I don't know about you, but I'm excited to welcome Fall - this month always reminds me of back-to-school, goal setting, and organization. I find it's helpful to take stock of where I am and where I'd like to go. This holds true in my personal, professional and diabetes lives. I hope you are taking time to reevaluate your treatment plan, figure out what works, re-evaluate and make changes if needed.
This month, we bring you an important topic that affects many women living with diabetes: eating disorders. Online and in this newsletter, you will find information on this serious issue by way of personal stories of a woman recovering from an eating disorder while living with diabetes, as well as the story of a parent of a child who is also in recovery. Our expert article contributors have also brought you information on types of eating disorders and where to find help if you need it. Later this month, on September 16, will we we hosting a webinar on Eating Disorders and Diabetes. I hope you will join us!
In person, our monthly PODS meetups will also be discussing this topic and we hope you will share your stories and learn from one another. Later this month, I will be visiting members of our PODS Group in Rochester, NY, and am excited to share stories about diabetes and how it affects our body image.
While I have never personally experienced living with an eating disorder, I have met many women who have shared their stories. Because of the Sisterhood, the majority of them have sought treatment and are in recovery. If you are experiencing an eating disorder, please seek help. The stories in this newsletter can all point you toward help and finding your recovery.
I'd like to thank our guest contributors who have provided such rich educational content for this month's e-newsletter, as well as our regular bloggers and expert contributors. Each month, this e-newsletter helps educate the lives of our members, helping us each live our best diabetes lives.
Anna Norton
Interim CEO
22 Triumphant (NOT Perfect!) Years THRIVING with Diabetes
|
|
|
LIFE CLASS WEBINAR SERIES: DIABETES AND EATING DISORDERS
Join us for our next Life Class installment led by Diana Naranjo, PhD. Dr. Naranjo will discuss managing diabetes and the difficulty of comorbid eating disorders. Learn about long term struggles, maintaining health, and finding help.
DIABETES AND EATING DISORDERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 16, 4-4:30pm EST
All registered attendees will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Susan Weiner's book The Complete Diabetes Organizer.
Missed one of our Life Class Webinars?
You can easily access the audio and handouts presented right
HERE. Topics in 2015 have included: Diabetes Organizing, Eye Disease, Physical Fitness and Summer Eating, all presented by experts in the diabetes field.
|
|
EATING DISORDERS: EDUCATING OUR EDUCATORS
|
|
Asha Brown, Founder
We Are Diabetes |
Asha Brown, is the Founder of We Are Diabetes, an organization that supports and promotes awareness for those with eating disorders and diabetes. Last month, Asha had the opportunity to present her personal recovery story at the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. We invite you to read about her experience.
Our presentation entitled "Effective Strategies for Identifying an Eating Disorder and Navigating Treatment Options for Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and an Eating Disorder (ED-DMT1)" was very well received. As a stage and film performer for over 25 years (I was cast in my first film the very same year I was diagnosed with T1D) I knew I wanted to use my creative performance skills to help educate our audience at AADE. After spending months collaborating with my presentation team (Marcia Meier RN, CDE, and Dawn Taylor PsyD, LP, both practitioners at the Park Nicollet Melrose Center) we crafted a presentation that incorporated a high quality voice recording of the "inner thoughts" of someone struggling with ED-DMT1. We began with a small role-playing sequence that educates the audience about using positive reinforcement (versus "scare tactics") when working with patients with ED-DMT1, and followed with an insightful section on what the elements of ED-DMT1 treatment look like.
Our unique approach to sharing insight about what goes on in the head of someone struggling with ED-DMT1, and on how to effectively communicate with a patient you suspect might be struggling with ED-DMT1, were very appreciated. Our presentation group spent quite a long time after our session receiving many animated "thank you's" from the health care professionals in attendance!
|
TYPE 2 DIABETES: DISORDERED EATING
 Recently, studies have shown that there is an increase in women living with type 2 diabetes and eating disorders. Orthorexia, an obsession with righteous eating, can result in not getting necessary nutrients because of the dietary rules placed on oneself to avoid "bad" foods. Patients do not necessarily focus on losing weight, rather the focus becomes more on the omission of entire food groups such as dairy, fats, and meats.
Patients experiencing symptoms of disordered eating should notify their medical team to discuss treatment plans.
Sources: Diabulimia Helpline, Diabetes Self-Management, American Diabetes Association
|
LOVING SOMEONE WITH DIABETES AND AN EATING DISORDER: A MOTHER'S STORY
This month, Dawn shares the story of supporting her daughter, Erin, as she struggled with diabulimia. Read her candid tale about identifying the issue and the road to recovery.
Retinopathy, neuropathy, gastroparesis, kidney disease: people with diabetes are already at risk for developing these complications. Why would anyone intentionally increase that risk by not taking their insulin? This is the question that kept running through my mind as my daughter's A1c kept going up and up. Everyone told us that she was simply a rebellious teenager. Yet, no carrot, no stick, no parenting technique seemed to make any difference. And it never was going to because discipline wasn't the problem. Erin had an eating disorder commonly known as diabulimia, a mental health disorder where a person with type one diabetes omits or restricts their insulin in order to lose weight.
Life in our house was tumultuous - Erin was loving then hateful, joyous then lethargic and sullen. And she was missing a lot of school from being sick.
|
FURTHER FOOD: NEW RECIPES TO SAMPLE AT HOME
Are you looking for some new recipes? Further Food has whipped up these delicious meals, sure to satisfy your hunger and keep your blood sugar in range.
|
|
DiabetesSisters helps to connect women living with diabetes through peer support, education, and advocacy that improves their health and quality of life. We invite you to be part of expanding that network of sisterhood and strength by joining our new Sister Strength Monthly Giving program.
Set up your monthly gift today: Together we will build a stronger future for women with diabetes!
|
|
| |
|
Uploading Data: Do You Do It?
|
|
| Diane attended AADE15 in New Orleans and has been a PODS Leader since 2012 |
"I have found that there is not enough cross communication between devices or if there is, I cannot seem to decipher the confusing code to do it. Luckily there are ingenious entrepreneurs working on this very challenge." - Diane
|
|
sisterTALK Blogs
Explore tips from our experts and stories from women like you who live with diabetes. Get connected, then join the discussion.
emotional well-being
nutrition
type 1
type 2
guest posts
sisterSTAFF
|
Chattanooga, TN
Sept. 3, 6:30pm
Clifton Park, NY
Sept. 8, 6:30pm
Colony, NY
Sept, 9, 6:30pm
Princeton, NJ
Sept. 9, 7:00pm
Kern County, CA
Sept. 10, 6:00pm
Ashland, MA
Sept. 10, 6:00pm
Durham, NC (UNC)
Sept. 10, 6:30pm
Greater Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 10, 7:00pm
Jacksonville, FL
Sept. 14, 7:00pm
Greensboro, NC
Sept. 15, 6:00pm
Reno, NV
Sept. 15, 7:00pm
Denver, CO
Sept. 16, 6:30pm
East Greenbush, NY
Sept. 17, 6:30pm
VIRTUAL PODS
Sept. 17, 8:00pm
Williamsburg, VI
Sept. 22, 6:00pm
Rochester, NY
Sept. 24, 6:00pm
Austin, TX
Sept. 24, 7:00pm
Keysville, GA
Sept. 27, 2:30pm
Would you like to participate in our Virtual PODS Meetup?
|
2016 Formulary Drug Coverage Changes
In 2016 more than two dozen prescription medicines will be excluded from CVS/Caremark insurance coverage including Bydureon and Invokana.
If you wish to voice your concern, you may reach out to executives at CVS/Caremark. They can be contacted at 401-765-1500.
|
Q&A Pregnancy Discussion
Are you pregnant, interested in becoming pregnant, or were previously pregnant with type 1 diabetes?
If you are in the Boston area, you will not want to miss this evening with conversations from expectant moms, partners and CDEs.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston
|
|
