Worsening type-1

[tchinds]

I have a friend whose husband has type-1 diabetes. He is in his early thirties and had a job for 3 years in which he had to drive around town. His blood sugar dropped one day when he was off work and he had an accident and lost his drivers license. He lost his job because he couldn’t get his license back. Now she says he needs constant care even though he has an insulin pump because she says he has a rare type of diabetes in which “insulin binding” occurs and causes the pump not to help him. My question is does type-1 diabetes get worse, because he seemed to lead a somewhat normal life before and now she says he should get disability and needs constant care.  

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hello.  I'm not a medical professional, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  Why was he not able to get his license back?  Just because of the low and the accident?  It is possible for type 1s to have licenses, they just have to agree to certain conditions, specifically around testing of blood sugars prior to getting behind the wheel.  Laws for states are different, but there is no reason he shouldn't be able to have a license.  

Type 1 can get worse in a person, because of a variety of conditions.  Insulin binding can cause wide fluctuations in blood sugars.  If it's possible, I'd recommend a continuous glucose monitor.  That will automatically monitor blood sugars and be able to identify highs or lows prior to them becoming a problem.  They aren't cheap, but they are much better than the alternative.  Most every pump company has a CGM that works with their pump.  They can contact their endocrinologist for more information.

[khicktx]

I never knew about insulin binding before this! Hmmm... does that have anything to do with giving injections in the same area for long periods of time? Or is it just a development of the disease? I have issues with where I give my injections now because there are mornings when I wake up high because my insulin isn't working due to the fact that I gave my injection in a place where it isn't being absorbed.

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

khicktx: no, it doesn't.  Using the same sites over and over causes fatty deposits and scarring under the skin, and that causes you to have lower insulin absorbtion.  Insulin binding happens because the insulin chooses to attach itself to something it shouldn't.

[khicktx]

Thanks for clarifying!

[DennisIDDM]

Well. if he's anything like the Guys I consult thru the VA?
A vast majority were just an Accident Waiting to Happen...
Meaning?

>They didn't get all the ecucation and guidence training they should have
Such as testing 8-10x day with a Pump, different Bolus's thru out the day and nite, Change Infusion sites every time...etc..
> they didn't stay ontop of keeping Up their Education...ie: Getting Books such as "John Walsh/Using Insulin",  Think like a Pancrease by Gary S.
> And after all that? Change in their over all Mental Attitude towards regular maintenance and just 'Sticking to the program"... many just 'Fall off the Wagon" and get Careless and /or just plain Lazy.. (Depression aslo cause alot of this )
> He SHOULD know you just Have to test prior to driving, have at least a 120 level and for Insurance? Eat a Glucose tab every 30 min...Test every Hour and to keep those #'s up...even if you end up 150+..is alot better than going Hypo and cracking up the Car or worse... Killing someone else..

I was a Limo Driver for 10 yrs and I know... and never had One accident ( due to Plain Luck and Following the Program )

Now he has to "Pay the Price".. Will probably have to get a Dr.'s letter proving he has <7% A1c's and he Is following the program and get a temp License to start..and prove he is alot More Focused and more appreciative in having his license..

Is he attending the T1 Pumpers Message Boards Regularly?
If not? suggest he does...

Good Luck
He can do this, if he really wants too...