Choosing to be a Type 1 diabetic

[Bicycleboy]

I just thought that I would share this.

I am doing my preceptorship at the local diabetes clinic and I was telling my preceptor that I would like to have type 1 diabetes for a week to see what it is like. So she is arranging it for me.

She is going to set me up with a pen and some saline in place of real insulin and a glucometer. I have to see the dietitian next week so I can plan a diet for the week. I will have to inject myself 4 times a day and take my blood sugar 6 times a day for a week. I only have one kidney so tight glucose control is really important thats why I am doing the MDI.

I don't know why I am exited about this but I think it will be a real eye opener. My preceptor tried it and she said she was only able to keep it up for 2 days.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Let us know how you like the pen. I've been thinking of switching to one for my cat who is on NPH twice a day. I have to tell you that every once in a while I forget about one of her injections. It's especially easy to do because she can't speak up to remind me and if I'm not feeling well or my schedule gets upset a simple injection can get forgotten. Sometimes I just set the alarm clock to remind me if I think I might forget. I run into trouble with my own medications if I have to take something more than one time a day. What you won't have to deal with is used needle disposal containers, follow up testing, and the money to pay for it all. And, yes, cats have a similar Hb1AC test as well and can be glucose tested with a glucometer. Too bad you cant get a hypoglycemic reaction just for giggles. I've had gastric bypass surgery and I can get hyperglycemia if I put too much pure sugar into my GI system (i.e., a large candy bar, milk shake) at one time and get all the symptoms (tachycardia, diaphoresis, confusion). You only make that mistake once.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Keep us posted on how the experience unfolds. I for one will be quite interested. Unfortunately, there are a lot of nurses who don't have much empathy for diabetic patients and the difficulties they/we face. I hope your brief taste of a few aspects helps teach you some valuable lessons.

[rph3664]

I don't know why I am exited about this but I think it will be a real eye opener. My preceptor tried it and she said she was only able to keep it up for 2 days.

Slightly OT: My mom's best friend's husband had a colostomy from 1949 until his death a few years ago. A while back, I met a woman who had once had a temporary colostomy after intestinal surgery, and she just couldn't manage it; she said she always knew her husband was a nice guy but she didn't realize just HOW nice he was until this happened! She just couldn't imagine what it would have been for her to have been that way for the rest of her life.

I work with a man who's a "Type 1 1/2" as some people call it; he must test and inject himself before he eats anything, and he NEVER complains about it and is in excellent health.

Did you know that there are Type I diabetics who have lived with this for over 80 years? I believe that the Type Is who have lived to ripe old ages without complications - and they do exist - had partial pancreatic function. Imagine what things must have been like when they had to pour urine into a test tube, add reagent, boil it, let it cool, and compare it to a chart? That's what was done before blood sugar monitoring could be done in the home. And they reused syringes and needles, too! They boiled and sharpened them between uses.

[pharmgirl]

I think that is awesome! what a great idea, I would definately jump at the chance to do this. Keep us informed as to how it goes!