I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Off-Topic => Diabetes => Topic started by: paddbear0000 on September 26, 2007, 02:26:46 PM

Title: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on September 26, 2007, 02:26:46 PM
 :rant;  After 24 years, I"M SICK AND TIRED of being diabetic!!! Lately, I've had no appetite at all. My blood sugars have been all over the place, crashing like crazy multiple times a day, then spiking up into the 200's, 300's and even 400's for no particular reason. I have been like this my entire diabetic life. I had an appointment at my endo's today, which did not go well, at all. Like usual, my doctor studied my blood sugar readings for like 20 minutes, trying to figure out a pattern to why this happens. We go through this every time and every doctor I've ever had has done the same thing, with no luck. Her response was--you need to eat more! I HAVE NO APPETITE!!! She had even just praised me for lowering my A1C (due only to the fact that my kidneys are failing and my insulin is working better) and she tells me to eat more! What about when my blood sugar is high??!! Agghhh!!! Can I not be diabetic anymore?  :P    :rant;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Joe Paul on September 26, 2007, 02:35:19 PM
I'm with you on this. I been diabetic for 34 years now, so far the kidneys are the only thing thats let me down. My sugars too are all over the place, stress does it for me. I go for my transplant evaluation tomorrow, have decided to go for a pancrease too, like you said sick and tired of being diabetic. Have you considered going for a pancrease? Outside of a possible break from diabetes, the wait is shorter for a dual transplant, here in Pennsylvania is 3 years.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on September 26, 2007, 02:53:18 PM
Yeah, my neph actually talked to me about doing that last week. I'm a little nervous about it though as pancreas transplants are supposed to be fairly risky. I posted elsewhere about the issue I'm also having with him. My labs (as in laboratories) and doctor don't seem to agree on my percentage of renal function. I may be at 25% (as my doc thinks) or at 19% like several labs say.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: okarol on September 26, 2007, 03:36:33 PM
My mom has recently been diagnosed as diabetic. I was wondering if anyone is using LANTUS - the long-acting insulin that is taken once a day. They say it works steadily and consistently to help manage blood sugar control around the clock. I am curious about how it compares to the typical short term/long term insulin commonly used in the past.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Joe Paul on September 26, 2007, 04:12:53 PM
My mom has recently been diagnosed as diabetic. I was wondering if anyone is using LANTUS - the long-acting insulin that is taken once a day. They say it works steadily and consistently to help manage blood sugar control around the clock. I am curious about how it compares to the typical short term/long term insulin commonly used in the past.
They had me on LANTUS, but put me on Novalin (long term) and Novalog (short term) ,  @ 4 shots daily saying its much better control than just the one shot. I take Novalin & Novalog, mixed am & pm, then Novalin on a sliding scale for lunch and supper. Be careful to monitor her blood sugars, I had problems with low sugars during the night while on the LANTUS
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Sluff on September 26, 2007, 06:08:33 PM
You are singing my song Padddbear!! I stop taking all my diabetic meds and shots until I lose the weight I want to lose then I go back on them until I gain too much weight then I go off again.

Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: jbeany on September 26, 2007, 10:05:52 PM
I'm on Lantus and Humalog both.  I love it - it's the only thing that's ever kept my sugar under control.  I take a small dose of lantus every night, and then do a Humalog bolus every time I eat.  I check my sugar every time I eat, and calculate how much insulin I need to account for the carbs I'm going to have.  I can also check after I eat or anytime I feel thirsty to see if my sugar is over 100 and take more humalog to adjust it back down.  My A1c runs between 5.8 and 6.3 most of the time.  I'm still considered a brittle diabetic, because my sugar tends to bounce for no discernable reason, but with the humalog and the lantus, it's under better control than it's ever been.  At least now when it bounces to 400 for whatever reason - I can fix it ASAP and not have the constant problems.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on September 27, 2007, 09:51:11 AM
You are singing my song Padddbear!! I stop taking all my diabetic meds and shots until I lose the weight I want to lose then I go back on them until I gain too much weight then I go off again.



THAT IS VERY, VERY BAD!!! You are killing yourself! I know that comment seems pointless now, but doing that causes complications, including in a coma from DKA!!! I would hope that someone has told you this. I did that as a teenager because I wanted to be thin, and am now in kidney failure as a result. It will further damage your kidneys. I also have nerve damage, gastropasesis and retinopathy because of my actions. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take your medication everyday!!!

My mom has recently been diagnosed as diabetic. I was wondering if anyone is using LANTUS - the long-acting insulin that is taken once a day. They say it works steadily and consistently to help manage blood sugar control around the clock. I am curious about how it compares to the typical short term/long term insulin commonly used in the past.

As far as Lantus, I used to take it. I'm now on a pump (the best thing EVER, in my opinion!). I found the Lantus to be a little less "even" than the manufacturers seem to think it is, and it didn't quite last the full 24 hours, so I would get rather high in the evenings (I was told to take it once a day, at bedtime). After a while, I started to divide the dose, and do half in the AM and half in the PM. It helped a lot. Doctors aren't quite onto that protocol yet, but I know of quite a few diabetics who do it and it made an amazing difference in their blood sugar levels (including mine).
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: skyedogrocks on September 27, 2007, 01:05:50 PM
I don't know personally, but my husband has been a Type I diabetic for almost 25 years and he just hates it too.  He didn't take care of himself for a long time and is paying for it now.  His feet have paid the price, he has almost lost his big toe twice due to infections, he also has neuropathy there.  His eyes have the eye disease, although not too bad (can't think of the name for the life of me) and his kidneys failed. 

The only thing that has worked for him was going to the Joslin Clinic here in Boston.  They are world renowned for their work.  He is on the sliding scale and uses Lantus and Novalog.  I want him to get the insulin pump so bad, but he is being headstrong with that.  He has his occasional highs and lows, but they aren't too bad.  Thankfully, the worst low he ever had was with me, I couldn't get his sugars up, his level was 35!!! >:(.  The paramedics showed up right in time and were able to shock him out of it with a pure sugar injection.  We now have a couple of emegency needles to use in case that ever happens again.

I hate diabetes, it sucks!  It's a total silent killer if you don't take care of it.  Here is a link to the site locations:  http://www.joslin.org/USLocations.asp

I truly believe he would be dead if he hadn't gone to this place.  They have awesome endocrinologists, nephrologists, opthamologists, dieticians, etc.  They really turned his life around.  Perhaps you can try them?

I'm sorry you have diabetes and hopefully you and your doctor can come up with a great plan of action.

One thing that I do believe many diabetics don't do enough of is go to their Podiatrist on a regular basis.  Rob learned his lesson and now goes to his every other month without fail.  His feet are in such better shape now and he is also wearing the right shoes and they are stylish.  If anyone needs great ideas on diabetic shoes let me know, I have done tons of research and have lots of great sights.  He's only 38 so he didn't want the ugly "old man" shoes!

Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: skyedogrocks on September 27, 2007, 01:08:44 PM
You are singing my song Padddbear!! I stop taking all my diabetic meds and shots until I lose the weight I want to lose then I go back on them until I gain too much weight then I go off again.



Sluff, I'm sure you know this and i don't mean to lecture, but you shouldn't do that.  It's very dangerous!!!!  This is the fastest way to losing limbs, eyesight and of course kidney failure.  It's important for you to take your medicine even if it makes you gain weight.  Over time you can work with your doctor and nutritionist on losing weight.  We want you around for a LONG TIME!!!  Take care of yourself my friend!   :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on September 27, 2007, 01:42:53 PM
I truly believe he would be dead if he hadn't gone to this place.  They have awesome endocrinologists, nephrologists, opthamologists, dieticians, etc.  They really turned his life around.  Perhaps you can try them?


I go to the Joslin Center here in Dayton. And, yes, they are awesome! I love my doctor. Oh, and the word you were thinking of is Retinopathy. I had that a few years ago. I can't tell you how many laser surgeries I had to seal up my leaky eye vessels! I could drive to my retinologist's with my eyes closed! After about a year of fluid leaking, I finally started to get bleeding vessels. It was no fun trying to see around the black spots in my vision. I ended up , over the course of 8 months, having surgery on both eyes to have the blood removed and seal up the holes in my blood vessels. Thankfully, I haven't had problems since, except for problems seeing at night and a slight change in colors (related to the laser surgeries)! My retinologist jokes about my eyes--my microscopic pictures of them look like leopards!  ;D


Sluff, I'm sure you know this and i don't mean to lecture, but you shouldn't do that.  It's very dangerous!!!!  This is the fastest way to losing limbs, eyesight and of course kidney failure.  It's important for you to take your medicine even if it makes you gain weight.  Over time you can work with your doctor and nutritionist on losing weight.  We want you around for a LONG TIME!!!  Take care of yourself my friend!   :cuddle;

Going on an insulin pump actually helped me lose weight. I was no longer eating all the time to keep up with my insulin. Also, being high, makes you hungary and eat more. When my blood sugars are anywhere over 180, I feel like snacking.

Sluff, we tell you all this, because we care about you!  My kidneys are failing, my feet are a little numb, I get shooting pains in my legs sometimes, I can't feel if my bladder is full, I can't feel anything during sex, I have slowed digestion which causes constant fullness and bloating and I can't see to drive at night--all because of diabetes and my stupidity when i was younger. I just turned 30. Please, I just tell you this because I care. I cry anytime I hear stories like yours.

 :cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Rerun on September 27, 2007, 01:47:08 PM
Sign up for a kidney-pancreas transplant.  One surgery does it all.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on September 27, 2007, 01:54:22 PM
Yeah, my doctor mentioned that, but I'm scared to death. I have another post about that--http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=5165.0
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: boxman55 on September 29, 2007, 05:51:27 AM
My mom has recently been diagnosed as diabetic. I was wondering if anyone is using LANTUS - the long-acting insulin that is taken once a day. They say it works steadily and consistently to help manage blood sugar control around the clock. I am curious about how it compares to the typical short term/long term insulin commonly used in the past.
Okarol, I take 16 units of Lantus right before bedtime and then during the day a sliding scale of Novalog (fast acting insulin) at breakfast-lunch-dinner for awile I was on Lantus alone and if you truly watch what you eat and drink it works but with the Novalog if I eat something to sweet I can fix it right away....Boxman
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: angellady07 on October 10, 2007, 08:28:47 PM
Paddbear, I'm sorry you are having to cope with diabetes. Wishing you better days ahead. :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Chris on October 10, 2007, 09:01:44 PM
Little late in reading this one. But have you sought consult with another doctor. Some doctors just don't know what they're doing. I had one endo tell me that she would only put me on a pump after I had my kidney and pancreas transplant. WTF is the point of the pancreas transplant then I thought, so I got another doctor who looked at my readings, put me on a continuous glucose monitor, adjusted my sliding scale and put me on a pump after proper training. Seems I attract bad docs and nurses though, had one doc when I was younger  who didn't treat me for my high blood sugars  (before there ever was a sliding scale), ended up in the ER with and Intensive Care the same day after I saw him for hyperglycemia, dad got rid of his ass.  Had a nurse while in the hospital take a glucose reading at 3:30 and it was 230, called her back in an hour complaining how I felt, another reading was taken and it was 345, she then said wait till 6 pm for my insulin. I told her to call the doc. By the time my good nurse came on shift, I was about in a coma and taken to ICU. I haven't seen her since at the hospital, and I have been in the hospital plenty of times. Bad enough I have her name imprinted in my head for stupidity.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Sluff on October 19, 2007, 07:48:58 AM
Found a new doctor and had labs done today. This new diabetic doctor accepts my insurance. Will know more next week.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: goofynina on October 19, 2007, 04:35:56 PM
Allrighty Sluff, and i hope you share them results with the rest of us, good or bad, you know we worry about'cha  :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Katonsdad on December 14, 2007, 08:20:01 PM
I know this is an older thread , But I can take this thread and weave a coat .
I was a diabetic at 13 yrs old .  Just my luck .... Well the old body after a few years really quit on me.
Many eye problems . I had cataracts at 30 years old from to many laser surgeries ...but my eyes are still working .
I had a heart attack at 34 and a quad bi pass at 36 . i was going on dialysis at the same time . I am still going .
I was told by mu Neph to get a dual transplant and to WAIT FOR IT . Do not just get the Kidney wait for the dual .
I was on Dialysis for two years waiting and found out they lost the paperwork (Insurance company )  They started again
and I was on the list for 3 months and got the dual .  It was hard but you are already taking the immuno drugs so why
not take it for 2 organs .  I am still doing great and blood sugars stay around 80 .

Go for the dual and look into the insulin pump , my brother uses it and swears by it,

Katonsdad
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on December 14, 2007, 09:11:56 PM
Katonsdad--Our story is a lot alike. I was diagnosed type 1 at 6. I've had tons of laser surgeries (plus a vitrectomy) in both eyes. Now, at 30, I need cataract surgery. I haven't gotten to dialysis quite yet, but that's right around the corner. And you better believe I'm trying for a pancreas/kidney transplant!
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Run8 on September 08, 2008, 04:30:38 PM
I think alot of our stories are the same. I was 8 and well i too am wait for a dual transplant. That there is my gold medal.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: KBB on March 03, 2009, 10:42:48 AM
Sorry To Say This But You All Need to Get A Grip
Seriously. Im nearly 16 and have been diabetic nearly 13 years.
Diabetes, yea its stressful at times but its a condition you have to live with.
You have to either take tablets, inject, be on an insulin pump and check your bloods.
It aint the end of the world
I mean i think you can either sit here typing this feeling sorry for yourself or get on with your life.
Think yourself lucky you can walk, talk eat and drink. Aint like your in a wheelchair or dying or owt.

And sorry but i would NEVER get a pancreas transplant cos theres people who actualyl NEED it.
Diabetes can be annoying when you go high or low but you just need to get on with it and stop feeling sorry for yourself
Get a grip.

Kiri x
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: okarol on March 03, 2009, 11:35:07 AM
Sorry To Say This But You All Need to Get A Grip
Seriously. Im nearly 16 and have been diabetic nearly 13 years.
Diabetes, yea its stressful at times but its a condition you have to live with.
You have to either take tablets, inject, be on an insulin pump and check your bloods.
It aint the end of the world
I mean i think you can either sit here typing this feeling sorry for yourself or get on with your life.
Think yourself lucky you can walk, talk eat and drink. Aint like your in a wheelchair or dying or owt.

And sorry but i would NEVER get a pancreas transplant cos theres people who actualyl NEED it.
Diabetes can be annoying when you go high or low but you just need to get on with it and stop feeling sorry for yourself
Get a grip.

Kiri x

Kiri,
Everyone's experience is different. You're young, you still have not seen it all, even though you've been through a lot. Be sensitive to other patients.
Please make your FIRST post an Introducing myself post in the "Introduce Yourself" section. This is very important as we will get to know you as a person and not just as another patient. This is a requirement, you must post an introduction thread introducing yourself.

okarol/admin
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Chris on March 03, 2009, 04:55:21 PM


And sorry but i would NEVER get a pancreas transplant cos theres people who actualyl NEED it.

Kiri x

Not sure what you mean by "NEED it", but you do know how a pancreas transplant goes right? And how the waiting list works?
Not all diabetics qualify for a pancreas transplant and the ones who do, do need it due to what diabetes has done to their body and other complications such as hypoglycemia unawareness. I respect your opinion that you do not want one, but don't judge others who do want one without knowing their history of their illness and how it has affected them and how the transplant process works.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: kitkatz on March 03, 2009, 07:59:37 PM
Sorry To Say This But You All Need to Get A Grip
Seriously. Im nearly 16 and have been diabetic nearly 13 years.
Diabetes, yea its stressful at times but its a condition you have to live with.
You have to either take tablets, inject, be on an insulin pump and check your bloods.
It aint the end of the world
I mean i think you can either sit here typing this feeling sorry for yourself or get on with your life.
Think yourself lucky you can walk, talk eat and drink. Aint like your in a wheelchair or dying or owt.

And sorry but i would NEVER get a pancreas transplant cos theres people who actualyl NEED it.
Diabetes can be annoying when you go high or low but you just need to get on with it and stop feeling sorry for yourself
Get a grip.

Kiri x


Excuse me.  This is a dialysis support board.  We are here to provide support for one another and give each other space to breathe and live a life full of things besides dialysis.  Mainly we are here to remind each other that life goes on and things can fill it besides dialysis and being ill. Diabetes is often associated with dialysis. It is another disease some of our members have to cope with on top of having kidney failure.  It all sucks rocks in the end!

I hope you get what you need here.  Welcome the the IHateDialysis.com board.  :welcomesign;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Melinoir on March 03, 2009, 08:56:11 PM
I have a problem with b/g when I go below 150 I start reacting I sweat profusely get jittery and weak, the doctors can't figure out why I do this but admit I have to have higher blood sugar to function ... does anyone have this problem or know why this happens???...... :urcrazy;.... Melinoir
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 04, 2009, 04:13:08 PM
It is because your body is used to the high blood sugars. It used to happen to me when I first started using an insulin pump. My blood sugars used to run really high and my body just wasn't used to it. Once i was on the pump and my blood sugars normalized (as best they could for a brittle diabetic anyway), the problem gradually got better. It didn't take long. And no, you just think you perform better with high blood sugars. Those high blood sugars damage everything from your kidneys, to blood vessels to your brain. I know you've probably heard it before, but all that damage leads to not only kidney failure, but heart attacks, strokes, burst vessels, liver failure, gall bladder failure (I've got that too) and more. I guarantee that if you lower your blood sugars, you will start feeling better and will function just fine. Are you on dialysis, gotten a kidney transplant or on the list for one? If your blood vessels are damaged too much, it ruins your chance for good accesses (I only had one good vein in my arms for an access, and all I could even get was a graft) and even a kidney transplant. Some transplant hospitals won't even transplant you if you can't get your sugars somewhat better.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Melinoir on March 04, 2009, 07:44:52 PM
Thanks for the reply .... makes sense should have had doctors tell me that .... my main doctor is a GP must of slipped up on that one... or maybe I didn't complain enough or to much.. I will get them down and deal with the sweats and jitters as long as there is hope cause I get frantic when that happens .... it's a mental thing... like I lost my mind   :urcrazy;  I feel I have to get something quick to stop it... I sweat buckets and soak my clothing literally... if I'm in bed all the bedding is sopping wet and I get so cold I shiver uncontrollably... my body temp went down below 95  and believe me I felt COLD... but if it goes eventually I guess I can take it...  :banghead; .... Melinoir
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 04, 2009, 08:28:32 PM
I have found that a GP doc is the worst doc to have as a diabetes specialist. They have very little training in diabetes. And diabetes is such a complex disease that needs someone with a lot of training and experience to deal with it. You should really find an endocrinologist. Your reactions are awfully severe for 150. How high do you keep your blood sugars? I just read your introduction about all of your complications. I'm sorry about this. I am all too aware of these. I have gone through so many laser surgeries that my new retina specialist (we moved here from out of state a few years ago) says my eyes look like leopards! I've also had a vitrectomy in both eyes and cataract removal in my left. My kidneys have failed, my gallbladder is almost completely non-functional, and I have peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. It takes far longer to sense temperature in my lower legs than anywhere else because of the peripheral neuropathy. The autonomic neuropathy has caused me to not be able to feel my bladder, have gastroparesis and regulate my blood pressure or body temp. From the sounds of your reactions, I believe you may be suffering from autonomic neuropathy too. I strongly advise you to ask your doctor about it, or better yet, find an endocrinologist who has far more knowledge about the subject.

Trust me, it won't take long to start feeling normal at lower blood sugars. I've been dealing with the same thing again myself. For some reason (I'm pretty sure now it was due to 2 bottles of bad insulin) my blood sugars were running really high. I'm talking in the 4 and 500s for weeks and weeks no matter how much insulin I kept taking or how often I would use new infusion sets, reservoirs and batteries, I just  couldn't get it down. Now that I'm on another bottle, I'm going through the same thing. Once you get your blood sugars down, and you start feeling low even when you aren't, just keep checking your bs over and over. The feeling won't last forever during each episode. I find going outside for a few minutes in the cold really helps and drinking some water.

You might want to have your glucometer's accuracy checked. You can do that by taking it with you to  the lab and have them draw blood for a glucose test and at the same time, check your machine with some of the same blood.

Please feel free to PM me if you have more questions!   :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Chris on March 04, 2009, 08:39:05 PM
Hated the sweating part due to a reaction or waking up to it and feeling cold and drenched. Bad memories there. Although I still get cold easily and body temp on a normal day is 96.7.

Hope it all gets figured out Melinoir.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Melinoir on March 05, 2009, 06:28:07 AM
Wow other people with all the stuff I've been complaining of for ages  :boxing; I sit in my room with a little portable heater and a blanket making a small oasis of heat in a house kept at 68 degrees for financial reasons.  Plus the rest of the family are to hot like I use to be I loved 65 degree temps and felt comfortable at that temp.  Now 85 is more like what I want and I roast everybody out ... >:D  When I go out (I live in Michigan and the temps lately have been at below 10 degrees ) I wear layers upon layers and cover with a blanket I wear a hoodie under my coat and a hat with a scarf and still freeze turn the heater up to broil and the driver rides with the window down for relief   >:D >:D >:D oh to be who I use to be sigh   :P  8)   Thanks for the information ..... Melinoir :bow;
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Sluff on March 05, 2009, 06:34:18 AM
I have a problem with b/g when I go below 150 I start reacting I sweat profusely get jittery and weak, the doctors can't figure out why I do this but admit I have to have higher blood sugar to function ... does anyone have this problem or know why this happens???...... :urcrazy;.... Melinoir

The doctor told me that when this happens it is because my body is so used to being around 250-300 on a consistent basis it takes the body time to adjust to lower blood sugars.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: sewerrat4u on March 20, 2009, 09:16:15 AM
Hey all, I thought I would throw in my 2cents about diabetes. I've had this for more than 20 years and slowly it's progressed to the point where I'm alot like you all, sick and tired,and also having all the same complications I have been reading. High blood sugars in the 300 to 400  A1C = 9.. I'm on PD and I've been using a Dianeal Low Cacium Peritoneal Dialysis Solution (A green Baxter bag) 2 of the with each
eight hour therapy I have. So I have a  question  does anyone else on PD have blood sugars that can't be under control even though you do everything you've been told to do?  :(
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 20, 2009, 09:55:02 AM
PD solution is full of glucose, that is why you have trouble with your blood sugars. I've been told by several nephs that PD is not a good option for diabetics. It makes keeping blood sugars under control almost impossible.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Chris on March 20, 2009, 10:00:25 AM
I read on here and in chat that there is a lower Glucose solution for PD by 2 companies. If I remember right, there is a yellow and a red bag although the other company might be diferent. Something to look into, but some diabetics just can't tolerate the PD solution which Jae Paul statedeither in chat or on the forum, might have been both.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Joe Paul on March 20, 2009, 12:37:14 PM
I read on here and in chat that there is a lower Glucose solution for PD by 2 companies. If I remember right, there is a yellow and a red bag although the other company might be diferent. Something to look into, but some diabetics just can't tolerate the PD solution which Jae Paul statedeither in chat or on the forum, might have been both.
This is the stuff I was on Chris, Baxter makes it, it comes in a purple label bag. Here is some info:
EXTRANEAL (icodextrin) PD solution is indicated for a single daily exchange for the long (8- to 16-hour) dwell during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for the management of end-stage renal disease.

 

EXTRANEAL is also indicated to improve (compared to 4.25% dextrose) long-dwell ultrafiltration and clearance of creatinine and urea nitrogen in patients with high-average or greater transport characteristics, as defined using the peritoneal equilibration test (PET).
 
 
 
 
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
   
 
 
 
EXTRANEAL (icodextrin) PD solution is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy to cornstarch or icodextrin or in patients with glycogen storage disease.

 

EXTRANEAL is not for intravenous injection.

 

Since falsely elevated glucose levels have been observed with blood glucose monitoring devices and test strips that use glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone (GDH PQQ) or glucose-dye-oxidoreductase-based methods, these methods should not be used to measure glucose levels in patients administered EXTRANEAL. Falsely elevated glucose levels may mask true hypoglycemia or lead to the erroneous diagnosis of hyperglycemia and administration of more insulin than needed.  Both of these situations can result in loss of consciousness, coma, neurological damage and death. The manufacturer(s) of the monitor and test strips should be contacted to determine if icodextrin or maltose causes interference or falsely elevated glucose results.

 

Treatment should be initiated and monitored under the supervision of a physician knowledgeable in the management of patients with renal failure.

 

A patient's volume status should be carefully monitored to avoid hyper- or hypovolemia and potentially severe consequences including congestive heart failure, volume depletion and hypovolemic shock. An accurate fluid balance record must be kept and the patient's body weight monitored.

 

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes may require modification of insulin dosage following initiation of treatment.
* Please note, One Touch strips work with this solution
 
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: kellyt on March 20, 2009, 04:26:07 PM
Question.  Do people who require both a kidney/pancrease transplant only have the option of cadaverous donors?   I mean, can a live donor give one kidney AND their pancreas?   ???
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: jbeany on March 20, 2009, 07:44:11 PM
Hey all, I thought I would throw in my 2cents about diabetes. I've had this for more than 20 years and slowly it's progressed to the point where I'm alot like you all, sick and tired,and also having all the same complications I have been reading. High blood sugars in the 300 to 400  A1C = 9.. I'm on PD and I've been using a Dianeal Low Cacium Peritoneal Dialysis Solution (A green Baxter bag) 2 of the with each
eight hour therapy I have. So I have a  question  does anyone else on PD have blood sugars that can't be under control even though you do everything you've been told to do?  :(

My doc said it was a bad option for diabetics.  It makes your sugar a disaster and can make you gain a lot of weight.

Question.  Do people who require both a kidney/pancrease transplant only have the option of cadaverous donors?   I mean, can a live donor give one kidney AND their pancreas?   ???

You can get a live donor kidney and stay on the list waiting for a cadaver pancreas, but the docs at my transplant hospital said it's not something they encourage.  If you've got a working kidney, and have gotten thru the initial high doses of steroids and anti-rejection meds, then you'd have to start all over with the high doses when you first got the pancreas.  Who in their right mind would risk losing the kidney to get the pancreas?  Better to either get both at once from the same cadaver donor, or not at all.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: kellyt on March 20, 2009, 07:52:48 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: sewerrat4u on March 20, 2009, 08:05:18 PM
Thanks , I am now confused why wouldn't my neph warn me about high blood sugars on PD?
If I were to switch to hemo it sure would change it all , but then I think of how you all feel rough after
each sesion. On PD I hardley feel anything except when I roll over in my sleep and tangle the cable.
 I hate kidney failure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rant;   
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 20, 2009, 10:01:00 PM
Question.  Do people who require both a kidney/pancrease transplant only have the option of cadaverous donors?   I mean, can a live donor give one kidney AND their pancreas?   ???

No, you can not get a pancreas from a living donor. If they were to give you their pancreas, then they would become diabetic. Nor could they digest their food properly.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Joe Paul on March 21, 2009, 12:02:21 AM
Thanks , I am now confused why wouldn't my neph warn me about high blood sugars on PD?
Good point. My Neph or dietitian didn't warn me either. I went 1 whole week, doing my exchanges and gaining fluid the whole time. I had to go back to hemo for a couple sessions to pull the fluid gains off. It was then that it clicked for me, to check blood sugars more often, and eventually switching from the red solutions to green, and eventually yellow. Keep in mind, its mainly the sugar in the solutions that draw fluid, and if your blood sugar is high, it defeats the purpose, thus the fluid gain (in my case). It is possible to keep your sugar in control though, while on PD. I tested my blood sugars 10 times a day while on PD, and actually brought my blood sugar in control, better then ever.I had to have my diabetes Doctor write a script to justify the extra test strips though, and the extra insulin to control the PD fluid. It wasn't easy, but it can be done. JB mentioned weight gain, which is true, my body loved the PD fluid, I gained nearly 30 pounds before I decided to go back to hemo dialysis. I gave up PD due to poor clearances, and the only option for staying on PD was to do the extraneal overnight, and do 3 exchanges during the day, it became to be too much. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me sewerrat.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: Chris on March 21, 2009, 11:57:59 AM
Question.  Do people who require both a kidney/pancrease transplant only have the option of cadaverous donors?   I mean, can a live donor give one kidney AND their pancreas?   ???

No, you can not get a pancreas from a living donor. If they were to give you their pancreas, then they would become diabetic. Nor could they digest their food properly.

At one time they were trying partial pancreas live donors. I have not read anything current about it in the transplant news I get, but I'm thinking that it did not work out either by it not lasting in the recipeint, the donor then devoloped diabetes later or had further complications, or both. Something I will have to remember to research on.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: sewerrat4u on March 21, 2009, 01:17:46 PM
Thanks Joe Paul:  I'm grateful to you all here at  IHD the personal stories make me realize that what I go through is common with someone having the same problems ,and getting great support here.
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: tonks001 on June 02, 2009, 07:27:18 PM
:rant;  After 24 years, I"M SICK AND TIRED of being diabetic!!!
Can I not be diabetic anymore?  :P    :rant;

Good for you for thinking this way! At least you want to stop becoming diabetic. I guess all you can do now is to practice a healthy lifestyle. Good luck! i salute you!


Dentist Fremont (http://www.DENTISTSFREMONT.COM) Dental Thousand Oaks (http://www.THOUSANDOAKS-DENTAL.COM)
Title: Re: I'm tired of being diabetic!!!
Post by: dwcrawford on June 03, 2009, 06:21:24 AM
Not much other than transplant you can do about being a diabetic is there?  Mine was under control for years with the help of dieting and a small amount of daily Lantus.  Lantus did it I think because I've been using it since the early days of Lantus.  However, something messed up my kidneys.  Perhaps it was the residual effects of diabetis past, or perhaps high bp.  Whatever, its here and far worse the diabetes.  (oh, it always messed up my vision several years ago which may have accounted for my being more serious about dieting.