Guest guest Posted June 12, 2002 Report Share Posted June 12, 2002 Hi everyone! Last night was my third (of five) diabetes class. It was the most boring (speakers were not great). We heard first from the pharmacist who talked about meds in very general terms. Then a physical therapist who has had diabetes for 19 years (type 1).. she talked about exercise. A few highlights: The ADA recommended goal for A1c test was 7%... they are lowering that to 6.5 (although they haven't done that officially yet). An aspirin a day is good to take if you have diabetes... ask your doctor. Take a daily vitamin (Centrum are good). Cannot regulate your glucose levels without exercise. If you are not willing to exercise, you cannot manage your diabetes. Best exercise is that which is done consistently. Walking is the best exercise to begin with.. or swimming if you have trouble with joints. Walking 4 miles per hour has the same effect on your body as running. Start slow - walking only a few minutes a day and build up as you increase your endurance. As you begin an exercise program, test your blood before, during and after exercising. Before exercising, test your blood. If your reading is 80 or less, have 30g of short-acting carb (like juice) and a long acting carb (like crackers with peanut butter) before exercising. .... if your reading is between 80-120, have 15g juice and some crackers with peanut butter before exercising ..... if your reading is over 200, do not exercise as exercising will cause your glucose level to raise even higher while exercising. Make sure you have a short-acting carb with you when exercising, just in case of a low attack. .... short acting carbs: juice, candy, fruit, glucose tabs .... long acting carbs: pasta, bread, crackers Test after exercising: your BG should be the same after you exercise as it was before you exercised. Extremely hot weather can cause BG to go up. Extremely cold weather can cause BG to go down. Diabetics are 65 times more likely to need amputation. Be very careful about shoes. Make sure the athletic shoes you wear (walking shoes are best) are breathable. New Balance makes an athletic shoe that they recommend for diabetics (with a mesh upper). Never wear canvas shoes as they have very little support and if they get wet, stay wet a long time. Don't wear vinyl or pleather as they don't breath. Don't wear shoes that squish your toes together (pointy). Don't go barefoot, even in the house. Dr. Schols makes a diabetic insert that is one of the best you can buy. If you find an open wound on your foot, keep it clean and bandaged, and contact your doctor immediately. Jacki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2002 Report Share Posted June 12, 2002 Kristy Five sessions, 2.5 hours each. In addition, each person gets on hour of individual time with the dietician to develop a personalized meal plan. The sessions take place at a classroom at the hospital (in Royal Oak, Michigan). So far we've had: Session 1 - general overview of diabetes Session 2 - nutrition Session 3 - pharmacist, exercise In the last two sessions we'll hear from an eye doctor, foot doctor, social worker (to talk about stress and coping), and finish up with meter testing. They will give meters to everyone in the class who does not already have one. We've gotten lots of materials, handouts and even little treats (Fifty50 diabetic brownies, oatmeal, lotion for feet, etc). They have daytime and evening sessions and run the program every other month. Jacki > Jacki, > > About how long is each session, and how many sessions in your > program? > > > > > > ===== > Kristy > > > http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html > > Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2002 Report Share Posted June 12, 2002 Jacki, Sounds exciting but I'm not too sure my mom will be thrilled especially b/c of the foot dr. I had told her and told her that she needs to have a foot dr take care of her feet such as nail cutting but she doesn't do that. She files her nails. As for the kind of shoes that is a different story but I know that she doesn't think that a foot dr is important. As for the stress, well, I've been telling her that I think it's a good idea that she see a therapist to help her with her feelings about Diabetes. Right now she's willing to take this seriously (as of today) but I don't know how long this will last. I hope that it will last a long time so that she can take better care of herself. As for a specialized meal plan, great idea and has been to a dietician twice and it didn't do much good except for the one to tell her that it's ok for her to enjoy things just do it in moderation which I agree with. The nurse at the hospital told me in front of mom that a normal blood sugar for her is going to be at about 150 and yet she's a Type 2 Diabetic. Yes, this is a disease one has to learn a lot about. Thanks a lot for the info. ===== Kristy http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2002 Report Share Posted June 13, 2002 ---It is much safer for a foot dr. to care for a diabetics feet. They also find anything else that could be amiss much faster than we sometimes would. I have been seeing one for several years. Madge In diabetes@y..., Kristy Sokoloski <sokokl@y...> wrote: > Jacki, > > Sounds exciting but I'm not too sure my mom will be thrilled > especially b/c of the foot dr. I had told her and told her that > she needs to have a foot dr take care of her feet such as nail > cutting but she doesn't do that. She files her nails. As for > the kind of shoes that is a different story but I know that she > doesn't think that a foot dr is important. > > As for the stress, well, I've been telling her that I think it's > a good idea that she see a therapist to help her with her > feelings about Diabetes. > > Right now she's willing to take this seriously (as of today) but > I don't know how long this will last. I hope that it will last > a long time so that she can take better care of herself. > > As for a specialized meal plan, great idea and has been to a > dietician twice and it didn't do much good except for the one to > tell her that it's ok for her to enjoy things just do it in > moderation which I agree with. > > The nurse at the hospital told me in front of mom that a normal > blood sugar for her is going to be at about 150 and yet she's a > Type 2 Diabetic. > > Yes, this is a disease one has to learn a lot about. > > Thanks a lot for the info. > > > > > > > > ===== > Kristy > > > http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html > > Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2002 Report Share Posted June 13, 2002 Madge, I understand what you are saying. I understand b/c it makes sense but my mom is not going to agree to go to a foot dr no matter what. I think that it's a good idea to go to the Diabetes Education classes and I told mom that if our ins covers it I would go with her but now I'm having my doubts again. It was hard enough for me to hear her say that the nurse didn't tell her that she has to check her blood sugar 4 times a day when the nurse did indeed tell her that. When she started keeping the log she only had readings for before each meal and I had to remind her about that 4th time. It's going to take some time for this to sink in even though she realizes now that she has to take better care of herself. I just hope she will see that eventually she really should go to a foot dr as well even though she's not cutting her own nails. She doesn't cut her nails. She files them only. Is this acceptable? ===== Kristy http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2002 Report Share Posted June 13, 2002 --- The problem can come with any nails that become ingrown and sometimes we don't feel the pain from that. The feet do have to be checked daily by us or by someone who can see well. Also a blister or small crack can form in the feet and become infected. Infection is something a diabetic doesn't want especially in the feet area. Diabetics usually take longer to heal than non-diabetics. I have the problem with ingrown nails on the large toes. The last infection I had started so quickly that by the time I got to the doc it required half the nail to be cut out. I went the next day and that fast it became a big problem. I understand getting your Mom to do all this at seemingly a rather fast pace is upsetting and unsettling to her. I guess one step at a time is better for her and you are doing a great job at helping her understand everything. Hard to comprehend so much all at once. It can be mind boggling. If your Mom has neuropathy in her feet then I would really tell you to coax her into seeing a foot dr but if she has the proper feelings in her feet then she may be ok for now. Just have her get into the habit of checking the feet daily and if she can't do it, either you or someone should keep watch on it. The feet should be moisturized but not between the toes. Important to keep the feet free from becoming dry when cracking skin would be open to infections also. Proper fitting shoes are important. Prevents blisters. Madge In diabetes@y..., Kristy Sokoloski <sokokl@y...> wrote: > > I understand what you are saying. I understand b/c it makes > sense but my mom is not going to agree to go to a foot dr no > matter what. > > I think that it's a good idea to go to the Diabetes Education > classes and I told mom that if our ins covers it I would go with > her but now I'm having my doubts again. > > It was hard enough for me to hear her say that the nurse didn't > tell her that she has to check her blood sugar 4 times a day > when the nurse did indeed tell her that. When she started > keeping the log she only had readings for before each meal and I > had to remind her about that 4th time. > > It's going to take some time for this to sink in even though she > realizes now that she has to take better care of herself. I > just hope she will see that eventually she really should go to a > foot dr as well even though she's not cutting her own nails. > She doesn't cut her nails. She files them only. Is this > acceptable? > > > > > > > > > > ===== > Kristy > > > http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html > > Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2002 Report Share Posted June 13, 2002 Kristy It's great that you are so involved with your mom and helping her deal with diabetes. She's fortunate to have you. They mentioned in our class that we should file/clip our nails straight across rather than in a curved shape, as this lessens the likelihood of ingrown toe nails. We could go to a doctor to do this for us if we had trouble with our feet or unusually thick toe nails or problems seeing, etc. Otherwise, they said we were fine to do it at home. If your mom is having trouble coping with the changes that diabetes forces her to make her in life, maybe filing her own toe nails isn't such a bad idea... maybe it gives her something, psychologically speaking, that is important. You know? Jacki > Jacki, > > Sounds exciting but I'm not too sure my mom will be thrilled > especially b/c of the foot dr. I had told her and told her that > she needs to have a foot dr take care of her feet such as nail > cutting but she doesn't do that. She files her nails. As for > the kind of shoes that is a different story but I know that she > doesn't think that a foot dr is important. > > As for the stress, well, I've been telling her that I think it's > a good idea that she see a therapist to help her with her > feelings about Diabetes. > > Right now she's willing to take this seriously (as of today) but > I don't know how long this will last. I hope that it will last > a long time so that she can take better care of herself. > > As for a specialized meal plan, great idea and has been to a > dietician twice and it didn't do much good except for the one to > tell her that it's ok for her to enjoy things just do it in > moderation which I agree with. > > The nurse at the hospital told me in front of mom that a normal > blood sugar for her is going to be at about 150 and yet she's a > Type 2 Diabetic. > > Yes, this is a disease one has to learn a lot about. > > Thanks a lot for the info. > > > > > > > > ===== > Kristy > > > http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html > > Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2002 Report Share Posted June 13, 2002 , That's why I don't keep after her to take her meds and all that anymore other than now to just remind her to take her blood sugar. The NP told her today that she really needs to wear shoes around the house and also be under the care of an NP. Even though I knew this information already I asked any way so that Mom could hear it so time will tell. I can't get frustrated about all this so I have to continue to be patient by learning all I can on Diabetes and try to teach it to her patiently too. The NP was really nice, but thing is that this NP is moving away so that means that mom will be left with seeing the dr from now on so the next appt is for July 11th at 2:15. And they readjusted the meds so we shall see. And so we shall see what happens. ===== Kristy http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own personal experiences. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2002 Report Share Posted June 14, 2002 In a message dated 6/13/2002 8:44:26 AM Pacific Standard Time, afra3a@... writes: > They mentioned in our class that we should file/clip our nails > straight across rather than in a curved shape, as this lessens the > likelihood of ingrown toe nails. We could go to a doctor to do this > for us if we had trouble with our feet or unusually thick toe nails > or problems seeing, etc. Otherwise, they said we were fine to do it > at home. If your mom is having trouble coping with the changes that > diabetes forces her to make her in life, maybe filing her own toe > nails isn't such a bad idea... maybe it gives her something, > psychologically speaking, that is important. You know? > > Jacki > you know I was also thinking that you could maybe make it a fun thing. you know " pamper time " Give each other many pedicures/foot massages. 's daughter - Andreia (who is still waiting to hear from her mom but at least know she made it to work okay) People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them. - Bernard Shaw If you want something different, you have to do something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2002 Report Share Posted June 15, 2002 I keep hearing about not rounding the toe nails but I really have to on my big toes. My big toes are quite squished and curved toward the next toes. I think my shoes were often too small for me when I was little. As a result, there is a big callus on the outside of the toe from knuckle up around the end of my toe. If I cut the nail straight, it just grows right into the callus and hurts like heck! I have to shape them so there is no 'corner' toe nail to grow into the callus. My hands aren't too good anymore and I finally bought a Homedics Manicure set and use the heavier round file to file my toe nails and the smoother to buff them and keep hang nails away. There is also a callus something (cone shaped and rough metal) that I am using very lightly on the calluses on my feet. It seems to be softening them and reducing the size a little at a time. Anyway, the electric one doesn't bother my hands hardly at all and I take much better care of my feet as a result. It was $19.99 at Sam's. grangran01@... wrote: > In a message dated 6/13/2002 8:44:26 AM Pacific Standard > Time, > afra3a@... writes: > > > > They mentioned in our class that we should file/clip our > nails > > straight across rather than in a curved shape, as this > lessens the > > likelihood of ingrown toe nails. We could go to a doctor > to do this > > for us if we had trouble with our feet or unusually > thick toe nails > > or problems seeing, etc. Otherwise, they said we were > fine to do it > > at home. If your mom is having trouble coping with the > changes that > > diabetes forces her to make her in life, maybe filing > her own toe > > nails isn't such a bad idea... maybe it gives her > something, > > psychologically speaking, that is important. You know? > > > > Jacki > > > > you know I was also thinking that you could maybe make it > a fun thing. you > know " pamper time " Give each other many pedicures/foot > massages. > > 's daughter - Andreia (who is still waiting to > hear from her mom but > at least know she made it to work okay) > > People are always blaming their circumstances for what > they are. I don't > believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this > world are the people > who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if > they can't find > them, make them. - Bernard Shaw > > If you want something different, you have to do something > different. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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