Consciously Accepting When Life is Tough

Life has been getting a bit hard lately. The optimist and little helper in me doesn't want to admit that but realistically its true. And its taken me a while to accept that, and that it is also ok. It is ok to find life tough and admit that you need a bit of help, even if its just to be able to accept advice from others, or to step back and take a break. What's not ok with me is when life gets tough and diabetes takes a back seat, as we all know, that just makes life tougher!

I can struggle at the best of times to put diabetes first. There's always so much to see and do, and stopping to eat, prick or inject doesn't rate very highly with me! But when you throw stress, pressure, frustration, exhaustion and a pinch of hopelessness in the mix, the effort and focus diabetes requires is really hard to find and most importantly stick to.

Blood Glucose Monitors: Do you love yours?

As some of you may have noticed, I was very excited about picking up the new Accu-chek Multiclix at the EXPOsing Diabetes event last weekend. I have a few finger prickers which are exactly that, pricks! I know many of you can sympathise with me when I recall on the times that one has hurt like crazy, resounding through my whole hand. As I'm shaking the pain away in a violent flicking action and dancing on my tippy toes (a proven pain relief technique I'm sure), I've pushed into the pain, only to get enough blood for a flea to test. Even though the lancet was fresh (surprise!).

When I threw it over to you for some feeback I was pleasantly surprised to hear many of you already had the multiclix and loved it. It got me thinking: Why do I use what I use? Do I love my monitor and pricker? Does it make my life easier than a different one would? Well as much as possible... coz quiet honestly I will be very happy to jump on it, smash it and set it off out to sea on a little floating wreath when that cure arrives! - though I imagine I will still have to monitor from time to time... so I really should be working with products I like... we're in this for the long haul.

I have an Optium Xceed, and love it because its relatively small, can test ketones and is so reliable. It doesn't have a fancy coloured screen, carb tacking, iphone capability or a direct link to NASA, but it makes me feel secure. However, I do also use the iBGStar, and it does have most of the above which does actually help me keep by blood sugars on track better. The iBGStar app really is very helpful, when I use it. The iBGStar pricker though, well I found it a bit rough to say the least.

I recently tried the Accu-chek Mobile, but it wasn't for me, too clunky. Though many people love it and for those with spare meters stashed everywhere: home, work, car, school, beside the bed, I hear this one is fantastic as everything is stuck together and nothing can go missing. 

I also have the FreeStyle Lite. It's cute, small and blue and the pricker is tiny (great for running). But, I probably wouldn't pick it over the Optium Xceed, simply because the blood strips are in a barrel... so hard to squash into my handbag and run belt. Whereas the Optium Xceed strips are in individual flat foil packs - also good for longer term freshness if its the spare meter.

The Accu-chek Aviva Expert caught my eye at the expo over the weekend. It did have a fancy coloured screen, a bolus advisor, tracking graphs and alarm capabilities. Best of all, it is from a company that I trust, as it has been an on-and-off part of my whole diabetes journey thus far (in fact, one of the first prickers I ever had was an Accu-chek). I've already heard people singing the praises of Aviva... so maybe that is the meter for me? I'll need to investigate!

As for the Multiclix, I love it. No pain so far - and I find that exciting. Anything to make checking my blood sugar levels easier is warmly welcomed. My only wish would be that it was just that little bit smaller so I can jam it in my bag better... I just can't seem to do without any of that other junk in there...ipod, hand sanitiser, tissues, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, eyeliner, lip balm, wallet...yeah you get the picture - I'm a bit of a girl! (A well prepared girl!)

So what do you use as your Blood Glucose Meter and pricker? Does it make life easier? Do you love it? Why?

Love the size & iphone compatibility, but I have a lack of trust in this one!

This pricker is nice and small.. but the blood strips are hard to run with

I was bored with the grey so took to this meter with pink glitter nail polish... there may be some warranty issues

Blue for diabetes, the FreeStyle Lite

When I need to get back on track I... My top five tips

Sometimes life just gets crazy hectic! You know, those days you knew would be busy, but then they run into a week and spill in the the next all while extra jobs, errands and responsibilities seem to pop up from nowhere. The days when I just can't seem to catch a break.

They're the times when, despite my best intentions, I seem to slowly but surely slip out of my good habits (read as 'good diabetes management flies out the window'). There was a time, when I was younger, and had had diabetes a few less years that I seemed to be able to get away with a bit more, but now blood sugar swings are nothing but utterly exhausting, stressful and put me in a downright dumpy mood where everything falls on top of me. So I've identified a couple of steps I take to help me prevent or get out of that downward spiral into diabetes negativity, which I thought I'd share with you:

Fresh Air: The most simple step, yet sometimes it seems insanely difficult to take a couple minutes break I know! Step outside, walk around the block, down the street or to the corner shop. Taking a few deep breaths and specifically concentrating on releasing the tension as I exhale works wonders. Personally, I think walking around the supermarket or shopping centre doesn't count, as it's about 'stepping away' and finding a bit of peace. But if shopping calms and clears your mind, and its the only exercise you think you'll get all day - go for it!

Music: Even just one song can make a difference. It might be a vocal belter, an old school love ballad, nature sounds, or the pan pipes of Peru. I have chosen a song or two for whenever I need to de-stress my mind and let go. Whether singing at the top of your voice (I only do this in car!) or closing your eyes to let the notes wash through you, music is a great way to separate yourself from the issue at hand and defuse the stress.

Schedule Downtime: This is one that I probably consider the most important: a personal must, something that I do every week, whether I know its going to be a busy one or not (because usually it just ends up busy anyway!). The trick though is to act as if the period of time I have selected is taken, as if it were a meeting or an appointment. Really I am making an appointment with myself. Knowing I definitely have some time that is just for me, in which nothing will be expected or demanded of me, helps negate stress when those unexpected things start piling up. My preference is to have a day a week that is just for doing 'whatever', but splitting it into an hour or two a couple of afternoons a week also works well, as it provides little 'pit stops' to refuel as the week goes on.

Drink Tea: Confession time... Sometimes... when I get busy... I eat foods I wouldn't usually (and really really shouldn't)... the typical, evil, on-the-go type processed foods. It doesn't help that I have an account at the office cafe.. which really only sells chips, chocolate & nuts... oh and cans of sugary soft drink... and despite my little food draw at my work desk, when I'm tired, my will power crashes too. So! Tea. Tea helps kill that sweet-toothed, processed food craving monster. I have a whole selection on hand depending on the time of day (caffeine levels): Green, Rooibos, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Camomile. It is also very calming to sit there sipping, breathing in the hot steam (if you also clutch the cup with both hands and close your eyes, you may get lucky enough that people will think you're a bit odd and actually leave you in peace for a few moments too. Combining with a low hum or rocking motion is optional)

The Big Guns: Time Out & Lifestyle Mapping

Hanging out with your best friend helps too!

These two are for when I really need to stop and take a look at why my blood sugar levels are behaving the way the are. Majority of the time I am out of sync because I have been working unusual long hours, so I am able to take an afternoon or day off as soon as reasonably possible... remembering that health comes second to none. Apart from catching up on house stuff and unwinding, I sometimes also use the time to start lifestyle mapping, which I continue for 1-4 weeks at a time. This is a detailed 'diary' of not just my blood sugar readings, carbs, and insulin (coz' as if that wasn't tedious enough) but also my energy levels, hunger levels, mood, activities (such as work, meetings, new exercise regimes etc etc) & nutritional intake (total calories, fat, protein, sodium, supplements) throughout each day. Sounds involved I know, which is why I can't seem to bring myself to do it everyday of the year, but its great for identifying little adjustments that need to be made, which make a big difference to how I feel overall.

That's my top five!

What do you do to relax? What would you add to my quick tips?

Not Quite Right

We're going on holiday soon and the break could not come sooner! I think the year's rough journey is finally taking its toll and catching up with me. I absolutely hate to admit it, but I think I'm about as close to 'empty' and 'burnt out' as I've ever been. There doesn't seem to be any area of my life which is strong, organised and championing forward the way I'd like. Everything is just 'hanging in there'. One of the hardest things about it all though is never really knowing if the way I'm feeling is 'normal' or because I have diabetes. I've blogged about the strange (but sometimes quite comic!) diabetic need to over achieve, and how hard it can be to say 'no', for fear of it being diabetes saying no, or not ever knowing what a non-diabetic would do in the same circumstance. I know I'm not alone in this too as many of you emailed or commented to say you knew exactly what I meant!

I had all my blood tests done on Monday, mainly my HbA1C of course, but with a few added extras because I've been feeling a bit run down. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I get them done, I still hate them! They don't get any easier, and in all the anticipation, my body thinks its funny to spike my blood sugar right before I get tested at the clinic. I don't think I've ever had a reading under 8 (though usually some where around 13 - 15)! Annoyingly, I can't get in to see my doctor (to discuss the results) until November 5th too. In the mean time I guess it's just about sticking to healthy eating, getting back into a consistent exercise regime and keeping those levels in check! Oh and not taking anything else on...perhaps even letting a few things go!

Hey You! Yes You there! Be Happy!

The iBGStar has been fantastic for helping me see just how erratic my blood sugars have been these past two weeks as well. There's so much information captured in the one area that it'll be fantastically informative once I can get into see all the specialists! The only gripe I really have now is that the finger pricker that comes with it, is a bit rough. I had to use my old pricker last night and had forgotten just how kind it used to be to my poor little fingers... so I'm going to make the swap back, despite loving the small size of the pricker which came with the iBGStar.

So I'm a bit beat, though not conquered. Reminding myself of the need to refocus on healthy living once again. Reminding myself everyday of what's important in the bigger picture. Living Happy.