Blood Glucose Meters...

So I realized that the meters that check my blood sugar aren't exact, but 29 mg/dL difference from one hand to another? When I first calibrate my continuous glucose monitor I have to check my blood sugar twice in a row (once from one hand and once from the other) and the numbers have always been within 10 mg/dL. I thought maybe it was the strips so I used the control solution, but that test came back normal. 

Meanwhile, I sort of want to check again because I feel dizzy and lightheaded yet I'm not low. I just finished drinking some Vitamin water because I was low when I got home from work :( It's been about an hour and I still feel crappy...

Enough!

Really? Again!? I woke up from my nap tonight at 38 mg/dL and and then ate way too much because I felt so crappy. Then I had to bolus (taking a dose of insulin for the excess food) and about 30 minutes ago I was getting ready to go for a run and checked my blood sugar to make sure I was good to go and voila! 63 mg/dL...I didn't really feel all that low, but apparently I was. So I drink some vitamin water so I can run the three miles I need to and I get to 1.5 miles and feel kind of crappy and weak, so I check and what do I see...48 mg/dL...no this can't be right...check again 43 mg/dL...yep, must be right...more vitamin water. I figured I'd write about all my lows while I was waiting for my sugar to get back to normal so I can finish my run...grrrrr...This is when I get irritated with my diabetes...I have work to do, can't you just not get in my way right now!? Thanks.

Spring Break!

So I made it through part I of boards! I won't find out how I did until April or May though, so that kind of sucks, but I'm just glad it's over with. Now I can see my friends again and get back to being myself! Jen and Mo's wedding is less than three months away! I have to get working on my tan and finish something I'm working on for Jen! :) I have so many things to do in the next week before it's time to go back to classes. I still have clinic on Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon, but other than that it's technically spring break! I also just decided on Tuesday that I'm going to head to Chicago this weekend for a few days because I wanted to see my cousin and I needed a vacation! Well, I need to get ready to take Karen to the airport then I'm going to get a massage and then it's dinner with my mom, dad, and aunt because they're in town for the girls state basketball tourney today.

Finals and Boards

So finals (Monday and Tuesday) and boards (March 17 and 18) are quickly approaching and I'm as busy as ever and just a little stressed. It doesn't help that I seem to be constantly tired and feeling sick all too often lately. If I seem too busy to do much of anything between now and then, it's because I am :( I'll also try to have a post once boards are over, because it's long over due.

Dexcom Seven

I decided to write about my first week with the continuous glucose monitor. The first few hours I was constantly checking the receiver to see what my blood sugars were doing. As the week went on, I found myself checking the receiver less frequently. My first sensor was placed on my stomach as you can see in the picture below. I've also included a picture of the receiver and a good three hours! I hate giving myself shots in my stomach and have never placed a insulin pump infusion set there because it is the most uncomfortable spot for me. The first few days it was pretty uncomfortable, but I thought it would just take a little getting used to. As the week went on it just seemed to get more uncomfortable and I never got used to it being there. I took it off last night because it was really bothering me and the results I was getting were all over the place and not very accurate. I wasn't going to put a new one on until tomorrow, but I had a little extra time before dinner tonight with the girls, so I decided to try a new site. I decided to try my lower back and so far, so good! It's much more comfortable and I can't even feel it now. I figured I tend to sleep on my side, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue while sleeping. It was a little tricky bending back that way to insert the sensor, but not nearly as difficult as inserting my insulin pump infusion set! Here's a cool video of almost the same site that I used tonight. I really wanted to try the back of my arm, but I couldn't figure out a way to do it by myself...I might need the help of friend when I decide to try that! :) Well enough for now, I have to make Jell-O for tomorrow and then do a little last minute shopping in the morning before I head north for a few days!

Approved!

I was approved Tuesday for the Dexcom Seven! I can't believe it was that easy and apparently I didn't need prior approval from my insurance company, which is often not the case. I think more insurance companies are starting to cover them because of this trial. I'm getting excited and can't wait for it to arrive. I'll update everyone on how the new gadget and me are getting along once I figure everything out, but for now it's time to get back to studying for my five finals next week...

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

I recently decided that I'm finally ready to get serious about getting a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) and I'm in the process of working with DexCom to see what my insurance will cover. I've thought about getting this device in the past, but I have issues with be "hooked up" to two machines at once. I figure I will try it out and wear the machine as needed (like when my blood sugars are being chaotic) or to get an idea of trends in my blood sugars. The machine starts at $600 and the sensors are about $250 for four and the sensors last about one week. It's pretty expensive, but I believe it will be very beneficial and allow me even tighter control of my blood sugars. I also called my insurance company the other day and the lady I spoke with said that CGMS's and sensors are covered at 90% if I choose an in-network provider, so now I just have to fax a few papers to the DexCom representative and hopefully the approval process won't take very long! I'm getting excited because I think this may help me get my HbA1c to 6.0%!

This is what I have to look forward to! I love this blog and Kerri's experience and another person I have spoken to have also made me want to take this next step in my diabetes management! I'll let everyone know when (and if) I get approved for the CGMS!