OK, yes, I suck. I haven't put a thing about the class and I really need to do so. It was an awesome class. An RN and an RD (Registered Dietician) taught the class. Both were CDEs (Certified Diabetic Educators). The class had GREAT materials, but some of the best things I picked up were easy explanations of what Diabetes is. Why it happens, how it works, etc. In my head, I know all this stuff, but how to put it into every day words was escaping me. So, I was able to learn some great ways to explain my new disease to others!
I also learned some great tips for my medication. Some of the side effects (hello, nausea and frequent potty trips) and the "dawn effect" (my AM blood sugars run a little higher than they do at night... unusual), can be counteracted by taking my larger dose of Metformin at night and my smaller in the morning. Tried that and it's been smooth sailing.
Also found out the news I'd been dreading... I'm not supposed to get pedicures. We sweet folk do not heal well and the further away from the heart something is, the harder it is to get it to heal. So, our feet tend to have issues. So, naturally, getting nicked or getting an infection on the piggies is bad. So, if the sanitation is not great, you are at risk.
To that, I say phooey on you. I will take my own tools and tell them to be careful. And, I will keep on getting my piggies dressed up all nicely.It's my illness, but no one is taking away one of my great joys. I will simply be careful. By the way, Opi nail polish now has a collection of nail polishes based on the colors from Shrek. One is even SHP shirt green. It's called "Who the Shrek are you?" I will be purchasing it.
During the class, we also covered various other medications from insulins on down to the various oral meds. I found out something VERY exciting... there is a relatively new drug (went into use at the beginning of this year) called Victoza. It is an injectable medication that is similar to Byetta (for anyone who knows about it). It has lower side effects than Victoza and it is only taken once a day, at any time, so long as you take it close to the same time every day (Byetta had to be taken right before you ate and had some serious issues with nausea and vomiting).
Basically, the Victoza makes your body produce more insulin. Since it is your own insulin, and is inside your body (rather than the type that comes in a bottle), it works better. Also, since you can inject it at night, you sleep thru most of the side effects. Of course, there is always a downside. It is about $325 per month. Grrrreat! I'm sure I have that just laying around in my change jar.
So, tomorrow, I have an appointment with my doctor. It's my over 3 month checkup (would have been 3 months, but he was on vacation, so we had to put it off until now). I will find out what my Hemoglobin A1c (the measure of how my sugars have been doing over the past 3 months or so) is running and how my other labs are doing. Since I have lost 48 pounds since I was diagnosed, I believe he will be pleased. If he isn't, I may wrestle him to the ground and give him a wedgie. Just sayin'...
I intend to ask him about Victoza and pray that he has samples. I love samples. Keep your fingers crossed!
I will update you tomorrow!!
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