This podcast episode delves into a harrowing experience Deborah had with her insulin pump, which she humorously describes as trying to “kill” her. After a software upgrade to her Medtronic Minimed 780G insulin pump, the default settings dangerously miscalibrated her blood sugar levels, leading her to experience seizures. With her husband away, Deborah faced the challenge of managing her diabetes alone while her pump continually drove her blood sugar down, leaving her in a precarious situation. Despite the frustration of dealing with unhelpful customer support, Deborah’s resilience shone through as she found a way to stabilize her condition. This episode offers a blend of technical information, personal anecdotes, and insights into the complexities of living with diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

• Deborah underscores the necessity of patients taking control of their own health, with an awareness that sometimes those who “should” be there for them are not.
• Deborah’s story illustrates the challenges of managing diabetes and the importance of vigilance.

Navigating the intricate world of diabetes management can often lead to unforeseen challenges, especially when technology is involved. Deborah, the host of DiabeticReal, shares a gripping personal story about a harrowing experience with her insulin pump after a routine software upgrade. With a blend of humor and candor, she reflects on the technicalities of the Medtronic Minimed 780G pump, detailing how an innocuous update turned into a near-disaster due to a default setting that dangerously mismanaged her blood sugar levels. This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of understanding medical technology and the potential risks involved when users are left to navigate these systems alone.

The episode wraps up with a triumphant note as Deborah recounts how she ultimately took control of the situation, managing to stabilize her blood sugar and survive the ordeal despite the lack of immediate support from the manufacturer. Her resilience and resourcefulness shine through, inspiring listeners to advocate for themselves and be proactive in their health management. This engaging recounting not only entertains but also educates, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and personal health in the diabetes community. Deborah’s story is a testament to the challenges faced by many diabetics and the importance of being informed and prepared for the unexpected.

Chapters

• 02:04 Introduction to Technical Topics
• 02:39 The Insulin Pump Incident
• 04:55 Understanding the Pump Settings
• 08:03 Understanding SmartGuard Settings
• 11:44 The Struggles of Managing Diabetes
• 14:13 Navigating Medical Challenges

Episode Links

Episode Credits

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In a thought-provoking discussion, Deborah confronts the difficult realities faced by diabetics when dealing with healthcare providers. Her recent experience with her endocrinologist, who she once viewed as an ally, took a disheartening turn when the doctor’s approach felt more like bullying than support. This episode is an exploration of how such interactions can impact a patient’s mental and emotional health, making it clear that the patient-doctor relationship is critical in chronic disease management. Deborah boldly challenges the notion that fear and intimidation can be effective motivators, arguing instead for a compassionate conversation that recognizes the patient as a partner in their own care.

Deborah reflects on her long-term experiences with various doctors, revealing a pattern of bullying behavior that has left many patients feeling alienated and discouraged. She emphasizes that diabetes management is not just about following medical advice; it is about creating a dialogue where patients feel heard and understood. By sharing her emotional struggles during the appointment and her husband’s instinct to defend her, she illustrates the very real psychological toll such encounters can take. The episode articulates a vital truth: effective diabetes care requires more than just medical knowledge; it requires empathy, communication skills, and a willingness to engage with patients as individuals.

The podcast closes with a powerful call to action for both patients and doctors. Deborah encourages diabetics to advocate for themselves and to seek out healthcare providers who approach their care with kindness and respect. At the same time, she urges doctors to cultivate a practice environment that prioritizes understanding and support over intimidation. This episode is not only a personal narrative but also a rallying cry for change within the healthcare community, emphasizing that a respectful and collaborative relationship can lead to better health outcomes for everyone involved.

Takeaways:

• The medical community often employs a bullying approach towards diabetics, which is unhelpful and detrimental.
• Effective communication between doctors and patients is crucial for managing diabetes successfully.
• Diabetics are not resistant to care; they need compassionate interaction rather than intimidation.
• Patients should not be held solely responsible for misunderstandings regarding appointment schedules and treatment plans.
• Doctors must recognize their role in a patient’s health journey and not just act as authority figures.
• Building a supportive and understanding relationship is vital for effective diabetes management.

Chapters

• 02:23 – The Week’s Episode
• 04:34 – The Bullying Culture in Diabetes Care
• 06:57 – The Appointment Experience
• 08:26 – A Team Effort in Diabetes Management
• 11:40 – The Power Dynamics in Doctor-Patient Relationships
• 13:28 – A Call for Civility in Healthcare
• 13:47 – Conclusion and Reflection

Research Links

Episode Credits

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In this episode, we explore a comprehensive list of what the general public considers to be diabetes-related complications straight from Google, including heart disease, kidney issues, vision loss, and more.

“[A]re doctors doing that to pad their wallets so you’ll keep coming back?”  –Deborah [04:51]

But hold on, there’s more to the story than just medical definitions. Deborah will share insights from her own journey with Type 1 diabetes, discuss the psychological impacts, and even question the methods used to gather these statistics. 

• This episode emphasizes the importance of self-care and listening to one’s body in maintaining health.
• Deborah expresses concern over the fear-based narratives surrounding diabetes management and its implications.
• Mental health considerations, particularly depression, are discussed in relation to the challenges of living with diabetes.
• Ultimately, the message advocates for a positive mindset and self-acceptance in the face of diabetes challenges.

Is the fear-based approach often taken by healthcare professionals really effective? Join her as she navigates through these complex issues, challenges common misconceptions, and encourages hope and resilience in the face of diabetes. Let’s get real about diabetes and focus on living our best lives!

Chapters

• 02:01 Introduction
• 03:05 Understanding Diabetic Complications
• 05:33 Complications and Misconceptions
• 10:40 Understanding Health Management
• 13:08 Embracing Self-Love Amidst Judgment

Episode Resources

Episode Credits

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This DiabeticReal episode is all about Deborah E’s decision of whether to choose herself and her little girl dream of being “normal” or the possible dream of her unborn child. She knows what she wants, but what about her son?

From her struggles with the medical team to the heart-wrenching decision of whether to break her baby’s collarbone for delivery, she takes us on a roller-coaster of emotions during the 36 hours of labor. 

Despite the hardships, she highlights the power of resilience and the unexpected joy that comes with making sacrifices for the ones we love. Tune in to this raw and honest episode that sheds light on the complexities of life with diabetes and the strength found in facing challenges head-on instead of hiding.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Review
• 08:08 Doctor’s behavior improved after sharing her passion.
• 12:59 Mom sacrifices her dream to protect son’s future.
• 15:05 Husband thought wife had died, discovered emergency surgery.
• 18:45 Successful pregnancy resulting in healthy baby boy.
• 20:06 Closing

Research Links

Episode Credits

Deborah E shares the challenges she faced during the first high-risk pregnancy as a type 1 diabetic. She recounts her interactions with her highly-skilled and highly-intelligent perinatologist who had some strange ideas about abilities to control insulin once it enters the body, leading to a ban on self-administration. 

Deborah also reveals the lengths she went to attend a family event, where she and her husband were to be honored, and the dangerously low blood sugar episode that the hospital was sure meant a trip to the morgue. 

Join us as we unfold the unique trials and triumphs of managing diabetes during another pregnancy in this compelling episode of DiabeticReal.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 05:27 Doctor surmises the ability to expel insulin.
• 07:56 Challenges for tight diabetic control for baby.
• 15:31 Leaving hospital AMA for planned honored event.
• 21:13 Lab worried that Deborah had died.
• 23:35 Closing

Research Links

Episode Credits

In this episode of DiabeticReal, we continue to follow Deborah E’s journey through the challenges of medical care as a diabetic in a small town. But, this time, she travels back to the familiarity of the big city, St. Paul. It seems like it will follow some of the normal paths of the last pregnancy (next episode), but, there are some new technological discoveries that help and there are some unexpected mishaps that make this delivery more difficult than it ever should have been, even in spite of all of the big city benefits…  

Deborah candidly describes feeling like she was being “gutted in a dark alley” during the delivery and the fear and trauma she experienced. Despite the difficulties, she expresses gratitude for the medical staff who ultimately helped her and her baby. Join us as we delve into the raw, real-life moments of a diabetic’s journey on this emotionally intense episode of DiabeticReal.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and topic introduction.
• 04:04 Women know their bodies and should be heard.
• 07:19 Specialist for baby and specialist for mommy; Minimed pump introduced.
• 11:25 Diabetic births and VBAC not an option.
• 14:06 No anesthetic and felt the process of C-Section.
• 19:22 Summary: Grateful for care of medical staff and insulin pump.

Research Links

Episode Credits

In this episode of DiabeticReal, host Deborah E shares the story of one (of many) events involving hospitals, this one while living in a rural town. Deborah recounts the challenge of not only having to deal with the medical issues but an unrelenting doctor who refused to listen to reason and had already been presumably involved in a questionable event involving a little boy just weeks prior to this. But, with hitting her head on the stove, it seemed best to allow the paramedics to take her to the hospital. Determination and resilience help her navigate this rural event in another eye-opening episode of DiabeticReal.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction; Beauty… and challenges of rural living.
• 05:33 Blood sugar dropping causes seizures, 100% unconscious.
• 06:29 Diabetes and epilepsy issues, but low blood sugar (diabetes) caused the event.
• 12:03 Initial treatment by husband, fiasco at hospital.
• 14:21 Other doctor(s) frustrated with rural doctor, Deborah takes control, leaves hospital.
• 16:23 Closing.

Episode Credits

In this episode of DiabeticReal, Deborah E delves into the topic of attention-seeking behavior and the misconceptions surrounding it. Drawing from her personal experiences with Type 1 Diabetes and the misunderstandings she faced growing up, she provides valuable insights into the complexities of chronic illness and the impact it can have on interpersonal relationships. Deborah E’s candid storytelling and psychological expertise offer listeners a thought-provoking perspective on seeking attention versus genuine need in the context of health challenges. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that will resonate with anyone navigating chronic conditions or seeking to understand the experiences of others.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and addressing the topic.
• 02:31 Definition of Mental Illness according to Medical News Today.
• 07:26 Lack of understanding in childhood affects adulthood.
• 10:46 Challenges of home health care, on the family.
• 16:07 Parents treat sick child differently, causing resentment.
• 18:35 People’s adversity, need for empathy and understanding.
• 19:58 Closing

Research Links

Episode Credits

In this emotional and eye-opening episode of DiabeticReal, Deborah E shares a harrowing experience of being hospitalized due to a horrifying discovery. She delves into a chilling incident where her insulin was inadvertently cooked in the microwave, leading to a life-threatening situation. As she candidly recounts the shocking series of events, listeners uncover the gravity of the situation and the subsequent investigation involving law enforcement. Join us as Deborah E sheds light on the importance of vigilance and the unwavering support of loved ones in the face of adversity.

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro (and Disclaimer)
• 02:50 ICU: The Hospital Found an Issue with Insulin
• 06:48 Microwaving Insulin Can Damage It Without Exploding
• 11:43 FBI Suspects Insulin Tampering
• 15:14 Closing

Research Links

Episode Credits