type 1 and test a lot, right? You seem to realize the importance of hypoglycemia(low bg readings), hyperglycemia and BG accuracy in medication and short term problem diagnosis. Do think it is necessary to use a specific standard solution? Type 2's don't seem to want to deal with the additional issues of this standards testing....what do you think?

Are we back to standards again? To tell you the truth, I never use standard solutions. I get my labs drawn often enough and I always test my meter at the same time. I have a Freestyle Mini that in the 3 years I've been using it has never been more than 7% off what the lab value is.

I have never had a problem with the meter being inaccurate so that I dose myself incorrectly. I figure why put myself through the bother when it's not an issue. Also I have several meters. Whenever there's a give away (free meter with test strips) I try out a new meter. All the ones I have are pretty accurate, so I can always use another meter when there's an issue.

Cora

:bouncing: sorry to ask....just for clarification ....fire are you type 1? (From your profile I assume you might be)-thanks

Hi again.

Yes, T1 since 1966. I started testing with the clinitest system. 2 drops of urine, 10 drops of water in a test tube with the clinitest tablet. Blue meant no sugar in the urine, orange was very bad! The tube got so hot you could actually burn yourself. The best breakthrough was the strips you could pee on. What a relief. No need to carry a chemistry set around with you. Then came the strips where you had to time the blood on the strip, wipe it off, and then wait again to do a color comparison. The machines were fabulous when they came out. About as big as a lunch box, but still much better than the chemistry set. When I was diagnosed I was still on 40 unit insulin (40 units per cc). I remember switching to 80 unit, then 100 unit, and then finally to humulin over 15 years ago.

My, my how things have changed.

Cora

I think that one of the big differences between types 1 and 2 is how the docs treat it. Most type 2s are treated by their family physician who not only doesn't know that much, but probably doesn't take it that seriously. I read a study a while back that most primary care physicians don't know the 3 most important tests to perform on their diabetic patients (Hba1c, BP, cholesterol). And most of them didn't even know what an A1c was! On the other hand, most t1 diabetics are treated by an endocrinologist. And are often given more instruction on how to properly care for themselves and not be dependant on the docs.

Just a comment.

Cora

I'm not strict. I never have been. I was diagnosed in Montreal when I was little and the pediatric endocrinologist was way ahead of her time. I was taught to adjust my diabetes to my life. Not the other way around. Of course I am somewhat careful with my diet. Like any normal person is - if I ate exactly what I wanted I'd look like a buffalo! But I eat pretty much what I want, and take the appropriate amount of insulin to cover it. People forget that the goal is to maintain normal blood sugar levels. You can either eat the exact same amount at the exact same time every day and take insulin according to that, or you can eat normally and take insulin based on what you ate. It is a lot easier to do this now with lantus and fast acting insulins than it was with the older types of insulins. This way, if I decide I'm not hungry, I'm not forced to eat. If the dinner is delicious and I'm starved, I have seconds and I just take more insulin. I am on a pump, but I always make sure to bolus after I have eaten. I have a friend that boluses before and she runs into trouble in restaurants every time the food is delayed.

I know that it is different for people with type 2 who are not on insulin. They are forced to lead a much more restricted lifestyle.

Cora
age 42 - diabetes 40 years

I had a kidney transplant in '02. There is a good possiblility that my kidney problems were not due to the diabetes, but there is no point in doing a biopsy of my native kidneys at this point. My BP is normal now that I have the new kidney. Of course I watch what I eat so my cholesterol is good too. I have a strong family history of heart disease. My weight is an issue right now, but this is for the first time in my life. I was on some meds for endometriosis for 4 months. This med basically puts you into instant menopause and I gained a ton of weight. The good news is that it's finally coming off.

The bottom line is that I feel quite well and enjoy my life. I live for my life, not for my diabetes. But I have always done that. I feel very sorry for people who didn't get the excellent care that I did and felt the need to restrict themselves. I've always participated in anything I wanted to.

I had a bad experience when we moved when I was young. I went from my original pediatric endo to a new one. I was having some problems because I was figureskating and that meant getting up at 5:00 to get to the rink for skating. This was in the days of regular and nph. I found that if I ate my breakfast, then skated, I was low before lunch. The new doc suggested I stop skating. What a crock! I ended up eating half my breakfast before skating, half after, and then I was fine.

What about you. How has your experience been.

Cora