Are you there, Blog? It's me, Beth

I am alive.

But,  I have had some writer's constipation, I guess. 

I have been busy most days at the store, and when I get home, I am filthy and exhausted.

It takes all the motivation I have to force my nasty self into the shower. 

Blogging is just not at the top of my list as of late, no offense to you.
You know how I feel about you. You brighten my day. You help me de-clutter my brain. You are like my online scrapbook. But, I don't want to write crappy posts here just to be hittin' 'publish'. 

Know what I'm sayin?

Since I've abandoned you a bit here lately, I will let you know a bit about what's been goin' on in my neck of the woods. The weather has been cray. We had sleet/freezing rain, and schools closing early. Then, two days later, temps in the 70s and I'm sweatin' in my rain boots. Last night, I was driving home, and it went from barely a sprinkle to pouring buckets and I could barely see five feet in front of my car. Lots of people turned their hazard lights on. I was doin' 40 mph in a 55 zone. It was scurry.

I did go to acupuncture because a nasty case of carpal tunnel seems to have surfaced. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but you are mostly to blame. She put some needles in, then turned on some electricity. Don't worry, it didn't hurt. I just felt a tiny twitching between my thumb and pointer finger, kind of like when you get an eye twitch. 

There is good news though: I can keep blogging all I want, but I need to get a gel wrist pad so that my wrist isn't mashed flat against the laptop, cutting off the circulation/nerve. Also, turns out I have been sitting totally wrong. Ideally, my wrists should stay flat with my forearm, and be lower than my elbow, not higher.

Oops. So, we can still be friends, we are just going to have to make some adjustments.

The rest of the good news is that she thinks it's totally reversible. Meanwhile, I had an emotional derailment where I swore that my diabetes was causing neuropathy that was screwing up my wrist. Whew! Glad I was wrong about that one. 

Now, if you will excuse me, I want to go read some of my bloggy friends' posts because I been virtually MIA for dayyyyyyyyssssss.

Much love,

Your author, Beth, aka ...

6.8 Baby! Who's ya Mama?

You know what one of the best feelings ever is? 

No? 

Well, I'll tell you. 

One of the best feelings ever is when:

*checking your blood ~7x/day

*adjusting pump settings accordingly

*changing pump sites every three days

*trouble shooting pump errors

*inserting a sensor every 6 days

*trouble shooting sensor errors

*feeling the pump and sensor lump in your belly/butt/side when you sleep at night

*$ out the yin yang for pump supplies, meter supplies, insulin and dr. visits

*having unsightly lumps/bruises/red marks in your belly/back/butt from the pump and sensor

*waking up in the middle of the night with low blood sugars but using that data to adjust pump settings

*feeling nauseous, dehydrated and generally like shiz from high blood sugars

*having people stare at you and wonder what you're doing with a "pager" that makes beeping noises all day

*taking extra time in security at the airport to explain all of said medical madness

*giving up all products containing flour of any sort and beer

all add up to: 

Big ups to:

 who I know, is ultimately in control, and who lead me to Dr. Holt

 greatest endocrinologist ever, 
and Jennifer Spain, 

 greatest acupuncturist ever.

Gracias to my family and hubs too for always being so encouraging and supportive!

Thanks y'all! 

I'm tryin to tell y'all that ain't nothin like this happened to Shug in Boots since she was like 10 before any sort of hormonal madness happened and gluten reallllly started to wreak havoc apparently ... plus all those times as a teen when I just did not EVEN care. Anyway, point is - this ain't happened in FO-EVAAAAAA!!!!

Groundbreakin, suga bees!!!

I was surprised to learn that it's pretty common for Type I's to have gluten allergies. Giving up gluten has changed my liiiiiiiiife, y'all! Totally blown away. 

If you are afflicted with the dia-bee-tus, or know someone who is - these are the main things that I've found to be awesome:

1) try not to eat more than 30g carbs at one sitting

2) drink lots of water (and if you can't help yourself, at least avoid caffeine)

3) NatureMade vitamin diabetes vitamin packs Just look how awesome this chick's life is as a result:

4) take an omega-3 supplement

5) and for me, eliminating gluten made my blood sugars much easier to manage, got rid of back pain in the kidney area that I've had for YEARS, got rid of unexplained knee pain I've had for YEARS (I used to not be able to even bend that guy, now - bend away!), hormone regulation, MY HAIR QUIT FALLING OUT AND NEW HAIR IS GROWING IN ITS PLACE!!!, annnnd, I don't get up to pee 3 times a night. Matter of fact - I don't get up at alllll!!!! 

Can y'all believe that?!?!

Anti-Gluten/Food Diary Update

 Y'all.

I cannot believe this -

but my blood sugars are so going down. Being diabetic isn't all fun and games in the first place, clearly. But, it is EXTRA aggravatin when you start to become INSULIN RESISTANT! Ugh! Anyway, my blood sugars are going down! Rejoice! Ahhh! Hallelujah! OmGeeeee!!!!!! This further proves that the foods/bevies/supplements (lack thereof) that we put into our bodies MATTERS. A LOT! 

Anyway, I'm friggin' stoked about this. Know how in my last post (umm, which can also be found conveniently below until this gets archived) I was talkin about how I am in love with acupuncture and my girl, Jennifer encouraged me to keep a food diary and eliminate gluten to see if it helped with numerous issues I'm having?

Welp - I'm on day 5.

And, (since y'all are prolly dyin to know) I have, as a matter of fact, been keepin up with my food diary, oh yes indeeeeeed:

Yes - I may have had deviled eggs and popcorn for breakfast for the first few days - then I switched to some spicy, gluten free soup. I have never been one to discriminate against foods based on what time of day it is. And, I love some cold soup right out the fridge.

I'll spare y'all the other details of the happenings in my body that I have also been recording. But seriously - I highly recommend doing a food diary - there are a zillion reasons to - it helps you really "see" what's going on - allergies, weight loss, mood changes, you name it. 

Honestly - the no gluten thing hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. I automatically feel better knowing that eliminating gluten has helped me to quit consuming so much junk in the first place - cookies, cake, muffins, packaged/processed foods, etc - It feels awesome to be proactive. I just cannot get over what's happening with my blood sugars! Next goal - no more diet drinks - if I HAVE to have a "drink" - I will try to make it one of these: 

I hope everyone is havin a splendid weekend so far! 

A Healthier Beef

So, those of you who know me know about my appointments. My reason for needing to sneak out at 3:55. The fix I need to be able to keep on going. The thing that keeps me from cussin my diabetes - among other things - from here to Hades. 

Here she is:

Jennifer at Ancient Elements Acupuncture

I've blogged about acupuncture before here, and I've been very pleased. Acupuncture is the bomb because it acknowledges that all things in your body are linked, as to where Western medicine often treats the symptom or the physical ailment, acupuncture looks for the root of the cause - the why. Having had diabetes for almost 23 years, I am very interested in doing as much as I can for my body now while I am (fairly) young, and in identifying the root of the ailments I have so I can make dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent them. I have never, until now, felt that someone has addressed me as a WHOLE PERSON and all aspects of my health - stress, diabetes, allergies, hormones, muscle pains, dehydration, you name it. She talks to me about all of it and we work on a piece of it at each visit.

Here's the latest ...

At first, I wasn't going to write about this for the following reasons: 

1) No one will read it/care.

2) Close-minded people might think I'm weird.

3) I feel lazy. 

But then, I decided I have more reasons in favor of writing about this, including, but not limited to the following:

1) I need to quit caring so much what people think. 

2) Writing about this might make me more accountable to my health. 

3) Maybe someone will read this and be inspired to try acupuncture. 

Okay, so actually, I came up with three reasons for both, but I think my reasons for writing are better than my reasons for not writing. If you think it is weird/you don't give a crap, it is your lucky day. We live in a free country, and there is a red and white "X" at the top right that will allow you to escape from this page. 

So, now...let's get started: 

I have been feelin QUITE stressed lately with myself. Primarily my hormones (evil snots) and my diabetes - whose goal in life is to PISS ME OFF - with such measures as: the harder I try to take care of it, the more it acts CRAY-ZYYYYY, the more insulin I give, the higher the blood sugars, the healthier foods I eat, the more she wanna get smart wit me! These things are especially difficult for me because I am a  

perfectionist. 

control. 

freak. 

I am NOT doing well with just havin my diabetes just hand me this $hi* and expect me to just deal. You can bite me Lil Miss Dia-bee-tus. Yes - I feel that with all the 'tude and drama and unpredictability, dia-bee-tus MUST be female, and I have no qualms in sayin so. I believe that my dia-bee-tus and my hormones get together late at night while I am sleepin and cook up plans to get at me, all while sending ANNOYYYYYYING alert messages to my pump EVERY. TWO. HOURS. which WAKE ME UP OUTTA MY SLEEP. They concoct plans such as:

* Hey - every two weeks lets just throw a wrench in there. Let's wait for her blood sugars to get pretty dang near perfect - you know - just so she thinks she's on to somethin good. Then, 

Wha - Bammm! 

 Ha! I'd like to see her try to control those blood sugars now! Psych! Nice try! Hehehe! Try again! *evil laughter coming from my hormones and dia-bee-tus*

I have had it wit dem beezies!

Do y'all hear me?!?!

Anyhoo ... 

acupuncture ...

So, here's the positive aspect of this blog post - yep - there is one, turns out. So, as a part of mine and Jennifer's plan (I don't know care if that is grammatically correct) - we decided that I most def need to get back to takin these. See, they are a lil expensive in my opinion, so I always wait *** time out - I am being RUDELY interrupted by my pump as we speak: ***

Anywayyyyyyyy - 

Like I was sayin, I normally wait for these babies to go BOGO at Walgreen's to save some scrilla which translates into umm, I haven't taken these in over six months (kept missin the sale obviously). But- a lot of my diabetes/hormone/insulin resistance whackness can be aided by takin these:

Dear Diabetic frands - if you are out there - GO BUY SOME OF THESE. Newsflash: Your regular endocrinologist (though I must say, I do love mine dearly) prolly ain't gonna grab you by the collar and demand you go get these. They are just in the vitamin aisle with all the other vitamins but they help with sooooooooo many things that insulin alone simply ain't gone do. The end. Things like your circulation, eye sight, metabolism of carbs and fat, hormonal balance and so many other things. The body is a system as a whole. There is no way diabetes is only going to affect the amount of sugar in your blood. Please. Go. Go now. Get some of these vitamins. You will be glad you did! You will feel so much better and keep things from fallin apart on down the road. Think of it like regular oil changes and maintenance for your car - except your body and long term health are so much more important. 

Okay - next: 

Jennifer also suggested seeing if gluten might be having a negative affect regarding inflammation in my body. I STAY jacked up with sinus problems and back and knee pain, and I do notice it gets worse at times when I've had a good ole dose of gluten. 

So my assignment, should I choose to accept it (which I did, duh) is this: 

Get ready for it. 

NO GLUTEN FOR TWO WEEKS. 

NO REALLY, LIKE NONE:

Adios, packaged foods:

Yes - even my beloved Nabs. 

Even my quick-my-blood-sugar-is-low-and-these-don't-have-to-be-refrigerated snacks:

Anything on God's earth with bread in it:

Here's the good news:


Chinese medicine does believe in the health benefits of red meat (and potatoes don't have gluten, THANK YOU JESUS).

* Disclaimer - duh, the bread still has gluten, I'll just not eat that. Also, Chinese medicine does not advocate for the health benefits of fried items soaked in grease and the damaging effects of soft drinks - especially diet ones - aka POISON. However, when one is super badly cravin red meat, it's prolly cause it's my one's body cryin out to me one for more iron and nutrients for my one's blood. Right, Jennifer? :)

So, Jennifer suggested I do a journal - of foods, blood sugars, whack hormonal episodes/urges to smack people/cry, energy level, etc. to see if we can nail down the "Is it gluten?" answer.

I told her - "Jennifer, I am neurotic about keeping data in any form. If I do it - it will just have to be color coded - it's just too much - sugars, moods, foods, sleeping habits, energy, etc. I will not be able to live with myself having all that information down without some sort of colorful, fun organization to motivate me."

Well, clearly it is meant to be because just this morning I found these on my desk:

Thank you, Cori Lyn for these bomb-diggity writing utensils that I LOVVVVVVVE. (I swear, if people bought me Papermate Flair pens and Nature Made Diabetes Vitamin packs for holidays I'd be a happy woman).

Also, I have a certain "planner" type book in mind that has LOTS of space to write for each day of the week - lots and lots and lots of writing space. ;)

Anyhoo - please pray for me frands. I love bread. And I get sick of tracking and keeping data as it is. But, I know this will be so beneficial. Also, if it is gluten, and I give up beer and bread, I am BOUND to lose weight right? Yeah, I know. I can't substitute the lack of bread with more fries and fried up red meat. Duh. I know that.

Just keep ya faingahs crossed. And if you see me snackin on ANYTHING packaged, or containing bread, or drinkin a beer - you have my permission to get smart wit me, run up and smack it out of my hand and say somethin like, "What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you insane?! Jennifer is going to be so disappointed! I don't even know who you are anymore. You disgust me!" etc etc etc

I will begin journaling ---

tomorrow.

Wish me luck! ;)

Don't Be Scurred, It's just a little needle - or 20.

Image from The-Pet-Haven.blogspot.com

Ahh, Corporate America - meetings, deadlines, blisters from your "Omg, they're so cute!" heels, and..... daily mini heart attacks. Livin' the cube-life dream! I decided that heart palpitations, nightmares, crazy blood sugars and actually waking up to a sore chest from sheer tightness the day before might be a reason for action. I decided to piss on our Western Civilization way of living and stressin' in general and venture out to see what our Eastern friends have to say about it. I decided to get my needle on. No, I'm not talkin' anything illegal. I'm talkin.......ACUPUNCTURE. My mom's the one who convinced me to go - she swears by it. At first, I was like, What the deuce? You know, this could be super weird and I mean, who knows, really? But, I was damn tired of the madness. So, my mama set up my appointment, I printed the paperwork and filled out the 5 page questionnaire. I arrived in eager anticipation of what magical things lie ahead. I expected to walk into some place that smelled like Whole Foods and incense. Kinda.

I walked in and was greeted by a very friendly young woman with wavy brown hair. Looked normal. No fear yet. We walked into the other room and sat down to discuss my questionnaire. Every tiny thing that was bothering me - from my hellish recurring snake nightmares to my right foot always cramping to the feeling that someone reached into my chest and squeezed as hard as they could all during the week - my digestive habits, my hair, my energy level...you know, all the stuff your "real" doctor doesn't care to know about. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my endocrinologist (whattup 6.9 a1c?!), but doctors who care to know about all the "little things" that they can't slap a diagnosis on and write you out a pill for it - are few and far between. If you have one of those doctors, hang on tight and hope they don't retire before you die. Anyhoo - I was totally excited because in our conversation, my acupuncturist started to ask me if I was having other symptoms that I hadn't even thought to mention. Who knew floaters in your eyes (at age 27 that are there ALL. THE. TIME.) could be related to your kidneys?!?! Well, yeah! Wow! And I was instantly at ease, and she asked lots of details - what time of day do you feel like this, what sort of things appear in your nightmares? Do you feel like this after you eat this, etc, etc, etc.

So, after discussing all of my symptoms, she explained that all of the symptoms pointed to certain organ systems. The goal of Chinese medicine is to balance your body's yin and yang (pronounced yong, not yang ;) ). My verdict: my kidney yang is runnin amuck while my yin is napping.

The first visit, after she checked my pulses (yes, there are six, not just one, like at your "reglar docter"). I lay on my stomach on what looks like a massage table (complete with the little cut out hole for your head). She inserted needles into several places on my bare back. Yeah, it "hurts" for a second - like getting pinched. But once the needles are in, they're in and you don't really feel it. She explained what she was doing every step along the way, and left me to relax, with a heat lamp and some relaxing music (duh, it was Chinese but no words). She came back about 20 minutes or so later, removed the needles and checked my pulses again. This is how she tells how my body is reacting to the treatment and if it's working. The treatments work for about three days after the visit. Not bad for the first time. 

The next time was a little more hard core. We still started off talking about how my week was going, and if I'd noticed any changes with the mile long list of crap that was bothering me. Guess what?! No snake nightmares all week. Still a few weird dreams, but not nightmares. Guess what else?! I didn't get up to pee in the middle of the night (which makes the nightmares worse - I'm tellin you, my brain is WHAACK). For me, this was cause for celebration. I haven't slept all the way through the night since I was like 8. This time, we did needles in all kindsa crazy places - two in my forehead, a few in my wrists, below my ankles, near my toes, in my shin - all over the place. But, again, so dang relaxed I could hardly roll myself outta there. I highly recommend!

I know I might sound like a full blown kook right now, but I am here to tell you, I am HOOKED. I leave up out of that place so relaxed that I feel like me and Sylvia just float on home, bless her hearrrrrrt! She suggests certain foods to eat/avoid based on what your needs are, as well as recommending certain herbs. And, it's not just for relaxation - she can help with anything you'd make a "regular" medical appointment for - PMS, addictions, allergies, you name it. Hey - if I ain't having panic 24-7 and feelin' like the snakes are gonna kill me along with all my other randomness, BRANG IT ON ANCIENT CHINESE MEDICINE. HIT ME UP WITH THE NEEDLE, SHUG!