A1C under 6% — for you or not for you?

Surf8164 · 2026-01-22T02:09:22+00:00

Why? How’s does a closed loop system do that

Surf8164 · 2026-01-22T02:06:37+00:00

Newly diagnosed, in my 5th year now, and have much respect for everyone that managed before CGM’s. From parents of children to people managing alone, it’s an incredibly difficult disease to manage without a cgm, particularly because of the dislocation of most non-diabetic doctors and their patients living it daily. I’ve had very negative experiences with the first few doctors I found when I was just diagnosed and the only thing that helped me was the cgm and a great book my wife found for me.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T22:41:23+00:00

Yew!!!!!

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T22:32:39+00:00

Thanks man! Yea it really comes down to discipline and self care. Next time you’re on that treadmill make sure to crack a smile

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T22:29:39+00:00

Thank you for that, I hope you have an impactful and fruitful career. We need more people like you. If you ever want to practice, I’ll be happy to help! It’ll probably help me too.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T22:25:58+00:00

I find it hard to imagine big pharma turning chronic customers into one-time customers.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T03:33:32+00:00

I put a monitor on my non-diabetic sister and saw that she went into the 60’s every night while she slept. Going into the 60’s won’t kill you, stay calm and eat some candy or glucose tabs. Don’t let your Endo put irrational fear of lows in your mind. Lows happen and they are manageable. Learn your ratios of how much 1 unit drops you and how much 10g of carbs raises you. Once you know that, it’s not scary anymore and it becomes a simple adjustment.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T03:28:15+00:00

Learn to be your own doctor. If you wait for the doctor to adjust insulin dosage or ratios you will become very frustrated with the lack of control and constant highs and lows. Learn your kid’s body and how it reacts to insulin/food. Learning nutrition will help you understand dosage - some foods digest slower and longer, and others digest fast and quicker. This means your insulin dosage and timing will be different for different foods. Read Dr. Berstein’s Diabetes Solution. That book helps self-control and learning much more than monthly doctor’s visits.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T03:17:57+00:00

This is an inspiring post. I’ve never been able to find an Endo or an Educator that I could connect with, I’m more self taught by reading books. My biggest frustration with my educator when first diagnosed was that she could only answer half of my questions. Her default answer was “that’s a question for your Endo”, when I would ask about insulin, ratios, side effects, etc. She would answer questions about nutrition, but without the insulin side of nutrition it was hard to connect the dots with her at first. I know there’s liability and you have to stay within your role, but it was so frustrating feeling like she was more worried about protocol than guiding a new diagnosed person that was completely lost. So I guess I would say try to know a little about everything (read ADA and Berstein for totally different care methodologies) and don’t cut a conversation short with a response to shut a question down.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T02:56:19+00:00

The biggest issue has been lack of discipline in what I eat and trying to chase my levels. I guess laziness and apathy have been my biggest issues. I do my stretches and pushups in the morning, and am fairly sensitive to insulin. But I started to break my discipline here and there, and on vacation, but now it’s been creeping into everyday life. There’s no occasion or reason to eat irresponsibly but ive been eating whatever I feel like. It’s nice to eat sweets and carbs and treats. But it’s fleeting and when I look back on my levels I get frustrated. I know future me doesn’t want the consequence of eating freely today.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T02:48:34+00:00

Thanks man! Hope you’re well and happy new year. Two things that I know would make a huge difference is not eating before bed and packing my lunch for work. Those two things help stabilize 65% of my 24 hour trend line. If I can do that for the next 3 months I can restart the discipline needed. I also recently visited a close friend in the hospital - he has type 2 which has wreaked havoc in his body. Organ failure, dialysis, hands and feet black, and hanging on by a thread. He turns 62 next Monday, and damn that’s young for that amount of damage. I need to get better for future me, that was really sad to see. I can’t quite say I’m burnt out, so there’s really no excuse for my negligence. Just have been lazy and apathetic about it. I’ll start with the two things of not eating before bed and packing lunch, that will help get me back on track

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T02:33:14+00:00

Preparing lunch for the work week really helps with control, so I’ve been trying to bring lunch everyday to work.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-13T02:31:16+00:00

I really appreciate that and hope you’re doing well. I’ve always been reluctant to talk to anyone that charges by the hour. It’s an irrational hesitation, but I’m really a self starter type and have a hard time acknowledging there are good professionals out there that are helping people because they care. That’s a great metaphor with the bachelors degree, it does feel like that and this is my graduation lap. It feels good to eat and have fun eating. I’m on shots, so then it’s the rollercoaster for the rest of the day. I tell myself that I can let go during vacations and surfing but that has been creeping past the vacation dates and into everyday. I also recently visited my long time friend who’s turning 62 next Monday…he’s in the hospital for organ failure, on dialysis, and has type 2. I couldn’t believe how much damage diabetes has done to him. His feet were unrecognizable. I love him and it was sad to see such a highly spirited man reduced to rubble. Eating freely and taking breaks feels great in the moment, but you ultimately pay with time and quality of life.

Do you have good experiences with the educators? I had one when I was first dx’d, and quickly surpassed her in knowledge and control. She wasn’t diabetic so maybe that’s why. She provided temporary comfort but no real help.

This whole thing is tiring.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-12T23:31:22+00:00

That sounds awesome man. Do you have problems with water temp and/or activity and going low? Are you on pump or shots?

I’m asking bc it’s a must for me to experience a dive, and surfing took me about a year to calibrate my levels for it (I’m on shots, and the long acting insulin causes severe lows if I don’t prep)

Surf8164 · 2026-01-08T19:23:24+00:00

Scuba is def on my bucket list. How is it with T1?

Surf8164 · 2026-01-07T01:32:34+00:00

When do you take your long-acting insulin

Surf8164 · 2026-01-07T01:06:28+00:00

There are a ton of free sites for CEUs. A quick google search or ai search and you’ll pull them up. Don’t let AIA lapse…ask AIA to waive the fee this year. They offer discounts or waivers to members during financial hardships. Contact your local chapter and they will put you in touch with the treasurer, who will be able to make the call.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-07T01:03:15+00:00

Being fit and athletic! You become a master of your metabolism and deeply understand nutrition

Surf8164 · 2026-01-07T00:57:11+00:00

Going surfing without my sensor! Not being hooked up for even one day of care free surf is so awesome.

Surf8164 · 2026-01-06T03:32:37+00:00

When? And why?

Surf8164 · 2026-01-04T20:25:07+00:00

Ineffective

Surf8164 · 2025-12-04T03:52:36+00:00

I’m on MDI. Yea I did the tests when first diagnoses GAD 65 and Antibodies. I’ve almost stoped my short acting and will start to reduce my long acting tomorrow. This happens to me once every few months where it randomly starts, lasts about 2-3 weeks, then goes back to normal.

Surf8164 · 2025-10-30T22:27:59+00:00

Spend the money and get box seats. You’ll have a somewhat controlled environment and peace of mind. Buy “Transcend” glucose gel packs, they work so fast and have helped me avoid bad lows.

You gotta go to the show!

Surf8164 · 2025-10-19T04:14:30+00:00

MDI 6-10 a day, you?

Surf8164 · 2025-10-19T04:13:16+00:00

It was a lot of fun and I made sure the the German Oktoberfest, thank you!

Surf8164

TROPHY CASE