A Technological Revolution for Diabetics

Diabetes is the number 7 cause of death in the United States taking around 71,000 people every year, according to an article by Deroy Murdock entitled, "Good news in war against diabetes."

In this 'war against diabetes' there have been a lot of technological advances over the years. 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com

There was the insulin pump. We all know what they look like to day, pagers.

In 1963 the first insulin pump was used. 

It had to be plugged into the wall at all times an was worn like a backpack. 

What a hassle! 

I can hardly stand being chained to the wall while my phone is charging let alone while I was hooked up to my pump.

http://api.ning.com/

More recently, Tandem released the first ever touch screen insulin pump. Which I happen to use. This wonderful piece of technology looks a lot like an iPod or iPhone.

It has a color touch screen and is much more user friendly to this younger more technology savoy generation. 


Now, in 2014 there are even more amazing things happening in this war. More new technology... even artificial pancreases. 

On diabetesmine.com an article examining the newest and coolest new technology was posted. "Diabetes Tech-Speculations for 2014 (Already Off to a Newsworthy Start!)" gives a basic overview and links to 14 technological revolutions that will be happening this year! I wont be going over all of them but here are the best ones!

The first thing it talks about is the new FDA draft guidelines for glucose meter standards. These standards are going to require all meter to be 5%-10% more accurate. Also, this draft is open for comments until April, 7th! (Or leave them here. Whichever floats your boat.)

http://mydario.com/

Ok, this next one is a glucose meter that is the size of a cigarette lighter. 

It's called the Dario meter. 

This little meter pops apart and plugs into the headphone jack on your smart phone. It has lancets and test strips in side and you use an app on your phone as the actual meter. 

Another neat part is that it can tell when your getting low and make emergency phone calls for you. 

Watch this video from the Dario website to learn even more...

Now on to what might be the most exciting part. The Artificial Pancreas. Several companies are putting artificial pancreases into controlled tests. Before we begin here is the link to the FDA page about the Artificial Pancreas Device System (APDS). 

First lets talk about the one that this article features.

This system is an artificial pancreas using inhaled insulin.

HOW COOL!!

The video basically explains everything you need to know. 

The inhaled insulin can be used alone. Read all about it on their website. 


I love the idea of the APDS. I am not the best at remembering to take insulin or test my blood sugar all the time. I have a DexCom, and it does most of the testing for me. 

Clinical Endocrinology News published an article at the end of December that goes in to amazing detail about just what exactly the APSD does and what the effects are in practical numbers that we can all relate to. 

In a quote from the article they talk about time spent in target range with and with out the APSD

The closed-loop system also led to significantly more time in blood glucose targets (64% vs. 47%) and fewer nights with hypoglycemia (10% vs. 17%) over 21 days,

Wow. 

The last APSD I am going to talk about is... well... a lot different. 

This one is a bio-artificial pancreas. I don't know how to explain it any better than they did. 

The bio-artificial pancreas contains tens of thousands of living pancreas islets harvested from pigs or live human donors. These cells would be encased in a polymer capsule, fashioned into a pancake-like patch the size of a half-dollar coin, and implanted beneath the skin. Encapsulife says this device protects the islets from a diabetic’s auto-immune system. It welcomes the patient’s digestive glucose, stimulating the islets to produce insulin and then secretes it automatically into the diabetic’s system — as would a working pancreas.

I am not sure how i feel about this. I would love a whole new pancreas, but... would it work?

As of October 2013 the bio-artificial pancreas has been successful in primate trials. Keep up with the latest news about it at encapsulife.org. 

The last cool new product you HAVE to know about is ShugaTrak. 

2014 looks like it will be a good year for diabetics. All this technology popping up and helping us fight the daily battle of life with any type of diabetes. 

Everyday we poke ourselves and inject synthetic substances into our bodies. Someday soon that could all be over. Diabetes may someday no longer be a life sentence. 

Diabetes Art Day

Back in the swing of things and found this site just about an hour ago.

It is a day that is dedicated to...
Ok, no I'm going to just let you read it.

Diabetes Art Day is a web-based initiative for the Diabetes Online Community to “tell a story” about life with diabetes though creative visual expression. It’s a way for us to tell our stories so we can connect and share with each other and with our loved ones. It’s a way to generate diabetes awareness outside of the DOC by sharing artwork on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and community websites. Diabetes Art Day is for people young and old with any type of diabetes and their families, so children, spouses, parents, siblings, or anyone who is affected by diabetes can participate. For this one day, you’re encouraged to break out of your linguistic comfort zone, bust out some art materials, and make a piece of artwork – painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, an installation piece, a mixed media something or other, or whatever you can imagine. Whether you have lots of experience making art or none at all, Diabetes Art Day is for you to show the world what it’s like to live with diabetes in that “a picture is worth 1000 words” kind of way.

So There it is. Can you believe it?

Sounds like fun.

What will i do......

What will you do?

Welcome Back.

AHHH!! its been so long!! i apologize for being gone. It has been a crazy month. But... NEW THINGS!!!

Check these out and tell me what you think!

Apparently Google has created contacts that can check your blood sugar...
Here is a quote from Google about their new project.

"We're now testing a smart contact lens that's built to measure glucose levels in tears using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. We're testing prototypes that can generate a reading once per second. We're also investigating the potential for this to serve as an early warning for the wearer, so we're exploring integrating tiny LED lights that could light up to indicate that glucose levels have crossed above or below certain thresholds. It's still early days for this technology, but we've completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine our prototype. We hope this could someday lead to a new way for people with diabetes to manage their disease."

Also, Okra as a cure?
Check out this blog to read about this 'miracle cure'

Have a great day and enjoy this cute cartoon.

Sharps.

My new sharps bin.... Gotta love duct tape.

To all the people who say, "At least you don't have cancer."

To all the people who say, "At least you don't have cancer."

A Friends Mother:

So what do you want to do when you leave school.

Me:

I want to be a teacher or a diabetes educator.

A Friends Mother:

Why a diabetes educator?

Me:

I have diabetes.

A Friends Mother:

Wow that must be hard.

Me:

Yeah it is...

A Friends Mother:

You know I had a friend whose son got a brain tumour. He recovered, was in remission and the cancer is completely gone. 6 months later her daughter got diabetes and you what my friend said to me? She said it was worse for her daughter living with diabetes then it was for her son getting cancer.

*And that what people don't understand, that diabetes is a life sentence. We don't have the option of remission or definitive answer. There is no cure. We don't have peace of mind. Our battle is never ending.

http://myrealityofdiabetes.tumblr.com/post/69258039557/to-all-the-people-who-say-at-least-you-dont-have

My moment....

So... i was high so i took some insulin.. then i was moving around and i went low and now... oreos and im all sweaty......

#Diabeticprobs

.....a cure?

So... this seams crazy.... but... what do you think?

Regenerative Cellular Therapy is using proteins and peptides specifically for the pancreas to normalize the immune system. The proteins and peptides we use cause the islet of Langerhans and beta cells to return to their normal function. As the islet of Langerhans and beta cells begin to function normally they start the production of insulin and or higher quality insulin. When this process is completed the organ begins functioning normally, and the patient recovers their health.

I don't know. Here's the link to the page and the video.. its really sketchy....

Let me know what you think!

Knowing the costs.

Did you know that most people with type one have annual medical costs of around $11 THOUSAND while the normal not diabetic will have around $2-3 thousand

BS. 

Does any one else think it's BS that we pay an extra $8 thousand a year. 

BS. 

Hate pricking your finger?

So this smart guy just created this thing that you test with saliva, not blood.........

A Little Help from my Friends?

Hey guys! so.... wondering if you will help my out here.

For one of my finals i am typing a paper about Diabetes and the unique challenges of College students who have it.

If you are a college student with Diabetes or know some one who is tell me about it!

1)When were you diagnosed/ who do you know with diabetes?
2)What unique challenges have you/ your loved one had while a college?

That's what i need to know!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Stress and Finals and Diabetus!!!

This is going to be short and sweet.

Things that raise your blood sugar:
Food
Chocolate
More Food...
a thousand other things...
and....
STRESS!!!!!!

Watch your levels this week!

Its almost finals...

need some advise read this article from the ADA website!

Now... back to typing papers!!

Best of luck my Friends!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Sorry It has been a few days, yay for holidays!

Did you eat anything good for thanksgiving?

Well, i did!

Turkey and potatoes and gravy and don't forget the stuffing!

Changing my site

Thought I would share this with you!

Daily Doings.

Hello all!

Today has been an ok day.

Work, then a nap now laundry.

So, today i needed to change my site and my cartridge. Well, i was horsing around and... my site got ripped out. and i had 10 units left it takes 17 to fill my tubing. so... what am i doing? taking a break because i don't want to change everything yet. I just want to sit, watch tv, and pretend im not diabetic for a few minutes. So, that's what i am doing.

I think i will just sit here until my boyfriend yells at me.

yep....

im the mean time...

im hungry.

hm...

what to eat?

the next step.

As we all know there is more and more technology come out for those of us on an insulin pump. 

We have things like:

• t-slim
• The first ever touch screen pump
• CGM
• Continuous glucose monitoring system
• MiniMed
• DexCom
• Abbott
• Pumps with testers 
• OneTouch Ping
• Accu-Check Spirit Combo
• Omnipod
• Insulin pod with a remote to deliver with.

Want to see these all compared to each other? Click here.

Well........ 

Here's something new. 

The Next Step towards a bionic pancreas.

 

Meme Time :D Enjoy!

A day in the life.... of me!

Well, not much exciting diabetic news today. Mostly just me venting about my life. Oh, Oops. I should take insulin. Here's my problem. As a college student i go all day sitting eating running from class to class, pulling my hair out going crazy and can never remember to take insulin. I mean... come on. How am I supposed to remember to take insulin for the snack I eat as I run from class to work then to my other job?!?! I don't eat at the same time everyday and I don't have the same routine every day. The only thing I do everyday is get dressed. and I only do that cuz I could get arrested other wise.....

Ugh. I still haven't taken any insulin. hehehe. I think I will break out the ice cream and watch a sappy movie. that's the mood I am in.

Whats movie....

I love Netflix.

So. moral of my little story here. Take your insulin. or remind your loved ones to when your with them. :D

For now enjoy this picture of me with a mustache pen.

Something cute this way comes

HAVE YOU HEARD!!!!

There is a new nano technology that will change your diabetic life FOREVER!!

I have wanted to get a tattoo for a long time and with the research that MIT has been doing me getting a tattoo will be more than just some cute design it will be able to tell me my blood sugar.

Here's the low down from an article released by MIT

The researchers plan to create an “ink” of these nanoparticles suspended in a saline solution that could be injected under the skin like a tattoo. The “tattoo” would last for a specified length of time, probably six months, before needing to be refreshed. 

To get glucose readings, the patient would wear a monitor that shines near-infrared light on the tattoo and detects the resulting fluorescence. One advantage of this type of sensor is that, unlike some fluorescent molecules, carbon nanotubes aren’t destroyed by light exposure. “You can shine the light as long as you want, and the intensity won’t change,” says Barone. Because of this, the sensor can give continuous readings.

CRAZY!

So.... I will be keeping an eye on this and will be keeping you informed. YAY!

My Story.

Just over  years ago I got diagnosed with MODY diabetes. It sucked. A lot. But, things have gotten a lot better. As far as medication goes I have been on everything in the book. Not to mention the fact that I tried every dosage of said medications. Four different pills then insulin. But first the pen, now I am finally on a pump. I love my pump. I have the T-slim touch screen pump.

The one thing I could never have survived with out is a support system. My family and friends are the most supportive people in the world. My mom has type one and she has been there through everything. The first few months I spent every night crying my self to sleep. and she sat with me and cried with me. talk about mother daughter bonding. she taught me all the tricks of the trade. She has gone to (almost) every drs appointment. When I got my pump she helped my with everything. She drives me crazy but I love her and she has been the most supportive person in my life.

The main other supportive person in my life is by boy friend. When I first got to college trying to balance eating right and school work and checking my blood sugar and everything else was crazy! Then about two weeks in i met this amazing guy who, upon finding out I have diabetes made it his mission to make me feel beautiful and help me handle college life. He has been the center of my college support system. 

Diabetes sucks. I'm dealing with it. I'm dealing with life. I do think the best thing anyone can do is find a wonderful support system of those who love you.