Adjusting.

[icebluenothing]

.... And life goes on.

I can't swallow pills. I never have been able to; don't know why not, but I'm always convinced I'm going to choke on the goddamn things and I freeze up when I try. Since the doctor prescribed for my diabetes and Lisinopril for my high blood pressure, this would present a problem, if it weren't for my sister's ingenious solution -- when I needed a painkiller while I was down in Olympia, she tossed one into a coffee bean grinder and reduced it to powder in seconds. I've been doing that with my new pills and it's been simple.

Getting used to taking my blood samples has been a little less simple. I'm not going to have to inject insulin or anything, thank God, but pricking my finger with a spring-loaded lancet was a little much for my needle-phobic self to contemplate, but, well, needs must as the Devil drives -- I got over it. It's pretty easy and actually kind of fun, now, to test my blood with the cool little gadget I have. I'm keeping a log of what my levels are -- they're edging down into normal already, which seems miraculous to me -- and I'll probably put the log on-line somewhere for the curious at some point.

Speaking of cool gadgets, I have a new bicycle. My dad bought it for me when I mentioned to him that I thought riding one around Greenlake would be good exercise. I've never had a new bike before -- the one I had when I was a kid was one that my parents actually found, abandoned by someone on our property, and the one I rode occasionally (very occasionally) in my twenties belonged to my ex-wife and left when she did. (Well, disappeared from the bike room, here, when she'd left it unclaimed for long enough, which she threatened to sue me over, which is why I don't talk to her anymore, but that's another story entirely.) So anyway. Yeah. New bike. It's a thing of beauty and it gives me a hell of a workout and I look genuinely ridiculous in my mushroom-like helmet.

treebyleaf has introduced me to the wonders of no-sugar-added ice cream. I'm insanely grateful. A life without ice cream scarcely bears thinking about.

Comments

[chronicdisorder.livejournal.com]

pricking my finger with a spring-loaded lancet
I'm not diabetic (yet), but it runs in the family so I get pricked every year or so... I can't see me getting used to doing it. I flinch every time

they're edging down into normal already
glad you are managing it sooner rather than later, and getting good results.

[icebluenothing.livejournal.com]

Oh, I still flinch every time; I think that's entirely normal. What I'm impressed with is the fact that I'm managing to make myself do it anyway, without freaking out or having a panic attack over it ....

And yeah, the fact that I'm getting good results already is really amazing to me. Thanks.

[c-dawg.livejournal.com]

My ex-boyfriend was diagnosed with diabetes while we were dating, and it was definitely a bit of a lifestyle adjustment. Luckily, he didn't have to do insulin injections either, but twice-daily needle pokeys and intense carb-reduction diet were a challenge. He absolutely *loathed* any forms of exercise, so despite knowing that it would help him, he waited to see if medication and diet could curb his blood sugar levels first. It seemed to work for him, and we had fun experimenting with dessert recipes geared toward the diabetic. There are some decent sugar substitutes out there now, and we were able to whip out some pretty dang tasty peanut butter cookies & various cakes. (His sweet tooth was finely honed...and a bit, er, overactive.)

Good luck!

[icebluenothing.livejournal.com]

Fortunately for me, I'd already been trying to change my diet some, and exercise more, so this hasn't come as a complete lifestyle shock, just a slight gearshift. I feel really lucky for that -- If I'd found out about this a couple of years ago, I would have been in the same position as your ex.

I'm going to need to figure out how to produce a decent cake ASAP -- I have a birthday coming up. :)

[cithra.livejournal.com]

Bike helmets are universally unflattering. It's just One of Those Things. I like your brain, so I'm happy to hear you are choosing to suffer the indignity for its protection. :)

Glad to have the update, too - I was just wondering how you were doing.

[icebluenothing.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- I first looked at myself in the mirror with it and thought, "This is not going to get me laid." :) But then, neither is cracking my skull open like an egg, so ....

Ack!

[lawst.livejournal.com]

Talk to your doc first about the pill crushing thing! Please! Those things are designed to release insulin slowly into your system. If you get it too quickly, you could undermine the effectiveness of the pills. Worst case, you could end up with too high of a dose and send youself into shock! Please, please, please don't crush them! A trick I learned for Cambra was to coat the pills with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil to make them slick. She had the same problem with swallowing them that you do and it worked.

Re: Ack!

[icebluenothing.livejournal.com]

Talk to your doc first about the pill crushing thing! Please!

Oh, please don't worry! I did talk to the doctor first, and to the pharmacist, and they both said it wouldn't be a problem -- same thing I do with every new pill I encounter. Thanks, though!

Those things are designed to release insulin slowly into your system.

Actually, glucophage doesn't provide insulin, or cause the body to produce more insulin -- it decreases sugar production in the body and causes the body to make better use of the insulin it has.

Re: Ack!

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

Is glucophage covered under your Basic Health? (I guess this is a disingenuous question, given what I know about it.)

They got spooked a few years ago and wanted to put me on it (this was the insane bitch-doctor I don't go to anymore, the one who wouldn't share my file with the new doctor, besides), but I had no insurance and I seem to recall it's about $4/tablet.

it decreases sugar production in the body

What happens to the carbohydrates you eat, then, and to any fat your body might try to break down? Are they just passed? (I think you have a link tag screwed up in your entry, there's no word where you name the drug you're on for diabetes.)

Re: Ack!

[noiseinmyhead.livejournal.com]

there is a generic now makes it much cheeper, came out last december after I stopped taking it. I was taking it for pcos related infirtility, not diabetes but it can really help the weight loss go quicker.

Re: Ack!

[lawst.livejournal.com]

*Whew* Thank you, I was worried. I feel better now. Sometimes I can be too much of a mommy.

Bloodnumbers

[songhawk.livejournal.com]

...seem to go well with bloodletters, in a twisted way- glad your are dropping!
It occurs to me that sympathetic magicians must love modern forensic science- your blood can show your health, your blood can prove that you were killed or killer, even when someone tried to wash it away.
I'm sure there's a story in there somewhere...

Does your system work with nutrasweet at all? I have some sugar-free cookies lying in wait for you when you visit if they do.
Give Mir & Amanda a call for cake recipies- 'manda's been cooking sugar free for years...
Jeanette

Powderized pills...

[mspurplepearl.livejournal.com]

I was unable to swallow pills as a child. (Before most things were available in chewable... and long after the doctor had decided that I must be old enough to be prescribed horse pills.)

My mother used to crush them with two spoons or the giant Asian Cleaver... then pour honey over it for me to swallow. This cut the bitter taste enough that there wasn't quite as much of a fight over me taking my medicine.

Glad to hear you are adjusting well: you didn't post after your announcement, and though I figured you were just busy, I am glad to hear things are going well.

the numbers game

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

when my mom was diagnosed she came to visit me for a couple of days soon after.

and we tested *mine*... I had known for a while that I was Hypoglycemic. But I had never know the numbers...

so about an hour after breakfast (with Meat and carbs) we poked my finger. and the number was 40.

It's all about a focused diet. :D

I am glad to hear your numbers are dropping baby. That's fantastic.

I am really wondering how high was high? I know when my mom was diagnosed she was hitting the 250s...