hey, don't you find glucotabs to be pretty useless? they cost too much money, don't have enough sugar, and chewing them when you're low is a pain in the ass. Just give me some good old high-fructose syrup laden soda.

Absolutely, I remember when I was a little kid my mom thought they were the best thing ever for my lows..and I hated them. I prefer koolaid. red.

I actually just recently bought them at the walgreens next to my house because they were on sale. Theyre still in my cabinet, collecting more suck. Worst 3 bucks Ive spent recently.

best diabetic Fest memory.


low blood sugar during armalites I am a pancreas( I seek to understand me )


@the common grounds with a screwdriver.

Another question for fellow diabetics - you CONSTANTLY get telemarketing calls from dozens of different companies with similar names, all trying to send you a free meter, and get you to switch to their brand of test strip? I have a hard time finding information about this online, and I'm really tempted to start some sort of advocacy group. Maybe call it "HOOD" - Hands Off Our Diabetics.


bonus points if you get the allusion.

^Like the milk?

I might switch my pump to my Exercise basal rate which is about 1/4 less. I'm not too worried because my wife will be there. I probably won't be drinking that much either because of my wife being extremely frugal.

I'm type 1 and went to my first Fest last year. My sugar was all over the place, since I often forgot to eat and festing is way more exercise than usual for me. I have an insulin pump so that helps, though. I lower my basil a lot during Fest.

This year I'm going to use my continuous glucose monitor. I HATE the thing with a passion so I never use it, but it'll put my mind at ease knowing I can just look at my pump and instantly know my BG in the middle of a crowd.

As for glucose tabs, I agree. Useless. I just carry packets of sugar but will try to find a regular soda instead if I can. Also, protein bar to keep it up.

Why do you hate the CGMS? I wanna get one when they make it for my pump (Animas).

I'm a diabetic that's afraid of needles. Lancets don't bother me, but even though I do it every 3 days I still sometimes have a problem just pressing the button to insert a new pump site. And the CGMS (at least the ones for Medtronic) awkwardly go in sideways and you watch the needle go in the entire time. I wouldn't mind the CGM if I could just have somebody else insert it for me every time.

Also, at least with the Medtronic CGM, you can leave it in for 6 days even though they say to change it every 3 days. My doctor knew a guy who did extensive testing on it, and it's fairly accurate for a week.

I should be getting a call from an endocrinologist any day now. it's been years since I saw a specialist for my diabetes, and I hear they've made a lot of advancements in pumps.

I just remembered one day at Fest a couple years ago where I had to drink a ton of soda ll day long, because I kept getting low. Maybe I'll take less Lantus this year.

I've had my pump for 8 1/2 years now, and diabetes for 9. I can't imagine going back to injections. I don't have to worry about eating on a schedule or predict my activity level hours before.

I can't wait until the artificial pancreas makes it to the market. Speaking of which, if everyone could take one minute to sign this petition to help the artificial pancreas's development I would be forever grateful!

http://takeaction.jdrf.org/site/PageNavigator/APAC.html

ive been diabetic for 9 years now, i just take a once a day type insulin (lantus), and keep track of what i eat. If it goes high i have some humulin R i use, but thats rare. Fest is awesome because no matter where you are walking, theres ALWAYS a place to stop in and get a snack. I try to make it into Karma Cream as much as possible when i can haha.
I dont drink, so that takes a lotta burden off the situation too...
But i agree with you about having to keep levels up, i ate so much last Fest!!

another topic here, are people really happy with pumps??
It seems Its a rarity i find someone else whos diabetic and NOT on a pump? I take lantus, my HBA1Cs have always been perfect, and my dr actually told me he didnt recommend a pump for me, because it can lead to overuse... (which is obviously not good)
I just cant imagine having a needle in me all day, attached to me, Id be afraid of it getting ripped out. Plus it seems it would be annoying to have to always have this little block in your pocket...
idk, thoughts?

I guess everyone has their opinions and preferences. Having a tube (not a needle) in me all the time doesn't bother me. Having a box attached to my stomach or leg all the time is kind of annoying, though. I'm not very good at sticking to schedules, and like to do what I want when I want, so the pump works out great for me.

As for it falling out at shows. I've never had it ripped out at a show before, but most shows I go to there isn't much action in the pit. For Fest I apply adhesive under the site, over the site, and use a special tape to be extra secure. I might tape the tube to my skin/pants this year to make sure it doesn't get snagged.

shiphigh - are you type 1 or type 2 diabetic? because I don't think I've ever heard of a type 1 diabetic who only used Lantus (except my uncle, but he's pretty fucked up).

I haven't used R in years, not since I switched to Humalog. Of course the pump wouldn't make sense if you usually take a shot just once a day

I think I might have diabetes. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant. Stay healthy.