensive teacher.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                    5.30am     4.4                    6.00am    5.6                    7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

Response:

Hi All is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                    5.30am     4.4                    6.00am    5.6                    7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                   5.30am     4.4                   6.00am    5.6                   7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

   AFAIK,  a Somoygi after a hypo sends you up fast. . .no gradual rise over an hour  (you’re wondering if you might have gone low at 5 am or so.) If that were my bG profile  (and I’ve seen that same rise,  from 5.5 to 11.1 over about the same morning times),  I’d say it was the Morning Effect/Dawn Effect "liver dump". I see that kind of rise when I am having a restless morning such that I awake at 5 a.m. or so and can’t get back to sleep.  Any time I have such a morning,  I know that I have to "get with it" and overpower the Dawn Effect with fast insulin and a meal.  It doesn’t seem fair that a retired person like me wakes up so early in the morning after a lifetime of dragging myself out of bed in response to an alarm during my working days,  but that’s how it turned out. However, these folks http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&s… assert that in some folks,  the Somoygi effect can take 2-8 hours to fully manifest itself, ". . . .This effect may be even more prominent in children with Type I diabetes.[xxii] This may be partially explained from the result of collateral damage caused by the autoimmune attack that effects the beta cells in the same islet in Type I diabetes.[xxiii] These hormone releases continue to increase blood glucose till it plateaus anywhere between two to eight hours after the event causing hyperglycemia, but it could last longer depending on several factors that will be explored. . ." FWIW,  I’ve never seen that kind of delayed plateau after a low even though I have seen sugars as low as 2.5 in the middle of the night. Regards   Old Al

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                   5.30am     4.4                   6.00am    5.6                   7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

I find that a reading of 5 to 6 before bed will give me a reliable reading of 4 to 5 as an FBG. I wonder if your evening levemir shot is a little too high, 4.4 at 5.30 am might be sufficient to trigger a liver dump if you’re not used to "lower" numbers. A jump from 5.6 to 11.3 is really vicious and it might be the case that you just can’t tolerate carbs of any kind for breakfast. You can inject insulin to cover the spike and eat a high protein low carb / zero carb breakfast. Oldal would be a good person to ask about that as i recall that’s what he has to do. There is of course another way, try getting up at 6.00am for a few days and eating breakfast at that earlier time to see if you can fool the dawn effect. Maybe if you vary the time you wake up, you’ll be able to trick your body into not responding as it currently does. Certainly worth a try anyway. I find if i lie in bed until 9.00am i suffer a really large rise, but since i get up most days at 6.30 or earler it’s not a problem. Patrick

Response:

Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                   5.30am     4.4                   6.00am    5.6                   7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..?

Not necessarily so, but it’s still a possibility:-) If you’re like me (and your numbers reflect me perfectly) it’s a "simple" case of DP (or "4 minute warning":-) 90% of the time I wake up with a nice number (around 4 or 5) but it will SCREAM into the stratosphere within the first hour of me being out of bed unless I do something. I do, I inject a small dollop of Humalog (usually 4u’s) before I even drink my first cup of tea. This stops the climb dead in it’s tracks. I don’t eat anything in the morning (or the afternoon usually) so it’s not food that’s sent my sugar up, it’s just "getting up" that does it. To make sure you didn’t go hypo and rebound though, reduce your nightime Levemir by a couple of units for at least a couple of days and check again. I don’t think there’s any real mileage in adjusting background insulin doses daily, although others may feel otherwise, but a day or two to let thing stabilise WILL give a better idea. Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus.

Well at least that’s something positive. Beav

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Guys.. I also have been feeling restless and waking up about 5:00am. Today I took some Novorapid at 5:30am but I had woken on a high of 16.6 after going to sleep on a low of 3.2…don’t ask..stresses of life ! So am I right in thinking that if I can catch the DP I can counteract the peak..?I have also reduced my Levemir by 2 units to make sure I wasn’t having a hypo. I will see what happens over the next 2 days. Thank You all, maybe I should try a drop of vino tonight ! Su Type 1 Age 37 yr Diag June 2001 Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                    5.30am     4.4                    6.00am    5.6                    7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

I tried that one night a while ago and found i enjoyed it so much that i have a glass or two every night

Response:

Thanks Guys.. I also have been feeling restless and waking up about 5:00am. Today I took some Novorapid at 5:30am but I had woken on a high of 16.6 after going to sleep on a low of 3.2…don’t ask..stresses of life ! So am I right in thinking that if I can catch the DP I can counteract the peak..?I have also reduced my Levemir by 2 units to make sure I wasn’t having a hypo. I will see what happens over the next 2 days. Thank You all, maybe I should try a drop of vino tonight ! Su Type 1 Age 37 yr Diag June 2001

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                    5.30am     4.4                    6.00am    5.6                    7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su

Response:

Yes , I also find that I have that problem. My consultant told me to keep drinking becasue the smoking would kill me first…. So now I drink, don’t smoke and drink tea.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Guys.. I also have been feeling restless and waking up about 5:00am. Today I took some Novorapid at 5:30am but I had woken on a high of 16.6 after going to sleep on a low of 3.2…don’t ask..stresses of life ! So am I right in thinking that if I can catch the DP I can counteract the peak..?I have also reduced my Levemir by 2 units to make sure I wasn’t having a hypo. I will see what happens over the next 2 days. Thank You all, maybe I should try a drop of vino tonight ! Su Type 1 Age 37 yr Diag June 2001 Hi All control is back to between 5-6. FBG, took all your advice, tell me what you all think of this. Before bed 10:00pm    7.3                    5.30am     4.4                    6.00am    5.6                    7.30am     11.3 Did I hypo before 5.30am or is this the liver dump..? Still feeling better on the Levemir than I did on Lantus. Su I tried that one night a while ago and found i enjoyed it so much that i have a glass or two every night

Response:

FBG, still all over the place really. the closer to 6:00am I check my blood the lower it is. So not sure what to do about the DP. Su

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As daft as it sounds, i’m less worried by dying of smoking related problems than by going blind far quicker from retinopathy aggravated by smoking. How are you doing with your FBG, is it still booting you all over the place or has it settled down? Patrick

Response:

As daft as it sounds, i’m less worried by dying of smoking related problems than by going blind far quicker from retinopathy aggravated by smoking. How are you doing with your FBG, is it still booting you all over the place or has it settled down? Patrick

Response:

FBG, still all over the place really. the closer to 6:00am I check my blood the lower it is. So not sure what to do about the DP.

Try what I do SU, and that’s take a penful of Humalog to bed. Test when you first wake up and shoot a fe u’s, then test an hour later. Have a glass of milk with you too, just in case you’re low. Beav

Response:

Yeah..that’s fine, but am fed up of getting up at 5:30am, and lack of sleep and crap quality of life is killing me at present.

I wouldn’t expect you to get up at 5:30 Sue, but the instant you wake up, test and squirt. Does not help that I work more than full-time – own business and have 3 kids. 1 Of which is a teenager – DON’T EVEN ASK.

I don’t need to. I’ve got that T-shirt too:-) My MAJOR  problem is getting time for myself. Seems like I am at the bottom of the chain. Yes poor me- I am feeling sorry for myself – no truly I AM

I do believe we all do from time to time, not that it helps of course Beav

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FBG, still all over the place really. the closer to 6:00am I check my blood the lower it is. So not sure what to do about the DP. Su As daft as it sounds, i’m less worried by dying of smoking related problems than by going blind far quicker from retinopathy aggravated by smoking. How are you doing with your FBG, is it still booting you all over the place or has it settled down? Patrick

Well what you could do, is just get up at the normal time, eat and inject according to what your blood sugar is. But do make sure you eat something and inject to cover the spike and the food. Bacon and eggs would do as a low carb breakfast – easy to make and no hassle. If you can’t beat the FBG you’ll have to work with it. Not much of a solution, but it might be worth trying.

Response:

Yeah..that’s fine, but am fed up of getting up at 5:30am, and lack of sleep and crap quality of life is killing me at present. Does not help that I work more than full-time – own business and have 3 kids. 1 Of which is a teenager – DON’T EVEN ASK. My MAJOR  problem is getting time for myself. Seems like I am at the bottom of the chain. Yes poor me- I am feeling sorry for myself – no truly I AM Su

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FBG, still all over the place really. the closer to 6:00am I check my blood the lower it is. So not sure what to do about the DP. Try what I do SU, and that’s take a penful of Humalog to bed. Test when you first wake up and shoot a fe u’s, then test an hour later. Have a glass of milk with you too, just in case you’re low. Beav

Response:

Question:

Plus, as much as I enjoy them, I do see a very slight rise in blood sugar not compatible with "zero" carbs. More like 2-5.  That works for me, and I don’t get gas from them, but I’d take the label with a grain of salt.

I’ll have one when my PMS gets bad. It kills the cravings without creating more. So for me, they have their place once a month. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 5′7" 265/220/140 & hubby- 6′ 310/239/180

Response:

I like the Z-carb bars, but their labels cannot be right because, for starters, there are a couple grams of carbs in the cocoa of the dark chocolate. Even 1 square of plain baking chocolate has a couple grams of carb. Plus, as much as I enjoy them, I do see a very slight rise in blood sugar not compatible with "zero" carbs. More like 2-5.  That works for me, and I don’t get gas from them, but I’d take the label with a grain of salt. — Jenny  - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my  email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit  http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To bad they don’t have an ingredients list on the page. As soon as I see a phrase like Zero "Impact" Carbs (quote mine) I know damn well there are sugar alcohols involved. This is from the dark chocolate with soy crisps; real chocolate (chocolate liquor, erythritol, inulin, cocoa butter, calcium carbonate, milk fat, sodium caseinate, soya lechthin) soy protien crisps, natural flavors, sucralose LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/220/140 & hubby- 310/239/180

Response:

Try the ZCarb bars, they don’t have that effect.  You can order them at http://www.zcarbbar.com/

18 bars for $26?? They’re $0.98 at Walmart! And I think it should be "they don’t have that effect on MOST people". Nothing is true for everyone. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/220/140 & hubby- 310/239/180

Response:

Try the ZCarb bars, they don’t have that effect.  You can order them at http://www.zcarbbar.com/

To bad they don’t have an ingredients list on the page. As soon as I see a phrase like Zero "Impact" Carbs (quote mine) I know damn well there are sugar alcohols involved. Sleepy      The True Axis of Evil Bush – Cheney – Ashcroft – Rumsfeld

Response:

To bad they don’t have an ingredients list on the page. As soon as I see a phrase like Zero "Impact" Carbs (quote mine) I know damn well there are sugar alcohols involved.

This is from the dark chocolate with soy crisps; real chocolate (chocolate liquor, erythritol, inulin, cocoa butter, calcium carbonate, milk fat, sodium caseinate, soya lechthin) soy protien crisps, natural flavors, sucralose LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 265/220/140 & hubby- 310/239/180

Response:

They have erythritol, inulin and sucralose. | || Try the ZCarb bars, they don’t have that effect.  You can order them || at http://www.zcarbbar.com/ || || || | To bad they don’t have an ingredients list on the page. As soon as I | see a phrase like Zero "Impact" Carbs (quote mine) I know damn well | there are sugar alcohols involved. | | Sleepy | |      The True Axis of Evil | Bush – Cheney – Ashcroft – Rumsfeld

Response:

There is a new SA that seems to avoid distress for most people.  It’s called erythritol.  Not many manufacturers use it yet– it’s probably still too expensive even in bulk.  There are lowcarb candy bars called z-bars made with it available at 7-11s, and you can order it online (9-10 bux for 2 cups) and make your own stuff with it.  You might want to try the candy bar first, to see if it is worth investing so much in a sweetener. (I like it, but at the price it’s going for now, I only make holiday goodies with it, and not many of those.)

Note that it is REALLY nasty sprinkled on fruit…. — Jean B.

Response:

With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative reaction so many of us have.

Don’t eat them. I find in order to stick to a low-carb diet, I must at times have a treat. However, if I eat the smallest amount of Sugar Alcohol I am left with gas and bloating for hours. The "anti-gas" meds in the drug store seem to have no effect on the problem at all.

Work a REAL treat (without sugar alcohol) into your lowcarb diet.  You need chocolate? Make yourself something with Cocoa in it.    If you are not in induction, you can maybe fir that in.  Personally, I’d find a way to make my diet work without sugar alcohols if they bothered me a lot…

Response:

Ryan, There’s nothing that helps with that kind of gas, because the gas from both wheat and sugar alcohols it is caused by undigested carbs getting into your small intestine where helpful bacteria digest them for you via fermentation. If you’ll remember, a by-product of fermentation is gas. The reason you get this happening with wheat after low carbing is that after you stop eating wheat for a while, your body stops making the enzyme needed to digest it. So the wheat passes into your gut and ferments there. This problem goes away in a few days if you keep eating the wheat. But the sugar alcohol problem does not because your body may not ever make enzymes to digest them.  (Some people do, which is why maltitol doesn’t cause gas for some people.) Beano can help with the gas from wheat but not with the sugar alcohols. It is an enzyme that breaks down starches. BTW, combining Beano with prescription starch-blocking meds like Acarbose will undo their helpful effect on carbs. — Jenny  - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my  email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit  http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative reaction so many of us have. I find in order to stick to a low-carb diet, I must at times have a treat. However, if I eat the smallest amount of Sugar Alcohol I am left with gas and bloating for hours. The "anti-gas" meds in the drug store seem to have no effect on the problem at all. A simular reaction happens when I am eating very low-carb and eat a regular sweet, so having a small piece of candy or baked good with regular sugar doesn’t solve the problem, it just causes a similar one. I know others have reactions to Sugar Alcohol and am wondering what you take when you have a reaction? Certainly, people just don’t sit and suffer there has to be something you keep in your medicine cabinet that helps calm things down. Until they find a Sugar Alcohol that doesn’t cause any issues when being digested, I’d like to have something on hand just in case I need it. Thanks!

Response:

I hate to agree with JC, but… well… no offense, but it’s a stupid question.  Rather like asking for the best headache relief after wacking yourself in the head with a hammer; the only appropriate reply is… don’t wack yourself! There’s lots of treats available without the need for sugar alcohols – plenty of sucralose or aspartame-sweetened things.  Mix up some cream cheese, yogurt or ricotta with some cocoa and sweetener, or one of the sugar-free DaVinci syrups.  Or make Lynne’s chocolate with your favorite sugar substitute (I find it works just as well with aspartame as with sucralose, which is cheaper).

Response:

With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative reaction so many of us have. I find in order to stick to a low-carb diet, I must at times have a treat. However, if I eat the smallest amount of Sugar Alcohol I am left with gas and bloating for hours. The "anti-gas" meds in the drug store seem to have no effect on the problem at all. A simular reaction happens when I am eating very low-carb and eat a regular sweet, so having a small piece of candy or baked good with regular sugar doesn’t solve the problem, it just causes a similar one. I know others have reactions to Sugar Alcohol and am wondering what you take when you have a reaction? Certainly, people just don’t sit and suffer there has to be something you keep in your medicine cabinet that helps calm things down. Until they find a Sugar Alcohol that doesn’t cause any issues when being digested, I’d like to have something on hand just in case I need it. Thanks!

Response:

The best medication is prevention. Just say no. — Most of us probably aren’t in danger of eating too little. Becky P.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative reaction so many of us have. I find in order to stick to a low-carb diet, I must at times have a treat. However, if I eat the smallest amount of Sugar Alcohol I am left with gas and bloating for hours. The "anti-gas" meds in the drug store seem to have no effect on the problem at all. A simular reaction happens when I am eating very low-carb and eat a regular sweet, so having a small piece of candy or baked good with regular sugar doesn’t solve the problem, it just causes a similar one. I know others have reactions to Sugar Alcohol and am wondering what you take when you have a reaction? Certainly, people just don’t sit and suffer there has to be something you keep in your medicine cabinet that helps calm things down. Until they find a Sugar Alcohol that doesn’t cause any issues when being digested, I’d like to have something on hand just in case I need it. Thanks!

Response:

Try the ZCarb bars, they don’t have that effect.  You can order them at http://www.zcarbbar.com/ | With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that | include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the | counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative | reaction so many of us have. | | I find in order to stick to a low-carb diet, I must at times have a | treat. However, if I eat the smallest amount of Sugar Alcohol I am | left with gas and bloating for hours. The "anti-gas" meds in the drug | store seem to have no effect on the problem at all. | | A simular reaction happens when I am eating very low-carb and eat a | regular sweet, so having a small piece of candy or baked good with | regular sugar doesn’t solve the problem, it just causes a similar one. | | I know others have reactions to Sugar Alcohol and am wondering what | you take when you have a reaction? Certainly, people just don’t sit | and suffer there has to be something you keep in your medicine cabinet | that helps calm things down. | | Until they find a Sugar Alcohol that doesn’t cause any issues when | being digested, I’d like to have something on hand just in case I need | it. | | Thanks!

Response:

With so many new reduced carb products coming out these days that include Sugar Alcohol, I was wondering if anyone has found an over the counter medication that can be used to help counter the negative reaction so many of us have.

The only one I know of  is beano, but that just adds an enzyme that helps you digest those carbs you’re <insert nasty bodily function away, so what would be the point of eating a lowcarb version if you’re going to sabotague yourself? A simular reaction happens when I am eating very low-carb and eat a regular sweet, so having a small piece of candy or baked good with regular sugar doesn’t solve the problem, it just causes a similar

one. Hmm.  Ya know, we give our grandson apple juice when he gets a little constipated.  Maybe your gut has reverted to the sensitivity of a very young child. I know others have reactions to Sugar Alcohol and am wondering what you take when you have a reaction?

I take a long meditative look at why I ate that stuff in the first place, and ask myself was it really worth it while I make music in the bathroom.  :) Certainly, people just don’t sit and suffer there has to be something you keep in your medicine cabinet that helps calm things down.

Nope.  Not really. Until they find a Sugar Alcohol that doesn’t cause any issues when being digested, I’d like to have something on hand just in case I need it.

There is a new SA that seems to avoid distress for most people.  It’s called erythritol.  Not many manufacturers use it yet– it’s probably still too expensive even in bulk.  There are lowcarb candy bars called z-bars made with it available at 7-11s, and you can order it online (9-10 bux for 2 cups) and make your own stuff with it.  You might want to try the candy bar first, to see if it is worth investing so much in a sweetener. (I like it, but at the price it’s going for now, I only make holiday goodies with it, and not many of those.) — revek A cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.

Response:

Question:

Hello, in counting up my roommates sugar intake, from cola drinks especially (he drinks a 3 liter each day), I find my roommate is getting 300 grams of sugar per day. Could someone tell me what the normal intake is? What happens to the human body with this much sugar? Thank you.

Screw the diabetes affects, that’s a *LOT* of empty calories and bad for his teeth, and the caffeine is probably fairly rough on his adreneals. 3 liters ~ 96 oz, roughly 8 12 oz. cans, roughly 120 calories/can, that’s easily a thousand calories!

Response:

cc’d by email NOTHING despite the widespread incorrect belief that sugar is in some way bad, unless he has diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia, or some other similar problem, the main problem he will have is getting fat. NOW, if he exercises enough – he can overcome that.  If he doesn’t, he will have problems related to being overweight. I probably SHOULD note that he should have his BG checked regularly.  He seems to be drinking quite a bit, and that could indicate diabetes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, in counting up my roommates sugar intake, from cola drinks especially (he drinks a 3 liter each day), I find my roommate is getting 300 grams of sugar per day. Could someone tell me what the normal intake is? What happens to the human body with this much sugar? Thank you.

Response:

Hello, in counting up my roommates sugar intake, from cola drinks especially (he drinks a 3 liter each day), I find my roommate is getting 300 grams of sugar per day. Could someone tell me what the normal intake is? What happens to the human body with this much sugar? Thank you.

  In the U.S., that cola drink is sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup.  The docs are starting to warn against fructose.  It encourages formation of fats in the blood which are bad news for folks interested in non-clogged arteries.   Hmm. . .if he took female hormones, he might get away with it. Regards   Old Al

Response:

Hello, in counting up my roommates sugar intake, from cola drinks especially (he drinks a 3 liter each day), I find my roommate is getting 300 grams of sugar per day. Could someone tell me what the normal intake is? What happens to the human body with this much sugar? Thank you.

Well, the general recomendation for healthy persons is that 10% of caloric intake be from proteins, 30% from fats, 60% from carbs. (including sugars).  Count about 9 cal/gm for fats, 4 cal/gm for prot and carbs.  Do the math and see what comes up.  In general, it would be a bad thing for most or all of carb intake to be from simple sugars, like in soft drinks.  For some of us, overindulgence in simple sugars can cause diabetes.  Others get away with it.  You will get a lot of mail about this with great variations in the answers, which is one of the unfortunate results of the fact that everybody is different, and that no general rule really works all that well for everybody. Personally, I wouldn’t hassle my roomates about their sugar intake unless and until they start passing out.  If you do so, you will just make them mad and not help anything. Speaking only for myself, Joe Durusau

Response:

Hello, in counting up my roommates sugar intake, from cola drinks especially (he drinks a 3 liter each day), I find my roommate is getting 300 grams of sugar per day. Could someone tell me what the normal intake is? What happens to the human body with this much sugar? Thank you.

Response:

Question:

Hi and Thanks, Rosie….my diabetes is doing great so far…been within normal ranges for 3 months now…I really have to  keep check on it…but for now, all is well. Daily Menu for me Bkst 4-5 slices fresh slab bacon 2-3 eggs (fried or scrambled) 2 tsp. butter water Lunch 2 hamburger patties 1 cup lettuce (cukes) sometimes – 3-4 slices 2 T mayo (mix all this together for HB salad) water Snack macadamia nuts -1 -1 1/2 oz. water Dinner Ribeye steak or baked chicken or some kind of meat cooked on the grill Broccoli w/ butter OR salad w/ Ranch dressing (2 T) OR 1 cup of Green Beans **speaking of Green Beans…I checked my garden yesterday and I have green beans about 1/2-1" long…its coming along wonderfully…and my broccoli looks kinda sick  lol   This is our first time growing broccoli. water Snack Most of the time its Pork Rinds occasionally I’ll have a tsp. of pnut butter water

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – angie, CONGRATS to you for your measurement change! how is your diabetes doing? how about a sample daily menu? — read and post, rosie Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Duh..forgot to add…thats a total of 32.25 inches gone since Jan. 20, 2002 Angie =) Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone! Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL) So, I’m not complaining to much at being at this weight (224)  but we’ll see what eventually happens!!!!!  Clothes are fitting looser every week!!! Angie =) 270/224/170(?) Type II diabetic —no meds since March 5, 2002

Response:

ideas! — read and post, rosie Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi and Thanks, Rosie….my diabetes is doing great so far…been within normal ranges for 3 months now…I really have to  keep check on it…but for now, all is well. Daily Menu for me Bkst 4-5 slices fresh slab bacon 2-3 eggs (fried or scrambled) 2 tsp. butter water Lunch 2 hamburger patties 1 cup lettuce (cukes) sometimes – 3-4 slices 2 T mayo (mix all this together for HB salad) water Snack macadamia nuts -1 -1 1/2 oz. water Dinner Ribeye steak or baked chicken or some kind of meat cooked on the grill Broccoli w/ butter OR salad w/ Ranch dressing (2 T) OR 1 cup of Green Beans **speaking of Green Beans…I checked my garden yesterday and I have green beans about 1/2-1" long…its coming along wonderfully…and my broccoli looks kinda sick  lol   This is our first time growing broccoli. water Snack Most of the time its Pork Rinds occasionally I’ll have a tsp. of pnut butter water angie, CONGRATS to you for your measurement change! how is your diabetes doing? how about a sample daily menu? — read and post, rosie Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Duh..forgot to add…thats a total of 32.25 inches gone since Jan. 20, 2002 Angie =) Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone! Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL) So, I’m not complaining to much at being at this weight (224)  but we’ll see what eventually happens!!!!!  Clothes are fitting looser every week!!! Angie =) 270/224/170(?) Type II diabetic —no meds since March 5, 2002

Response:

angie, CONGRATS to you for your measurement change! how is your diabetes doing? how about a sample daily menu? — read and post, rosie Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Duh..forgot to add…thats a total of 32.25 inches gone since Jan. 20, 2002 Angie =) Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone! Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL) So, I’m not complaining to much at being at this weight (224)  but we’ll see what eventually happens!!!!!  Clothes are fitting looser every week!!! Angie =) 270/224/170(?) Type II diabetic —no meds since March 5, 2002

Response:

Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone!  Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL)

Excellent! Gotta love being the incredible shrinking woman! Keep up the good work. Lynne

Response:

Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone!  Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL) So, I’m not complaining to much at being at this weight (224)  but we’ll see what eventually happens!!!!!  Clothes are fitting looser every week!!! Angie =) 270/224/170(?) Type II diabetic —no meds since March 5, 2002

Response:

Duh..forgot to add…thats a total of 32.25 inches gone since Jan. 20, 2002 Angie =)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Catchy phrase, huh?  lol Although there is no new weight loss…there are inches gone! Measurements were taken yesterday and since April 14, I’ve lost another 8.5 inches. Check this out…5, yes 5 of those inches are gone from my lower abs!!!!!!! 1" gone from my waist…(now a 38)…2" gone from my hips (thank God)…1/2" gone from my boobs (total of 4" from there now…DH hates it  LOL) So, I’m not complaining to much at being at this weight (224)  but we’ll see what eventually happens!!!!!  Clothes are fitting looser every week!!! Angie =) 270/224/170(?) Type II diabetic —no meds since March 5, 2002

Response:

Question:

Someone else in this newsgroup turned me on to FRIO, which requires only water and not refrigeration nor freezing. My own purchase experience went flawlessly

I can verify Gary’s experience, because we just bought a FRIO for my husband’s insulin. It worked like a charm, simple to use, and it showed up about five days after we ordered it . We go camping a lot in the summertime, and it is just the thing in warm conditions as long as you have access to clean water. Michelle K.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Someone else in this newsgroup turned me on to FRIO, which requires only water and not refrigeration nor freezing. High tech crystals absorb water, turn into gel which evaporates s-l-o-w-l-y over several days. The evaporation process (just like with your skin) provides the cooling process. You replenish it by soaking in cool water for a few minutes every few days as required.   Thanks for the link.  I don’t use insulin, but was curious to see what sizes were available.  Then found that they have headbands, wrist bands and ankle wraps.  I may want these before I go to visit my parents in June…my father can’t tolerate cold and I can’t tolerate heat! How long did it take to get your order?  They have a location for inquiries in the US, but it appeared that the orders ship from Britain. Carol P.

This month’s forecast has an ad for Midicool  1-800-433-2469   us distrinbutors for FRIO

Response:

Someone else in this newsgroup turned me on to FRIO, which requires only water and not refrigeration nor freezing. High tech crystals absorb water, turn into gel which evaporates s-l-o-w-l-y over several days. The evaporation process (just like with your skin) provides the cooling process. You replenish it by soaking in cool water for a few minutes every few days as required.  

Thanks for the link.  I don’t use insulin, but was curious to see what sizes were available.  Then found that they have headbands, wrist bands and ankle wraps.  I may want these before I go to visit my parents in June…my father can’t tolerate cold and I can’t tolerate heat! How long did it take to get your order?  They have a location for inquiries in the US, but it appeared that the orders ship from Britain. Carol P.

Response:

Hello. I’m going on vacation in Thailand for two weeks in july. Temperatures are very high and since I’m going on a backpacker vacation I’m a bit worried about how to keep the insulin cold. I don’t know if the hotels I plan to live in always have a refrigerator. I already have a small cool bag from Medisence, but it’s to small and doesn’t keep the cold for more than a day. Does any of the other large manufacturers make similar bags? Does a larger bag exist? Is there one that doesn’t require a fridge but can be cooled by say water instead? I’m not interested in buying by stating my credit card number (some webpages unfortunately require that!). Thankful for advice on this!!

Most insulin other than Humalog is pretty stable up to at least 30C (86f).  Rather than a bag, I’d suggest a thermos bottle (a real one with a vacuum glass inside, or a stainless steel vacuum flask). A few cubes of ice and these things can stay cold for a remarkable long period of time. Most hotels outside the US actually do provide a refrigerator. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Regards Jenny Borgen Type 1 since 1982, on pump since 10/98, no complications

Response:

   I’m going on vacation in Thailand for two weeks in july.    Temperatures are very high and since I’m going on a backpacker    vacation I’m a bit worried about how to keep the insulin cold. I    don’t know if the hotels I plan to live in always have a    refrigerator. I already have a small cool bag from Medisence, but    it’s to small and doesn’t keep the cold for more than a day. Does    any of the other large manufacturers make similar bags? Does a    larger bag exist? Is there one that doesn’t require a fridge but    can be cooled by say water instead? I’m not interested in buying by    stating my credit card number (some webpages unfortunately require    that!). Thankful for advice on this!! I would check out "Camp outfitter" type stores (No suggestions as to a store) for some "Naturally cooled" devices. It is possible to make a battery powered refrigerator and at least one diabetic has done just that, However the battery requirements are a bit stiff, Solar power may be an option, however expensive. But the water cooled devices should work. If nothing else a zip lock bag (Well a package of them) and a rock and drop it in a stream  (or a small "Dry Sack" and a rock and drop it in a stream) or better yet, a zip lock inside of a dry sack.  Dry sacks from the camp outfitter/canoe stores. Though I suspect they may even have better suggestions Of course sinking a dry sack in a stream only works when "Camped" and has it’s limits. (A large enough pouch of "Blue Ice" or similar may hold it’s cool in a properly sealed thermal bag) Putting the vial in a small (Very small) zip lock inside of a good quality thermal bottle (I used to have a Aladdin stainless that would keep coffee drinkable for 25 hours It grew legs and I never found another that good) almost fill it with cool water and put the vial, inside a waterproof wrapper, inside the bottle. Beware the water however  May not be "Clean"    Note I am not a doctor, I don’t even play one on television "Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business" Diabetic? visit: http://forums.csi.com/gvforums/default.asp?SRV=Diabetes Also visit http://members.tripod.com/diabetics_world/ for still more info. A computer without microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard. Net-Tamer V 1.12 Beta – Registered

Response:

P.S. to my post. I forgot to mention that I, too, am a insulin pumper.  I bought the size "small" FRIO for wearing my pump on my belt in hot conditions. I corresponded with the folks at FRIO before my purchase and they recommended simply putting the pump into a plastic bag (I use a sandwich bag) before putting the pump into the FRIO to protect the pump mechanisms from exposure to moist conditions.  The FRIO is dry to the touch, but obviously there has to be some moisture in the picture for evaporation to be occuring.  Using this method works for me. Non-electronic things like insulin vials or pens should be just fine without a plastic bag. — | Gary Eheman  -  eheman at-sign attglobal.net             | |                 Change "invalid" to "net"  to reply      |

Response:

Hello. I’m going on vacation in Thailand for two weeks in july. Temperatures are very high and since I’m going on a backpacker vacation I’m a bit worried about how to keep the insulin cold. I don’t know if the hotels I plan to live in always have a refrigerator. I already have a small cool bag from Medisence, but it’s to small and doesn’t keep the cold for more than a day. Does any of the other large manufacturers make similar bags? Does a larger bag exist? Is there one that doesn’t require a fridge but can be cooled by say water instead? I’m not interested in buying by stating my credit card number (some webpages unfortunately require that!). Thankful for advice on this!! Regards Jenny Borgen Type 1 since 1982, on pump since 10/98, no complications

Response:

Someone else in this newsgroup turned me on to FRIO, which requires only water and not refrigeration nor freezing. High tech crystals absorb water, turn into gel which evaporates s-l-o-w-l-y over several days. The evaporation process (just like with your skin) provides the cooling process. You replenish it by soaking in cool water for a few minutes every few days as required.  You can read testimonials from people on their website from visiting places more remote than Thailand. They are based in the UK. I know you said you don’t want to have to use your credit card over the internet. They have a secure, encrypted web order page. (Absence of secure encryption is your signal to not provide any information (especially credit cards) on anyone’s webpage on the internet.) They also provide telephone numbers in their "contact us" information. I suspect you could telephone them direct and place your order verbally with your credit card. Their website is http://www.friouk.com/ My own purchase experience went flawlessly.  I received my order promptly via mail (even through US customs), including a receipt for my credit card purchase. — | Gary Eheman  -  eheman at-sign attglobal.net             | |                 Change "invalid" to "net"  to reply      |

Response:

Question:

 Had you never erealized you had low self esteem, you wouldn’t realize how it is improving:)

true – the realisation is really only worthwhile if it can be used as a reference point.  Its just I’ve sat around for years saying "I have low self esteem" and still not been able to do anything "esteemable" to change it.  Since my mother died, I’ve changed a bit, just little things like using the good china every day – being worth it etc etc bye JOy 90/75/68 metrics rule OK

Response:

Joy, I can relate to this.  Even though I live alone I’ve found it’s important *for me* to treat myself well.  I deserve it!  When I sit down to the table for dinner I always use cloth placemats and napkins, and I always light the candles.  Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself just because I’m alone? Congratulations. Jen 198/161/123 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – true – the realisation is really only worthwhile if it can be used as a reference point.  Its just I’ve sat around for years saying "I have low self esteem" and still not been able to do anything "esteemable" to change it. Since my mother died, I’ve changed a bit, just little things like using the good china every day – being worth it etc etc

Response:

I missed the original post, so perhaps my comment isn’t entirely relevant. However, I’m going to make it anyway. I think it’s important for people to be careful making statements such as "…and also is better than taking an anti-depression pill!!"  Depression can be caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry.  Often it’s an honest-to-god physiological condition.  Yes, exercise (and diet) can greatly help re-balance much (and sometimes all) of the chemistry.  However sometimes medication is entirely necessary as well.  People who need anti-depressants aren’t "lesser" or "flawed" in any way.  Their body simply doesn’t produce the optimal amounts of certain bodily chemicals. I’d compare it to telling an insulin-dependent diabetic to "Just get out and exercise (or ‘just change your diet’).  It’s better than taking insulin."  Yes, exercise might help.  Yes, diet might also help.  But certain diabetics *needs* to take insulin.  There’s no "better" about it. IMO these kind of value judgements keep promoting a popular myth about what depression really is. Unflamingly, Jen 198/161/123 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Excercise is a great promotion to one’s self esteem and also is better than taking an anti-depression pill!!  It works. Sue

Response:

It’s only just occurred to me over the past couple of months that the mere fact of identifying that you have low self esteem doesn’t accomplish that much unless you are inspired by the discovery to take up behaviours and activities which promote "high" self esteem. this has been the thing for me & exercise – of course sitting around on my bum is nothing to be proud of – but if I can actually undertake daily activities which give me something to be proud of – then I am really working on my low self esteem. My boyfriend has decided to come to the gym with me – work out together – I’m really happy for him – he’s not over weight – but his main sport is skiing – so he doesn’t get too much regular exercise at all and although other people can’t see it – I know he has a squashy tummy bye JOy 90/75/68 metrics rule OK

Response:

Yppu give yourself such a gift when you make the ffort to heal your self esteem.  I think that apositive sense of self is one of the most important keys to a ahppy fullfilled life.  I know that things really started to clik for me when my hubby devoted himself to rebulding mine:)  Of the many things he has given, this was one of the bets.  I had been working on it myslef over a few years, but he just said it enough over and over that I really egan to believe it. — claudia 550/370/157  A malcontent and proud of it!  Low fat rocks! For Claudia’s Cooking Newsletter celebrating low fat, sugar free cooking and living visit  http://cookingnewsletter.ecorp.net – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Had you never erealized you had low self esteem, you wouldn’t realize how it is improving:) true – the realisation is really only worthwhile if it can be used as a reference point.  Its just I’ve sat around for years saying "I have low self esteem" and still not been able to do anything "esteemable" to change it. Since my mother died, I’ve changed a bit, just little things like using the good china every day – being worth it etc etc bye JOy 90/75/68 metrics rule OK

Response:

dear joy, i couldn’t agree more! realizing that you have low self-esteem and then doing nothing about it, is a very sad and potentially paralyzing thing! knowing that you are doing something about it, is getting "OUT OF THE INSANITY" and starting to heal! happy turkey day! rosie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s only just occurred to me over the past couple of months that the mere fact of identifying that you have low self esteem doesn’t accomplish that much unless you are inspired by the discovery to take up behaviours and activities which promote "high" self esteem. this has been the thing for me & exercise – of course sitting around on my bum is nothing to be proud of – but if I can actually undertake daily activities which give me something to be proud of – then I am really working on my low self esteem. My boyfriend has decided to come to the gym with me – work out together – I’m really happy for him – he’s not over weight – but his main sport is skiing – so he doesn’t get too much regular exercise at all and although other people can’t see it – I know he has a squashy tummy bye JOy 90/75/68 metrics rule OK

Response:

Excercise is a great promotion to one’s self esteem and also is better than taking an anti-depression pill!!  It works. Sue

Response:

Improving your self esteem is a journey just like your weight loss.  It doesn’t happen in a day.  You say just realizing you have low self esteem does nothing to chnage it, but I disagree.  When you realize, you are admitting to yourself that it is a problem, whuch in it’s self can start the process of improving it.  Had you never erealized you had low self esteem, you wouldn’t realize how it is improving:) — claudia 550/370/157  A malcontent and proud of it!  Low fat rocks! For Claudia’s Cooking Newsletter celebrating low fat, sugar free cooking and living visit  http://cookingnewsletter.ecorp.net – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s only just occurred to me over the past couple of months that the mere fact of identifying that you have low self esteem doesn’t accomplish that much unless you are inspired by the discovery to take up behaviours and activities which promote "high" self esteem. this has been the thing for me & exercise – of course sitting around on my bum is nothing to be proud of – but if I can actually undertake daily activities which give me something to be proud of – then I am really working on my low self esteem. My boyfriend has decided to come to the gym with me – work out together – I’m really happy for him – he’s not over weight – but his main sport is skiing – so he doesn’t get too much regular exercise at all and although other people can’t see it – I know he has a squashy tummy bye JOy 90/75/68 metrics rule OK

Response:

Question:

The stock symbol for the co. which is working on an insulin inhalant is INHL. You can get more information about the company in the financial section of AOL. I am curious as to whether people would be willing to go over to an inhalant if the cost was comparable to injections.

My company, Aradigm Corporation (Nasdaq:  ARDM), is also developing a pulmonary insulin delivery system. I’ve described some of its features and advantages in another post in this thread. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about our development efforts, or our company. – Mark Olbert

Response:

I am a diabetic of 20+ yrs and am an RN.  As l went throught school l researched everything about diabetes.  I did read about this spray but the article stated that the insulin is so harsh to the nose that it burns holes in it like cocaine does.   I have been in several different diabetic studies personally and who knows maybe that fairy dust is out there.  I SURE HOPE SO! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yeah, and Tinkerbell is going to sprinkle fairy dust so we can all fly away to Never-never land real soon now. This idea has been talked about for years: it has never worked right. Dosage control has apparently failed miserably. PMFJI, but actually there’s a lot of good work being done on solving the problem of dosage control. I say this because my company, Aradigm Corporation, is working to commercialize a pulmonary insulin delivery system. The key to successful pulmonary delivery of insulin is to make sure the precise dose needed by the patient is in fact delivered into the bloodstream. To do this you need to do three things correctly:  allow the user to select the desired dosage (within one unit); produce a fine particle aerosol (very much like a Bay Area fog); and make sure the user is breathing correctly — neither too slow nor too fast — and identically on each delivery. Aradigm’s system is being designed to do all three. It uses liquid formulations in disposable packets, so dosing can be adjusted in one unit increments. It generates an aerosol at the point of delivery, so that the aerosol is of the proper "quality" (i.e., the particles are the correct size). And it guides the user to breath the correct way, and the same way, on every delivery. We are planning on initiating phase II testing of the system — which we call the AERx(tm) Diabetes Management System — in the third quarter. So it’s not an approved and available produt as of just yet. Drop me a line if you have any questions. – Mark Olbert

Response:

I am a diabetic of 20+ yrs and am an RN.  As l went throught school l researched everything about diabetes.  I did read about this spray but the article stated that the insulin is so harsh to the nose that it burns holes in it like cocaine does.   I have been in several different diabetic studies personally and who knows maybe that fairy dust is out there.  I SURE HOPE SO!

I do too; there are a lot of people who would be a lot better off with if there was a practical means of delivering insulin without needles. I hadn’t heard the information about nasal insulin you refer to, but I’m not surprised. The system we’re developing at Aradigm avoids that problem because it is a pulmonary delivery system, not a nasal one. In other words, you inhale the dose through your mouth. In addition, the lung has so much more surface area than the nasal membranes that the delivered dose gets diluted very quickly (the lung has about 1,000 square feet of surface area; in our system, 50 microliters of water-formulated insulin gets aerosolized and spread across that entire area). – Mark

Response:

The stock symbol for the co. which is working on an insulin inhalant is INHL. You can get more information about the company in the financial section of AOL.  I am curious as to whether people would be willing to go over to an inhalant if the cost was comparable to injections.

Response:

  The stock symbol for the co. which is working on an insulin inhalant is INHL.   You can get more information about the company in the financial section of AOL.  Or at their web site:   http://www.inhale.com/    I am curious as to whether people would be willing to go over to an inhalant   if the cost was comparable to injections.  If the cost and control were comparable, I’d consider going off the pump.

Response:

My Dr. mentioned to me today that a company in California is going to introduce an insulin inhaler soon. He didn’t know the name of the Co. and I can’t find anything on this other than an old mag article in Forbes. Anyone else have info about this? Co. name, address,etc.? Thx.

Yeah, and Tinkerbell is going to sprinkle fairy dust so we can all fly away to Never-never land real soon now. This idea has been talked about for years: it has never worked right. Dosage control has apparently failed miserably. —                                 Nico Garcia <PGP is obviously a good idea: look at who objects to it.

Response:

My Dr. mentioned to me today that a company in California is going to introduce an insulin inhaler soon. He didn’t know the name of the Co. and I can’t find anything on this other than an old mag article in Forbes. Anyone else have info about this? Co. name, address,etc.? Thx. Bobb L. Courtman http://www.Medical-ID.com   If you have to wear it…Do it with style

Why not ask your doctor direct. To email me remove the NOSPAM from my email address

Response:

Yeah, and Tinkerbell is going to sprinkle fairy dust so we can all fly away to Never-never land real soon now. This idea has been talked about for years: it has never worked right. Dosage control has apparently failed miserably.

PMFJI, but actually there’s a lot of good work being done on solving the problem of dosage control. I say this because my company, Aradigm Corporation, is working to commercialize a pulmonary insulin delivery system. The key to successful pulmonary delivery of insulin is to make sure the precise dose needed by the patient is in fact delivered into the bloodstream. To do this you need to do three things correctly:  allow the user to select the desired dosage (within one unit); produce a fine particle aerosol (very much like a Bay Area fog); and make sure the user is breathing correctly — neither too slow nor too fast — and identically on each delivery. Aradigm’s system is being designed to do all three. It uses liquid formulations in disposable packets, so dosing can be adjusted in one unit increments. It generates an aerosol at the point of delivery, so that the aerosol is of the proper "quality" (i.e., the particles are the correct size). And it guides the user to breath the correct way, and the same way, on every delivery. We are planning on initiating phase II testing of the system — which we call the AERx(tm) Diabetes Management System — in the third quarter. So it’s not an approved and available produt as of just yet. Drop me a line if you have any questions. – Mark Olbert

Response:

My Dr. mentioned to me today that a company in California is going to introduce an insulin inhaler soon. He didn’t know the name of the Co. and I can’t find anything on this other than an old mag article in Forbes. Anyone else have info about this? Co. name, address,etc.? Thx. Bobb L. Courtman http://www.Medical-ID.com   If you have to wear it…Do it with style

Response:

Question:

 Hi all, this is my first time i have ever spoken to anyone about my diabetes other than my wife who is running out of patience. i am 33 years old and have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 18 years now…Whew! and only 1 trip to the hospital for a hypo. My problem is i get Very angry at times for no reason whatsover. One minute i am happy as can be. The next i am angry at the world I have no reason to be i have a good job, i love my wife have a beautiful daughter own my house so why the anger? she says it is to do with my diabetes but everyone says my diabetes is the cause of all my problems.I dont know if this is connected or not but every few months i seem to get totally lethargic for a few weeks. dont want to work play or anything.

Response:

: Very angry at times for no reason whatsover. One minute i am happy as can : be.The next i am angry at the world …. I think you should see a psychiatrist. You may have a simple medical problem that you normal doctor did not diagnose. There is no reason to suffer. Geoff. — Geoffrey S. Mendelson  (4X/N3OWJ), Senior Programmer Computer Science Institute, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel "Nobody’s ever attemped a double-bypass brain transplant before." Sid Phillips (from "Toy Story").  

Response:

I go through the same thing and I asked my doctor (endo) about it.  She said that this is common and it is just a funtion of changes in your glucose levels.  I sometimes get completely pissed off for no reason, so I can relate to what you are going through.  One tip, when I feel that my activity levels are out of "normal" range I check my blood sugar levels randomly.   Sometimes I anticipate my "bitchy" behavior before it starts. This keeps me off the couch! <g. Good luck!

Response:

 Hi all, this is my first time i have ever spoken to anyone about my diabetes other than my wife who is running out of patience. i am 33 years old and have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 18 years now…Whew! and only 1 trip to the hospital for a hypo. My problem is i get Very angry at times for no reason whatsover. One minute i am happy as can be. The next i am angry at the world

Rapid mood changes without reason are normally a result of rapid downward changes in bg, up to and including hypoglycemia (or reactions). It may be JUST a rapid drop in level when the insulin first goes to work at a certain time after taking it or at it’s peak activity point some time later. This may be at almost any bg level, though a follow up test somewhat later would likely show a rather large drop for the time involved. Unfortunately if the large drop actually triggered a "Somogyi Effect" where glycogen (which turns into glucose) is released form the liver to counter it you COULD test high at this point. I have no reason to be i have a good job, i love my wife have a beautiful daughter own my house so why the anger?

Anger is one ot the effects of a low or rapidly dropping bg, sometimes of a high bg also. It has NOTHING to do with who you are or what your situation in life is, your body is trying to cope with something it wasn’t designed for, so you react with emotions. Been there, done that, since I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic for 41 years. she says it is to do with my diabetes but everyone says my diabetes is the cause of all my problems.

Not always, but most of the time all too true. I dont know if this is connected or not but every few months i seem to get totally lethargic for a few weeks. dont want to work play or anything.

Depression is very common for diabetics, since we need to take such care all the time, which DOESN’T give us any vacation or relief no matter what happens. Members of our select club sometimes find it necessary to get professional couseling or such to keep going, so you might want to seek help from a pastor or priest (if religiuos), psychologist or psychiatrist to help you find some stability. Ted Quick

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Hi all, this is my first time i have ever spoken to anyone about my diabetes other than my wife who is running out of patience. i am 33 years old and have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 18 years now…Whew! and only 1 trip to the hospital for a hypo. My problem is i get Very angry at times for no reason whatsover. One minute i am happy as can be. The next i am angry at the world I have no reason to be i have a good job, i love my wife have a beautiful daughter own my house so why the anger? she says it is to do with my diabetes but everyone says my diabetes is the cause of all my problems.I dont know if this is connected or not but every few months i seem to get totally lethargic for a few weeks. dont want to work play or anything.

I understand exactly what you are describing. These mood shifts can be based on changes in your BG levels as well as being based on the fact that you have an incurable disease that requires constant monitoring to lessen its effects. Being conscious (which implies your awareness of the problem) is the most valuable tool. Use it, watch yourself, and just try to be as good a person as you can be. Ttyl.                                 /* Phil */

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan Before I was dianosed with diabetes, my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulfate, hard to find because the FDA had it removed.  But I did use it to good advantage.  It worked for me for a while but the cramps do come back and you discontinue the Quinine for a while and then resume.  They don’t know why or how it works.   This was before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George I too started having terrible leg cramps about a year ago.  I was just diagnosed type 2 about a month ago and also am taking Glucoltrol. Sure enough – no more leg cramps – I had wondered about this and am glad to see George mention it as I’m new at this and doing a lot of reading! <G  I also seem to be a "tad" gassy which I’m certainly not too thrilled about – saw someone mention another pill that can cause this – does this also happen with the Glucoltrol? Jackie

At the risk of getting off on a tangent,  I thought the gas was caused the all the additional vegetables in the recommended diet.  Less fat and more vegetables and fruit.  I know my diet changed dramatically.  No more hamburgers and frys every day. George

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<some stuff removed When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George

Jackie and George, I take Glucotrol but still have leg cramps.  I’ve been taking Tylenol for them when they get really bad (mostly at night).  Just ate a banana for the potassium, but I don’t like to do that anymore because they’re higher in carbs than I realized.   Oh, well, at least bg readings have come down.  Took a long time–I was afraid the Glucotrol wasn’t working.  (Jackie–I haven’t had "that problem" with Glucotrol; I had to quit Glucophage because of it!) Pat

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My leg cramps were caused by out of control blood sugar.  Once I was referred to a specialist and he realized I was type 1 and needed insulin, BINGO. No more waking up 3-4 times a night with leg cramps.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan Before I was dianosed with diabetes, my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulfate, hard to find because the FDA had it removed.  But I did use it to good advantage.  It worked for me for a while but the cramps do come back and you discontinue the Quinine for a while and then resume.  They don’t know why or how it works.   This was before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George I too started having terrible leg cramps about a year ago.  I was just diagnosed type 2 about a month ago and also am taking Glucoltrol. Sure enough – no more leg cramps – I had wondered about this and am glad to see George mention it as I’m new at this and doing a lot of reading! <G  I also seem to be a "tad" gassy which I’m certainly not too thrilled about – saw someone mention another pill that can cause this – does this also happen with the Glucoltrol? Jackie At the risk of getting off on a tangent,  I thought the gas was caused the all the additional vegetables in the recommended diet.  Less fat and more vegetables and fruit.  I know my diet changed dramatically.  No more hamburgers and frys every day. George

George: Yes, I can see getting more gas from more veggies and fruit but I’m talking about getting gas after having one bowl of cheerios with skim milk. I think I did read about another pill that did do that to people and I think they mentioned that it eventually went away.  Just wondering if I should mention this to my doctor or kinda wait this out.  Just been diagnosed with type 2 about a month ago and am doing just fine – hate to switch pills when I’ve been doing so well on this (Glucotrol) by taking 2 a day – 5 mg/pill. Jackie

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I HAVE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY ORTHPRDIC DOCTOR THAT QUNINE WOULD RELEAVE IT – I DRINK DIET TONIC WATER WHICH HELPS SOMEWHAT.

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Qunine  does help, even if cramps have already started.  Another med is Benadryl.  

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(MARTPRTNG) writes: Qunine  does help, even if cramps have already started.  Another med is Benadryl.  

I have been having leg cramps and it was my belief that they were caused by riding a bicycle.  Dr. found from  blood tests that my sodium level had become much too low and we are now in the process hopefully of correcting the problem. In the meantime I tip my biking helmet to the concept of finding the cause before dispensing with a cure. R Price

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan

Before I was dianosed with diabetes, my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulfate, hard to find because the FDA had it removed.  But I did use it to good advantage.  It worked for me for a while but the cramps do come back and you discontinue the Quinine for a while and then resume.  They don’t know why or how it works.   This was before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan Before I was dianosed with diabetes, my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulfate, hard to find because the FDA had it removed.  But I did use it to good advantage.  It worked for me for a while but the cramps do come back and you discontinue the Quinine for a while and then resume.  They don’t know why or how it works.   This was before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George

I too started having terrible leg cramps about a year ago.  I was just diagnosed type 2 about a month ago and also am taking Glucoltrol. Sure enough – no more leg cramps – I had wondered about this and am glad to see George mention it as I’m new at this and doing a lot of reading! <G  I also seem to be a "tad" gassy which I’m certainly not too thrilled about – saw someone mention another pill that can cause this – does this also happen with the Glucoltrol? Jackie

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan Before I was dianosed with diabetes, my doctor prescribed Quinine Sulfate, hard to find because the FDA had it removed.  But I did use it to good advantage.  It worked for me for a while but the cramps do come back and you discontinue the Quinine for a while and then resume.  They don’t know why or how it works.   This was before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  When they found I was diabetic I was started on Glucotrol XL and my leg cramps immediately stopped.  So we think they were diabetes related but mechanism is not clear. George I too started having terrible leg cramps about a year ago.  I was just diagnosed type 2 about a month ago and also am taking Glucoltrol. Sure enough – no more leg cramps – I had wondered about this and am glad to see George mention it as I’m new at this and doing a lot of reading! <G  I also seem to be a "tad" gassy which I’m certainly not too thrilled about – saw someone mention another pill that can cause this – does this also happen with the Glucoltrol? Jackie

Just a mention, Tonic water and Diet Tonic water both contain Quinine.

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

I was also bothered by them for quite some time.  I do not know what causes them but I always thought they had something to do with my neuropathy.  Taking 500 mg of Pantothenic Acid each day gave me  complete relief.  

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

Could be potassium level.  If you work out in the heat it is good to have this checked out. Be healthy, M.H. Moman — When counting my blessings I hardly know where to begin!   Give me a thankful heart this day.

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Could be many different reasons. I sometimes get them when I take diuretics such as HTCZ.  Beleived to be caused by lower potassium level in body. Doc says potassium is water soluable and is excreted with urine.  Try eating a banana or two for a few days. If that doesn’t work see doc. Jerry

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

They tell me it is a lack of magnesium.

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy I was also bothered by them for quite some time.  I do not know what causes them but I always thought they had something to do with my neuropathy.  Taking 500 mg of Pantothenic Acid each day gave me  complete relief.

I posed this problem several months back and received several excellent responses. The simplest solution (sans ingesting supplements or drugs) that someone suggested was to massage my calves and to drink plenty of water (about 2 glasses) just before bed.  Invariably, I have to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, but it sure beats CRAWLING to the bathroom when I couldn’t walk due to horrendous leg cramps.  Occasionally get leg cramps, but it’s usually because I’ve forgotten to drink water before bed.

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Could be many different reasons. I sometimes get them when I take diuretics such as HTCZ.  Beleived to be caused by lower potassium level in body. Doc says potassium is water soluable and is excreted with urine.  Try eating a banana or two for a few days. If that doesn’t work see doc.

There are other good sources.  A commercial 8 ounce container of orange juice has much more potassium than a banana.  Some salt substitutes, likewise. The OTC potassium pills, however, are sufficiently low that they should not be considered.  They are below 3% of the RDA. — This address is for information only.  I do not claim that these views are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University. Herman Rubin, Dept. of Statistics, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette IN47907-1399

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

Lots of things can factor into causing leg cramps, potassium deficiency, to poor circulation.  I have hade extreemly severe cramps nightly for about 8 years, as do my mother and father, (heredity? don’t know…)  I take 260mg of Quinnine Sulfate at bedtime and haven’t had a cramp since I started it.  If I forget to take it, invaribly I wake up cramping, but within 30 minutes of taking it, the cramp leaves.  It’s got to be perscribed by your doctor, (didn’t used to be, but new ruling about two years ago), but it’s fairly inexpensive, around 8 bucks for 45 days supply.   Hope this helps David

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Yeah, watch your BG after that 8oz glass of OJ!

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Sometimes is simply dehydration.  Try to up your intake of water — all diabetecs should be drinking lots anyway . Sometimes is a need for potassium or calcium.

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With high Bg’s, I can’t help but drink lots of water! <grin ..I can usually tell when things are not good because I start getting pre-dawn calf cramps – sometimes shin cramps, too (OOOWWWWEEEE!).  I generally start taking an off-the-shelf potassium supplement and in a day or two it eases off and life is better.  Of course, I also start working on the diet and exercise again and that can’t hurt. When I was in college and undiagnosed as Type II, I would wake up in the morning sometimes with calf and shin cramps in both legs – on the top bunk!   Man, those were painful days… -CM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sometimes is simply dehydration.  Try to up your intake of water — all diabetecs should be drinking lots anyway . Sometimes is a need for potassium or calcium.

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. And, I salt heavier in the summer or if exercising a lot. I use a pretty minimal amount of added salt in the winter. A fair amount more in the summer. The other one I can think of associated with sleep could be a circulation problem caused by the position you use in bed. Don’t know how adjustable that is for you, but experiment if you can. Walt

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There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions.

I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this? Peter Phelan

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are lots of causes. One of the most common is too little salt in the diet. This can be either sodium or potassium or the ratio between. To test this, increase your salt intake. Potassium can be had from a fair number of foods. But, to insure that I get enough, I have switched from regular salt to Morton’s Lite Salt. It’s a mixture of sodium and potassium salt in the ideal proportions. I seem to recall being told not to use Lo-Salt (i.e Potassium chloride salt) because potassium levels affect insulin absorbtion.  Too little and too much are both bad. Anyone else heard this?

I agree, too little and too much are both to be avoided. But, I’d not fear Lite-Salt. Your body works best with a fixed ratio of Potassium and Sodium. For most, their diet includes too high a proportion of Sodium. Substituting Lite-Salt in your normal usage would help to restore the balance. Note that I’m not advocating eating large quantities. Just use it like you use regular salt. If in hot conditons or with exercise you find that you are prone to cramps, then the experiment is at most a quarter tsp of Lite-Salt right away, and if that helps, use a little more on your food, because you are on the too little side. The studies I’ve seen over the past several years have been finding that, frequently, the bad effects attributed to Sodium were actually an effect of a Sodium/Potassium imbalance. Apparently, you can eat fairly high sodium if it’s balanced with potassium. If you are a heavy handed salter, then the chances of a sodium deficit are slim, but you could still be potassium short. I’ve always been of the opinion that the salt intake standards are about right for someone who lives most of their life at room temperature and exercises very little. Move away from these conditions, and the standards need modification, sometimes by quite a bit. Both Sodium and Potassium are easily passed out in the urine. So, it’s not all that easy to build up an excess. Lots of things effect insulin usage, but remember, the first thing that does is being otherwise healthy. It’s bad management to focus only on the diabetes. I, for one would rather adjust the insulin slightly if necessary and avoid deficit cramps. I doubt that you would find a adjustment necessary. I have seen no warnings to avoid potassium and would regard such warnings as suspect and possably highly dangerous. Walt

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Can anyone tell me what causes leg cramps? I get them in the early morning hours, about an hour before I get up.  Thanks, Sandy

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Question:

Thanks for all the information on the current wave of blood glucose meters.  Well, I have finally decided to purchase the Lifescan One Touch II meter so that I can connect up to my PC and organize my readings for my endo.  I would like to thank Mike Cullina for his current post regarding the One Touch Interface Cable and utility software — which was chock full of info regarding ordering these peripherals. My next question is:  where is the best mail-order place to order the meter from?  (and WITHOUT trading in my "handy, but not quite so useful" current meters — Exactech Companion and Pen)… Lifescan doesn’t even sell the meters to the general public !!?? Thanks very much for your help. Michele Trieb Type I diabetic — 25 years! —               )  )            /        /              /| /|    *  _   /    _   / _             / |/ |   /  / ) /__  /_) / /_)

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My next question is:  where is the best mail-order place to order the meter from?  (and WITHOUT trading in my "handy, but not quite so useful" current meters — Exactech Companion and Pen)…

Mail order might not get you the rebate coupon (which reduces your end cost down to pocket change). Lifescan doesn’t even sell the meters to the general public !!??

Sure they do.  Local pharmacies are crawling with them around here. — Disclaimer: I do not speak for Motorola Computer Group       Fax: 602-438-3836   "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who      can find?"  Proverbs 20:6

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MT My next question is:  where is the best mail-order place to order MT the meter from?  (and WITHOUT trading in my "handy, but not quite MT so useful" current meters — Exactech Companion and Pen)… MT Lifescan doesn’t even sell the meters to the general public !!??         get a copy of diabetes forecast, the ada’s magazine and look         in there.         look up diabetic supplies in the yellow pages and check with         those folks.         and, don’t forget to just get in touch with your local         pharmacy, because there are always "rebate" programs going         on and he or she will check for you with his/her supplier         about what the latest deal is.         regards, steve.  * RM 1.3 B0003 * An expert is someone from out of town.

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