Dr. Joe’s e-news 7/31/00
Diabetes2000, The last about type 1
from this conference.
Diabetes is still in the whining phase. I just
finished reading a terrible article in the Western
Journal of Medicine. It was about the heroic
attitude of a man who had diabetes early in
the last century who went blind before he died
but got a great letter from Elliott Joslin
commending him for his attitude for the 30
good years before he went blind.
Get over it! That was history. History means it
is in the past - not now. I run into people
electronically and in the office every day who
just don’t get it. Now is real good. The future
is even better. The poor guy who went blind
did so because no one knew how to do any
better. That’s not true any more.
The reasons not to use an insulin pump are so
bogus. The newly diagnosed type 1 today
comes to the office unencumbered by the history
of diabetes - just asks "what’s best" - and goes
on a pump immediately. Why resist checking
glucose one hour after a meal? Why resist
checking glucose - maybe 10 times! - you know
you do better the more your check!
There is nothing more tragic than the last person
who got polio before the Salk Vaccine was
released. Now you can be heathy while awaiting
whatever’s the next best thing.
You will learn technology today that will help
tomorrow. If you don’t learn it, you won’t be able
to be involved in things like the virus mediated gene
delivery system, an engineered preproinsulin gene.
It was placed in the liver of rats and produced
proinsulin which was released as insulin. It lowered
the blood sugar. It’s early but promising. You don’t
need a cell transplant to do this.
You got to get it right, though. These researchers
have made this their life’s work. They don’t want to
play with losers. It’s their time as well as yours.
Dr. Joe, the Diabetes Doctor
December 26th, 2004 at 3:48 am
<< The reasons not to use an insulin pump are so
bogus. The newly diagnosed type 1 today
comes to the office unencumbered by the history
of diabetes - just asks "what’s best" - and goes
on a pump immediately. >>
Now, if we could just get the drs. to do this, too!
Patrick
The NC bluegrass pickin’ pumper
December 26th, 2004 at 9:19 am
<< She said
yes, they were talking about it and he feels that if he had a patient who
warranted using one, she is sure he would put them on it. (!!!!!!!!!!)
>>
The thing that really bugs me too is the hoops you have to jump thru to get
your insurance company to OK paying for the pump. Its stupid. If you get on
it right away you can avoid alot of complications that may occur later on and
cost the insurance company more money in hospital bills. Before the pump I
knew just about every hospital in town. I was brittle. If I got sick it was
major trouble. I either got admitted to the hospital or at least spent a
night in the ER. duhhhh!!!! Chrissy
December 26th, 2004 at 8:47 pm
<<
Now, if we could just get the drs. to do this, too!
Patrick
The NC bluegrass pickin’ pumper
>>
Patrick:
the only way to do that is to start raising their awareness….namely,
inviting them to check out what you found on the net….physicians are in the
business of making money…..doing better patient management can improve his
income….strike where it will have the best effect!!! in the good old
pocket book!! Joan:)
December 27th, 2004 at 9:06 am
I would agree that the pump is a far better solution to the diabetes problem,
but I would add a caveat:
No one should be placed on a pump who has not first demonstrated competence in
using multiple injections, and diligence in frequent monitoring.
Too many people fall off the wagon after having had considerable training, and
it would be a waste on time and money to place them on a pump only to have them
fail.
David
January 2nd, 2005 at 3:20 pm
<< I would agree that the pump is a far better solution to the diabetes
problem, but I would add a caveat:
No one should be placed on a pump who has not first demonstrated competence
in using multiple injections, and diligence in frequent monitoring.
Too many people fall off the wagon after having had considerable training,
and it would be a waste on time and money to place them on a pump only to
have them fail.
David
>>
Yes David, I totally agree…..we’ve all made that committment….if someone
can’t do that for themselves, then the pump isn’t the way to go for
them….although I’m sure there will be may disagrees on that topic…Joan:)
January 2nd, 2005 at 11:28 pm
Hey Jim!! Good Luck and welcome aboard!! Joan:)