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Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust: A diabetes support charity
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Support, Care, Complications
Since 1994, the UK-based Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) has supported people with diabetes and their caretakers. It is a charitable organization operating entirely on volunteer donations. IDDT is not influenced financially from the drug industry, all their donations are Big Pharma-Free.
IDDT has a wealth of information for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Of special note is IDDT's comprehensive explanation of the GM 'Human' Insulin vs. Animal Insulin debate. Allie has written several posts addressing the issue. Since switching from synthetic to pork insulin, her blood pressure has dropped, her blood sugar control is better and her appetite has lessened. She has also gained tremendous insights from IDDT along the way.
Back in 1994, IDDT collected a load of feedback from people with diabetes and their caregivers on their experience with synthetic 'human' insulin. The top three complaints were loss of warning of hypos or functioning on automatic pilot; extreme tiredness/lethargy; and weight gain of 21 pounds or more. Whether you have researched this debate deeply or are just scratching the surface, IDDT is a good resource. They also award research grants, and their Dream Trust supports young people with diabetes in developing countries.
It's a crime the US only offers genetically modified human insulin. Other countries sell animal insulin. People with diabetes should have a choice of insulins, adverse reactions to synthetics are real.
Novartis' Galvus gains EU support
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research
An advisory committee for the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) gave a thumbs up on type 2 diabetes drug Galvus. The EMEA's recommendations are usually endorsed by the European Commission within a few months.
Galvus, marketed by Swiss drugmaker Novartis, is a new oral anti-hyperglycemic agent of the DPP-4 class of drugs. Known as vildagliptin, it inhibits the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP by DPP-4, allowing insulin secretion in the beta cells and suppression of glucagon from the islets of Langerhans.
In the United States, Galvus is awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval. The agency has delayed approval twice, requesting additional clinical data on vildagliptin, including proof the skin lesions and kidney impairments seen in an earlier animal study have not occurred in humans. The delays have carved a big market lead for Januvia, a similar drug marketed by Merck.
Galvus is one of Novartis' most important drugs under development. No wonder, it could potentially generate $1 billion or more in revenue. If only the same amount of money was spent on supportive diet and exercise programs for those at risk for type 2 diabetes. Photo by rodrigo senna at flickr.
Don't nag: Tips to support a spouse with diabetes
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset
Gerri Weiss's husband, Michael, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 22 years ago. Thanks to feedback from the Weiss family and other experts, WebMD offers the following ways spouses can help their partners with diabetes. Here are six tips along with a short recap of each one:
Tip No. 1: Offer Help, but Don't Be the Diabetes Police: Gerri had to learn that Michael owns his disease, and it was his decision whether or not to share the numbers flashing from his glucose monitor. Gerri and Michael struck a balance by agreeing he would always share if his blood sugars were "ok" or "not ok", without handing over a detailed printout of his daily blood sugar swings. Gerri learned to nag less and rely on Michael to take care of himself.
Tip No. 2: Adopt Healthy Habits for the Whole Household: The Weiss family ate healthier as a unit, thanks to Michael's stricter diet regimen. Bring diabetic cookbooks into the kitchen or learn how to prepare healthier versions of your favorite meals. Keep junk food out of the house.
Tip No. 3: Help Make Time for Exercise: Exercise regularly with your spouse and you can both benefit. Or offer your spouse assistance in daily errands or other duties to yield a window of time for them to exercise.
Tip No. 4: Educate Yourself: Learn how to treat hypoglycemia and carry glucose tablets or other remedies with you at all times. Do not be afraid to call 911 if your spouse loses consciousness.
Tip No. 5: Be Prepared for Mood Swings: Mood swings can be common in a diabetic, especially when facing low blood sugar. Expect them and do not take it personally. Frequent and/or intense mood swings could signal psychological stress -- open up a conversation and discuss counseling options.
Tip No. 6: If Sexual Problems Arise, Talk About It: Whether erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, vaginal infections or just plain exhaustion from low blood sugar is dampening your physical relationship, talk together about the problem. Counseling or even medical advice can provide valuable help.
If you are a spouse of a diabetic or wondering how your spouse can help you with your diabetes, don't miss this article!
Weight Loss Organizations
Losing and maintaining weight is a difficult and intimately personal struggle, but it is not one that anyone needs to go through alone. There are literally millions of people forging their own paths to their better selves, and together, they offer support, advice, and inspiration to one another.
Top rated diabetes books - what's yours?
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Books, Support
TuDiabetes.com is a site for people touched by diabetes. The creator of the site, Manny Hernandez, got the ball rolling on a topic of interest we all take to heart - diabetes book recommendations.
When you ask diabetics to brainstorm on a terribly intrinsic topic you get some pretty good responses. One suggested read was The Diabetes Improvement Program. This book helped a diabetic overcome depression, when the talented team of healthcare professionals could not. Other honorable mentions include: Psyching Out Diabetes, Dr. Bernstein's' Diabetes Solution, Diabesity, and Diabetes for Dummies.
Somebody actually asked something very interesting - where is the book on the evolution of diabetes treatment? Often a topic of discussion, and yet so rarely documented is the sequential events of diabetes treatment, starting with the discovery of insulin. A lull ensued from about 1930 till the boom of genetically modified human insulin, in the early 80s. Any investigative journalist willing to take a stab at it? I guarantee the book will make my must read. And Eli Lilly might actually pay you not to write it.
P.S. One reader pointed out - a chapter of Brent Hoadley's book, Too Profitable to Cure presented a chronology of the evolution of diabetes treatment.
Let freedom ring
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Drugs, Opinion, Support
For those diabetics injecting insulin and getting frustrating results - this blog's you. I include in this group of frustrating results: hypo unawareness, diabulemia, lethargy, weight gain, erratic blood sugars, and missed periods (for the ladies) - these are all side effects people have experienced once beginning genetically modified human insulin. It so happens it is the only kind available in the United States.
Bev did a terrific blog on the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust and the difference a choice has offered me: more controlled blood sugars, lower blood pressure, less hunger and even a little weight loss - high five! But herein lies the problem - the choice is not easy to come by. Most doctors believe Big Pharma pushed genetically modified human synthetic insulins because it was better. However this, like the insulin analogues - was nothing but stellar marketing with lackluster scientific proof.
If any of those symptoms listed in my first paragraph kept you reading to this point - please ask your doctor to give natural animal insulins a second chance. Do yourself and other diabetics a favor and request information to bring to your doctor by emailing enquiries@iddtinternational.org. The IDDT will send information on natural animal insulins. You may not be interested, but another diabetic may love the fact it will soon be a choice for them. Freedom of choice - isn't the Liberty Bell appropriate here?
[RESEARCH] New onset and persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder self reported after deployment and combat exposures: prospective population based US military cohort study
Objective To describe new onset and persistence of self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in a large population based military cohort, many of whom were deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Design Prospective cohort analysis.
Setting and participants Survey enrolment data from the millennium cohort (July 2001 to June 2003) obtained before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Follow-up (June 2004 to February 2006) data on health outcomes collected from 50 184 participants.
Main outcome measures Self reported post-traumatic stress disorder as measured by the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist—civilian version using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria.
Results More than 40% of the cohort were deployed between 2001 and 2006; between baseline and follow-up, 24% deployed for the first time in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. New incidence rates of 10-13 cases of post-traumatic stress disorder per 1000 person years occurred in the millennium cohort. New onset self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis were identified in 7.6-8.7% of deployers who reported combat exposures, 1.4-2.1% of deployers who did not report combat exposures, and 2.3-3.0% of non-deployers. Among those with self reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at baseline, deployment did not affect persistence of symptoms.
Conclusions After adjustment for baseline characteristics, these prospective data indicate a threefold increase in new onset self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis among deployed military personnel who reported combat exposures. The findings define the importance of post-traumatic stress disorder in this population and emphasise that specific combat exposures, rather than deployment itself, significantly affect the onset of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after deployment.
DexCom - Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Products, Support
DexCom has developed a continuous glucose monitoring ("CGM") system that could be the next generation of aggressive control. The DexCom GCM is a device that measures glucose trends throughout the day, providing up to 288 glucose measurements every 24 hours.
A traditional glucose monitoring test -like finger sticks - leave gaps in time where you are uncertain as to your blood sugar reading. Continuous monitoring is different from traditional blood glucose monitoring because it affords a comprehensive picture of where your blood sugars are throughout the day and night. The trend reveals times throughout the day where your sugar may increase or decrease, as well as how fast it is happening. This trend information together with the glucose value shows you patterns and problems that traditional finger sticks cannot cover as thoroughly. CGM allows you to set a target range for your desired glucose. When your glucose goes above or below this range, an alert automatically lets you know.
A 2006 study showed that people who used this device were able to achieve a 23% decrease in time spent high and a 21% decrease in time spent low. After speaking with Dianne on the DexCom customer support line - she advised me that they are offering a $375 startup kit that has everything you need to get going. The Rechargeable STS Receiver has a sleek rounded design that can easily be carried with the carry case on both your belt or in a handbag. The STS Transmitter is lightweight and fits comfortably underneath clothing. The STS Sensor & Applicator is easy to insert and safe to use with no visible needles or exposed sharps. With this wireless system, no cables or wires will get in your way allowing you to Take Control and Live Uninterrupted.. Each sensor lasts for 3 days. A set of 5 sensors costs $175 and will last you approximately 15 days.
The annual cost of continuous glucose monitoring averages a ballpark figure of $4,258. Okay, sounds a little steep - but lean on Uncle Sam to offset the cost of the best control. Sounds like it might be time to open up a Flexible Spending Account and write-off the yearning for glucose precision.
Starbucks to set a new low fat standard
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Daily News, Products, Support
The lords of coffee have spoken and they're saying less fat. Starbucks plans to make all espresso-based drinks with reduced fat milk, switching from whole.
This new standard is planned to take effect by the end of the fiscal year, 2007 and will affect locations in the United States and Canada. The company stated that the new conversion would establish reduced fat milk, also known as 2% milk, as the standard dairy in all beverages served in its North American coffeehouses. Never fear - the company said customers can still request whole milk, but if no request is made, consumers will receive 2%.
The fat trimming decision warrants applause. Starbucks is consciously working healthier choices into their business model for longer living customers willing to pay as much for a venti latte as they would a gallon of gas. I have a few Starbucks gift cards to support my habit. No shame.