Barring a miracle, there probably won’t be a cure within the next 10 years. So we know that managing our diabetes well is the only option if we want to live a long and healthy life.
This is the premise behind CDE and author Gary Scheiner’s latest work, Until There’s A Cure: The Latest and Greatest in Diabetes Self-Care. While his previous book, Think Like a Pancreas, was strictly geared toward those on insulin, his new book released Feb. 26 can be applied to a more general audience (although it’s still heavily skewed toward type 1 diabetes). Gary walks us through the latest ideas, tools and technologies that can help us better manage diabetes. As he explains, “When a cure does
finally come along — and it will — I want to be in the best of health and have no regrets about the effort I put in.”
Many of us may think of diabetes management as “complication prevention,” which is typically seen as anything negative down the line, which becomes more likely the longer you have diabetes. It can be hard to get motivated to “all the right things” day-in and day-out when the consequences are so far off.
But Gary points out that there are several immediate benefits to taking control of your diabetes now, including increased energy, better sleep, stable moods and emotions, and also personal safety! High blood sugar, Gary writes, can cause sleepiness, and hypoglycemia will cause some degree of mental impairment. Extreme blood sugars take away from your ability to be, well… you! Personally, I can attest that this is the effect Highs and Lows have for me — and I’m sure it’s similar for anyone living with diabetes.
If you’ve ever met Gary, you’ll quickly learn that he is quite the technology buff. He’s tried out every insulin pump and CGM (continuous glucose monitor) on the market, and even took to wearing an extra insulin pump filled with Symlin for a while. So you’d think most of this book on the latest and greatest would focus on technology. Well, you’d be wrong. Gary actually organizes the book around three key areas: nutrition, exercise, and mental health — what he calls the cornerstones of diabetes management. He breaks down the importance of hot topics like the Glycemic Index, why we should all get exercise, and how depression and stress can affect our blood sugars.
Of course, he does delve into D-technology! The book provides a comprehensive, yet very concise overview of the technologies we depend on — insulin pumps, glucose monitors and CGMs. He gives a quick synopsis of the pro’s and con’s, and what’s required to get and use these items.
He also gives us an excellent overview of current medications — insulins, oral drugs, and new injectible drugs like Victoza. Gary even provides some new ways of thinking about our standard diabetes medication, which came as a surprise to me. Did you know that some folks are actually using NPH to offset the peakless action of Lantus? Although NPH is a crappy old-school insulin to use as standard background insulin, it does have a peak that can help counteract any dawn phenomenon effects — unlike Lantus, which is a flat-line basal insulin without the power to counteract those morning BG jumps. So, new isn’t always better in every respect.
Gary explains that some type 2 drugs, like Victoza and metformin, can also be very beneficial for people with type 1 diabetes, even though those meds will never eliminate our need for insulin. I’ve had personal experience using metformin with great success, and Gary himself has used Victoza and Symlin to manage his diabetes because of the effects they have on stabilizing post-prandial glucose levels and suppressing the appetite.
So although insulin will remain ever-present, you might be surprised at what your other options may include! Sometimes it can be hard to get an endocrinologist or CDE to listen to an idea when it comes from “the Internet,” (or some book promoted there), but Gary will give you plenty of workable justification from a legit source.
Who here gets totally overwhelmed when looking at all the squiggly lines of blood sugar graphs? In his chapter on glucose monitoring, Gary gives the “lowdown on downloads” and shares some of his tips on how to interpret statistical graphs. As someone who always gets overwhelmed by the onslaught of lines and numbers, I found this section very helpful. Now I know which graph will help me identify what kinds of trends!
The book closes out with a brief chapter on treating diabetes complications, which we have also covered extensively in our 411 series here at the ‘Mine, as well as a hefty Resource chapter that includes a long list of great websites. It’s always great to see a CDE recognizing the power of the Diabetes Online Community.
If you’re an “engaged patient,” you’ll likely be familiar with much of what Gary writes — although at just about 140 pages, it’s the most compact overview we’ve seen of “everything that matters” for PWDs. If you’re newly diagnosed or a “born-again” diabetic just now returning to better management, this book will quickly get you caught up to speed. Or perhaps you are a family member or friend looking for an easy-to-read “everything but the kitchen sink” guide to diabetes. If so, this is it — written so concisely and engagingly that you’ll be able to breeze right through it.
Not only is Gary a CDE, but he’s also been living with type 1 diabetes for more than 25 years, so he knows what our concerns are, not just from a medical standpoint but also practically. Gary was my CDE for a few years while I was in college; his remote services (sessions over the phone or Skype) are fantastic, but of course not feasible for everyone. If you’re interested in hearing what a great CDE who really “gets it” wants you to know about diabetes, then this book is an awesome resource.
The DMBooks Giveaway
Interested in winning your own free copy of Gary Scheiner’s latest book, Until There’s A Cure: The Latest and Greatest in Diabetes Self-Care? Entering the giveaway is as easy as leaving a comment:
1. Post your comment below and include the codeword “DMBooks” somewhere in the the text to let us know that you’d like to be entered in the giveaway.
2. You have until Friday, March 8, 2013, at 5 p.m. PST to enter. A valid email address is required to win.
3. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.
4. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Twitter on Monday, March 11, 2013, so make sure you’re following us! We’ll update this blog post with the winner’s name once chosen. NOTE: Last week’s winner of a free copy of Sugar Free Journey was Nikki Brickman. Congrats!
The contest is open to all. Good luck!
Update: This contest is now closed. Congrats to Tom Beatson, who was chosen by Random.org as the giveaway winner!
Thanks for the review of what sounds like an interesting book!
DMBooks! Thanks for the review
I loved “Think Like a Pancreas” so I’m sure this will be great! DMBooks
I really enjoyed his Think Like a Pancreas and his Guide to Carb Counting was one of the first things on my packing list when I moved to Italy. I’d love to read this! DMBooks.
I would love to read this book. DMBooks
DMBooks! This looks like a great read full of useful information. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Think Like a Pancreas is my most referenced book. Guide to Carb Counting my #1 carb book. Expect even more great things from this one. Can’t wait. DMBooks
Love his books. DM Books
DMBooks! Love to add this to my diabetes library. I’m slowly working my way through some great recommended reading.
DMBooks! Thanks for this review. I have gotten so many great books from this website. These reviews are always helpful
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So many diabetes books flood the market and so many of them are really weak. Thanks to Gary for writing books that have authority and are directly helpful to us as patients. And thanks for updating Think Like a Pancreas.
…brian
DMBooks – type 1 going on 29 years.
10 more years to go? Maybe – maybe not. Always hopeful.
Brian, I’m really excited – today is the 50th anniversary of my diagnosis of Type 1diabetes! Wish I could slip back in time and tell my 15-year old self not to worry, everything will be fine, no serious worries. But I can tell you- carry on and have fun doing it! -Eileen
DMBooks. I would really like to read this and share it.
DMBooks we are 6 months into our Diabetes Journey with my 4 year old Daughter. I would love to read this book, thanks!
DMBooks. It’s important for us to keep up with the latest, and Gary is right there.
DMB Books
I’ve enjoyed Gary’s other books and would love to win a copy of this one even though I am Type 2. I read everything I can about Diabetes in general with hopes that I will always learn something new that I can use to manage my D.
Thanks for the review! This sounds like one of the best DMBooks on the market, especially if it is as excellent as “Think Like a Pancreas”. Would love to read it!
DMBooks I’m looking forward to reading this to see Gary’s argument on how oral medications would help a T1 PWD.
And Allison, try not to be the Negative Nancy right off the bat in the first sentence. All of us supporting fund raising and research are optimistic large strides or a cure WILL be soon!
DMBooks. Thanks for the review – sounds like a very benefical book to read and I’d love to have the opportunity!
Thanks DMbooks for keeping us informed.
Looks like another great write from the author! I hope to get lucky and win! DMBooks
DMBooks
Sounds like an interesting read.
Loved the first book. Can’t wait to read this one. DMBooks
DMBooks
I’d love to read more about using CGMS data.
DMBooks. I am sure this will be a great read
I had been out if touch with my diabetes for quite some time and am now getting back on track. This book will be a great way to get up to speed.DMBooks
I love the Lantus+NPH concept! Not actually the prospect of trying the combination myself, but the whole thinking-outside-of-the-box mentality. I’d love to read about more of Gary’s techniques in his DMBooks.
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Sounds like a great read! DMBooks
Just hope it isn’t another 30 :-/
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DMBooks I’d love to read this one!
Sounds like a really interesting book, well done for giving a copy away DMBooks
Would love to win a copy of Gary’s book!
Looking forward to reading “Until there’s a Cure”. thanks DMBooks
Would love to read either book from DMBooks
DMBooks! Thanks
I have never read a diabetes book but I feel like this would be a good one to start with!
DMBooks
Sounds like a good book!
DMBooks
I have Scheiner’s Think Like a Pancreas and it was really helpful for fine-tuning my control when I first went on a pump. Actually, after over 5 years, it may be time for a refresher…
This sounds like another interesting and beneficial read.
DMBooks
Sound like an all in one book.
It feels like there’s always more to learn. I look forward to reading the latest; I always need inspiration as well as information.
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Liked Garys previous book Think like a Pancreas so curious about this one too.
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DMBooks Thanks Gary – looks like another fantastic resource!!
DMBooks. Great review of what sounds like a really good overview.
I saw Gary speak in Vancouver -interesting guy! DMBooks
DMBooks. Great Review! The book sounds interesting.
DMBooks. Thanks for the review. There are so many variables in DM management. It is hard to get great control without mental control and I would love to have help with the exercise part. I have been walking 3-5 miles per day and get different results every day. UGH.. …… Frustrating!
DMBooks. Thanks Gary for putting all the complications of type 1 into a readable version that all can understand, cant wait to read this one.
DMBooks. Think Like a Pancreas has been my go to reference book for years! Can’t wait to read this one!!
btw, I wanted to note that I caught Gary eating Fruit Loops for breakfast the morning after our Innovation Summit — which is just to say that he’s a REAL guy, who lives a REAL life, rather than some super-strict diabetes zealot. In case you were wondering…
Okay, I think that’s great, but really, Fruit Loops? Now Cocoa Puffs I could understand!