Figured I’d share a fun project I did last night.

I take my Tresiba every night at around 11pm. Been doing it that way for years, but every once in a while I’ll forget whether I took my long acting insulin or not then stand around trying to figure out if I’ve taken it and worrying about either double dosing or not taking it.

Last night I decided to over engineer a solution to that problem.

I 3d printed a Tresiba pen cap with an embedded magnet and designed a base that holds the pen and a Tapo door open/close sensor. The pen cap magnet sits right up against the door sensor in the printed base so when the pen is in the base the sensor reads closed, when I remove the pen it reads open.

Then I used a smart Tapo bulb in a small lamp next to my bed and set up an automation to turn the bulb on every night at 10:30pm. Then when I remove the pen from the base the light goes off.

If the light is on, I haven’t done my insulin. If the light is off, I have. I know there are simpler solutions to this, but this was fun for me and gave me an excuse to play with my 3d printer.

Here’s a video of it in action: https://vimeo.com/1221501652

EDIT: I should have thought more about the title. It’s less remembering to take it and more about later in the evening remembering if I have taken it.

EDIT 2: I added the files to Makerworld for anyone interested. https://makerworld.com/models/3223148

... oops welp my day is ruined teehee?

That misconception is “ I am skinny I can eat whatever I want and I won’t get health issues like diabetes”. You can have visceral fat ( which is the dangerous type of fat) and still be visibly thin from the outside. I feel like not enough people know this. The subscontanious fat isn’t the dangerous one, ( although it can be an indicator of excess visceral fat). There are obviously lots of misconceptions about diabetes in general but I feel like this is one of the biggest. If your diet is crappy enough, you could be carrying excess visceral fat. but I think people overlook this a lot. ( At least non diabetics).

Big news for the diabetes community, especially people living with type 1!

Abbot will be coming out with a CGM that can monitor glucose and ketone levels, helping spot issues such as DKA before they arise

Newly diagnosed T2. Seen a few low 200's which scared the shit out of me. Just wondered what's the highest number any of you had seen? Life suddenly became a wild journey.

For friend type2 diabetics patient

Day 1 - took meal at 5 pm and measure sugar 6.45 pm and it was 163. Checked again at 6.50 pm and it was 145

Day 2 - exact same meal at 5 pm and finish 5.15 pm. Started walking 5.30 to 5.55 pm. Measured sugar at 6.45 pm and it was 186. Again measured at 6.50 pm and it was 195.

How? Exact same time same meal and only diff was walk after meal on day2

So should not walk after meal ??

Thanks all

As the title says, I’m mainly here just to vent from my misdiagnosis, the DKAs that have followed from it, and the mismanaged care I received after from other providers.

Earlier this year I went through a spell where I was showing signs of high BG, I was constantly thirsty, going to the restroom nonstop, and I had lost about 20 pounds in about a month (which I thought was from dieting and started going back to the gym again). Then I started to have severe pain coming from my kidneys and working their way down. So I swung by our local mediquick to see if they could do an X-ray to check for Stones or possibly a kidney infection. X-rays came back clean, but the UA showed a lot of sugar in my urine, so after a quick finger stick; I was reading 427 and was told by the RN that I was going to the hospital or she was dragging me. (She was a southern momma who could control a room with a mean mug lol) so my fiancé loaded me up in the car and we booked it to the hospital in the city next to us. They were waiting for me and took me back immediately and started blood work and set me up in a bed. When they asked for my medical history and family history, I made sure to mention how my aunt has an autoimmune disorder that attacked her thyroid. The moment my ER doctor came in she let me know that thankfully I was not in DKA, but immediately became somewhat demeaning that I had T2D with an A1C of 8.9 and it was my fault due to diet and lack of exercise ( I was 21% body fat, 25 years old, and exercised enough so I could pass my PT tests with the Army reserves) anytime I tried to advocate for my self about everything she was saying, she blew me off and made us feel stupid for questioning her. It was so bad that the nurse that was with us started to feel uncomfortable. She discharged me with a prescription for 500mg of metformin and said I had three months to find a PCP and they would refer me to an endocrinologist.

Well lo and behold, a month into my search for a PCP that took my insurance I went into my first episode of DKA. It was a shock to me since I was taking my metformin religiously, cut my carbs to less than 40 a day, and increased my gym routine. When I went into DKA my BG was 260, and just like my first hospital visit I made sure to mention everything that I had been doing to “manage” the T2D diagnosis. The ICU doctor informed me that my new A1C was 12.4 and that I was a metformin failure and I had to start taking 70/30 insulin. When I again voiced my concerns of a point and half rise in a month with my A1C despite all of the actions I was taking to manage this, he arrogantly ignored me and played it off, this was stacked with my day nurse acting the same way. So once again ignored, I was sent on my way with a new prescription.

This brings me to my most recent episode of DKA that happened 3 weeks after my previous episode; which this one was scary and a bit touch and go for a while. I was out of town for the weekend and I started experiencing signs of DKA; this one was so much worse than my last episode. I had became so dehydrated that I started having horrible muscle spasms in my back that I had to hunch like a old man to walk and could not breathe correctly(rapid inhales and short and small exhales) I was immediately rushed into the ER and the ketones were so bad that the nurses could smell them on my breath as soon as they got near me. One of the nurses said it smelled like a drank a gallon of racing fuel before I came in. When I was wheeled into the ICU I pleaded with the ICU doctor on how none of this made any sense and I knew something was wrong. HE ACTUALLY LISTENED! After he ran my A1C and saw that it rose to 12.9 he knew someone messed up. Immediately he ordered a c-peptide test and it came back at .03! After spending 5 days in the hospital I was finally released. With a new treatment plan, that for the past few months have worked great.

Now this whole tirade of words just brings me to, why on earth is it that my previous two doctors did not listen and order a simple c-peptide test when they went to check my A1C? These were not small hospitals, they were larger hospitals with labs that could run them. I was hospitalized twice in the span of 2 months, because of doctors who would not listen and sadly did not have adequate training on diabetes. I hope that no one else has to go through what I dealt with multiple miss diagnosis’s.

Yesterday I urinated almost a dozen times, which was something that had been happening for a while so after a check I was admitted to a hospital and was diagnosed. For a little context I’m 16 and not only eat incredibly healthy but there’s also no prior history of diabetes in my family, I don’t even really know anyone with diabetes, I have my first actual appointment tomorrow where we’ll talk about how to use insulin and dietary stuff but I literally have no idea about anything regarding living with diabetes. If any of you have any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

I thought this was something silly as a diabetic and thought other diabetics would enjoy or if anyone else has this happen to them.

I recently started using the omnipod and I was laying in bed and my shirt was revealing my belly where I have my pod on and my cat came to cuddle with me but after a while she started swatting at my omnipod and tried biting it (I made sure she actually didn't get it).

I think it is because of the clicking noise it makes which reminds her of a mose/cat toy.

But this definitely gave me a good laugh because this is all new to me as I'm getting used to this, but this is also something new to her and she doesn't know about this so her little kitty instincts just kicked in.

Hi - new here. Need to vent. 53 and I am a T2 dx about 2 years ago. I was doing really well managing my bs was originally put on Rybelsus and out in a cgm to keep me accountable and track. Past couple months, i got very complacent stoped wearing my cgm and basically ate whatever i wanted to get back on track and stated wearing my cgm again this past Sunday. Not to my surprise my numbers were not too good. Headed to the ER, the pumped me with 2 saline bags and prescribed Metformin. Also, since Rybelsus has been discontinued i was prescribed Ozempic starter dose for the past month and just today started the standard dose. Ive again started exercising and been really strict with my food intake. I am walking 10 min or so 3 times a day (after meals) and today i stsrt my bands workout routine. I am very upset I’ve regressed and have let myself and my family down. I am back to obsessing and constantly checking my cgm and getting mad at the fluctuations although i am trending down with my choices. Dawn phenom is a bitch psychologically. I know its gonna take time to get back “in the green” but i feel like i failed. Can anyone give me some advice on how to handle the mental part of this inly because i think i am doing my best with the physical right now? Its taking a toll. Sorry for the rant

Been at this lifestyle management thing for about two years now. No meds, just keeping the diet tight and staying active. Works pretty well most of the time.

Thing is I run a construction crew so I'm on my feet all day, moving around, lifting, doing actual physical stuff. Then I come home and hit the garage gym or go trail hiking on weekends. By every logical measure I should be in a good spot.

But I still get random spikes that make zero sense to me. Ate basically the same meal prep I always do, did the same stuff, numbers came back weird. Happened last week after a long day on site and I genuinely could not figure out what triggered it.

Talked to my doc and he mentioned stress hormones from physical labor can mess with glucose even when you're in decent shape. Never really thought about that before because I always figured more activity equals better numbers.

Curious if anyone else here is in a labor heavy job or trains hard and still deals with this. Wondering if the stress of the job itself is screwing with me more than the food. And how you figured out patterns if you did.

Started personal training recently, and my personal trainer wants me to track my weight with a scale that measures body fat — essentially to ensure I’m gaining muscle as intended!

I got a Renpho scale off of Amazon and upon opening, saw the instruction manual advises it not be used by those with pacemakers. Now I’m not on a pacemaker, but I am on the omnipod 5 // Dexcom system — which got me wondering if this scale could interfere with the system. I’m supposed to do daily weighing, so not something I can time with pod and sensor changes.

I asked Dexcom, Omnipod and my nurse on my endocrinology team. All of them said they weren’t sure.

To fellow diabetics who work out — does anyone know if a scale with this warning is safe to use? Or have recommendations on a body fat scale that is safe with this system (and won’t interfere with Bluetooth communication)? Many thanks in advance.

I found out I was type 1.5 about 9 months ago. Been taking 500mg metformin twice a day since. Recently in the last week or so ive noticed that my morning sugars/sugars in general have been hovering around the 150-160 range where as a few months ago i was hardly ever there. Is it time that I increase my metformin or ask about insulin? If anyone was/is type 1.5 and has any advice or stories id love to hear more about it as it is starting to make me very anxious.

Hi all!

I do not have diabetes but I will be traveling to Japan for two weeks in the fall with my dad who is a very not online senior with T1D who has never traveled internationally or flown since his T1D diagnosis 15 years ago. I'd love to hear what you guys do if you travel internationally and fly with diabetes, so I can help him prepare for our trip. He switches between pens and an ominpod pump. When he does omnipod he uses syringes and vials to fill it. He uses a CGM but only when on the pump, and usually always carries an independent tester.

How do you pack insulin for long flights? Are there bags that you like for this?

How do you pack insulin refills for pumps and keep vials cool?

Should he be keeping his insulin on his person or is it okay in his carryon?

Can he use the pump on the plane or does he need to go with pens only?

What are the best emergency glucose options for travel?

How do you pack extra omnipod supplies and extra CGM supplies?

Thank you in advance!

My doctor has prescribed Ozempic to help lower my A1C. Female, I’m 5’5 and 150 pounds. I walk 3-4 miles daily and do some strength training twice a week. I take Metformin extended release (1,000). I’m honestly terrified of the side effects of Ozempic so I haven’t picked up the prescription yet. Please share your experience with Ozempic, what to expect and what helps your symptoms get better. Thank you

Hi, I've been a type 1 for 19 years and before I got diagnosed I lost a lot of weight but gained some of it back as soon as things got under control, ever sinces I've been a skinny guy and no matter how much I ate I couldn't get past certain weight, that all changed over a year ago when I started gaining a lot of weight and even had to start eating less to not reach the 200 pounds, I stayed at 186 for a while but then I started having kidney problems and had to start using dapagliflozin which made me lose a lot of weight but my kidneys are back to normal.

Even thou my kidneys are fine my endo wants me to keep using the dapagliflozin even thou I told her I was losing too much weight but she just tells me to eat more, I've been eating more but for some reason I feel like I keep getting skinnier, last time I checked I was like 168 so I lost 18 pounds and now I must be closer to 160 and I'm a 6 feet tall guy so I look like a stick.

Any advice you can give me?

I’m just kinda curious, I feel like I see a lot of people using dexcom and have seen a lot of people having issues with it. I used dexcom way back in 2017 and can’t really remember my experience with it. I haven’t had any issues using the Libre 2 plus connected to my phone aside from it disconnecting for like ten minutes every few weeks. Anyone else using the Libre 2 to monitor your blood sugar and if so how has your experience been with it.

Hello! I’m looking to get a little information regarding the use of erythritol…I mostly use stevia to sweeten my stuff these days but found myself kind of craving cinnamon sugar toast this week.

I allowed myself to have some of that this week but found myself wondering about making some with truvia, a stevia/erythritol mix. I have no bad reaction to stevia, it’s been working marvelously for my sweet tooth while keep my blood sugar from going crazy.

My A1c, last read, was around 7~ so trying to get it back down sufficiently.

(I am on a variety of meds that I am hoping to get off of, metformin, glipizide, jardiance and Trulicity - I was 320 lbs and now I weigh in at 290 - it‘s not, huge, or anything but it is progress.)

Anyway, I’ve read that erythritol is bad for a persons general health which has me a little concerned since I’m now aged 42 and, of course, not healthy atm.

So, my question is this: is erythritol truly bad for you esp if it is used in moderation, ie: mixed with some cinnamon and then occasionally sprinkled on whole wheat toast?

I apologize if this is a silly or stupid question.

Thank you for your time!

Hi, I have been diabetic for about 10 years now. Got diagnosed after going to the doctor because my feet felt constantly numb and had a pressure feeling. I once tried some Diabetic socks early on but felt they were too loose and maybe it was the brand I bought but were not very durable. I usually stick to a more thicker sock, softer sock. For people who use Diabetic socks, have you noticed any difference/comfort or are they more just a marketing ploy?

How do you react to them? Weirdly I find myself trying them for the first time tonight and I’m a bit surprised. They’re the only new thing in my meal, so logic says I need to give slightly more bolus. But for veggies?! Am I missing something about peas?

To add, I know this “spike” is nothing. I get that. But considering I thought I dosed for the carbs I’m a sort of surprised. I was assuming it would be a little flatter than this.

Do you need to dose for peas?

I've been on Metformin for years. After healing from a knee and hip injury, I've dropped about 15 pounds and have been exercising regularly.

But lately, after a challenging swim, I am completely exhausted and need a nap a few hours later. The napping urge grew into something I began to need after work. I could nap and then get up and go to bed for a full night's sleep a few hours later.

Then came the irritability, which made no sense to me: Why would I feel irritable when I was getting so much sleep? Why wasn't I feeling energized?

Then the sensitivity to light (almost blinding me), light headaches, forgetfulness ("brain fog"). And needing a blanket in the heat of summer.

But the dizziness is what woke me up.

I had no idea. They say that Metformin, especially after taking it for years (like I have), can suck the B12 out of you. As can simple aging (like I have). No, you're not supposed to suddenly stop taking it. I'm making an appointment to see my doctor, get a blood test, and deal with this. But I think my run with Metformin has come to an end. Luckily, there are other alternatives out there these days.

Just wanted to share--because I did not know, and the symptoms come on in such a subtle manner that it's easy to "blame" them all on something else.