Suggestions from IDDM nurses that are working with diabetes

leslie :-D · Oct 9, 2004

there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to have a granola bar, fruit, crackers in your pocket;

a fingerstick takes 1 minute.

you need to take care of yourself first and foremost.

i'm sorry you're struggling with this.

but please, you need to look out for number 1 (which is you, in case you didn't know).

when are your fingersticks?

6a, 11a, 4p and 9p? this should be doable.

wishing you peace,

leslie

CRNAsoon · Oct 9, 2004

I agree with earle58. You have to be able to care for yourself first or you're no good to anybody else. As nurses, I know that we never actually get to take our breaks, but we are supposed to have them. Four accuchecks and a quick snack here or there shouldn't be that much of an issue.

Hairstylingnurse · Oct 9, 2004

I agree with earle58. You have to be able to care for yourself first or you're no good to anybody else. As nurses, I know that we never actually get to take our breaks, but we are supposed to have them. Four accuchecks and a quick snack here or there shouldn't be that much of an issue.

Dear CRNAsoon, i would have to guess you are certainly not an idd with the previous comment. If it were that easy I wouldn't have posted here. As I said in my oroginal post, I have taught and worked with tons of diabetics, and you realize you don't know squat until after you are diagnosed and learning to live with your new diagnoses. :angryfire Thats why I asked for IDDM nurses to reply. And let me assure u that living with diabetes is alot more than just a diagnoses. I haven't found too many nursing positions that allow for much breathing room. I'll proably end up back in homehealth( which I love), but I'm working toward my adn, and wanted to get some more hosp. experience.

leslie :-D · Oct 9, 2004

Dear CRNAsoon, i would have to guess you are certainly not an idd with the previous comment. If it were that easy I wouldn't have posted here. As I said in my oroginal post, I have taught and worked with tons of diabetics, and you realize you don't know squat until after you are diagnosed and learning to live with your new diagnoses. :angryfire Thats why I asked for IDDM nurses to reply. And let me assure u that living with diabetes is alot more than just a diagnoses. I haven't found too many nursing positions that allow for much breathing room. I'll proably end up back in homehealth( which I love), but I'm working toward my adn, and wanted to get some more hosp. experience.

my goodness!

it's obvious you are feeling overwhelmed with your new dx and i'm sorry.

what we are trying to tell you is to check yourself with a snack on the go, is not that time consuming and it is doable.

perhaps a support group for newly dx'd diabetics would be more helpful for you?

please, you needn't get angry at those who are trying to help you.

also when you come to an open forum, then you are bound to get replies from all, not just those exclusively with iddm. that's the chance you take when you come here. but we are here to help you, iddm or not.

much luck to you hairstylin',

leslie

CRNAsoon · Oct 9, 2004

You got me, there. I am not an IDDM ... only cared for my mother, father, and sister for many years on their deathbed before ESRD took their lives. You're right. I guess I just don't know a thing.

Hairstylingnurse · Oct 9, 2004

You got me, there. I am not an IDDM ... only cared for my mother, father, and sister for many years on their deathbed before ESRD took their lives. You're right. I guess I just don't know a thing.

Well so sorry crnasoon, how many times have you dealt with bloodsugars in the 30-40s, how many insulin shot have you had, how lond have u lost your vision for????????? I'm sorry that I was simply asking for suggestions from nurses that are dealing with the same issue I am. I guess I'm not making that clear.Just because u take care of someone with a disease doesn't make u a patient or expert of it. I take care of my mother that has emphysema, doesn't mean I'm going to try and tell a pt. with emphysema "oh you can breathe if u really try".

Hairstylingnurse · Oct 9, 2004

my goodness!
it's obvious you are feeling overwhelmed with your new dx and i'm sorry.
what we are trying to tell you is to check yourself with a snack on the go, is not that time consuming and it is doable.
perhaps a support group for newly dx'd diabetics would be more helpful for you?
please, you needn't get angry at those who are trying to help you.
also when you come to an open forum, then you are bound to get replies from all, not just those exclusively with iddm. that's the chance you take when you come here. but we are here to help you, iddm or not.
much luck to you hairstylin',
leslie

Thanx for the suggestion earle58, I'm not in shock any more at the dignosis, but where I have worked since then, there really was no way to eat or do insulin until I got out to my car at the end of shift. But I will have to try that. I'm looking for a little less busy facility. :rolleyes:

CRNAsoon · Oct 9, 2004

Thanx for the suggestion earle58, I'm not in shock any more at the dignosis, but where I have worked since then, there really was no way to eat or do insulin until I got out to my car at the end of shift. But I will have to try that. I'm looking for a little less busy facility.

You must be kidding me! The other poster is the saviour and I'm the non-IDDM scapegoat? I will now be exiting this discussion before I post something really regrettable.

leslie :-D · Oct 9, 2004

You must be kidding me! The other poster is the saviour and I'm the non-IDDM scapegoat? I will now be exiting this discussion before I post something really regrettable.

beats the heck out of me crna....i was surprised too.

i guess you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

it happens to me quite frequently.

but if it matters, your input was also quite appropriate and you did nothing offensive.

leslie

nurseneesy · Oct 9, 2004

Well so sorry crnasoon, how many times have you dealt with bloodsugars in the 30-40s, how many insulin shot have you had, how lond have u lost your vision for????????? I'm sorry that I was simply asking for suggestions from nurses that are dealing with the same issue I am. I guess I'm not making that clear.Just because u take care of someone with a disease doesn't make u a patient or expert of it. I take care of my mother that has emphysema, doesn't mean I'm going to try and tell a pt. with emphysema "oh you can breathe if u really try".

Hi hairstyling nurse,sorry but it sounds like we don't have alot of compassion for our own here. Sorry your having to deal with this, i know a diabetic nurse at work and will see if I can get her e-mail to send to you. I would hope as nurses we could be a little more compassionate, with people when they are feeling at thier worst. Isn't that why we became nurses. I know my friend at work does take several breaks a day, but we use team nursing approach which sounds like it would be a good approach for a few nurses here. I'm new to this site and it seems heavenly for the most part, so don't be discouraged maybe a few good diabetic nurses will find thier way in here to help you. I will e-mail you when I find out that e-mail address. Best of luck to you, your in my prayers. Nurseneesy

BrwnEyedNurs · Oct 9, 2004

First of all, let me start off by saying that I'm a nursing student and a type I diabetic. Even though I'm not a nurse yet I'll give you a little insight as to what I do. First of all I am on the insulin pump so if this is an option for you, you might wish to consider it. This helps me to prevent excessive lows as well as making it easier to treat highs. For example if I start moving around a lot and know that my blood sugar will probably go low I suspend the insulin devilery and if it starts going high I just press a couple of buttons. The pump also gives you more flexibility with regard to your meals times. As for the fingersticks my only advice is to find the fastest meter you can...some only take 5 seconds to deliver a reading. I also carry glucose tablets in my pockets. If you don't like the idea of an insulin pump I would definitely recommend an insulin pen (it's quicker than drawing it up with the vial and syringe).

Best of luck to you...I know how devastating a diagnosis is (I found out in high school)...and just let me know if you need any more advice or someone to talk to.:)