I’m type 1 – it’ll be two years on Nov. 20. I’m 32, and it’s nice to get your perspective as a type 1 who was also diagnosed in her 30s.

I check back often because I always learn something new. You even have great info. on the sidebars.

What topics interest me most? I like info. on new or in-the-works developments in diabetes care. I often forward the diabetic partner follies to my own amazing partner.

Biggest information gap between providers & patients? I feel that the psychological piece of care is really missing. My endo team is really awesome and completely up to speed on all things related to type 1 & type 2 diabetes, but I really don’t think they get how hard it is to be living with this disease day in, day out. It’s just so ever-present and often sooo frustrating! Of course I have basal rates and insulin to carb ratios, but many days I’m puzzled by those formulae NOT working as expected. Sometimes this leads to an emotional tailspin.

What helps me fill that gap? Talking with other diabetics, reading diabetes magazines, and particularly reading your blog and some other stuff on the web. It’s extremely comforting to know that someone else has battled BGs in the 200s all night long and cried about it.

Biggest daily D-gripe? unexpected highs & lows (did someone shake sugar all over that sandwich or what?!) – maybe CGMS is the answer? I just can’t afford that right now.

T-Shirt? Yeah, I think I’d wear it!

Your blog has helped me immensely in dealing with this daily grind. I feel positive most of the time, and I try to stay really grounded and inspired by others living well with this disease.

Cindy, I remember those feelings just post-diagnosis — “This is not my life!” I felt that my body was a foreign entity for at least 6 months post-diagnosis. I still have days, but I feel like I’m ME again. I think it takes time and a whole lot of support from friends, family, and particularly other type 1s who know what you’re talking about. Hang in there.

I’d be proud to wear one of your t-shirts!!!!

I always learn something good and new from you. You don’t miss reporting on the latest happenings and product developments.

I have been t2d since July 1991. I don’t have the diabetes version of the disease which is usually treated with diabetes drugs, but the heart disease version which has to be treated only with nutritious foods combined with adequate daily exercises.

Biggest information gap between medical providers and patients: the most effective antidote to type 2 diabetes is exercise which is free. Why prescribe it if it is not a money-making idea. The emphasis on the kinds and amounts of foods and the meal frequency seems to be the reason why type 2s get depressed and lose their interest and pleasure in eating.

What helps me fill the gap?
My being a non-conformist makes me try unconventional ideas, like treating my type 2 disease with unlimited varieties and amounts of nutritious heart-healthy foods and with plenty of regular and consistent daily exercises. Short-lived and temporary high blood sugar levels have always been harmless to me so I always eat plenty of the foods I love most. Consistent and prolonged high bs levels are automatically stopped by the stair-running that I always do.

My biggest daily D-gripe? I have learned long time ago that complaining is a total waste of my time and effort. I should be good at solving problems. Those that I cannot solve make me think harder and force me to understand myself better. They surely keep me out of mischief.

I love reading all your stories.

My answers really haven’t changed since last year.

Keep up the good work!!

J.B.

Are you Type 1, Type 2, or a parent or partner?
- Type 1, since 1990

If you check back often, what do you like best?
- There is always something new on the billboard, whether I just stopped by yesterday, or weeks ago.

What topics interest you most?
- New research and technologies are always of interest, but I like the partner follies too.

Where do you find the biggest “information gap” between medical providers and patients?
- I don’t know, maybe the inability to know what it is like to live with D everyday (a topic I believe Kerry wrote a brilliant post about recently).

What helps you fill the gap?
- D-blogs among other. Although I knew a few diabetics before I started reading and writing blogs, I feel a totally different unity here in the DOC.

What is your biggest daily D-gripe that seems like it could easily be solved?
- The inconvenient poking ritual for BG tests!

Thanks for the comment on my blog, by the way! Happy D-Blog Day, and please keep informing us about D-related stuff in the brilliant way that you do

* Are you Type 1, Type 2, or a parent or partner?
Type 1 since 1986.

* If you check back often, what do you like best?
Just staying in touch.

* What topics interest you most?
Technology-related ones

* Where do you find the biggest “information gap” between medical providers and patients?
The biggest gap is found within the quietest patient. An actively participating patient doesn’t see as many gaps.

* What helps you fill that gap?
Voicing my concerns/questions.

* What’s your biggest daily D-gripe that seems like it could easily be solved?
I want all the carb counts to be emblazoned on every morsel of food I see. I don’t care if it’s written in invisible ink that I have to use a red viewfinder to read it. I am horrendous at calculating carbs.

Happy D-Blog Day, Amy.

Why are you here? You learn a little / laugh a little? Learn a LOT… here I’d thought I’d been staying up on all this stuff and I’m waaaaay behind!

* Are you Type 1, Type 2, or a parent or partner? Type one, coming up on my D-versary in December (graduated college and got D before I got my D-ploma…)

* If you check back often, what do you like best? The sense of humor and reality you inject into your writing. I read academic journal articles all day, and it’s so nice to read something relevant and fun.

* What topics interest you most? Just hearing about how other people deal with the daily grind of D.

* Where do you find the biggest “information gap” between medical providers and patients? As many people have mentioned, we have so much in the way of BG test readings and doctors often can’t process it.

* What helps you fill that gap? Taking more time for myself to do all the D-related stuff I need to do, and reading about others who do the same.

* What’s your biggest daily D-gripe that seems like it could easily be solved? I’d have to go with stem cell research on this one… seems so simple yet turned so political.

Thanks for all your blogging, Amy, it really helps us all to support each other.

And there’s always room in my closet for more t-shirts!

Are you Type 1, Type 2, or a parent or partner? Type Uno! Tuno?

If you check back often, what do you like best? There is always something new. That is nice!

What topics interest you most? right now, the CGMS but you never know next week. The follies are good too.

Where do you find the biggest “information gap” between medical providers and patients? It does not seem that Doctors have the time to really spend on you anymore. Maybe just my HMO?

What helps you fill that gap? Honestly, the OC does because so many people share what goes on with their lives that I in turn learn from them.

What’s your biggest daily D-gripe that seems like it could easily be solved? Having to poke my finger so Insurance get that CGMS covered!

* Are you Type 1, Type 2, or a parent or partner? type 1

* If you check back often, what do you like best? I love the plethora of info.

* What topics interest you most? The diabetic partner follies.

* What’s your biggest daily D-gripe that seems like it could easily be solved? checking my blood.