Monthly Archives: May 2013

So, how’s that clinical trial going?

May 3, 2013 – 9:17 am

Funny you should ask.

First, let me bring you up to speed: I started participating in a clinical trial back in the middle of April. Participation means wearing a Dexcom™ G4 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and giving daily updates (keeping a diary, if you will) about glucose readings, boluses, meals, how I’m feeling that day, and a host of other things. If you want to read about it, here’s a link:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01767831?term=iBOLUSED&rank=1

Okay, so how’s it going? Pretty well so far. I should tell you that we’re taking a break from the study for a short time so web developers can work out some details with the website we’re accessing. Our group in this study is the first to use this system, so it was inevitable that we’d run into a blip here or there.

But I am getting first-rate information on how my glucose is trending on a daily basis, and which foods really help or hurt my BG management. Hint: being away last weekend and eating out for every meal meant mostly high readings all day Saturday and Sunday. Being home this week and eating homemade meals has meant significantly lower readings and lower variability too. Too bad, ‘cause I like eating out. But I also like cooking for myself, so life’s a balance, I guess.

Also, I’m starting to think about my answers to all of the questions I’m asked when I log on daily and give my information. I’m thinking about meals and exercise, and stress and other things that I’m giving information on. I suppose that’s part of what they’re trying to find out in the study.

At any rate, I’m still happy to be participating, and I’m finding the CGM to be more of a help than a nuisance. As the study rolls on, I’ll give you what information I can without compromising the trial.
 
 
In the meantime… in case you’re interested in participating in a trial of your own (and not the legal kind), here are a couple of places to start:

From the USA’s National Institutes of Health:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Also, the Clinical Trials page on JDRF’s website lists a number of helpful links:
http://jdrf.org/research/clinical-trials/
 
 
Have a great weekend!
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

A whole lotta stuff.

May 2, 2013 – 9:27 am

It’s no secret that all of us diabetes-folk accumulate a lot of… stuff.

I wonder… are we the hoarders of the patient world?

I mean, we have tons of things that we rely on each day. Think about it:
 
 
For blood glucose management:
– Meters
– Test Strips
– Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
– If you’re wearing a Dexcom™, a CGM receiver
– How about a backup meter?
– Backup test strips? You know, the ones you really hoard because your insurance company doesn’t think you need backup?
– Throw a couple of extra meters in there (at least), because you know you never get rid of the old ones the second you get a new one

For insulin delivery:
– Insulin (of course)
– Syringes
– Or Pen needles
– Or a pump
– Or all of the above
– Infusion sets for your pump
– Reservoirs for your pump

Wow, look at that list! And we’re just getting started.

For treating lows:
– Glucose tabs
– Juice
– Honey (one of my favorites)
– Nutella (not one of my favorites, but to each their own)
– That year old candy from a restaurant that’s always in the bottom of your pocket (or pocketbook)

Some additional extras:
– A Glucagon Kit
– Alcohol Wipes
– All of the stuff you carry your D-stuff in (I’m not talking about the plastic grocery bag crap I carry my stuff in… I mean the cool accessories, like you get here or here.
– Documentation—A medical bracelet or necklace, a card in your wallet, information for schools, doctors, TSA screening agents, etc.
 
 
That’s a lot of things to keep track of, just so we can live our lives with diabetes. That’s it—I live a full, happy life with diabetes (and a lot of diabetes-stuff) along for the ride.

Is there anything I’ve left out? Let me know.
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)