lantus – Cut the B.S.

How I Learned to Take Insulin Shots From ‘Always Sunny’

Did you see that episode of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ when Mac decides to “cultivate mass” and ends up with Type 2 Diabetes? Now please note that I am fully aware that type 2 diabetes doesn’t work that way nor does everyone find shows like ‘Always Sunny’ as funny as I do.

I was still in my transition as a new person with Type One diabetes when I saw this episode. Besides all the many ways this episode was inaccurate in how Mac handled life with diabetes as well as mishandling the tools involved with diabetes care, there was a scene that absolutely stood out to me.

Mac and Dennis were sitting at a high top table at Paddy’s Pub talking about who knows what and eating chimichangas out of a garbage bag. The table is stacked with food. Mac with giant chimichanga in hand, without hesitation, jabs an insulin filled syringe into his bulging belly. He then continues to eat and talk with his friend like nothing happened.

At this point, I was still closing my eyes and my heart would sink into my tummy as I waited for my glucose number flash across the screen of my meter during checks. I would also carefully select the spot of my next shot on my abdomen before I slowly stuck the needle in. Well, duh, that would would hurt.

What if I did it without hesitation? If Rob McElhenny, the actor who plays Mac, can plunge a syringe in his belly to get a laugh…then I can definitely do it to effing save my own life every day.

My next scheduled shot was at around 10:00pm that evening. “I’m gonna do it.” I thought to myself, determined. I took out my Lanuts pen, screwed on my pen needle, cleaned my injection site, and jabbed. I jabbed quickly and without hesitation. Guess what? It didn’t hurt. I couldn’t believe it. It was so quick in that I didn’t even notice the prick. I pressed the button down, held it there for a few seconds, (I count to 8-it’s my favorite number) and removed it. Success!

Who knew I would end up learning something about my diabetes care from dark comedy? Who knew my sense of humor was sicker thank my pancreas and even more twisted than my sweet demeanor gives off? Who knew?

I’ve been jabbing ever since. Thanks Mac! Cheers!

I’ve Never Done This Before…The Diabetes Mistake I Made Today

This morning I made the epic mistake of taking my fast acting insulin, Humalog, in place of my long acting insulin, Lantus.

What does that mean? It means that I have given myself an accidental overdose of insulin. It means that I now have to consume 150 grams of carbohydrates this morning when I typically eat 25-60 or else I may suffer from extreme blood sugar lows that can result in shakiness, crankiness, coma, or death.

Why this is so frustrating for me: My family had plans today. I had plans today. And now, we have to rearrange stuff because I’m not sure how my body will react. In addition, I am making efforts to lose weight, exercise more, and be better at my eating. I have to take added quick sugars to this morning’s meal. Added sugars equals added calories. In addition, because working out can lower my blood sugars, I will have to table my plans and wait out the result of my stupid mistake.

Another frustrating thing, I just wasted about 20 units of precious insulin on a boo-boo. Costly.

I was making breakfast at the time. Waffles. So now I have added every syrup we have in the house and am drinking a glass of orange juice.

So when someone looks at a plate like this and labels it, diabetes, they may be right. But this plate of sugary waffles will probably be what saves my life today.

Ok, I know that I will probably bounce back from this setback by lunch and can work out then. I am just extremely frustrated with myself and quite frankly, I’m embarrassed that I’ve made this mistake. (I’ve had diabetes for almost five years at the time of this post.)

As embarrassed as I am to make this mistake, I cannot keep it a secret. This is one of the many reasons I fundraise and work to bring awareness. I know will be ok. I know what I have to do to get myself to baseline. But there are others out there who will not be ok due to these accidental overdoses and complications with diabetes treatment.

I’m hopeful that one day I won’t have to worry about making mistakes like this.