Why not? Because most surveys are composed to get the answers desired, to limit what can be selected, and in general not very insightful. In the last three years, I would look forward to possibly completing a survey, but the more I completed, the more disappointed I became.
One common type of question is the ranking of several possibilities which expresses few of the choices I would have liked to have seen. Many were written to cover only what the people originating the survey wanted to see answered, not what the real world would like to answer or for some even what it is like in the real world of diabetes.
Then there are the questions which allow for one answer only and would have been better answered using a ranking. Who thinks these up? Is the person responsible even knowledgeable about diabetes? I really have to wonder!
Instead of selecting an answer from their list – why don't they allow for other answers that are probably more important to the people they what to complete the survey. Do I think some of the questions are idiotic? Very definitely. Until I can see all the questions being asked and decide if I even want to answer the questions, I will not take any more surveys. I am tired of selecting the answer or ranking and clicking enter or continue to see the next question.
Then there are the surveys to help the authors decide if you are a candidate for the questions they want to really ask and if you would be someone they want to take their survey or to participate in an online discussion. Those really irritate me and let me know that I will not be a part of something so narrowly focused as I am probably in total disagreement to begin with.
Now for the ones that make my blood pressure head for the stratosphere – in the next 17 months we will be bombarded with political surveys. Now maybe you will understand why I ditched the land line and went to a mobile phone with caller ID. Sorry folks, I will cast my vote the way I chose for the candidate I chose based on his/her stand on the issues – not that this can always be depended on as they soon learn to compromise. If they are compromising my health and issues I believe in, they won't receive my vote the next election.
If I have rubbed some people the wrong way, so be it. I have had it with the meaningless surveys!
08 July 2011
06 July 2011
Tribute to Lost Friends
I am in somewhat of a shock this afternoon. Another friend has passed. From diabetes I think, but I am not positive as the family will not discuss the reason. I know that he has been in and out of depression the last few months.
All I have been able to find out is that he was in a coma and the doctors doubted he would ever recover out of it and the family decided to have life support stopped. I know from past conversations with him that this was his wish.
Am I affected by this – yes. This makes four friends in the last 20 months that have passed from diabetes related causes. Three from stopping dialysis and now this friend. All four had Type 1 diabetes. I cannot speak to the level of management for any of them as it was something that was seldom talked about. I can only imagine from the ages that the level of management was not what it should have been.
None of the friends or acquaintances that have Type 2 diabetes are in declining health and all have great attitudes about life. Of the six of us, five of us are on insulin and the sixth has said she is considering insulin since the rest of us are doing so well. I know from recent discussions that the A1c's range from a low of 5.4 to 6.4 and the age range is 44 to 74. It is somewhat surprising that the A1c's are almost the reverse order of our ages.
Of the remaining three Type 1 friends, I do not know what there A1c's are or have been. It is also surprising that for as much as we don't talk about our diabetes, that we keep finding others that also have diabetes. Two more with Type 1 today and one more with Type 2.
All I have been able to find out is that he was in a coma and the doctors doubted he would ever recover out of it and the family decided to have life support stopped. I know from past conversations with him that this was his wish.
Am I affected by this – yes. This makes four friends in the last 20 months that have passed from diabetes related causes. Three from stopping dialysis and now this friend. All four had Type 1 diabetes. I cannot speak to the level of management for any of them as it was something that was seldom talked about. I can only imagine from the ages that the level of management was not what it should have been.
None of the friends or acquaintances that have Type 2 diabetes are in declining health and all have great attitudes about life. Of the six of us, five of us are on insulin and the sixth has said she is considering insulin since the rest of us are doing so well. I know from recent discussions that the A1c's range from a low of 5.4 to 6.4 and the age range is 44 to 74. It is somewhat surprising that the A1c's are almost the reverse order of our ages.
Of the remaining three Type 1 friends, I do not know what there A1c's are or have been. It is also surprising that for as much as we don't talk about our diabetes, that we keep finding others that also have diabetes. Two more with Type 1 today and one more with Type 2.
05 July 2011
Suggestions for World Diabetes Day
Many are not even aware of World Diabetes Day around the world. Since the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was good enough to address those in attendance at the 2011 Roche Social Media Summit and took some flack for this, I have some suggestions for the diabetes online community (DOC) for the 2011 World Diabetes day activities.
This is only a suggestion, but may give us more ideas that might help the IDF get more recognition in the USA and possibly accomplish some goals for the IDF. First, I suggest that those not receiving the IDF email newsletters go to the IDF website and subscribe. You may do so in the lower right corner of the home page. Yes, just like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the JDRF, they have a place for you to contribute and I am not asking you to do that, only if that is your desire.
Second, I suggest that everyone pick at least three or more newspapers in their area and write letters to the editors making them aware of World Diabetes Day and putting in a plug for the IDF. You may wish to have a listing for your blog site as well.
Third, we need to consider a campaign to encourage corporations and businesses to not spend the money for lighting up their buildings, but instead use the money saved over and above security lighting, to donate this to the IDF.
Fourth, a letter writing campaign to the pharmaceutical companies to contribute matching monies or value in products to the IDF.
Can this be accomplished – I believe so, but it is going to take everyone to actively participate and to spread the word to the international diabetes online community and enlist their help.
Let's forget the feel-good activities that did nothing to help those in need on previous World Diabetes days, and work for something that could benefit people this year. For those that wish only to participate in ADA and JDRF activities, you still should be able to do something, but let's make this a World Diabetes Day to remember.
My email address (or contact) is available on my profile page. These are just a few of the ideas and I am sure that can be others, so don't hesitate to bring them forward.
This is only a suggestion, but may give us more ideas that might help the IDF get more recognition in the USA and possibly accomplish some goals for the IDF. First, I suggest that those not receiving the IDF email newsletters go to the IDF website and subscribe. You may do so in the lower right corner of the home page. Yes, just like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the JDRF, they have a place for you to contribute and I am not asking you to do that, only if that is your desire.
Second, I suggest that everyone pick at least three or more newspapers in their area and write letters to the editors making them aware of World Diabetes Day and putting in a plug for the IDF. You may wish to have a listing for your blog site as well.
Third, we need to consider a campaign to encourage corporations and businesses to not spend the money for lighting up their buildings, but instead use the money saved over and above security lighting, to donate this to the IDF.
Fourth, a letter writing campaign to the pharmaceutical companies to contribute matching monies or value in products to the IDF.
Can this be accomplished – I believe so, but it is going to take everyone to actively participate and to spread the word to the international diabetes online community and enlist their help.
Let's forget the feel-good activities that did nothing to help those in need on previous World Diabetes days, and work for something that could benefit people this year. For those that wish only to participate in ADA and JDRF activities, you still should be able to do something, but let's make this a World Diabetes Day to remember.
My email address (or contact) is available on my profile page. These are just a few of the ideas and I am sure that can be others, so don't hesitate to bring them forward.
01 July 2011
I Did Not Attend The Roche Media Summit
I wish I had been able to attend, but some things just weren't meant to happen. Did I lose out? Maybe. I was fortunate to have a visit from an army friend of many years ago. We had reconnected about 12 months ago now and we spent two afternoons enjoying each others company. He is nearing retirement now as an endocrinologist and has been following my blogs the entire time.
We talked about our past and then about diabetes – I think we spent too much time on diabetes and blogging, but he was most interested in my research since I am not medically trained. We have a lot in common on many of the topics I write about and I think he was very kind about my understanding of some medical topics. I do draw on his knowledge about some topics and he has asked me to research some topics for him.
He supplies me with a few topics (URLs) and answers questions I may have. It was my blog on non-diabetic hypoglycemia that reconnected us after about 35 years. I am just happy that he found my research useful and the blog got us back together.
Now to the reports to-date from the Roche summit. I enjoyed David Mendosa's and Gretchen Becker's reports on Dr. Polonsky's speech to the group. This is one where I would have liked to have been in attendance. I have followed the Behavioral Diabetes Institute newletters for well over a year now and wish they had branches in one or two Midwestern cities as this could be very helpful for many with diabetes and depression.
I just hope that the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will not look too unfavorably on the actions of a few who felt it necessary to “ambush” their representative, Isabella Platon. The IDF is doing a lot of good, and after all folks, this organization speaks for the majority of the world's population with diabetes. Yes, the IDF needs to be more active in the USA as it just might be able to do more for the PWD than the ADA which is governed by its advertising and doctor members and does not have the best interest in the patients.
At least there were some in the DOC that spoke with interest about the mission of the IDF and what they are working so hard to accomplish in the underdeveloped countries of the our world. At least they could remember the names, including the IDF President, Jean Claude Mbanya which one blogger chose to dismiss in an offhand manner.
I can see the support for JDRF as that is the organization dear to the majority of those in attendance, so it is right to be supportive of that organization. I would not expect anything less.
We talked about our past and then about diabetes – I think we spent too much time on diabetes and blogging, but he was most interested in my research since I am not medically trained. We have a lot in common on many of the topics I write about and I think he was very kind about my understanding of some medical topics. I do draw on his knowledge about some topics and he has asked me to research some topics for him.
He supplies me with a few topics (URLs) and answers questions I may have. It was my blog on non-diabetic hypoglycemia that reconnected us after about 35 years. I am just happy that he found my research useful and the blog got us back together.
Now to the reports to-date from the Roche summit. I enjoyed David Mendosa's and Gretchen Becker's reports on Dr. Polonsky's speech to the group. This is one where I would have liked to have been in attendance. I have followed the Behavioral Diabetes Institute newletters for well over a year now and wish they had branches in one or two Midwestern cities as this could be very helpful for many with diabetes and depression.
I just hope that the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will not look too unfavorably on the actions of a few who felt it necessary to “ambush” their representative, Isabella Platon. The IDF is doing a lot of good, and after all folks, this organization speaks for the majority of the world's population with diabetes. Yes, the IDF needs to be more active in the USA as it just might be able to do more for the PWD than the ADA which is governed by its advertising and doctor members and does not have the best interest in the patients.
At least there were some in the DOC that spoke with interest about the mission of the IDF and what they are working so hard to accomplish in the underdeveloped countries of the our world. At least they could remember the names, including the IDF President, Jean Claude Mbanya which one blogger chose to dismiss in an offhand manner.
I can see the support for JDRF as that is the organization dear to the majority of those in attendance, so it is right to be supportive of that organization. I would not expect anything less.
30 June 2011
An Example of Poor Research
This article started it all as people were asking Jenny Ruhl about it. Her response is here.
Then to make matters worse, many people were posting about this on many diabetes forums and some were actually thinking this might be an answer. It now appears some clearer heads have prevailed on several diabetes forums.
This also fits Gretchen Becker's blog about press spin as this is a ploy to find funding for what I agree is a very dangerous attempt to give people hope.
Here are two more articles - one from BBC Health. Another one is by WebMD from the presentation at ADA so we know this is not peer reviewed and is just a hope of a very few people. Even CBS News dot com had to use the information.
I agree with Jenny that this is not good science and badly flawed. On Monday, I expect to see more articles on this. Only one more article and not all that jazzed up about this.
As of this time, people may have become smarter and realized how poor this is and not published anything after WebMD gave it a big splash. Refer to my blog here as to some of the reasons behind our determining this is such poor research in addition to what Jenny writes.
Then to make matters worse, many people were posting about this on many diabetes forums and some were actually thinking this might be an answer. It now appears some clearer heads have prevailed on several diabetes forums.
This also fits Gretchen Becker's blog about press spin as this is a ploy to find funding for what I agree is a very dangerous attempt to give people hope.
Here are two more articles - one from BBC Health. Another one is by WebMD from the presentation at ADA so we know this is not peer reviewed and is just a hope of a very few people. Even CBS News dot com had to use the information.
I agree with Jenny that this is not good science and badly flawed. On Monday, I expect to see more articles on this. Only one more article and not all that jazzed up about this.
As of this time, people may have become smarter and realized how poor this is and not published anything after WebMD gave it a big splash. Refer to my blog here as to some of the reasons behind our determining this is such poor research in addition to what Jenny writes.
17 June 2011
FDA Warns About Risks With Victoza
On Monday, June 13, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to all healthcare professionals to closely monitor all diabetes patients receiving laraglutide (Victoza) injections for thyroid C-cell tumors and acute pancreatitis.
This also is supported by Novo Nordisk in their letter stating that a recent assessment has showed that some primary care providers are not fully aware of the serious risks involved with the use of Victoza.
Even though the the evidence is from animal studies that prompted this alert, it is considered serious enough to warrant extra attention by healthcare professionals. The FDA recommends that patients with thyroid nodules noted by physical examination or imaging for other reasons be referred to an endocrinologist for additional evaluation.
The FDA urges physicians to observe patients carefully after initiation of Victoza therapy or dose increases for signs of pancreatitis. This includes ongoing severe abdominal pain that can sometimes radiate to the back, and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
Read this important warning about Victoza (laraglutide) here. And if you have read my blog about Victoza here, also heed the warning.
I thought this was important enough to post this on both blogs.
This also is supported by Novo Nordisk in their letter stating that a recent assessment has showed that some primary care providers are not fully aware of the serious risks involved with the use of Victoza.
Even though the the evidence is from animal studies that prompted this alert, it is considered serious enough to warrant extra attention by healthcare professionals. The FDA recommends that patients with thyroid nodules noted by physical examination or imaging for other reasons be referred to an endocrinologist for additional evaluation.
The FDA urges physicians to observe patients carefully after initiation of Victoza therapy or dose increases for signs of pancreatitis. This includes ongoing severe abdominal pain that can sometimes radiate to the back, and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
Read this important warning about Victoza (laraglutide) here. And if you have read my blog about Victoza here, also heed the warning.
I thought this was important enough to post this on both blogs.
22 April 2011
Sorry for the absence
I have been in a fog lately. Too many tasks to do, things to accomplish, and nothing as far as studies that I have had real interest in. Most were poor to very bad studies and some were almost laughable when they try to factualize information that is not there.
So for the time being, until I either find something that is very interesting I will be away from this blog and putting what I have that still requires more research on my blog here.
Hope everyone has a happy Easter and I will be back, but only ocassionally for present.
Thank you!
So for the time being, until I either find something that is very interesting I will be away from this blog and putting what I have that still requires more research on my blog here.
Hope everyone has a happy Easter and I will be back, but only ocassionally for present.
Thank you!
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