Living With Diabetes

November 14, 2017
World Diabetes Day - Soma Technology, Inc.

Living with Diabetes

We took a few minutes to interview someone we know that has diabetes, to see if they could answer a few question on how they manage their Diabetes. Maybe you had some of the same questions! If you have any more questions feel free to comment below.

Mindy

What type of diabetes do you have?

I am a Type 1, insulin dependent diabetic.

How long have you had diabetes?

I was diagnosed in August 1962, at the age of 3 ½,  I have been a diabetic for 55 yrs.

How did you manage your diabetes?

I try to maintain healthy eating habits, I watch my carbohydrate intake very careful and exercise.

What treatment do you use to treat your diabetes?

I monitor my blood sugar very closely and inject insulin before each meal.   I also take Basaglar Insulin which is a 24 hour insulin.  Basaglar helps maintains a baseline of control.  For every 15 grams of carbohydrates I eat I inject 1 unit of Novolog insulin.

How often do you have to test your glucose levels?

I test before each meal, before exercise and after exercise and if I feel shaky or sleepy

Do you use an insulin pump or injections/pens?

Pens, two different pens Basaglar and Novolog

How often do you need to inject?

5 times a day, B Basaglar before breakfast and Novolog before each meal.

Can you recognize the symptoms of low/high blood sugar?

Usually, but sometimes my blood sugar drops too quickly and I don’t realize it is happening. My family recognizes the symptoms and provides assistance.

What symptoms do you get?

I get shaky and can’t think clearly.  If it drops too low, I see colors and my eyes have difficulty focusing.

Do you do anything else to manage your diabetes?

I have been fortunate and can maintain a normal life with diabetes.

What is the hardest part of being a diabetic?

Having to always plan ahead, to have insulin, snacks, and food if I am going somewhere that I might have difficulty eating the available food.

What would you like non-diabetics to know about diabetes?

That type 1 diabetes is not caused by not exercising or overeating. Also, that I don’t need, or want to be treated special. Please let me choose what I can eat from the food prepared.

What would you tell someone who has just been diagnosed with Diabetes?

Moderation in all things is the key to successful control, moderate eating and exercising help diabetics lead a relatively normal life.

If you are on vacation are there a lot of places you can get insulin from?

Diabetic supplies are expensive, without prescription coverage. I always plan ahead and bring plenty of insulin and test strips when I vacation.

What do you do if you have a food craving?

Because I count carbs carefully, I can usually adjust my diet to allow me to handle any food cravings.

Do you exercise?

My goal is 10,000 steps a day.

Would you have done anything differently before your diagnosis?

I was too young to be aware of anything when I was diagnosed, diabetes has been a way of life for me.

Do you have a family history of Diabetes?

Yes, my paternal Grandmother was an insulin dependent diabetic, diagnosed in the 1930s.

What does your diet currently consist of?

I plan to eat 30 carbs at each meal,  other than carbohydrates I can eat most foods. By eating 30 carbs per meal, I typically take 2 units of Novolog before eating and I am able to maintain a healthy glucose level.

What is a normal blood sugar level?

For a non-diabetic, I think around 100.  I start to treat my sugar levels once they reach 150.

 

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