dLife - Women's Issues

When BCP Makes You Crazy

Lindsey Guerin — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 20:04:37 +0000

I've been on the new (for me) birth control, Ocella, for about four months now. When I switched from Yaz, I was a little hesitant but the lower cost really decided the switch for me. In the first month or two of Ocella, I noticed that I wasn't feeling that great. I was getting headaches regularly. I was moody. I knew something was off.

The doctor's office told me to wait it out and see if those things calmed by the end of month two. They did, but I've noticed lately that I'm not that happy with my current side effects. I don't feel I'm getting what I need out of it and that doesn't make me happy given the high risk of stroke/blood clots/heart attack/etc. with birth control. I want it to do its job if I'm going to put myself at risk.

Highs and Lows (in D and Life)

Lindsey Guerin — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 02:49:18 +0000

Today has been a roller coaster with my blood sugars. I have no idea what's happening with my diabetes given yesterday in the 30s and today in the 300s. Nothing changed. I didn't even lower my insulin. So I haven't felt very good today. I didn't even make it out of the house like I hoped.

Now I'm sitting in bed crying about how my life isn't how I want it to be right now. Working for my mom doesn't take much time, especially since we took the month off to focus on the holidays and parties. I'm doing a lot of planning for my yoga adventure, but that can be done from the laptop or my phone. And my personal situation is still up in the air.

In the Wild

Brenda Bell — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:13:11 +0000

When one works in retail, one generally meets and serves customers of all ages, genders, and walks of life. The demographic distribution of customers may be skewed by the goods sold at the store, but unless the store requires licensing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, there's not likely to be a cut-and-dried "we will not let you in the store and we will not accept your business".

Supplements: Pycnogenol

Lindsey Guerin — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:49:29 +0000

Supplements are a girls' best friend, in my opinion. Even though I take far fewer these days than I did a few years ago, I'm still a proponent of meeting the body's needs with vitamins and supplements. Always from qualified sources though (and as always, please discuss everything with your doctor. I'm not a doctor so this is not medical advice). About three months ago, my mom found a supplement called Pycnogenol through Life Extension.

Fatigue and Work (A Revelation)

Lindsey Guerin — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:03:38 +0000

As my mother and I sat chatting about a potential job offer and all that it entails, we were discussing my fatigue. For this particular position, the shifts are pretty long Monday through Thursday with a half-day on Friday. I'm also looking at a hefty commute if I can't move from this area. So we were weighing out my options.

I was telling her that I'm still fatigued. I feel just as fatigued right at this moment when I get to work from home in my pajamas and sleep as much as I want than I did when I worked full time on top of the rest of my issues. So it doesn't appear that working really increases or aggravates my fatigue. I just can't seem to shake it no matter the situation.

World Diabetes Day, 2012

Lindsey Guerin — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:39:47 +0000

Happy World Diabetes Day! Are you wearing blue in support of everyone living with diabetes today? I hope so! Maybe you're participating in an event this year? It seems like more people are aware of it this year, although still not enough.

For 2012, I decided to look back at World Diabetes Day in 2011. My life has changed so much in the last year that it feels cathartic to compare where I was on this day last year and where I am right now. Apparently quite a bit has changed even in my daily diabetes management.

dBlog Day: My Letter to the Media

Lindsey Guerin — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:10:25 +0000

In true dBlog day form, this is my letter to all media outlets. Newspapers and print media, tv and commercial marketing, news outlets, and everyone in between. I'm also sending a flashback to this post from 2010 after Oprah's diabetes tribute featuring Dr. Oz. Let's start getting this right, people!

Dear Media,

First, let me describe a little about me and the type of diabetes I live with: I'm a type 1 diabetic who has managed this disease for 19 years and 8 months. My A1c has fluctuated over the last 19 years as has my weight, my insulin levels, and my overall management. I was four years old when I was diagnosed. I was not overweight, eating too much sugar, and at that time, I was the only diabetic in my family (my dad was later diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 60).

Another Year, Another Wish

Lindsey Guerin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:52:00 +0000

It's that time of year again- my birthday. A few months ago, I was really excited about turning 24. I felt like that extra year would move me forward in my life. I would feel older, feel more my age and less like I'm far beyond my years. I couldn't wait to spend the day with Marvin out at a nice restaurant and seeing the premier of Skyfall (we're major Bond fans).

Instead, I'm spending the day with my mother. Who I love, don't get me wrong. But it's not exactly how I envisioned celebrating. I'm thankful for the small things this birthday. Like supportive friends and family who continue to post funny and inspiring pictures on my Facebook wall. I'm thankful that I have someone to spend my birthday with and that things are not worse than they are (as my mother has reminded me, Marvin is still only 4 hours away. I haven't lost him forever, I've just lost the relationship).

A Heated Debate

Lindsey Guerin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:50:42 +0000

It's Election Day 2012. Everyone is out voting and representing their party or candidate. Hopefully, everyone understands the issues at hand and what those parties and candidates represent. For me, those issues often hit close to home. There isn't enough space on the world wide web to post about all the issues that I care about, but I did want to share a few of the relevant ones today.

Disclaimer: This is in no way a representation or support of any particular party or candidate. I am a moderate in politics and do not weigh heavily with one side or the other.

Lows, Lows, and More Lows

Lindsey Guerin — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 01:31:48 +0000

This week has been consumed by low blood sugars. With my added emotional stress lately, I've been experiencing lows in the 40s and 50s on a regular basis. Once a day has been regular for the last few weeks, but lowering my Lantus sent me to the 200s so I tried to just be careful of my Apidra boluses and staying on top of things.

But this week was low after low after low. Literally. Just a side note: Anything below 100 is in my "low range" because I drop so quickly and often have hypoglycemia unawareness.

Monday looked like this: 52, 77, 80, 156, 65, 121.
Tuesday: 47, 181, 149, 102, 66.
Wednesday: 56, 49, 57, 48, 192, 202 (thanks to Chinese food finally).
Thursday: 164, 239, 77, 120, 192.
Friday (so far): 90, 97, 89.