Take a Pill the Right Way - Maybe

Take a Pill the Right Way - Maybe

 

Believing Research

 

 

http://www.annfammed.org/content/12/6/550.abstract?sid=cf9598c5-3fce-40d6-a8dc-55e40a572783



 

I was reading a magazine and came across an article about swallowing  pills.

A German study had concluded there were better ways

and described 2 methods.

 

I wasn't so much interested in the new methods.

I just wanted to know WHY?

I have no problem taking pills.

Why this study?

I am used to swallowing lot of pills.

Big pills.

I pop all of them in my mouth.

I use my teeth to push the pills to the back of my tongue and mouth.

Yep, I stick out my tongue to push them back close to my throat.

Grab a glass of whatever is handy -

Except hot beverages-

Except warm beverages when taking fish oil -

ANYWAY

then I gulp.

Down they go.

 

So I looked around and found out that people have problems taking pills.

Various reasons too:

Fear of choking

Natural desire to chew before swallowing

Fear of gagging

Fear of pill going down wrong pipe

 

Harvard looked at the study and made a few comments

 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/two-tricks-make-easier-swallow-pills-201411137515

Harvard says don't try different techniques at home.
Interesting.

SO

If like me you have never had an issue taking pills - yay!!
If you have a problem, do as they suggest, get with your Dr.

AND

If you never had a problem but do now,
let your Dr. know
Because
as diabetics we are prone to
things like
Acid reflux
Neurological damage
Dry mouth
GERD
Thyroid problems
plus
just being diabetic can also be to blame.

If you have problems swallowing, pills or food, ask the Dr. to help you!


I hope you have a great numbers day!

Jay





 

 

 

 

Diabetes Distress

 

Diabetes Distress

 

 

CDC:Diabetes Distress

 

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/people-with-diabetes/ten-tips-coping-diabetes-distress.html 

My Doctor said I was stressed.

Maybe, possibly depressed.

My complaints?

 

I WORRY

about possible future complications.

about current complications getting worst

about how high numbers might be affecting me.

 

I GET ANGRY

When I can’t eat what I want whenever I want

at the cost of medicine, sensors, test strips, and insurance that costs a ridiculous amount and won’t pay for anything.

when I can’t spoil myself or my grandkids because above costs leave me with zero extra cash.

 

I GET FRUSTRATED

when I eat healthy only to spike and not know why.

at a BBQ or party where delicious carb packed food is overflowing and I have to pick or take 1 bite of a few items

planning my life around food, packing emergency snacks for highs, lows, missed snacks or meals

when I eat and I’m full but I’m not satisfied

 

I FEEL GUILTY

when I miss a workout or don’t put much effort into it.

when I pig out or over indulge and spike.

when someone tries to alter their menu or plans to accommodate me

when above effort doesn’t work out

when I don’t put my food in my program to watch my carbs and watch how I eat

 

I FEEL SHAME

since I don’t know if I caused this or might have even sped up the process with my teenage junk food diet

 

I GET EMBARRASED

When I don’t eat at parties or pick very small scoops to eat,
 especially when someone notices and comments on my “picky” eating

When someone comments on my weight

When people notice my sensor and just look.  Ask. I would rather say what it is than have someone wonder what is wrong with me or avoid me

 

I AM TIRED AND OVERWHELMED AND STRESSED

He mentioned medication.

Nope, no more meds please.

Amazingly I was cleaning out old magazines and came upon an article about

DIABETIES DISTRESS!

Distress is a normal reaction to the stress and strain of managing a progressive, chronic disease.

Distress is gaining attention but not enough in my opinion.

This was written in 2013

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/mental-health/diabetes-distress.html

2014 a summary of research was presented to the ADA

http://www.diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/2014/diabetes-distress-vs-depression.html

Hello 2019!!!  Where is the new research??

ANYWAY......

Distress can rise:

when there are changes in treatment

when there is the development of a complication or complications worsen

when insulin is started

when there is poor control

when you feel your Dr.'s aren't listening

 

 

WHAT TO DO

Realize distress is normal for both the diabetic and their family

Form or join a social network for support, online or locally

Learn your distress warning signs and find management strategies

Talk about your fears and feelings so others know how to help (Then ask for help and accept the help!)

Learn about diabetes self-management.

 

SO

For me, some of my distress comes from liking a routine –

Get up, work out, eat, prepare for day and have a schedule

BUT

With changes in medication and other life issues I need to be more flexible.

Have 15 minutes? Pick up the weights

Tired of cooking? Boyfriend offered to grab salads from W** which I love, accept offer

Number high? Go walk and find a few golf balls

Eat before BBQ’s and parties just in case

Oh and quit giving food so much power….

 

My distress level seems to constantly change but it really increases

when time for blood work and doctor appointments

when there is a party or eating at an unknown restaurant

when invited over for dinner

on Thursday when I grocery shop

Got some of my triggers, time to look for strategies!

 

 

DO you feel like diabetic distress is a part of your life? What are your triggers?

 

Have a great numbers day!

Jay

So Hard to Say NO

So Hard to Say NO



Ways to say NO

I Have a Hard Time Saying No

So little time!

So much to do!

I thought being

retired,

on sabbatical,

laid off,

lacking work,

on a retreat,

or whatever you call it when not formally employed,

I would have all the time I wanted

to do everything I put off while raising a family

AND
working more than full-time.

 

NOPE

Seems I am just as busy as ever.

How do I say no?

I realized as I was looking at ways to say NO

that I needed to decide what I wanted to do.

I needed to decide my YES.

We all have the HAVE TO DO's.

Work. Laundry. Food shopping and prep. Cleaning.

BUT
Where do I want to SPEND my TIME?

What is truly important to me?

They say to find out what is important to someone just looked at

where they SPEND their

time and money! 

Without knowing where I wanted to spend my time (and money),

then I allow others to make that decision for me.

Uhhhhh, no.

Time to decide what I REALLY want to do

as well as

is this the right time to do it.

 

Diabetic Care

 

I have decided to make this a priority.

Watching carbs.

Finding good foods I like.

Exercise, like walking and weights.

Using a program to monitor my food and glucose numbers.

Giving myself time,

by saying no to things others want me to do

I say YES to things I need to do for me.

Things like:

Exercise
Log food

Meal plan

Rest

Sleep
Practice pickle ball

Read

Call my mom and dad

Set a better routine

Free time for whatever comes my way

 

SO

Remember,

saying no to stuff that isn't top priority to you

gives you time (and sometimes money)

to say YES to you and what matters the most in YOUR life.

 

What are the priorities in YOUR LIFE?

 

Have a great numbers day!

Jay

Itch Itch Scratch Scratch - Dry Diabetic Skin

Itch Itch Scratch Scratch - Dry Diabetic Skin

 

Dry Skin

 

Spring - Coming Out From The Layers

Winter.

A time of hiding skin under

sweatpants and sweatshirts.

Layers of clothes,

hats,

gloves,

socks and shoes.

Spring.

A time of showing skin.

T-shirts,

shorts,

and sandals.

 

Yikes! Dry Skin Alert

Oh my....

as I transition to skin showing shorts and shirts

I

just

want

to

CRY.

My skin is dry, flaky, itchy, and, did I mention DRY?

I have bottles of lotion everywhere.

What else can I do?

 

Prevention Tips

So here are a few tips if you suffer from dry skin.

One thing may not help but put a few tips together

and you just might see a difference.

 

1. Warm baths and showers.

NOT hot

2. Less frequent bathing.

Wash only what's dirty.

Yes, you know, those places.....

3. Moisturizing soap

4. NO bubble baths

5. Pat dry, leaving skin slightly damp

6. Apply lotion to slightly damp skin

-Lock that moisture in-

Avoiding between toes

7. Use a humidifier especially in drier climates

 

I have different lotions for different locations.

I am hoping all of this will help me have

Spring Worthy Skin!!

 

What lotions or creams do you find work the best?

 

Have a great numbers day!

 

Jay

 

REAL Normal Blood Glucose Numbers

REAL Normal Blood Glucose Numbers

If you wonder what blood glucose looks like for people without diabetes, mean glucose is typically 100 mg/dl or less, which corresponds to an A1C of less than 5.7% (the cutoff for diagnosing prediabetes). The cutoff for diagnosing diabetes is an A1C of 6.5%, corresponding to a mean glucose of roughly 135 mg/dl.

https://diatribe.org/easd-day-3-highlights-diabetes-technology-experts-share-unique-and-important-data-cgm-and-hybrid#normal

What is “normal” CGM Data in Adults and Kids Without Diabetes?

Dr. Roy Beck of Florida’s Jaeb Center, on behalf of USC’s Dr. Anne Peters, shared continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data for individuals without diabetes. Why did they study this? Good question! This study may well help inform targets for optimal glucose control and needed improvements in diabetes management. Researchers analyzed 10 days of Dexcom G6 CGM data from 153 children (6+ years) and adults with a baseline A1C of 5.1%. The primary findings:

• Among all study participants, the average blood sugar was 99 mg/dl
• Time-in-tight-range of 70-140 mg/dl was 97% in this group of people without diabetes
• Average time in hyperglycemia (blood glucose greater than 140 mg/dl) for the group was 2.1% (just 30 minutes per day)
• Average time greater than 160 mg/dl was approximately 4 mins/day
• Time below 60 mg/dl and 54 mg/dl were both negligible

Another Opinion

https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/dr-bernstein-interview-on-diabetes-complications-617051/

Dr Bernstein claims 4.2% to 4.6% A1c which translates to an average of 83 mg/dL

He says in this article that he sees complications at 6.5%

BUT NOT at 5%

6.5% is an average of 160 mg/dL

Yikes!

Are "Real" Normal Numbers Achievable?

Yes according to low carb advocates.

Yes according to Dr Bernstein.

But I tried Low Carb High Fat.

Not sustainable and my numbers didn't drop to "real" normal numbers.

Plus my stress level went way up.

Plus my satisfaction with eating went way down.

I didn't enjoy my food or mealtimes.
So now I am trying low carb meaning 75g to 100g net carb
(meaning carb minus fiber = net carb)
BUT
not high fat, especially animal.
I eat avocados and nuts which have quite a bit of fat
BUT
I need calories from somewhere.
I am limiting my cheese which is SO hard for me.
Food seems to always be a work in progress.
I am hoping Cronometer helps me
More on that later!!
 

Each of us is different in our diabetes journey

Our bodies are different.

Our temperaments are different.

Our food tolerances, like, dislikes, and allergies are different.

Let's do our best while forgiving ourselves when we don't .

I'm aiming for a better A1c 

for  better and healthier life,

physically and mentally.

What are you doing for better numbers?

Have a great numbers day!

Jay