Thank you, Inge. You are a sweetheart. I feel that this is as hard on DH as it is for me. We just went to a movie and I know DH would have liked some popcorn but he refused because he didn't want to tempt me. In the past 3 cups of popcorn would have been a snack. Now no snacks.

Joy, I'm glad this forum (and Rachy in particular) has been helpful. All the best with this new adjustment.

I totally get that, Joy. It is going to be a big adjustment for the both of you. (And I would find no snacking very hard too.) Hang in there, sweet lady, it is going to take some time to get used to the new normal, but you can do it!

Clothing-wise, I forgot to mention that I really like the idea of shirtdresses. Long button-down tunics over leggings or pants could work too. And I was wondering if peplum-style tops might work too? (fairly easy to just lift the peplum part of the top when you need your injection?).

Joy, I'm sending positive vibes your way too. I work with a diabetes team. Rachy is spot on about many GPs and lack of pump awareness. Also, many physicians want patients to be on shots for a while so they are familiar with the calculations as that's a necessary backup if a pump gets broken. Pumps are approved for T2, but they're expensive and insurance coverage can be a pain. Still, pumps can offer better control for many folk and it's so much easier to bolus to cover snacks. I'd read up and then ask your doc about a pump if it interests you.

Rachy, I hear you on Medic-alert jewellery. If they can make a Fitbit look chic...

Thank you for the good vibes, Anne.
Inge, those are wonderful ideas and even make me excited about this new wardrobe challenge. Thank you. I almost ordered a peplum 2-piece from AT but we no longer have any local stores at least to try for size or to make returns easy.
Aliona, what you say makes sense. Thank you for your input. My SIL suggested a nice ID bracelet from a jewelers and getting the medical information engraved on it.

Wonderful! Glad to hear you are excited, Joy. That AT 2-piece peplum sounds marvelous, annoying that you can't go try it on in a store.

I've been thinking some more. Would a short poncho sweater (like the blue Esprit one below) layered over a flowy (tank) top work? Or a drapey sweater like the ink Eileen Fisher one? (I have this sweater and it's so soft and fab.)

I also really like the look of a cardigan worn as a sweater (so buttoned up all the way). Could be fun in warmer weather when you are in the mood for a pullover and want something lightweight. The grey COS one is extra fun because of the drapey neck, the beautiful drape and the asymmetrical detail, but a regular crewneck cardigan will also work (think solid colours, but also colour block, embellishments, patterns, lace, mixed media...). I'm adding some examples below.

Oh, and there's also the fitted denim jacket worn as a top, of course. Love that look too!
http://youlookfab.com/2015/02/.....rry-style/

Joy congrats on your positive attitude. I've been diabetic for 52 years and am on the pump now but for many years was on insulin shots.
People handle things differently and you need to go with your nature to make it fit your lifestyle. There is really nothing you can't do.
When new the learning curve is big but after a while old hat like in most things.
No need to change your wardrobe, just excuse yourself to go to the rest room for your shot if that is more comfortable for you. You can really give your shot anywhere on your body, your diabetes team should be able to help you with this.
For most things it is kind of like living with a four year old. Eat on schedule and more often, get enough rest etc. In my experience things work best if the schedule is the norm. You will get to know how to deal with things outside of that norm through experience.
For me low blood sugars mean orange juice. It is the fastest natural sugar and its after effects are minimized. I'd vomit if I had a coke as the sugar is just so high and unusual. Snacks are not out of the picture but let your body become accustomed to the adjustments and routine and then add them in.
Don't be afraid to ask your diabetes team anything. Their goal is to help you and no question is too stupid.
Good luck!

I've just gone on a Hearting frenzy, Inge. Gorgeous finds.

Freckles is totally right about schedule and wearing anything. I wear dresses and even jumpsuits all the time. I just hike my skirts up under tablecloths to reach the first available fatty part. Haha.

I totally have to go surf AT also, now.

Can't offer any practical advice but I wouldn't do what I witnessed once. My father & I were visiting an old colleague of his in Denmark. In the kitchen just before dinner that I was cooking, he dropped trou & in his tighty whities injected himself in the thigh.
I was aghast to say the least.

Wow, talk about throwing caution to the winds -- I'll bet you didn't visit there again!

Omg!! Hahaha! That's so crazy, ghastly, and unimaginable. Also, I can't believe it was Denmark. That sounds so Off The Grid American.

Inge, thank you for all the excellent ideas for clothing. I can't wait to try denim jackets as tops and may even try the furry peplum DIY idea. I have a faux fur scarf that I've never worn and am eyeing. I see that H&M has denim jackets for under $40 as I may need a larger size to be comfortable.
Anna, that is unbelievable! Thank you for the laugh. Part of my problem is finding fat to infect...plenty on my belly but not legs and arms. It is something to discuss with the professionals. My doctor just says that I should gain weight, something I've never been able to do without lots of sweets and ice cream, even if I wanted to. To me it sounds like that could cause other problems like knees and blood pressure.

Joy, what is the gauge of the needle on your insulin syringe? Do you inject at an angle or straight in? You shouldn't really need fat to inject... The butt is also a good place to inject.

The doctors like you to inject into fat tho. Absorption rates. And it hurts to go into muscle.

http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/.....38;id=7264

It is a 5mm needle and I'm supposed to go straight in. The directions say that you can pinch some skin and fat and inject into that if in a low fat area. Hips are not on my injection grid, just abdominal area below belly button and outer thighs and inner side of upper arms. I try to firm those fatty arm flaps, especially in summer when sleeveless is most comfortable.
Rachylou, that was what I was told too. As it is I occasionally get into muscle and it hurts for an hour or so.

I have never been able to do an arm shot. Angle is too awkward for me. Probably easier with a syringe than a pen. I go around the sides and back in the abdominal area too, as well as the front.

Sorry, tired brain. I meant a high fat area on the body for the injection.
I just mentioned the butt (your correct in saying hips) as I used to find it easier to do when out for dinner. Not a normal site but one that fit into my lifestyle well for the occasional evening out..
Of course your diabetes team is the final word on everything. I know that when a new thing comes into my life I sometimes miss fine details when trying to absorb it all.

As an aside up here in Canada they are doing a new study. A zillion years ago they changed the standards for care as a result of a study I was involved in using really tight control. After studying it for ten years they decided that it was not a good option. Now they just happened to come across a bunch of us who were on the study, had diabetes for over 50 years and were really freaking healthy and still alive. Decided that perhaps ten years was not long enough to study it. So hoorah! We are all really healthy after so many years....and they're thinking that perhaps they were wrong and it is a good idea. You never know with medicine new technology and ideas come along all the time and those researchers and doctors are really paying attention.

Wait ! You were part of the famous study? But then those recommendations for tight control were dropped?

Yes Rachylou. They decided for young children who were type one that the tight control was not beneficial and that actually a much higher blood sugar was better. It will be interesting to see what happens next if I'm still alive when the results occur. If I remember correctly that was before we could test our blood at home and had to use urine testing... Technology sure has come a long way!

Freckles, that is so interesting! Rachylou, I am playing phone tag with my doctor's nurse today, but you have helped with my most crucial questions. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Good luck with the game of tag, Joy!

Freckles, that is fascinating. My oldest best friend is type 1. 40 years of diabetes. I remember the urine testing and the first meter and chasing insulin peaks in terms of when to eat. And the 'ancient' history ... Filing syringes and boiling urine on the stove to test bg (blood glucose). I've been type 1 for maybe 12 years. When I came on board no one mentioned that the study had gone out of favour for any period... albeit I had a hard time getting as many test strips as needed. I thought that was just insurance being cheap and outdated. Lots of places, I know, never left like a 1950s standard of care.

Joy, what a learning curve! Difficult, but good as well.
I just wanted to chime in to say my closest friend at work is diabetic, and we have lunch together most days. He whips out the pen, lifts his shirt and jabs it in. He doesn't draw breath. I was a bit surprised when we first met, but I must say now I don't even notice. It's just something he does, like taking a sip of drink, or gathering up the packaging at the end. I imagine it all takes a bit of time and practice, but soon enough you will be an old hand.
I hope you go well with the doctor and dietician.

Thank you, Lucy. I hope it won't take too long to be as quick and casual as your friend. Right now there are several steps before the jab, but some day it would become automatic.

I just pm'd you Rachylou about the study. The new study they are doing is only in Canada rather than in both the US and Canada like the dcct. I think this is because the results they found here in Canada are the result of a study prior to dcct and I think it was only done in Canada.

I'd forgotten about using glass insulin syringes with those big honking needles. Oh la la, sure glad we aren't using those anymore!!! Talk about the dinosaur age. To be quite truthful though I wish we were still using glass resevoirs in the pump.

I can't believe people are getting poor care now with all the advances, how sad.

Good luck with getting in touch with your nurse Joy and hope you get all your questions answered and lots more help along the way.

It's kind a like with fuel efficient cars... They've known how to do it since the sixties and just don't wanna. In fact my 80s car got better mileage than my 2003 one, which I still have...

I agree about the glass reservoirs !!

check with your MD for the name of diabetes educator, or call your hospital there should be plenty on staff. They probably can give you lots more info. It's a lot to take in at first.

Thank you. Chadya, I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the med center's diabetic dietitian and am thinking of also seeing a diabetic educator if I still need information. I will see one of them at a support group meeting on Thursday. So far my levels have been all over the place, but mostly low just before meals.

Joy-do you have an iPhone. My youngest daughter who has cerebral palsy discovered that on her phone she can enter med alert information and it can be opened without her phone being unlocked. It is a heart on your phone and says health. I called and found out that the ERs EMS units ect do know about it and look for it. She also has a custom made med alert bracelet.
I hope I explained the iPhone app well enough. If you need me to take a picture f her phone I can.

Debbie, I did not know this and do hsve an iPhone. I will look for the heart. Is it an app? I still need to get a medic alert bracelet and am thinking custom made. Did your DD get her's on line? At a jewelry store? I was told today that I need to eat more carbs and less protein so the kidneys won't get overwhelmed.

Joy, I am very late to this thread as I haven't been on the forum very often. I just wanted to chime in and say I am so sorry you are dealing with this but so glad you have found some support. I will be following your story.