FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We invite blurbs and tidbit articles for inclusion in this column. Materials received may be edited and used as space permits. Products and services included in this column are for information only and do not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
MEDICATION WARNINGS
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) reports several instances of improper dosage of diabetes medications. Vigilance is always appropriate—LEARN from these mistakes!
First, there have been several recent overdoses of the tricyclic nortriptyline (used to treat neuropathy), in which the patient was dispensed TEN TIMES THE PROPER AMOUNT. No one died, but consequences were serious.
ISMP urges doctors and pharmacists to become more familiar with proper dosages, but it also urges patients to learn the names, doses, and purposes of all their medications, so they can communicate this information to their health care professionals.
Prandin is Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s new oral medication for type 2 diabetes. It is available in three different strengths: 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg tablets. Failure to take the different strengths into account could lead to overdosage and hypoglycemic emergency. If you are prescribed Prandin, at which strength? You'd better find out.
Diabetics and others who have had an organ transplant are often prescribed the anti-rejection drug cyclosporine. This drug is available in two forms, Sandimmune and Neoral. ISMP notes that approximately 2/3 of prescribing physicians specify one form or the other, but 1/3 simply state "cyclosporine," leaving it up to the pharmacist (and their data show only 22 percent of pharmacists routinely call the provider and request clarification!). ISMP warns: "Because of the difference in formulation of these products, they can't be used interchangeably. Serious consequences...could result if a transplant patient received the wrong formulation."
Again, learn your medications. If there is an ambiguity, call the doctor yourself! Doctors and pharmacists can be wrong.
NOTE: This information is from the newsletter "ISMP Medication Safety Alert," August 26, 1998 and September 9, 1998 editions, published by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
25 THOUGHTS TO GET YOU THROUGH ALMOST ANY CRISIS (from the Internet)
1. Indecision is the key to flexibility.
2. You cannot tell which way the train went by looking at the track.
3. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.
4. Happiness is merely the remission of pain.
5. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
6. Sometimes too much drink is not enough.
7. The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.
8. The careful application of terror is also a form of communication.
9. Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
10. Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
11. Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
12. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
13. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
14. I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.
15. Suicide is the most sincere form of self-criticism.
16. All things being equal, fat people use more soap.
17. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
18. One-seventh of your life is spent on Monday.
19. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
20. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
21. The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets.
22. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
23. This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it.
24. Never wrestle with a pig: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes it.
25. The trouble with life is, you're halfway through it before you realize it's a 'do it yourself' thing.
NEW LANCING DEVICE
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ANNOUNCE: The Bayer Vaculance is a new development in blood glucose monitoring. Designed for use with Bayer's Microlet lancets, it works like a conventional lancing device, except that as soon as the lancet goes in, the device's vacuum action draws a drop of blood to the surface. A second push of the plunger releases the vacuum. This should help folks who have trouble getting an adequate blood sample. The Vaculance is designed to be used anywhere on your body (though company literature states "not designed for use on fingertips"). Price is $25, and for information, call Bayer; telephone: 1-800-445-5901. To order (Visa or MasterCard), call: 1-800-348-8100.
1998 RAFFLE WINNERS
At the keynote banquet for the 1998 annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Dallas, Texas, the winning ticket was drawn in the Diabetes Action Network raffle. Winning ticket holder was Mary Larson, of Glendale, Arizona.
Lots of people helped sell tickets, and the following folks each sold 50 or more. In descending order of tickets sold: Karen Mayry, of Rapid City, SD; The NFB of Ohio Summit County Chapter, from Akron; Eric Woods, of Denver, CO; Betty Walker, of Jefferson City, MO; Jerry and Cathy Antone, of French Lick, IN; Eugene Payne, Jr., of Detroit, MI; Sandie Addy, of Prescott Valley, AZ; Ken Staley, of Chicago, IL; Gisela Distel, of Albany, NY; Ed Bryant, of Columbia, MO; Donovan Cooper, of Burbank, CA; Mary Hook, of West Hartford, CT; Kerry Smith, of St. Louis, MO; Toni Koehler, of Grygla, MN; Janet Lee, of Cedar, MN; Verna Anderson, of Canton, OH; and Sally York, of Castro Valley, CA; Truly a winning performance—See you next time!
KIDNEY STATISTICS
For calendar year 1996, there were a total of 214,103 Medicare-approved dialysis patients in the U.S. The vast majority of these (181,533) were outpatients. There were 32,570 who dialysed at home. The majority of these (19,184) received Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) ranked second, with 11,376 patients recorded. Home hemodialysis accounted for 1,897 patients, and Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis came in last, with only 113 patients.
In 1996, 12,198 kidney transplants were carried out. Most of them (8495) came from cadaver donors. There were 3,084 transplants from living related donors, up from 2,992 in 1995. There were 619 transplants from living unrelated donors, up from 424 in 1995.
(SOURCE: Health Care Financing Administration [HCFA] publication: "End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD] Program Highlights -- 1996".)
DIABETIC FOOD SUPPLEMENT
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ANNOUNCE: Anyone familiar with medically-ordered liquid food supplements/replacements knows of the Ensure brand. Ensure now offers Glucerna, a product specifically formulated for diabetics. Available in beverage or "candy bar" form, Glucerna is long on nutrition, vitamins, and minerals, and low in fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrate. If you have need of a balanced dietary supplement, this product could be a good choice. NOTE: Not intended for the treatment of hypoglycemia. Talk to your pharmacist, or contact: Ensure Glucerna, Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, PO Box 1317, Columbus, OH 43272-2177; telephone: 1-800-986-8502.
VIAGRA CAUTION
Viagra is the wildly popular new impotence drug now available from Pfizer, Inc. Its success has sparked incredible demand, and, while it unquestionably works, some users may not be reading the fine print. There can be side effects. Men who take heart medication (such as nitroglycerine) to reduce heart pain, should avoid Viagra, as it works much like nitroglycerine, and can produce an overdose-like effect, with dangerously low blood pressure levels. Doctors warn that Viagra remains in the body for 12 hours or more.
Another warning is that, because of the physical exertions of sex, some men may experience their first heart problems—and paramedics or emergency room physicians, not knowing of the Viagra, may administer nitrates. As an individual suffering a heart attack may be unconscious or otherwise unable to speak, it is suggested that he wear medical ID to inform emergency personnel of Viagra use.
NEW DUAL-PURPOSE METER
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ANNOUNCE: Most diabetics are aware of the need for daily blood glucose testing, to monitor whether you are OK, high, or low, and take the necessary action. There are also, of course, several "longer-scale" tests (most notably the Hemoglobin A1c) that allow your doctor to review the behavior of your diabetes across the preceding weeks or months. By combining data from the two types of tests, a very clear picture can be assembled.
Until now, the longer-scale tests have not been available in an affordable home blood glucose monitor. That has now changed. LXN Corporation offers the Duet System, a blood glucose monitor that offers both conventional metering and the "GlucoProtein" (fructosamine) test, in the same machine, simply by changing test strip types.
Similar to the A1c, the fructosamine test offers an average blood glucose range across the two weeks prior to the reading. With access to this data, the diabetic and his or her health care team should be able to improve control, and solve mysteries like unexplained night-time glucose fluctuations. It's a nice idea.
The Duet System meter retails for $299. For information, contact LXN Corporation, 5830 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121; telephone: 1-888-596-8378; http://www.lxncorp.com
ARTICLES NEEDED!
If you have diabetes, are a family member or friend of a diabetic, or a health professional with an interest in diabetes, we invite you to submit an article for publication in the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC.
Our philosophy regarding diabetes is positive. Do you have an inspiring, enlightening story? We, the Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind, seek to show people they are not alone, and do have options, regardless of diabetic complications. If you have experienced ramifications, others, who may be facing the same side effects, could benefit from what you have to say.
Perhaps you have not experienced side effects? Your unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire others. Are you a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 236,000 VOICE readers could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission guidelines, contact: VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry St., Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911.