From Hell to Habit

Posted on September 12, 2016 by janekdickinson

I never used to consider myself a hiker. It wasn’t that I didn’t like hiking; I just didn’t do it. And then about five years ago I decided to try a hike (one of several in our local community). It took me 45 minutes to get to the first “bend” – I had no idea how much further it was to the top. In fact, I didn’t get all the way to the top until several months later when I asked a friend to join me (it was spring and I was nervous about meeting a mountain lion, so thought better to have a hiking partner). We hiked all the way to the top and I was pretty proud!

Somewhere along the line I started making that hike every Friday morning. A few friends joined, and now we have a regular “hiking club.” If I’m in town on a Friday, I hike. It has definitely become a habit (and while it’s still a challenge, it’s MUCH easier than those first several times).

When I read a tweet today about making what we learn about diabetes and exercise part of our permanent lifestyle, I thought about what was once hellish for me and now is habit. And an enjoyable one at that – thanks to the company of friends and my muscles getting somewhat used to the task.

My suggestions for incorporating exercise into lifestyle: do it gradually; do something you might enjoy down the line; do it with people you enjoy; stick with it (at least long enough to give it a good chance of sticking). You never know – five years later you might be lost without it.

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Diabetes Achievements

Posted on September 5, 2016 by janekdickinson

Sixteen years ago today, my son was born. It’s a big deal for a kid to turn 16, especially because they get to start driving! It’s a big deal for me, because pregnancy was the time that I worked the hardest on diabetes I have ever worked. If someone asked me what I’m most proud of, it would be having two babies and the work it took to get them on this planet.

Some people who have diabetes swim in the Olympics, or play professional sports, or perform on stage or in movies. It’s always impressive to hear about those inspiring people. The rest of us work day in and day out in our regular lives, managing this thing.

A couple weeks ago I took part in two live Twitter chats. They both were happening right smack in the middle of dinner time (at least where I live). These days I have kids in high school and high school sports, so meal time is limited. Anyway, participating in two live Twitter chats and preparing dinner (in different rooms) reminded me of juggling all that it takes to live well with diabetes.

Today I’m incredibly grateful for my son, who is 16 years old and awesome. I’m grateful for the work I did all those years ago and for the work I keep doing so I can be around for all his future milestones. That feels like an achievement to me.

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Time to eradicate hypoglycemia

Posted on August 29, 2016 by janekdickinson

I found out yesterday that on August 18th we lost a bright, energetic, amazing young man – 22 years old – because of hypoglycemia.

Today I am attending the #beyondA1C Diabetes Outcome Measures FDA workshop. I mentioned last week that my response to the call for emails and videos for this workshop was geared toward the need to prevent/eradicate hypoglycemia. Now I feel even stronger about this. People die from hypoglycemia. People who could have lived full, productive lives with diabetes have their lives cut short because of hypoglycemia. It’s time to change this.

Thank you, FDA, for listening to the people who live diabetes every day, and those who work with us. We appreciate the dialogue.

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FDA looks #BeyondA1C

Posted on August 22, 2016 by janekdickinson

When I was at the recent #AADE16 meeting, I heard and read a lot about looking at outcomes other than A1C. This was the first time I actually heard someone mention “patient-driven outcomes.” Thinking about things that matter to people with diabetes – what a concept! Things like quality of life, hypoglycemia, and time in target (blood glucose range) I can get behind.

On August 29th the FDA is holding a day-long workshop where they will listen to public comment on what matters to people with diabetes. What kinds of outcomes do we want them to look at in order to develop drugs/technology that would be helpful to us?

From the workshop description:

The ultimate purpose of identifying and qualifying these outcomes for regulatory purposes would be to continue to support the development of novel therapies that directly address the needs of diabetes patients living with the disease. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers following each presentation.

And here is the complete info on the workshop – you can join virtually if you won’t be in Maryland next Monday. Sign up by August 26th. And diaTribe is asking us to submit videos with our ideas for outcomes beyond A1C.

Here’s mine. As a diabetes professional, I believe that developing or perfecting diabetes drugs that could limit or eradicate hypoglycemia would be incredibly beneficial. Many people purposely run high – and risk complications – because they fear hypoglycemia. I have met people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to severe hypoglycemia events that occurred during childhood. Additionally, signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia change over time, and risk of severe lows and hypoglycemia unawareness increases. Personally, I find hypoglycemia incredibly annoying. It interferes with my ability to get things done or to sleep through the night. It’s frustrating and a waste of time.

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What diabetes educators do…

Posted on August 18, 2016 by janekdickinson

I recently returned from the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ Annual Meeting. There we shared ideas, learned new concepts, met new people, grew, expanded our understanding, viewed new products, and more. Being at a national meeting always feels larger than life.

Then today, back in rural Colorado, I drove 30 minutes into the countryside to teach a child care provider how to take care of a 2-year-old who has type 1 diabetes and will be starting at her day care next week.

I can’t help but think that what we do – from the huge to the miniscule – is awesome. I love being a diabetes educator.

PS I also love child care providers who are willing to watch (tiny!) kids with diabetes. You rock!!

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Diabetes devices are great, but…

Posted on July 11, 2016 by janekdickinson

Be sure that you are comfortable, confident, and knowledgeable about how to manage diabetes without the fancy gadgets and gizmos in the event that technology fails. And technology does fail.

Calculating doses (by hand!), not knowing blood glucose levels, counting carbs – all this might be necessary when devices don’t work. It’s kind of like paper charting in a hospital. Once hospitals convert to computer charting they like to forget that paper charting ever happened (many current health professions students have never charted with pen and paper). But when the computer system crashes, paper charting it is.

Same thing when there’s a power outage in a hospital. Back up generators can help a lot, and so can a back up diabetes plan. Just in case you didn’t already have enough to think about, add being prepared for anything at all times to your list.

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Diabetes and Water

Posted on July 4, 2016 by janekdickinson

Finally some good news! According to a study by the CDC, Americans are drinking enough water. Now that I think about it, I really haven’t heard much about drinking 8 cups of water a day lately. And I guess that’s because we’re doing it! Actually, it appears we’re not just getting hydrated through water consumption, but also through other beverages and even water-based foods we eat. But drinking water is still the best way to hydrate.

Hydration is important for everyone, and maybe even more so for those with diabetes. When you have diabetes, the risk for dry skin is higher. The best way to prevent dry skin is to keep our bodies hydrated (moisturizing cream is a treatment for dry skin, while drinking water is a prevention).

When blood glucose is elevated, drinking water is even more important for staying hydrated – elevated blood glucose can cause dehydration.

Dehydration can lead to feeling fuzzy and even passing out. Sounds similar to low blood glucose symptoms, doesn’t it? Another reason to stay hydrated – we don’t want to confuse the two.

Water, however, is NOT a treatment for low blood glucose. Many years ago I came upon a man who was low and a security officer said, “Don’t worry, we have someone getting him a glass of water.”

And a trick when you are feeling cold is to drink cool or even lukewarm water. Ask for no ice in a restaurant. Of course, in most parts of the country the 4th of July is a hot, sunny day, and cold water is refreshing. In fact, I think I’ll go have a glass of water right now.

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Diabetes Parallels

Posted on June 27, 2016 by janekdickinson

I sometimes notice little diabetes parallels in routine life moments. I just threw a glass jar into the recycle bin in our garage. Ordinarily this is a pretty straight forward thing. I open the door to the garage (in our laundry room) and throw the object in (we don’t have to sort anymore). I don’t need to turn the light on or anything – it’s right there and it has a big opening.

Only tonight the recycle bin was out on the curb (thanks to my son). So when I tossed the glass jar into the dark garage, it hit the concrete floor and shattered. Just like when we take insulin without checking a blood glucose, or treat a low with everything in the refrigerator.

Lessons learned: look before you toss and paying attention pays off.

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one way to ease the burden of diabetes

Posted on June 20, 2016 by janekdickinson

Diabetes is scary and depressing for 25% of Australian teens with the disease (according to one study). One (pretty simple) way we can lessen the stress for adolescents and others with diabetes is to use language that builds on their strengths and empowers them. This is a subtle way to encourage success, decrease guilt, anger and fear, and hopefully counteract the depressing nature of the disease. Let’s do away with words like “diabetic,” which is a reminder that we’re different; “compliance” and “control” (or “uncontrolled”), which are simply judgments; and “test,” “good/bad” and “diet” which have negative connotations. The choices involved with managing diabetes are complicated and tiring enough. If these kids never heard these words, perhaps their experience living with diabetes would be that much easier. Who knows, but it seems worth a try.

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Diabetes Disclosure

Posted on June 13, 2016 by janekdickinson

I recently saw this question on twitter: “Should or shouldn’t you disclose your diabetes to your professors or employer?” I was particularly struck by the words should and shouldn’t.

Here’s how I would reword the question:

“Do you disclose your diabetes to your professors or employer? Why or why not?”

Disclosing your diabetes is your choice. There are many factors that play into whether or not someone lets people know they have diabetes and it can vary by person or situation.

I hope that professors will (d0) treat you like an adult. If you need to leave a class for diabetes-related reasons, it wouldn’t matter to the professor as long as you are respectful, get the information you need and hand in your assignments on time. If you find you need to leave class frequently, there may be bigger concerns at play.

When it comes to employers, I may or may not disclose my diabetes. I do make sure at least one co-worker/colleague knows, however. The friends I hike with know I have diabetes and how to treat a low, should I need their help.

Diabetes management – every aspect of it – is about choices. We make those choices every minute of every day, and take safety into consideration. Choosing whether or not to disclose is no different.

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