#1058 Stiff Person
Janet has type 1 diabetes and a number of other auto immune issues.
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Scott Benner 0:00
Hello friends, and welcome to the Juicebox Podcast. This is episode 1058
Hey guys, let's get right into it Shannon's 54 years old she has type one diabetes diagnosis 37. Now, what else does she have going on? She developed cold verta Cordia at age four vitiligo at nine and stiff person syndrome after the birth of a child at around age 30. What a story. Settle in. And remember while you're listening, that nothing you hear on the Juicebox Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise, always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan or becoming bold with insulin. Are you looking for the diabetes Pro Tip series that runs between Episode 1000? Didn't 1026 Would you like to save money? Oh, okay, well, then here's a couple of things you could do. use the offer code juice box at checkout at cozy earth.com. That'll save you 40% off your entire order. And if you use my link drink, ag one.com/juice box to get going with ag one, you'll get five free travel packs, and a year supply of vitamin D with your first purchase. Don't forget to check out the private Facebook group Juicebox Podcast type one diabetes all our welcome 43,000 members strong. This episode of The Juicebox Podcast, this episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by Dexcom. When you use my link dexcom.com/juice box, you can get yourself a G six or G seven they have them both there. Go check them out. Speaking of things that links that they have, how about an omni pod, get the same tubeless insulin pump that so many people love Omni pod dash or the Omni pod five Omni pod.com/juice box Get started today. With my link. There are links in the show notes of the audio player you're listening in right now. And links at juicebox podcast.com to Dexcom Omni pod and all of the sponsors, using those links when you make your purchase helps the show.
Janet 2:22
Hi everyone, my name is Janet. I am 54 years old, and I have type one diabetes, and I got it when I was 37 years old. So I'm one of the late in life people. I'm from Southern California. And that's a little about me
Scott Benner 2:38
3754 What do you know about the number 37? Do you listen to the podcast? Well, I listened to the podcast, but I don't know. You don't hear all the silly things.
Janet 2:46
I say? No, it's not about 37.
Scott Benner 2:50
Alright, homeless, I don't want to get it right when I say number 37. Okay. When asked to choose a random number 37 is the most frequently chosen number. Oh, wow. When you say Hey, pick a number between one and 100 people most frequently say 37
Unknown Speaker 3:13
Okay, that's crazy.
Scott Benner 3:16
That's it. I don't know why exactly. So anyway, you fun fact for me? Well, yeah, I mean, what I'm saying is, did you get diabetes when you're 37? Or did the matrix give it to you? That's what I'm getting?
Janet 3:31
Yes, I think that matrix gave it to me.
Scott Benner 3:35
I want to be very clear. I don't believe in all that. I don't believe we're living in a phony reality. So you've had diabetes for 17 years?
Unknown Speaker 3:43
Yep. About 17 years. Okay.
Scott Benner 3:46
Well, I mean, I was gonna say wasn't a surprise, but I bet it was a hell of a surprise. Right?
Janet 3:51
Yes, very much. So.
Scott Benner 3:54
Any type one in your extended family?
Janet 3:58
None. Other autoimmune. Yes. And I actually had to go back and look up autoimmune diseases. So I make sure that I don't say some that aren't but I have a crap ton of them on my mother's side, okay. Give them to me. So, okay, so start with me. So at age four, they is before they even had a name for it. I developed something called cold. urticaria. And if you've ever heard of that,
Scott Benner 4:27
you get cold you get little bumps all over you and they're itchy.
Janet 4:31
Yes, I eat a popsicle and I almost died. Because my throat closed.
Scott Benner 4:37
Are you going to tell me that you have a thyroid issue? No, I don't have a thyroid issue. Interesting. Go ahead. What
Janet 4:43
else? Okay, so that happened at age four. At age nine. I developed I always say this wrong middle vitiligo, vitiligo vitiligo, yes, yes. So, three spots came and still have the same three spots and notice they're ones that was interesting. And I don't think they knew a lot about it then because they used to give me these pills to take and they would say go outside and lay in the sun. They'll go away, which I just got really, really tan. And the white spots just look more white. So
Scott Benner 5:19
what years? I'm so sorry, that really is funny. What year was that? Well, I was nine. So long time ago, because you're all so.
Janet 5:29
So what would that be? Like? 77? Something like
Scott Benner 5:32
that. What we're gonna do? Wait, hold on. You were born in 68. And then if I had nine to that I come up to like, 77. Yeah. All right. Yeah. So you're telling me that a trained medical professional told you basically to go outside and fill in those circles with some sun?
Janet 5:52
Yes, pill, take a pill and the pill made me get more tan. I don't even know what it was, you know, I was nine. So I remember. My mom would give me the pill and then a half an hour later, I would go lay out in the sun for like a half an hour. Every day.
Scott Benner 6:06
You take that pill in Ibiza by any chance? What was that? Did you take that pill in Ibiza by any chance? No. With Southern California, I guess you know, do you know the song? Oh, I think I do. Here's why this pops up because the guy just told you that I interviewed prior to you. One of his reality shows happened in Ibiza. And you were like I took a pill. And then I was like, I took a pill in Ibiza. The guy was in a PISA number 37. It's all making sense. That's, that's funny. Meanwhile, do you see how people's brains work? None of those things are connected to each other.
Janet 6:46
Right? It's like the seven degrees or whatever it is.
Scott Benner 6:50
Alright, so when you're when you're doing your spots didn't fill in? I assume right? You gave off. But stopped. Yes. Stop doing that. Did something else happen? I feel like you're gonna tell me six to seven autoimmune issues.
Janet 7:02
Yeah, no. So then after that, the next thing that became something that I didn't know was something until much later was I have stiff person syndrome.
Scott Benner 7:15
Get out of here. Do you really?
Janet 7:16
I do.
Scott Benner 7:18
I know that that is seems wrong, that I was excited when you said that. I know if I feel bad that you have I know. But you're the first person to say this. So what age did you develop it? What age? Did you understand that you had it?
Janet 7:34
Okay, so I first started realizing that something was wrong with me after the birth of my child. So I have one son, who's now he just turned 24 this week. So 1999 He was born. And I noticed things like this constant pain. So like, lay on the floor play with your baby was like just pure hell for me. I would try to lay on the floor. You know, you lay on your back. And you you know, you put the baby up. And you're Oh, I don't know. So I could barely get up. So I don't know if you want me to go into that whole thing right now or just tell you
Scott Benner 8:10
Oh, don't don't overthink it, just keep going. Okay.
Janet 8:14
So, you know, I go to my doctor, my general practitioner at the time and I say, hey, you know, I've noticed this issue I have like, I'm in such pain, like it's crazy. So again, his advice was, well, don't lay on the floor and play with your baby then.
Scott Benner 8:25
And get those spots filled in with them. So yes,
Janet 8:28
exactly. Different doctor, obviously. But still,
Scott Benner 8:33
was it really but yeah, go ahead.
Janet 8:36
So then, you know, all this time thinking about I had my pregnancy was fine. No gestational diabetes, nothing. Everything went perfectly. I was about 30 At this time, going along, well gained, you know, like 20 pounds. Everything was was it was a perfect pregnancy. And then at the end, I go into premature labor. And it was crazy because I take my mom with me where to Lamaze class, right. Yeah. And so then they're like, Oh, we're going to show you how the belt that you wear you know, around your stomach. It shows you if you're in contractions or not, and blah, blah, blah, right? So anyone, anyone want to volunteer, so I'm like, oh, all volunteer. So I go up there and she puts the the belt on me and then she leans over to me and she says, Do you realize you're having contractions? And I said no. And then she's like, Yeah, you need to go see your doctor. So the next morning I go to see my doctor and you know they put you in that dark room and and and monitor you and sure enough, I'm having contractions like every 15 minutes I don't feel anything though. So you know, they send you home with your little medicine and you're on bed rest and then about three days later I got up to use the restroom and like I thought it was just pee that you know, oops, you know, peed a little bit when I went to the bathroom? Yeah. On the way the bathroom and oh no, you need to come in because we need to test that so they test it out. That's amniotic fluid. So if Nope, you know, now you're in the hospital. So I was in the hospital for like 10 days before, I finally just said, Oh my gosh, if he if he said to hurry to get here, let's let's let's let him come. So, you know Pitocin for 24 hours, I was so sick they put me on magnesium sulfate I was just able to I was just incredibly sick the entire time in the hospital and then, you know, the neonatal comes in, they measure him for like this kids like seven pounds already. And I'm about six weeks, you know, like so it was that like 34 weeks at that time. So then they're like, well, we'll just get her up and walk around. Anyways, I tried everything. And then finally, the day I had him which was March 13. So it was like 35 weeks early. Like I was at 35. So five weeks or like you know, they came in and they're like, you're like full on on contractions on the on our machines and in the nurse's station and hearing you're laughing and having a good time. I'm like, I don't feel a thing. So they did one of those like little internal monitor things. And when they did that, they like pop the sack and it like I was throwing I was terrible. I was full on then and contractions, but only dilated like three centimeters and he's trying to come out it was just a mess. So they gave me the spinal block at that point. So then as I'm throwing up, I'm gonna lay in, you know, the side of the bed throwing up everywhere in there trying to put this in there like stay still and I'm like, Oh my gosh. So
Scott Benner 11:38
I don't want any babies to say something like get
Janet 11:43
it out. So he was relatively healthy. He you know, jaundice and then you know, in a oxygen tent for like three hours but he was healthy. He was 615 and 19 inches long and he's turned out to be a healthy human being. He was tall, great. probably
Scott Benner 11:56
scared. I don't know at three centimeters dilated. Have you ever been trapped into your blanket? In your bed? You can't find the edge of it. You start to panic. Yeah. Well, you think that's gotta be the same thing. You're like, everything I've read says this is where I go but I can't find it.
Janet 12:14
And it's so funny because they were like he's trying to push on he's getting like this cone head already. And I'm only like three centimeters and then once they deliver him you know how they measure their head, right? He was like 13 and a half centimeters his head. Oh, dear God. That's not natural.
Scott Benner 12:29
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Janet 15:16
in the funniest thing that, Scott is that when I developed the leak in the sack, they said it's at the very, very top of your, like, over your area, right? I said, like you said, this little finger, they're going like, you know, you're scratching it going, yeah, let me out. But so that's what I said, if he's in such a hurry to come into the world and knowing his personality Now it's perfect. Well, yeah, so he got here. But I always suspected that, that something went wrong in that process, like the hit something when they were doing the spinal tap. And that was what the pain was from. And I'm one of these people that tries to like, rationalize everything. Yeah. So. So you're
Scott Benner 15:57
under strain. You live with pain and stiffness, then moving forward? Yes. Okay. But how did they actually diagnose?
Janet 16:06
They didn't Is it funny story. I mean, I was going through a medical history for you. And I was like, dang, man, I went, like, I tried for many years, I January will come and I'll be like, this is the year, this is the year I'm going to fix myself and move forward. And so we ended up, my son goes off to college, we sold our big house, we moved into our vacation home up in Lake Arrowhead. And we're like, Okay, this is it, we're going to retire, I'm not going to have any stress, things are going to be better in my life. Well, they weren't. So there was a mountain doctor up there. They have no specialists like on the hill, you gotta go down the mountain. But there was this nice, you know, general practitioner, super nice guy who actually listened to you. And so he agreed to take, he had no type ones. But he agreed, as long as I stayed in range that he would, you know, continue to order the blood test. And if I needed to see the Endo, I'd have to go down the hill. And so I was talking with him one day, and it telling him about my constant pain. And he said to me, like, you know, that's not normal, right? And I said, Well, I've just been living with it for, you know, 20 plus years. And they tell me, you know, you know, oh, you have fibromyalgia, then they say, No, you don't have fibromyalgia? Oh, you have this? No, you don't have that, you know, it's just back and forth. Can because I won't live on antidepressants and pain meds, they just get aggravated with me. So he said, You know what, I, you know, after I've gotten to know you, you seem like a very rational person. So I'm going to send you to a neuro muscular specialist that I know down in Riverside, so I'm like, okay, so I go down there. And she sees me and does the whole, you know, brain, MRI, thoracic, and whatever the cervical all those MRIs. And sure enough, everything comes back normal, which is no ms. No problems with my spinal cord, per se. So she then doesn't have the equipment and sends me over to another local neurologist who does a EMG on me. And so that's the test where they put all the little needles in your arms and legs and in test your nerves and your knowing your muscles, okay, so they basically like shock you a little bit. So sure enough, that comes back abnormal. And then this whole time, I'm Gad, 65 Positive. So that's a huge marker for SPS. And so then they come to the conclusion. Oh, wow, we've never seen this case. And no one had ever seen a case of SPs and their practice. So they both got together and said, Yeah, man, this girl has stiff person syndrome. So,
Scott Benner 18:48
so how long did you get that diagnosis?
Janet 18:50
That was the end of 2019.
Scott Benner 18:53
But you believe it's been around since the birth of your 24 year old? Yes. So then the hard question is, you know, the hard question, right. Right. Doesn't this limit life expectancy?
Janet 19:07
It does somewhat, I think every case is different. It's definitely a degenerative type disease. And so when I I have a neurologist now who's pretty decent, he's, he hasn't, I'm the only one in his practice, but he saw it in his residency. So he said, you know, my, my guess is because you live a life that's very clean, like I don't drink alcohol, for the most part. Never have done drugs. And I'm extremely conservative with prescription medication even and, and I just try to eat as healthy as possible. He says, I think you're are keeping some of these other issues at bay, basically, like some people and I feel very fortunate because when I first found out you know, I go on YouTube, of course, right you Google it Yeah. And I was like, oh, dear Lord, right. Like I these people are in wheelchairs and I Having these full body spasms and I haven't experienced that yet, and I feel so thankful that I'm not at that. So I do limit a lot of interaction with, with stressful situations, such as family and in certain friends. I just say I can, I can't, I can no longer be in that relationship because it causes me stress.
Scott Benner 20:23
Yeah. So and, and treatments for this are like sedatives, muscle relaxers and steroids like stuff like that. Right?
Janet 20:30
Yeah. So the one they start you off with, which is what I stayed at. And I was, you know, hesitant, because I told the doctor, I'm like, Okay, let's we have to agree on on my treatment plan. I'm with all my doctors aren't we say we have to agree or else I won't do it. Yeah. So what they do to make sure that they have the right diagnosis as well is they give you 10 milligrams of Valium. So and you're supposed to take that twice a day. So if it doesn't knock you out and put you to sleep, right, then you have stiff person. And sure enough, it just definitely, I agreed that I would I didn't want to take it every single day because you end up there's people that are like 30 milligrams twice a day on Valium, and I just I don't want to live, whatever life I have left. I don't want to live like that. While my symptoms are not major,
Scott Benner 21:17
what are the symptoms? How does it look day to day, day to
Janet 21:21
day, so you know, pretty much you know, I wake up in the morning, and I'm stiff already. So I get out of bed, it takes you know a little bit, I always laugh because I say it feels like somebody like beat the bottom of my feet with a hammer while I was sleeping. So your first couple of steps are just like walking on shards of glass because you're so you don't relax at nighttime. So getting a restful night asleep. You know, on top of the type one diabetes is very difficult, right? So it's just you never your body's always tense. So you wake up in the morning feel like you ran a marathon last night. And then you get up and you get your routine going. But you know, getting up from the couch is a struggle, sometimes some days are better than others too. But I've noticed it's been really, really cold here lately. And the cold has just, it's just been a problem for I've had to take more value than I ever have, and actually have an appointment with a neurologist on Friday to talk about this. But your muscles just they freeze, they lock up. And you know, doing, like doing the dishes is very painful for me. You know, we have this big scene where you have to kind of lean over and wash the dishes. And we're not talking about a lot of dishes. I live for the most part by myself now. And I have to go sit down after I wash the dishes because my upper back just becomes like a vise. Okay, so then driving,
Scott Benner 22:47
can I ask have you tried weed?
Janet 22:50
I have not had to because I you know, I've always been that person. From a very young age, my sister did a lot of drugs. So I have an older sister. And so I was always very anti any kind of drugs. So I've never tried weed. And some people like I'm in some groups, obviously. And some people swear by it. Some people say it doesn't help that haven't gotten there yet. Like in my mind, I think that would be a huge hurdle for me.
Scott Benner 23:20
Can we pick through this for a second? Absolutely. I had this conversation with a doctor recently. They were asking my background. And I you know, I said oh, no, haven't done this. Haven't done that. They said Never. And I said No, never. And they go, okay. And I said, How about you? So the doctor is like a little older than me? And she says no, I never have. And I said why not? And she thought about it. And she said, I think I would feel like I was letting my parents down. And that's when we got to it because this is not a square person. This person I'm talking to do you know what I mean? And I think they know intellectually, and maybe even believe medically, that weed would be fine for them. And then we started talking about how we grew up and how like the messaging was, such as you know, like, don't use drugs. If you do drugs, bad things are gonna happen to you like in my mind, the way we grew up if I do drugs, all my teeth are gonna fall out. I'm gonna live under a bridge. And I'm going to eat out of rusty cans, and I'm gonna have to poop in the road. Like like that's like the LEAP my brain makes right because because that's just what that's what you're describing too. Right that you've been indoctrinated not to do this.
Janet 24:40
Yeah, I think after watching watching my sister and then how it affected our family. I tried to I have a lot of anxiety always have since I was very very young. And so ended up in you know, some psychotherapy due to the fact of trying to be, you know, the perfect wife at the time. Perfect student In perfect daughter, a perfect employee for everything had to be perfect in the world that I lived in. And I saw drugs and alcohol is an imperfection. So I still think that's why I'm hesitant even on the value, because they're like, if you took it every day, you'd feel much better. You'd have a better quality of life. And I'm like, I'm just terrified to be addicted to like anything. Like for some reason? Yeah,
Scott Benner 25:22
no, no. And so I would say, if you came to me privately, and you said that, I'd be like, listen, John, I'd prefer you smoke something like weed, and maybe don't smoke it like fine. I don't know if I'd be up for smoking all the time. But like, you know, a vape, or one of those hot vape I don't know, listen, I don't know a ton about it. But I'm saying like, overvalue like Well, why is it and this is where the argument gets. I always find interesting. Like, why is a pharmaceutical compound? Something that we all go? Yeah, that's fine. But nobody, but when you say like so there's, it's people of a certain age. If I said, Hey, you have a little anxiety. Maybe try smoking some weed, low Tea, tea. What is it? TS, th TCA th c thc. Sorry, there's so many T acronyms I don't even know. So so. So just something with low THC. And I'm not talking about like destroying, like a blunt, like, just have like a couple of puffs and see how you feel. And right away your brain is like, no, I'll become a drug addict, like people that I've known. And I'll live under a bridge, and I don't want to poop in the street. And like, like, you know, and blah, blah, blah or ruin everything. But the truth is, is that I think a massive amount of the population smokes weed. And you know, and I walk around, I keep waiting for Armageddon, it doesn't happen. And so but if I said you here's a pill, take it, and I was a doctor, you go okay,
Janet 26:46
well, yeah, some people me I'm like, the first thing I do is when somebody gives me a prescription as I go online, and I look to see like, I'm one of those and then you know, as growing up as a kid is still today, I was always I never took any drugs because I was for sure going to be that person that it was laced with something and then I was going to end up and I would be a vegetable in a hospital. My mind would know what's going on. But I would be like trapped in my body. It's legal
Scott Benner 27:11
where you live now. Right? Yeah. dispensaries and I mean, you obviously like, I'm gonna get you. I'm gonna get you on the weed. I think while we're talking. So
Janet 27:22
I'm gonna Puff the Magic Dragon.
Scott Benner 27:24
God, yeah. You're older than I am. In your mind. That's amazing. I'm older than you. And in age, you know, forget the age part. You would you went to that that's a reference that just everybody's like, that's what that's from like, yeah. And then there are plenty people like, I don't know what you're talking about. But I don't know. Like, it just seems to me that like, what would it hurt? Like, I don't think it's like you're gonna like because you could go to a dispensary and like bias, but like, you could probably buy single joints. Probably and just tell them like, here's my thing. Get one of those stone kids to look in the face and be like, Listen, tell me why. How do I make this go away? A little bit? I don't know. I'm down with you trying this. Plus you live on a mountain who? Who's there to judge it? Nobody?
Janet 28:13
Yeah, well, actually, we we moved. So after quick story. We moved up there. And we were gonna live there for three years. So it'd be our residence. Right? And oh my gosh, we had a snowstorm now not like the snowstorm they just got, which we're thankful that we don't live there anymore, because they got 10 feet of snow. Yes, it was horrible. I would have, you know, because my husband even said you would have had a panic attack and probably died inside the house because you couldn't see out the window or get out or whatever. And probably so we got three and a half feet when things giving and, and that alone was like it was so hard and our son couldn't get up to help us. And so there we are shoveling snow because we couldn't even get out the front door. And it was just crazy. So then my husband got this wonderful idea. Now he's from he's from a different country. He's from Argentina. But he got this idea to build a beautiful house on the beach in Rosarito, Mexico. And that's where we were going to, you know, live. So we moved down there and then I made it like, a year and a half. And then I'm like, I can't live here anymore. Like, I didn't like it. So I ended up coming back to our very first house that we bought when we got married and we had a renter in it and I told him
Scott Benner 29:29
What didn't you like about Mexico?
Janet 29:32
I didn't like we were in very south Mexico like the southern part of Rosarito. So it was very isolated and wasn't like you had to be home at night like you couldn't you couldn't go anywhere at nighttime. So and it wasn't so much like cartel or anything like that. It was more the drunk gringos driving because you know, in Mexico, they think there's no laws so the roads were very, very dangerous. And you know, the whole thing nothing happens good after dark well That's how it was down there. And, and I enjoy. Now you're gonna laugh at me, but so I enjoy like karaoke and singing and going out and not drinking and just having fun and, and those things don't happen at night. So where I am now I go and and I'm surrounded by like 78 year old people. It's funny, I'm definitely an old soul, I'm in the senior choir here and then I go to karaoke is at this very, very old restaurant. And you know, the first night I sit down, and I'm actually sitting with one of my high school teachers, and it was just kind of funny.
Scott Benner 30:38
I have to admit, we're not all the way through your story. And I don't know if we're gonna figure it out. But you've laid breadcrumbs that I can't connect. So, so you said that I mostly live alone now. And I thought, Oh, she got divorced or somebody died. And then it sounds like you just left him in Mexico.
Janet 30:58
I did. So like, I'll
Scott Benner 30:59
be back. Maybe. How long have you been married? Let all the people let the younger people know how long you have to be married before you go. I don't like Mexico. More than I like you. I gotta go.
Janet 31:12
So this year, this September will be 30 years.
Scott Benner 31:15
That's the number when I could just say, Kelly, I'm gonna leave. I'll be back in about four.
Janet 31:19
Yeah, yeah. So it was kind of crazy, Scott, because we decided that you know, what, like, this is about we're at a point in our life where, you know, our son has grown and, and we've done everything that, you know, we have these businesses that we built, we're both entrepreneurs. And we have everything we need, we're able to retire. So we retired, kind of on the younger side. And but we both want each other to be happy. Yeah. So and he just loves the ocean. He loves to watch the ocean. And I know that sounds terrible, but I don't like the ocean. It's loud. It's distracted. Like, you can never turn it off. It's like this constant noise even when the windows closed.
Scott Benner 31:55
Does it mess with your anxiety? It does.
Janet 31:58
It's I don't have any, like peace there. And so then, and then we have like the quota, which is like their toll road on the other side with the trucks that come down the ramp that are their big eat breaks or whatever they're called. And, and there's just there's a lot of construction because it's newer development. And, and all the people there love to party, and I'm not a party girl. I never have been never will be. And it was just kind of, you know, and then and then I made the mistake of getting on the HOA board as their treasurer because I'm an accountant. Oh, dear Lord, right. Talk about anxiety, stress.
Scott Benner 32:34
So we're not using all this money properly.
Janet 32:36
Yeah, well, no, no, I'm just just the people are just
Scott Benner 32:39
being involved with. Yes. So do I'm so sorry. I'm gonna ask you a horrible. Do you miss your husband day to day?
Janet 32:48
You know, I think we talk more, that we're now that we're like, you know, whatever that is 300 miles apart than we do when we're in the same house. So it's kind of it's kinda interesting.
Scott Benner 33:01
Wow, that the way you talk about it is so free and easy. That yeah, that you don't seem encumbered by that at all. And so I'm interested.
Janet 33:11
Yeah, and he comes like, so for around the holidays. He was here for about six weeks and he's actually here for he leaves this Saturday. He's been here for a month because our son's birthday, and he came up for some doctor's appointments for himself. And if I have a lot of stuff on my agenda, then he'll come up and help out we have two dogs that are rescues and once a handful so he's keeping her at bay right now quiet.
Scott Benner 33:37
Yeah, like Kelly here this or there's no way she's gonna stay here. She's
Janet 33:42
it's actually it's actually a nice after 30 years. And, and our son being grown and out and about, I kind of, I think both of us enjoy having some alone time, if that makes sense. No,
Scott Benner 33:58
it's interesting, because you're not talking about like a dissolution of anything. You don't mention you're not separated. You don't like that's not how you think of any of this, right?
Janet 34:05
No, like you neither one of us have, like, Oh, I'm gonna go out and get myself a boyfriend or girlfriend or I need this we just kind of like I want you to be happy in the ocean makes him super happy. And he loves to watch it and he enjoys you know, watching TV and, and I'm more like, I enjoy it. Well, it's funny because I have like a crocheting group that comes over on to my house on Monday on Mondays and there's like six of us and they actually told me, you don't have to coach anymore because you're so bad at it. I used to actually do something else. I'd be like this little other thing, but it was funny because I am such an anxiety ridden person that I'm so focused on trying to get the little thingy, the stitches or whatever you call them. Correct. And they're so tight, that you can't do proper crochet. They like that. And so after like three weeks, they're like, you know, you don't you have to crochet if you, you know, maybe it's not your thing, Janet and but we'd still love to come over to your house and you can do a different kind of,
Scott Benner 35:12
we liked how clean it is here your food is terrific. So you're gonna love it one day when you move into an old folks home, you're gonna be finally old people the way I like it. Nothing to do everything set up for me, you're gonna be like, 12 o'clock, I gotta go to lunch.
Janet 35:28
Yeah, so I'm like, and then like I said, at the senior center here is 50 plus. So I'm like, you know, senior ukulele. I just started, like, trying to play the ukulele. And then I do the choir. And we go and we perform it, like, you know, what do they call those? Oh, assisted living centers or whatever? Yeah. And, and I, you know, I just figured, like, I just got to try to live the best life that I possibly can live. Because I don't know. And none of us know. But I don't know, when I'm gonna have issues like when Celine Dion came out with, you know, she can't talk anymore. Because she has said person syndrome. You know, all of us in that society are like, we felt bad. But we're like, yes. Finally, there's somebody that people know, that has this, you know, disease. And so we're really hoping to bring some education and hopefully research funds to it because it's so rare. And then I look, I look at her and I think, oh, you know, because she's probably, you know, yeah, you sometimes have throat spasms. I haven't experienced that. But she probably can't walk around and get around the stage as much as she'd like to. So that's probably what's limiting her
Scott Benner 36:38
weight limits people's ages. How does it do it? Like through stiffening of organs?
Janet 36:43
Yeah, so Oh, yeah. So like, so when I'm driving a car, I think that was gonna take so if I'm, I'm driving along, right? minding my own business, and everything's good. And then somebody's like, honks their horn. And so if you, we have a startle reflex. So when we get startled, we normally have a spasm. And so when I'm driving, it seems to be like my diaphragm. So like, it just literally takes my breath away. Like, I just can barely breathe. And I'm like, try not to, you know, fixate on that and, and then like, looking over my shoulder, thank God, I have my car that has all the beeping that goes on, if I get in the wrong lane, or somebody's next to me, but like, even like looking over your shoulder can cause a spasm. I just like
Scott Benner 37:27
I was totally interesting. Hold on a second, you said like, do you try to? Is it possible to control them with, like relaxation techniques,
Janet 37:35
I tend to, like, try to so the the best thing I do is, if I lay down, everyone laughs because I gotta go lay down. I'm not talking about sleeping. Like I'm not, I don't need to take a nap. But if I get horizontal, like during the middle of the day, for at least 2030 minutes, then the rest of the day is okay. But if I don't get that, that rest and relaxation, where I'm just like, Okay, I'm not moving, I'm not doing anything, then I'm usually in extreme pain by the by the end of the evening. So, yeah, I think
Scott Benner 38:10
I'm not a doctor job. I think that's obvious if you listen to the podcast, possible that I'm not even a high school graduate. But I mean, I did technically get the paper. But I think you should smoke weed. I really, I mean, it just seems like obvious to me. And again, I'm not talking about and you're on? I'm not talking about like, you shouldn't be, I'm not telling you to smoke all day long or anything like that. But I would just wonder if a few puffs before bed wouldn't be a good place to start and see if you don't wake up feeling better. And if that's the case, then maybe you do a little bit, like on a schedule. Do you don't I mean? Yeah,
Janet 38:49
yeah. So after this podcast, I'll be like googling all this. You're telling me because Oh, my
Scott Benner 38:55
God. You haven't? I have? No, I've googled the hell out of it. Just while we're talking. A lot of people.
Janet 39:01
I have no idea. I have no idea how we eat or marijuana, whatever you want to call it affects people. Like I don't know if some people are affected in one way and some people are affected another way. I have no idea.
Scott Benner 39:12
I have a question. I'm gonna start asking people this question all the time. Describe how you think it's going to be
Janet 39:19
I guess I, I revert to my high school days where I think I'm going to be just like, yeah, man, and, you know, just stupid. And I'm an intelligent woman. So I wouldn't ever want to come off like, like brain dead. So that's kind of that's what I think.
Scott Benner 39:34
But you're by yourself in the house. Nobody's saying Yeah. You can call me if you want. If you start saying stupid shit. I'll talk to you. Here's what I'm thinking we should do. Maybe I should get weed and smoke it on the podcast, and then we'll, we'll find out. How's that? You tell me how to fix you and then maybe I'll try. I guarantee you. If it's based on the rest of my life, nothing will happen. I'll just be like, Oh, another thing other people enjoy. way that I'm getting nothing from.
Janet 40:01
Right. That's what I hear that too. Like, maybe it doesn't do anything to some people.
Scott Benner 40:06
So, no, I think it's gonna get you good. But I just think a little bit. No. All right, that's it. Let's get past that I'm sorry stiff person syndrome terrible anything else?
Janet 40:17
Let's see for me no.
Scott Benner 40:19
All right well, diabetes.
Janet 40:21
Okay well yeah my type one so
Scott Benner 40:23
does the cold urticaria still happen?
Janet 40:26
No, you know, it was something I grew out of about about 1314 So in my teenage years,
Scott Benner 40:31
how's your energy?
Janet 40:33
You know, I get tired but like they have before this before having the diagnosis of stiff person I think I dwelled on it more like oh my god, I'm tired all the time. Because when I went back to look through my my bloodwork, I'm like, man, they ran like my thyroid test and like, over and over and over and I'm, it's fine. Like, I've never had an issue with it. So but I get tired, but I kind of contributed to like, I'm pretty active. So you know, I'm not the woe is me person and lay in bed all day.
Scott Benner 41:06
Right? Right. So of these issues, obviously the cold eldercare is not an issue anymore stiff persons is it seems like a pretty overwhelming but a Lago we've given up on filling in those holes. How what do you think of more during the day? Do you think more about type one or the stiffness?
Janet 41:25
I think during the day, more On My Mind is the type one because I think I have more control over that than I do this stiff person syndrome.
Scott Benner 41:34
Okay. Prior to being intimate with your husband has he ever said oh, you're giving me stiff person syndrome be honest. No, I feel like you're lying about that. But that's okay. All right. So such an obvious Do you know that we brought up Celine Dion Dion? I thought Oh, I bet you she regrets singing a song called My Heart Will Go On. And I never said that out loud because it seemed inappropriate, but I just Alright, there's been no inappropriate dialogue about stiffness with you and a man.
Janet 42:13
No, because you know, before the Celine Dion I never told hardly anyone, even my parents. No one really knew because it sounded like so made up like it was.
Scott Benner 42:23
It's got a hokey name. Yeah, I'm with you on that.
Janet 42:28
Used to be called Tin Man. They call it Tin Man. And they used to be they used to call it stiff Man Syndrome, but more women have it than men. And it was just I was told for so long. Oh, it's all in your head. It's all in your head. Just exercise, you're gonna feel better, just you know. And then to finally be like, Oh, my gosh, I'm not crazy, you know?
Scott Benner 42:46
Yeah. You said earlier, you didn't do that. They talked about giving you like antidepressants. Did you ever try them? Yeah, I tried
Janet 42:55
them one time. And they had put me on Wellbutrin. And my husband he he had he restored it when he bought cars from auctions and then restored them like mostly classic cars, and then resold them mostly to Europe. Right? That's his job. So while I was on that, for a short period of time, he sent me to an auto auction to bet on some cars. And it was bad because the Wellbutrin gave me this. I'm like, like, I don't know, can't touch this kind of syndrome, you know. And so I was like, over Betty and I bought all these cars that were like, I paid way too much money for and, and I got home and he's just like, What in the world? I'm like, I don't know, I was just like an outer body experience.
Scott Benner 43:43
We own a $40,000 Pinto. It was really good paint on it. We'll sell it to a French person, it will be fine.
Janet 43:50
Yes. And he wasn't mad at me. He was just like, Okay, well, you're never going good. And I told them I said, I don't even know what happened. It's like something overcame me and, and I had when I was on it, I just had this like, I could do anything. What do you
Unknown Speaker 44:04
think of yourself as depressed? You know,
Janet 44:06
I think since I had some really difficult years that came, they started in 2016. And from 2016 to 2020 Well, probably when I moved I was able to move back from Mexico. Yeah, you know, and, and day that I'm better every day I'm getting better and better. But let me tell you that depression is real. So
Scott Benner 44:34
here because what you felt was likely the lifting of the Depression. Yeah, with the Wellbutrin? Well, yeah,
Janet 44:40
like I said, I it scared me so bad that I was like, No, I'm not taking this. So
Scott Benner 44:46
that was it. You start turning into yourself and you're like, I don't like me at all.
Janet 44:49
Yeah, it was just well, it's like an alter ego, like some like Superwoman, kind of,
Scott Benner 44:54
so you see yourself more as reserved and intelligent. And, and measured. Yes. And when you're not when you're not, you don't like that about yourself?
Janet 45:05
Yes, that's accurate.
Scott Benner 45:09
Okay, there are there are lines to draw together here. I don't know what they are yet. Do you see them?
Janet 45:18
I do because but then I perform, you know, I go out and I sing in front of strangers, and I do other things that that are more, you know, outside of my, my normal what I would say personality,
Scott Benner 45:33
but still a controlled environment, though, right, you're part of a group you show up at a plan, etc? Would you stop in the middle of the mall and start singing?
Janet 45:41
No, not unless I was trying to like embarrass my son or something.
Scott Benner 45:47
So I don't mean to infer because obviously, again, not a doctor. And there's a lot going on here. But there seems to be a through line between how your body acts and how your mind acts.
Janet 45:59
I think so. Yes.
Scott Benner 46:01
Were there ever times in Mexico where your stiff syndrome went away? Or was it worse?
Janet 46:07
It was worse because my anxiety was like off the roof. You know, like I was I felt suffocated and trapped. And it was an angry all the time it was it was really bad.
Scott Benner 46:20
And when you go to the mountains, it's not that relaxing, because now it's colder there. And they're draining isolated, and you're isolated, which you don't like either. So yeah, I like being around people, but not people who make a lot of noise or a lot of commotion.
Janet 46:36
Yeah, so I up there I in the mountains, I tried to join a women's group, which I have more male friends and I do female friends just because of the cattiness and drama right? So I'm like, Okay, well, I need to find something up here. And I had just, we moved up there in 2018. And that month, I mean, it was probably a week before we moved up there. We had my husband's friend had come to stay with us for just less than 24 hours. And, you know, he ended up committing suicide in our home and I was there. So my god I was in. Yeah, I was in a bad place. So we moved to the mountains, like almost immediately, and isolation and I was like recognizing that, okay, I have to like, find something. So I joined this women's group through the church and, and it was okay, like I said, first experience, but the mountain people were very, if you weren't born and raised on the mountain, then you'll never, you'll never be part of our, our culture type thing. So I had made friends with another lady that had just moved from Austin, Texas, and her and I kind of hung out and she she definitely she was older than me and she definitely helped get me centered and, and move past that part of my anxiety. And, you know,
Speaker 3 47:58
yeah, so that was, that was tough. Sorry, that's a lot. It was a lot. It was like, yeah, when you invite
Scott Benner 48:07
somebody to live in your house for a little while, like you think they're gonna leave hair in the bathroom, in the middle, like, probably not gonna eat on our schedule, like those of you don't. And this was that an out of the blue thing.
Janet 48:18
It was, it was a lifelong friend of my husband's. And when we first had bought our first house, he had come to live with us, right? He had just come to from Argentina to get himself situated. So he lived with us at that point for about eight months. This is before children and everything, you know, we were never here anyway. So we're like, okay, and he got himself settled and did very well. Hadn't, hadn't heard from him in about 10 years, but now things haven't gone. He's you know, married, he's got a child, the same age as ours. And, and, you know, out of the blue, we get a phone call, Hey, you know, I don't have anywhere to stay, can I come visit you and maybe stay with you a little bit. And we were kind of like, wait, what, you know, as far as we knew, he was married with his child, whatever. And so my husband being my husband said, Sure, you know, come on, and, and he came over and everything seemed okay. I mean, he definitely had some issues going on, but we didn't think that that was going to happen,
Scott Benner 49:15
right? No, I mean, how would you like that? That's Wow. Yeah. Where? Well, hold on. How do you manage your diabetes? Here you MDI use a pump? Do you have a CGM?
Janet 49:28
So I do that I have the Deaf Dexcom six, and I have the Omni pod fi which I just started in January of this year.
Speaker 3 49:37
Oh, how are you finding it? Good, you know,
Janet 49:40
thankful for your podcast. Let me tell you, that's a funny story. Because you know, I was on the I was on the euros from 2017. And then the dash from I think I started it in early 2020. So then the Omnipod five I needed to wait for a second because of ice Switched insurances from being $3,000 for it to three, or you know, zero copay. So I was like, Okay, I could wait. So I go on it no training girl, the girl called me and she said, Wait, what's our appointment floor? And I said, I think it's training for the Omni pod. And she's like, Oh, you don't need training, just watch the videos, you'll be fine. So I was like, All right. So then, after seeing on your Facebook group, you know, like, yeah, I was experiencing the same thing everybody else did. It was fantastic. I wasn't having lows at night, I was finally sleeping, you know, through the night last, you know, 20? Well, 24 years, I say, because once you have children, you never sleep the same, right? And then, and then I was having the highs. And so then I listened to your Pro Tip series. And I'm like, Oh, the light bulb went off, you know, like, okay, I can do this. Keep it in automated work through it. Correct? Correct. Correct. Correct. Correct. You know, and it's going really well, for me, I'm definitely using more insulin now. But, you know, my I'm like, 80% of the time and range. So good for you. Yeah.
Scott Benner 51:02
Well, that's excellent. I'm glad it was awful. And I'm glad it's, I mean, I'm glad it's working for Where do you keep, you're able to say,
Janet 51:09
oh, so my last one was 6.8. So I'm hoping to improve upon that. But a funny story is, my endocrinologist called me the other day. And she's like, Oh, congratulations, you know, you're down from 7.1 to 6.8. And, and then then she says to me, Well, I noticed that your evening from like six to 10, your sugars are running a little high. And so I say to her, I said, Well, I think most of that is because, you know, I've eaten my dinner, like, you know, probably like by five, and then you know, the whole stiff person syndrome by six, I'm done. Like, I need to lay down and be done. I can't be up and around doing stuff. And I think that's probably lack of movement around. And so she says to me, she goes, Well, I want you to go in and increase your Basal during that period. So then I say to her, I'm like, Well, I don't think that's going to work because I'm trying to stay in automated mode the whole time. And I've just been trying to correct those highs. She's like, No, no, no, no, no, you need to change your Basal rate for that period. And so the nice, I mean, 20 minutes later, she finally said, Wait, are you telling me that, that it works like some other pump? I don't even know what she's talking about. And
Scott Benner 52:33
you're sitting there having a conversation with somebody and they don't know how you're on the pod five works?
Janet 52:38
Yes. Because then she says to me, I said, I listened to the juice box podcast, which is funny, because in my notes afterwards, she but she's been listening to something called Juicebox Podcast. And you could clearly tell she was annoyed with me. But I kept just saying to her like, but I need you to listen to me. Like, I think that you're not correct. She's like, I've been telling people for seven months or whatever, that you know that it does an automatic an automated mode, pick up your new Basal rates that you're putting in and I'm like, Well, I'm just telling you that that's not how I understand it. So then she agreed to go back and research with her Omni pod rep.
Scott Benner 53:17
Right? Find out that she was wrong. Right? Yeah. So hey, I'm having an idea, Janet, for your episode. When I come on and edit it later. I might start it like this. I might go Hello, friends, and welcome to blah, blah, blah, episode of The Juicebox Podcast. There we go. I might do that just for her. Okay, yeah.
Janet 53:36
So in my notes, you know, because you can always go and see your after summary notes or whatever. There was an email in there to me, she she emailed me and said, After further research, she believes that what I said was correct, but she's going to double make sure with somebody else. So
Scott Benner 53:51
she thought you were wrong. double checked. found out you were right. Still want to give up? Yeah, cuz she doesn't want the Juicebox Podcast to be something that she doesn't know about. And that it works better than Oh, yeah. So how long did she fight that one? So she was like, Hey, you're right. That's not how that works.
Janet 54:08
Yes, after like I said, 20 minutes later, it was like legit 20 minutes. And then I just said, Will you agree to like, in she's like, well, if you're, if you're right, you're telling me I think she said the Medtronic is that sound right? It works like the whatever I told her I don't know it's first pump I've ever been on I'm just telling you that I don't think changing my Basal rate is going to help me if I stay in the automatic mode
Scott Benner 54:32
on the pod five takes settings that you give it on day one, and it makes decisions with those settings. But if you go back and say I know I told you one unit of insulin is my Basal rate, but I really should have said 1.3 and you change it you will change that setting but it will only work in manual mode that way. Okay. It's that's what I thought Yeah, the best. The best way to train the Omnipod five is to start with good solid settings right that that are reflective of your insulin needs probably be a little closer to 5050 Basal to Bolus. And once you're on it, if you get high Bolus, like help it, like if you go to 200 and sit there, Bolus because then the algorithms like well, I thought this much, but obviously we needed this much and it'll start to adjust off of that.
Speaker 3 55:22
Yes. Okay. That's that's what I that's what you were doing.
Scott Benner 55:25
Yeah. Except your your medical professional didn't do you think someone from all the pods listening right now going? What more do you think we could do? And then just rubbing their head really hard? But yeah, I mean, I get it. Like, they're, I mean, they're at this point. Now, you need to know how to talk to people about how to use you know, loop and control IQ and Omnipod five, and Medtronic has an algorithm. And like, in the end, there's the way you would talk about diabetes somebody if they were just using a regular pumper and MDI and probably gets confusing after a while. Not everybody's like, as giddy as I am when, you know, talking about stuff like this.
Janet 56:02
I think it's I think it's, it was frustrating for me, but whatever.
Unknown Speaker 56:05
Yeah, no. Good. So,
Janet 56:09
okay, so I want to run quickly through my auto immunes as quickly as possible and my family so you can see. Wow, right. So, you know, sister, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, mom. She has ITP. So the immune thrombocytopenia, things how you say it, and then she has fibroid, but she's not sure if it's how she motives or not. So I'm like, Okay.
Scott Benner 56:36
Well, your mom has a blood clotting disorder. Yes.
Janet 56:39
So she's low platelets. But then I when I was looking at that cold urticaria thing for me, because I knew it had a name. I just didn't know what it was. I I came across something called a cold ag gluten disease, which is like C ad. And I told my mom, I said, I think you need to give that because she has every single one of those symptoms. So I said, I think you need to give that to your blood person doctor and see if that's maybe because it's very, very rare to so and then everything's on Wi
Scott Benner 57:09
Fi is a problem with histamines. Excuse me.
Janet 57:13
I think so. Yeah. She has some really weird stuff going on. And so I told her, I think you should not ignore this and you should dig into it, mom, but you know, she's 76. So she's like,
Unknown Speaker 57:27
just today, it's almost over?
Janet 57:29
Yes, yes. She's like, I'm just counting the day like a Claritin,
Scott Benner 57:34
or is there a tech or something even might be valuable taken once a day just to see if she sees any difference? So she get like hives and swelling
Janet 57:42
as she does? She doesn't I mean, yeah, she doesn't like she said shingles like three times she has all these weird things. And so I just actually started her on the digestive enzymes that you had referred. And I've been taking them and it's made a huge difference. Do tell, please. Yeah, she has. She has like irritable bowel syndrome, and colitis, and all that good stuff. And so I told her, I'm like, I'm like, take these and see how you feel. And so she got them a couple of days ago. So I'm going to check in with her. And I started taking them probably about three weeks ago, and I noticed a huge difference. So like, everything's more regular now and like dairy doesn't affect me as much and kind of like her
Speaker 3 58:22
and talk. But stomach doesn't hurt. Yes,
Janet 58:25
my stomach doesn't hurt after eating. So that's a huge for me, like I've struggled with that my entire life.
Scott Benner 58:31
Yeah, all you needed was for my daughter to have a similar problem. And then you find the podcast, they were also
Janet 58:36
I know, right? So I'm going to order those. I ordered them on Amazon. And they came and I'm like, I'm gonna try so
Scott Benner 58:42
good for you. It only took me three years of banging my head on this desk that I'm sitting right next to right now to figure out what to do. That's all it's just conversations and doctor's appointments and standing back and going like this here. This could be this ruling out a bunch of stuff, and then going at it from like, a common sense perspective. And truth is without the podcast, your stomach still hurts and so does Ardennes. Because I wouldn't have, I wouldn't have had the time to think about it. I'm
Janet 59:11
very thankful. People like it. It won't hurt to try. So you should try them.
Scott Benner 59:17
You know, it's similar. Like when people have like, Well, my TSH is like three but my doctor won't give me thyroid medication. Like just try it. Because if your symptoms start going away, you know, great, and if not, doesn't hurt anything to try. Yeah, it's not like you're taking a medication that's going to you know, make your foot fall off. If it's the wrong medication. You try it and it's not what you need. It's not what you need. If it is what you need. Great. Yep. All right. So wait, keep going with the family stuff. And by the way, what else was I gonna say about your mom? I thought of something and it fell out of my head. Oh, are you sure she has colitis? Or is it possible? She's celiac.
Janet 59:57
I don't think she's celiac. I think she's been tested for that.
Scott Benner 1:00:00
So, okay, well, alright, so what else?
Janet 1:00:04
Okay, so at number one, you know she has psoriasis and number two vasculitis, rheumatory arthritis. And number three has lupus, Ms. Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis. Her daughter has Potts. And then you know, my grandma had the middle, the middle ego. And then you know, it's question. They're like, well, you know, when she was really bad with her Alzheimer's, we were giving her insulin. And I said, So was she a type one? We don't know. Her blood sugar's were like 400. And we would call and they would just tell us to inject her with some insulin. And to not worry too much because she was dying anyway. So they're like, oh, my gosh. So they can't tell me if she was type one or two. So which is which is not helpful for me? Of course, right?
Unknown Speaker 1:00:54
Yeah. Frustrating that she?
Janet 1:00:56
Yeah. So then she had psoriasis. And then my son so far, he just has a little bit eczema. So you know, like atopic dermatitis. So, so far, I'm hoping he gets more of his dad's genes. So that's autoimmune.
Scott Benner 1:01:09
Yeah. Do you have him tested for like, at as well visits? Do they look at his thyroid? Did they look at stuff like that?
Janet 1:01:16
You know, I try so hard with him. The good thing is he was he was an athlete in for college. So they did some testing. You know, he played water polo since he was nine and got a scholarship to go play and so that he the problem with him is you when you go to draw his blood, he like throws up and passes out. It's like, it's not okay, dramatic. Yeah. So trying to get him but every once in a while, I'll like, hold him down and like, test his blood just to see to make sure you know that he's in range. But he's getting married at the end of this year to a girl that's going to be a nurse. So I told her, I'm like, he's gonna become your problem.
Unknown Speaker 1:01:53
Yeah, exactly. Good luck. Yeah.
Janet 1:01:56
But he was dating a girl, like, pretty seriously for a while where the mom had same as me, and I'll type one, but later in life, and then I said to him, I'm like, oh, man, dude, like, I don't know. You know, supposed to be not hereditary, but you never know. Right? So,
Scott Benner 1:02:13
you know, I don't understand how people can do I just misunderstand the word hereditary. Because, like, I don't I don't understand how so many people can come out and talk about all of these connections have auto immune through their families then go but type ones not hereditary. No, but auto immune issues are. So yeah, yeah.
Janet 1:02:36
So and I'll tell you a quick story on that. So okay, so how, how did my type one diagnosis happen? It's kind of interesting. So you know, I'm going on through life, everything's fine, super thin as a kid, you know, and always had issues with food I never wanted to eat and like, because my stomach always hurt, basically. Right. So then I you know, get married, everything's fine. Have my son. I'm not no gestational diabetes, everything is fine. So then, in 2004, we decided, okay, you know, we need health insurance. I mean, life insurance, because now we have a kid. So I have the fasting blood, you know, it's fine at one. Perfect. So then, that was the end of 2014, January 2005. Again, I'm like, I'm gonna get in shape. I'm gonna drop this baby weight, right? I call it baby weight. But you know what my kids like, oh, six now. I'm like, I'm gonna drop it. So I start doing all this intense exercise. And I have like my first abnormal period ever in my life. So I'm like, Well, you know, my whole family's had all these fibroid tumors. All the women have already had hysterectomy is by this time, you know, so I'll go to the gynecologist and make sure nothing's going on. So you know, they do the ultrasound, and they do the endo vaginal ultrasound, and they're like, Oh, you're fine. As far as your gynecological stuff, but we observed a high hydro ureter on your right side. You don't really see an obstruction but you know, you're going to have to go to urologist because this can be really dangerous. And I'm like, okay, but I feel fine. No problem. So I go see the neurologist now. I mean, the urologist so I don't know if you've ever been to urologist but every time you go the first thing they do is make you pee in a cup right? And they test your urine and then you go back and everything's fine. I've no sugar in my urine. Everything's fine. So then the lady's like yeah, if you have a uterus heal this can be really dangerous because you know it backs up the urine into your kidney and then you could have kidney failure and kidney transplant so I'm like oh my god right. Chicken Little right for me the sky is
Scott Benner 1:04:48
falling like free you're not good with stuff like this to begin with. No,
Janet 1:04:52
no, no, I'm all in I'm researching it now. Right? Like, oh my god, what is this thing that like? They think I have right so me not being very well, at this point. I didn't question the doctors I think as much as as I do now. Definitely. So they ordered a you know, a CT. Okay, that seems pretty harmless. Right? Okay, non invasive. So with contrast and like okay, everything went well and they are Yeah, it just it shows something on the right little kidney stone and a little bit of my right kidneys a little enlarged and blah, blah, blah. So, so I go back and then she's like, Yeah, but we have to do further testing. I'm like, Okay, so now they do, like, another ultrasound and they're like, Okay, yeah, we still see something. No, no sugar in my urine still, but I'm gaining weight now. So then they do this test. Avoiding Sisto youth or gram. So you basically lay on a table, they put an IV in you, right? And then you're supposed to pee on the table. Like, they put towels into you and you're supposed to pee in front of all these people and like, I couldn't do it obviously because I'm like, I just can't do it. So then you they let me go to the bathroom and then they come back and they said, No, there's no evidence of reflux. So I'm like, Okay, so now I'm thinking okay, I'm done, right? Yeah. And still no sugar in the urine. So then she's like, well, you know what we do have to do you know, one more test because we have to make sure because this could be like, between meeting a kidney and kidney and I'm like, okay, so it was called a LASIK. augmentin, Reno gram. So I looked it all up and then I saw that, like, LASIK had like some sulfur in it, but a trace amount. And so they said, hey, you know, I'm really allergic to sulfa. So Oh, no, you'll be fine. And then I noticed like, the nurse was sick. She was like, Coffeen, and didn't think much of it. So they inject you with this LASIK, and you have an IV and you and you have a catheter, and you and they just basically watch you know, it all go down, and how it, it flows out. So yes, everything, it just shows my my right uterus a little bit smaller than my left. But I woke up the next morning with a fever, like, 103 chills, and I called the doctor and they, they prescribed like, macro datain. And then I had some allergic reaction to it. So again, you know, I call the doctor, I'm like, Uh, hey, I'm having an allergic reaction to this, and the nurses all like, oh, just keep taking the medicine. I'm like, oh, man, keep in taking the medicine. So I went into the doctor in like, two days later, they test my sugar. They tested my urine and they're like, oh, my gosh, you're a diabetic. So like, overnight, like, boom,
Scott Benner 1:07:28
figure that out? No problem. Right.
Janet 1:07:31
So then, but my fasting blood glucose is only like 154. Okay, so, okay. So then I'm thinking, you know, what, my kidneys are probably just like overtaxed. Right, right. Because, like, you've been doing all this stuff to me, and then I got sick. And then I had this medication that I was allergic to, and, you know, so I'm just thinking, Okay, it's, it's going to take time. So, it went on, you know, I went, I went and they're like, Okay, yeah, you're kind of your, your type two. Because, you know, you weigh like, 165 at this time. So you know, I'm five, four, lose some weight, because you're, you know, the Sabbath. So I'm like, okay, it just keeps it this goes on for years. And I'm talking about years. So type two, now I'm running. Okay, so I'm down to like, 130. And now my doctor is like, You look sick, you don't look healthy anymore. Like, you know, are you sure you're eating enough? Or not helpful? And then in my control issues in my anxiety, I'm like, feeling horrible about myself because I'm like, why can't I get better? What's going on? Why can I not get better? And then my numbers, she has me like taking Actos and by Janna in and I couldn't tolerate Metformin, it hurt my stomach too much. And I mean, she tried like every drug that was in her, you know, Januvia and everything that was in her little case up there. I think I tried. And so I, when was this it was about was in 2000? Oh, yeah, it was October 2010. I even wrote my notes here. I get I get mad at this point. Like, I'm, I'm pissed because my I'm down to like, 140. My agency is 7.9 at this point. And she says to me, I think you're just too stressed. You should probably quit your job. And I'm like, Yeah, because it wouldn't be stressful if I just sat home and did nothing. I own my own company and like, right, like
Scott Benner 1:09:30
the reaction to the test result was you should quit your job.
Janet 1:09:34
Yes, that's what she told me. She just I don't know what else to tell you. Because I think this is just your anxiety that's making my and I'm taking a ton of medication at this point
Scott Benner 1:09:43
where she thinks you have almost an eight a one C because of anxiety. Yes, yes. Do you do you live under the imaginary bridge that we talked about earlier? Like where are you finding these doctors that
Janet 1:09:54
well, and this was a very well known and liked endo in the area.
Scott Benner 1:10:00
All right. She didn't talk about this, like, maybe we should use more insulin.
Janet 1:10:03
Yeah. Yeah, here's the thing, because I think at that point, I was on l'avenir and something else but so I just I lose my I lose my mind at this point. Right. So I'm like, Yeah, so I tell my husband, I said, you know, I think I think I'm allergic to something or something's going on. There's, there's something else going on. Because look at how thin I am. And like, you see what I eat. Like, I was basically just eating like salad with like, a little bit of vinegar and oil on it. And, you know, that's it. And so I decided to go to like a naturopathic doctor in the area who is new to the area, I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna go see what he can do for me. So the first thing he says to me, he's like, Wait, you're a type two? And I said, Yeah, that's what they tell me. And he's like, Well, have you ever been tested for get 65? And I'm like, I don't even know what that is. So my answer is going to be no, I guess. So. He's like, let's do that first. So he tested me. And sure enough, I'm positive. So then he said to me at that point, he said, You need to find an endocrinologist that knows what they're doing. Because you need insulin, like you're never gonna get better on these medications that you're on, right. Yeah. So I came home. And I, I emailed two of the big major centers out here, which is UCLA, and then Loma Linda. So either direction of me, and the director of the diabetes Center, and UCLA call me like from his personal cell phone. He's like, hey, you know, I want your case, while you drive out here. It was like, it's an hour with no traffic. But in traffic, it could be two to three hours. So I'm like, Yeah, sure, no problem. So I go out there. And he explains to me, and I don't know if this is true or not, but I'm gonna tell you what he said to me.
Scott Benner 1:11:48
Go ahead. Okay.
Janet 1:11:50
So he said, what you have is with your Gad, 65 He goes, it's luck of the draw. Like it's not hereditary. You were born with Gad, 65. And he said, in some people will develop type one diabetes from that, and some people don't. He said, The reason that we know this is because there was a lady in he said, and the kids are about your age now. And I think I was about 14 at that time. Said, triplets, identical triplets. He said, so therefore, you know, they share the same DNA. And I'm like, okay, I get that part. He said, one comes out, full diabetic from the beginning, like, boom, the second one developed diabetes at 27. And then the other one was about 40. And still did not have diabetes, but they were all gad. 65 Positive. So I thought that was weird. I was first time someone ever, you know. Yeah. So you can you can be get 65 positive and never have any ailments apparently from it. But any kind of, he told me like any kind of trigger, like an illness, very stressful, dramatic situation, like, anything that like, brings your body down could set that into motion. And so he felt like, yes, the thing with my kidney, because they got kind of compromised, is how I ended up on the path that I'm on is crazy. So he immediately put me on insulin. And then I went on the Dexcom in 2013, because I was I was bad, too. I was the person that was running around, doing so many things. I you know, I never missed one of my son's games ever. Like, I've never missed anything in his life. That was something that was really important to me, the only child, I never wanted him to be the person that looked out into the audience and didn't have his mom or dad, they're watching him do whatever it was school, play whatever it was. So I was running around doing all that and taking horrible care. I mean, at one point, my agency was like, 11.1 Because I was just putting Janet last, you know, everybody else came in front of me. So he put me on. Like, I think I was on levemir Jardiance. And then, you know, my agency was slowly going down. He got me on Victoza and then the human log in then in 2017. He ended up retiring but in 2017 I ended up going on the Omni pod, which was like the best thing I could have done for my lifestyle. So
Scott Benner 1:14:30
do you think it was like a lot of presentation?
Janet 1:14:34
Yeah, definitely. Yeah.
Scott Benner 1:14:37
Well, I mean, that was confusing for doctors. Like there's just no doubt but seeing the the antibody testing should let them know this is type one, just a slow progression.
Janet 1:14:49
Yeah, that she didn't even so when I went back to that I ended up sending that a letter to the first endocrinologist saying hey, you know, this neuropathic doctor he ran this test and and I even tried to work with her, you know? And then she's like, well, you know, some people believe in that some people don't. You have type two diabetes, and you just you know, and she just would not budge. So that's when I was like, Okay,
I'm done with you.
Scott Benner 1:15:10
Yeah, you have a bad string of luck with physicians, that's for sure. Can I ask you a question? Is that you?
Janet 1:15:17
I always probably is,
Scott Benner 1:15:18
I mean, do you have like, I don't mean this poorly, because, but do like, do you start off on the wrong foot? Do you think you put people on the defensive? And then they kind of give you or do you go in there and let them talk? And like, what's your vibe when you see a new doctor?
Janet 1:15:36
Yes, so I definitely do better with men. Male physicians know why. I think sometimes women see me as like a threat kind of overbearing, because I am intelligent. And I'm not afraid to like, ask questions. So like, I was brought up in a home where you just authority was always like, Oh, yes, yes, yes. You just take everything that the person says. And then probably, you know, in my, I don't know, mid 30s, I started to question like, Okay, I know, you're a doctor, and you're supposed to be like, smart and all this stuff, but you don't know everything, you know, and, and I definitely am a person that does research. So yeah, I could see where, like, I put people off, because I know my parents get uncomfortable when I go to the doctor with them. And then I speak up and say something on their behalf. And they're like, and then the doctor will be like, No, that's a good question. Yeah, there's,
Scott Benner 1:16:34
there's a difference between asking good questions, and giving people the feeling like you're not listening. Yeah. Because you feel like, you know, and it's just, I mean, it's a tough thing. I do my best to I sit back and listen. And even when I have thoughts are just like, Well, I'm gonna let this person finish talking. Because otherwise, I mean, you run the risk of a couple of things, you run the risk of giving them the impression, you're not really there for their help. And then they're like, Well, if you're not here to listen to what I have to say them, what's the point of this? And I think you can also kind of turn people off sometimes if you have answers, and they're just like, wow, like, that person came to me, but they knew already, like, you know, juicy box. And so, and then that rubs people that can rub some people, don't you also meet doctors who are like, Oh, that's brilliant. I'm glad you brought that up. But, you know, it's a lot of personality stuff that, that I don't think we consider, like when we're going to doctors, that you're still having a human interaction with somebody. And yeah,
Janet 1:17:39
and I think I've always been, like, socially awkward anyways. So yeah, I noticed, like, throughout my lifetime, like I told you before I get along better with men and even boys when I was younger than I do with women, and especially women that have like, low self esteem, like they just automatically hate me. And I don't know if it's just the way I carry myself
Scott Benner 1:18:05
or janitor, this women have anything in common with your mom.
Janet 1:18:10
Just one of my aunts?
Unknown Speaker 1:18:11
Is that what you mean? No. I
Scott Benner 1:18:13
mean, in general, like do the women that you don't do well with? Are they reminiscent of your mom's personality?
Janet 1:18:19
No, not at all. My mom's a very loving, caring, non judgmental individual. Okay. So I think, you know, I always tell people that I hang out with like, or if I have to work with them, especially, you know, like, you need to be like blunt with me. Because like, if you don't say, hey, you know what, I hate you. And I think you're being the, you know, that which right now, right? I don't, I don't pick up on those social cues. I think everything's just fine. Because I don't read into every situation. And I think that's why I get along with men better because men are much more. Most men are much better communicators when it comes to like, I need this done. And so then
Scott Benner 1:19:04
you don't like picking through people's feelings to figure out what they want. You just want somebody Exactly.
Janet 1:19:09
Yeah. All right, but I'm always respectful. I always I, you know, I ran my business, you know, respect professionalism, you know, consistency, and fairness. But I don't have the time to coddle people. And I think that's where I think that's where I have my issues where I always say, Please, and thank you. It's not that I'm not It's not that I'm rude. It's just a self assurance that, that some people can't, you know, I think, you know, I was a natural born leader. So people just naturally followed me no matter what, and even if I didn't want them to, and I don't, I don't know, like what's happened, but I did recognize that around 2021 You know, I had an aunt say, like, you know, you're so intimidating. And I'm like, Oh, my gosh, I just think I'm the nicest person ever,
Unknown Speaker 1:19:56
and you're intimidating. Yes,
Janet 1:20:01
they people see me I hear that a lot people see me as intimidating.
Unknown Speaker 1:20:05
Are you? Are you brash?
Unknown Speaker 1:20:08
I think I'm direct. Why? Why? Why won't
Scott Benner 1:20:12
you play the human game? What is it you're trying to avoid?
Janet 1:20:17
You know, it's almost like I don't think about it. Like, like, I don't I don't I have a very, I, I rarely cry. I rarely get super excited. I'm just very like, cool. Like, and my husband always says, like, you're I love you because like, it sounds weird. But he's like, you're like a man's mentality in a woman's body? Because I just, I don't know, I don't, I don't like to play those games, if you got something to say, just say it. But the problem is, is that's how I am too. And that doesn't always sit
Speaker 3 1:20:50
well. With Others, like I understand. I do. Does that make sense? It does. Yeah. Are there? I'm sorry. Good. No. So when I
Janet 1:21:00
have a woman physician, it seems to usually go that way.
Scott Benner 1:21:06
Is there anything we haven't talked about that you wanted to cover?
Janet 1:21:10
I just think that just because, you know, I think I mentioned it before. If when you're later in life, and you and you're experiencing, you know, diabetes situation, and you're not in DKA, because that's the other thing, if you're in DKA, there's, they tend to like, you know, follow the dots. But if you're not, don't just automatically let them tell you, Oh, you're overweight and your type do and go down that road, you know, force them to at least do the peptides and all the tests that needs to be done to make sure that that they are because all that all that medicine that I took was for naught. And it was a lot of money, and a lot of time and probably did more damage to me, you know, no, not as much honeymoon period as I should have gotten maybe. So just stand up for yourself and make sure you educate yourself.
Scott Benner 1:21:56
Yeah. But do it in a way where you don't put people off?
Janet 1:22:00
Yeah, don't do it Janet's way. Try to find that nice, warm, fuzzy kind of way.
Unknown Speaker 1:22:07
You've been that way with
Scott Benner 1:22:08
me. Like, but I'm a guy and I'm direct. So you're you're okay with me. Yeah. Interesting. See how that works?
Unknown Speaker 1:22:16
I mean, yeah,
Scott Benner 1:22:18
I was just wondering, I like you to say it out loud, so that people can hear it. Yeah. That's unfortunate. How much of that part of your personality is while you're not in Mexico?
Janet 1:22:31
I would say a lot. I would say 95%.
Scott Benner 1:22:35
Janet, who is your own worst enemy?
Speaker 3 1:22:38
I think myself might be you. Yeah, it could be. So what I'm burning. You're learning. I am learning
Scott Benner 1:22:45
piano. We're running out of time here. We gotta get moving. I know. But so tell me something. What's your perfect scenario? Like for your living situation? Start there, like, where do you wish you are? Who do you wish was with you?
Janet 1:23:03
You know, I feel like I'm where I want to be at this point in time. If if my son were to move out of state, I would probably follow him. I don't want to live with him. But I'd like to live near him and his wife and you know, maybe potential future kids. I enjoy the relationship I have with my husband, where he comes and goes right now, because I think it gives me time to you know, take care of me more than worrying about other people. I want to I want to take care of Janet, now. So that I can be here in the future.
Unknown Speaker 1:23:32
Okay.
Scott Benner 1:23:34
All right. So so you like where you are, but you want to live near your son? Yeah. And your husband and your relationship? You like it the way it is? And the distance doesn't? You can afford to travel I guess is what I'm saying. Right? Somebody wants to go one way or the other. It's not a big burden for anybody.
Unknown Speaker 1:23:54
Correct? Yeah.
Janet 1:23:55
Yeah. Then we're both retired. And we're good.
Unknown Speaker 1:23:58
Yeah. As far as that. It's all very interesting.
Scott Benner 1:24:01
I appreciate you coming on and sharing all this with me. I really do.
Janet 1:24:04
Yeah. And then you know, one last thing I just want to say too, is you know, those people that are getting 65 positive and our experience like this just weird pain out of nowhere and this constant. You know, where you have these spasms and stuff, you know, go forward and try to find the answer because it could be stiff person, it could not be stiff person. It's very rare. But at least you know, don't give up like I did for so many years and just in just suffer.
Speaker 3 1:24:32
Yeah. So which doctor do you see for that again?
Janet 1:24:36
I see a doctor down in Kaiser and Nura a neuro muscular specialist.
Scott Benner 1:24:41
And would that doctor give you a medical marijuana card?
Janet 1:24:46
Oh yeah, cuz I just asked. I just asked him if it was possible for him to give me a letter to change. I have to bathtub, shower tub situations in the house that I'm in and I've kind of like tripped and fallen you know, like last With all this coldness, and so he gave me a letter to like, medically needed, you know, walk in shower. So I'm sure he would give me because I think he knows to like, I mean, I'm really weird about the valium situation so that I'm only going to do something that I think that I potentially need.
Scott Benner 1:25:19
Janet. Looks like you want the Department of Cannabis Control California cannabis.ca.gov. And then eligible medical conditions. One of them is persistent medical spasms. For example, spasms caused by Ms. I think what you have falls right into there. You fill out the application, gather your supporting documents, make an appointment with your county health department, go to your appointment. Wait for 35 days for your approval. Yep, that's it.
Janet 1:25:48
Yeah. Cuz it's definitely on the federal list of compassionate disability. So you can name this part of the podcast, you can potentially future pothead. Janet future.
Scott Benner 1:26:01
See, I think that's it though, is like that idea. Because of the time you were born in it, you'll become like, whatever a pothead is like somebody who's just constantly burned out and high and upset when I'm that's not what I'm talking about. I think you would, you would use this like you would, I don't know, sip on a sports drink to keep your blood sugar up while you were running. You know, like that kind of thing. Like just maintenance. Like a like a like a vitamin. Almost. If this happens, we'll send me a note, right?
Janet 1:26:30
Yeah, wait, I'll say I'm going to send you a note to and, and share with you my maiden name and you'll get a kick out.
Scott Benner 1:26:38
We can tell me after we shot the recording, but I want to You can't just ask her son for weed. You don't think that will just work? Oh, god. No,
Janet 1:26:45
my son is more square than me. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 1:26:49
yeah, I see. I see. I see. I see.
Scott Benner 1:26:51
The husband's got to have weed on the beach. No.
Janet 1:26:54
Well, yeah, I mean, it's plentiful down there. You can walk, I could probably walk through the neighborhood and get a high contact high.
Scott Benner 1:27:00
Well, there you go. Here's the least technical thing I'll ever say to a person. I think you got to chill out a little bit. I know right? Seems to be that that's my crochet group. You're not the only person I've talked to who decided to crochet for relaxation, but then couldn't follow the rules and meet all the knots tight. Like you're literally turning the crochet into yourself. You're like tighter tighter. It was bad. It was I don't want liquid to pass through this afghan.
Janet 1:27:36
It just looked horrendous. They were just like, okay, yeah, this is
Scott Benner 1:27:39
probably folded up on itself. It was so tight. Like God. All right. Well, John, I enjoyed talking to you. I appreciate this very much. Hold on a second for me. Okay. Okay. Okay.
A huge thanks to Janet for coming on the show today and sharing her story. And I'd like to thank Omni pod and Dexcom First Omni pod Omni pod.com/juicebox Go there, see if you can get a free trial. Learn more about dash or five. You know, get going with the best, the brightest, the greatest, the Omni pod after that dexcom.com/juicebox Thank you so much to Dexcom for being longtime sponsors of the Juicebox Podcast learn more and get started today at dexcom.com/juicebox. There are links in the show notes and links at juicebox podcast.com to Dexcom and Omnipod and all the sponsors
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#1057 Weight Loss Diary: Seven
Scott is taking Wegovy for weight loss. This is diary number seven.
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Scott Benner 0:00
Hello friends, and welcome to episode 1057 of the Juicebox Podcast
Welcome back, everybody. This is my seventh week Ovie diary. I appreciate you listening to them. I'm losing weight, sometimes quicker, sometimes slower, always with new things being revealed to me. While you're listening. Please remember that nothing you hear on the Juicebox Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise, please Always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan. If you're looking to start using ag one, you can drink ag one.com/juicebox That's my link. Use that link. Get a free year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs with your first order. If you want to save 40% off of comfortable things like joggers and clothes and pajamas and towels and sheets, you can do that at cozy earth.com When you use the offer code juicebox at checkout, you will save 40% off of your entire order. And don't forget the diabetes Pro Tip series that begins at episode 1000 and goes to Episode 1026. All right, let's find out how my last I don't know how many like six or seven weeks of we go we have gone have we gone? I should say
Have we gone he is the funniest thing I've said in like a week. This episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by us med us med.com/juice box or call 888721151 for us Metis the place where Arden gets her supplies from you know how people have places where they get their diabetes supplies from like insulin test strips meters, or what else pumps CGM? Yeah, like distributors who do that stuff. Anyway, US met.com/juice box that's where we get our supplies you could to today's podcast is also sponsored by touched by type one. Now touched by type one's big dancing for diabetes event is coming up really, really soon. I think it's on November 11, you have to go check their website touched by type one.org There's still time to get tickets to that live event in Orlando, Florida, or just check out the website and see all the great things they're doing for people living with diabetes. Well, I'm back. And I'm not thrilled, but I'm not upset. I guess that's something. I'm opening up my app here so I can tell you a little bit about this week's journey. My glasses on and go to trends on my app. Going back seven days today's the 26th makes something physical 21st
Is that right? That's right, isn't it? 22nd Seriously, I'll just pull up a calendar real quick. The 19th was a week ago. Oh, interesting. All right. So on the 19th I was 190 7.4 came in here told you all about it. It was fresh off of a weekend where I was away. And now I've been back for a week had a little head cold. And the tingly arm thing by the way gets very slowly better. I found the source of the pain inside of my elbow is very sore still, like amazing. I guess I must have just slept right on it on the plane. And anyway, the the feelings coming back very slowly. It's a little scary but feels like it's going in the right direction. So I'm not too worried. Anyway, on that Tuesday, the 19th I was 197.4 pounds. I had lost some weight over the couple of days while I was traveling, etc. But man I woke up the next day 199 I was like oh, but then it came back when 97.8 and that held for a couple of days. 21st The 22nd Now 23rd and 24th I didn't weigh myself I was like skinny now what do I prepare myself for? I should have done that. But I'm also not skinny. But it was today is Tuesday. And on Sunday my wife left for a business trip and on the way home from dropping her at the airport. I stopped and picked up you know about a guy by myself. I picked up enough food to get me through four days till my wife got back I bought a turkey breast pack of chicken wings. I ate shrimp that I'm going to saute and a piece of tuna. It's like that'll get me through for days. Anyway, I let off on Sunday with the chicken wings, which were dry rubbed kind of heavily salted pretty much. And man I woke up the next day, a pound heavier almost went from 197 Eight to 198 Six just for the chicken wings. It no sauce. Keep in mind, there's a little hot sauce on it, but no sugar and nothing like that. It was the salt. I got on the scale the next day. It's like, ah, the salt the chicken legs. But then yesterday when I got up, and I had to have lunch, I just ate the rest of my chicken wings because they were yummy. And I'll be damn I am 190 9.8 this morning. Not something that really to me is crazy. That's over two pounds. Just eating over salted food that is now has me retaining water. I'll tell you it this whole thing teaches me a ton every day about paying attention to what's going into your body and, and whatnot. Anyway, that's pretty much the story. I'm going to we go over it up here and be on our way things are running well as far as the the elimination systems going. I got all that moving nicely. And nothing poor to report here. So I'm just going to inject and I'll see you next week
here looks good.
I'll tell you one thing, putting the chicken wings on the last two days of the week, the week over the week. That was a bigger mistake, because the medicine wanes as like the week goes on that I would I again I'm not a doctor and I haven't researched this but that just seems like it's what's happened. So chicken wings salty during the weighing of the medication, probably not a great idea. We'll see I fully expect to wake up two days from now and weigh two pounds less again. So we'll see what happens. And then I'll come back in seven days and let you know us med.com/juicebox or call 888721151 for us med is the place where Arden gets her diabetes supplies from and you could too we get Omni pod and Dexcom from us med but there's so much more. US med has actually all the latest CGM is Dexcom G seven and libre three you can also get the libre two or the G six. You can get Omni pod dash Omni pod five. That tandem pump. They got everything over there. US med is the number one distributor for FreeStyle Libre systems nationwide. You always listen to this. This is incredible. You always get 90 days worth of supplies when you order from us Med and it comes with fast and free shipping fast and free shipping over 1 million diabetes customers since 1996. That's what US med is up to. What are you doing? Are you are you doing it right now? Are you calling 888-721-1514? Going to the website us? med.com/juicebox do it get your free benefits check and get started today. They probably take your insurance because us med accepts Medicare nationwide and over 800 private insurers. Ah I know this is an ad, right? I know this is an ad and you're like Scott's gonna tell me a story and it's gonna sound great. And I'm gonna think about going to us Matt and but he's probably just trying to trick me and listen to me. Email arrives. Do you want to reorder your supplies? Click? Yes. Then they're just here. They're downstairs right now. Right inside the front door. What what came last? Oh. On the pods? Do you want to reorder your Omni pods? Yes, I do. Done That was it. And then I get these beautiful updates like about shipping your orders on its way you know, it's out on the truck like this whole thing. Front door here it is could not be simpler. Us med.com/juice box are amazing supporters of the podcast and they do a great job delivering your supplies. Give them a try. You don't like the internet, use the phone 888-721-1514. Okay, that's it back to the weego V diary. No more ads. Just you know, support the podcast whenever you can. There's links in the show notes and links at juicebox podcast.com. To all of the sponsors. Well, I'm back it's October 3. I didn't exactly go the way I was hoping but it didn't go poorly either. And I have a little more insight than I had I'm now thinking that the weight loss I had was from I took a steroid pack, and I really think it dehydrated me. So this isn't how everyone does steroids, but not steroids. But this isn't how a steroid pack impacts everyone. But it impacts me that way. When I start taking a an oral steroid medication, I've done it a few times my life, I pee like crazy for the first 24 hours. I actually think I peed out two pounds, because I'm back now this morning, I was 190 9.4, which is still down from 190 9.8 last week. But I actually think that's what it was, I think it was just water weight, just crazy enough. I think I got rid of it with the steroid pack, and it came back with the salt. And I think I confuse those two things a little bit when I was talking last time. So anyway, um, 190 9.4 Today, I feel terrific. I got to shoot my week over there's not a lot to report this time. I didn't eat very much this week. I think that's a problem. So I'm going to thoughtfully eat some more food this week. I don't want to say get back on track, because I just don't see it that way. I think it's just an up and down thing. And I'm losing weight as I go, I can tell you this, I just saw a friend for lunch, a person I have not seen in a very long time. And we opened the door. And he said, Oh my God, you look like your little brother, which was very cool. Then we spent a little time talking about this. He's actually a physician and he was really thrilled for me. Anyway, we go V 2.4 milligrams, said milliliters the other day to somebody and I was like, I don't think that's right. milligrams. Let's put it in, shall we? I'm gonna go to the other side of my stomach this time. My stomach, which by the way is a little weird, the way it's getting smaller. I'm deciding now I'm going to tell you something that I think is potentially embarrassing. Give me a second to shoot this and then I'll make my decision and then we'll be done. Here looks good. About here
am I going to tell you something embarrassing? Oh, hell, I guess so. So my stomach was round enough before that, if I looked down, I saw my belly button. And my belly button was big. I used to get made fun of actually by my family. And now when I looked down my belly button is not as obvious because it's, I guess it's lower. Not up at like, I don't know how to put it exactly. Anyway, when I look down, I don't immediately see my belly button when I'm standing. And it's much smaller. Like if if I was hiding things in my I was not hiding things in my belly button. But if I used to hide things, my belly button, I cannot hide them in there any longer. So there's an interesting little factoid for you and I'll see you next week. Hey, hey, hey, what do you say October 10. And I'm here today to share big news with you about my weight loss journey. Allah I ran out of rhymes there at the end. Don't worry. None of that was planned. So I'm surprised and went that long. October 10. A week ago was October 3. Now, let's talk some numbers. And then deets as details about food ready. I'm opening up my way machine app. That's the app that pairs to my scale. And the weighing machine tells me that when I was here with you last week, on October 3, I weighed 199.4 pounds. You may remember from moments ago as you were listening. Let me take a drink today and this deserves a drumroll on the nose 196 I lost 3.4 pounds since October 3. How do I do it? Well, I take we go V 2.4 milligrams, injected once weekly, which I'm going to do right now and then tell you about what I've been eating and a supplement change. Finding some fat on my belly to put the govia in. There is much less of that. I've taken the cap off and I will now stick the needle party up to my Bing Bing and here we go.
Okie dokie Lee. Here's how my week went. On Tuesday, I injected right on Wednesday. I gained weight that was upsetting. I woke up one day Oh no. Excuse me. I lied. I lost a little I went to 198, eight, on the fifth. I was two days after my weigh in. Next day, I'm moving 10 Eight. See, I'm not weighing myself as much anymore now 10 Eight, I weigh myself again 10 eights yesterday, I was 197. So I didn't weigh myself that week. Now you might ask why. I was frustrated. I really was. I was frustrated. And my son came home for a short visit. And a I don't know how much of this I should say, but I'll just say this like this. My wife's boss came in from out of the country. And she stayed with us for a few days. So we were crazy here, Kelly and I were like, you know how it is it cleaning in corners that you're like, oh, I don't know if that corner is clean. And we got to put this away and oh my god, is this been sitting here for three months? How can we never got rid of this? This we're making our house look like we're human. And we're doing that for like days. We're working all day. And then in the afternoons, we're wandering around and cleaning stuff up. I wasn't weighing myself. I was kind of, again, irritated by my weight last time. But on, let me get the date right here. Looking at my calendar, sorry. So I weighed myself, I had lunch with a friend that day, it was the first time I was able to really talk about, you know, we go be with somebody who I've never talked about it with before. Now, the next day on the fourth, I do an interview with this 14 year old girl who has diabetes. She has been on the show before, I'll get the episode number and tell you here I think I think her episodes called bugs in your belly or something like that. Or she came on last year or wishes her name Orisha. And she's telling me about how she eats and how clean sheets and all this stuff she does. You know, does a green drink every morning and healthiest little 14 year old kid you've ever seen in your life, right? Anyway asked her to come back on I just so happened to record with her last week on the fourth. Today again being the tab. So six days ago. And while we're talking she's telling me about this probiotic she takes and you should try it Scott I ordered like while we were talking I was like alright, you know, if you're not going to take medical advice from a 14 year old kid, where can you get medical advice from right? So I would her her stuff. It comes the next day because Amazon and I start taking you out right away. The fifth, the sixth, seventh, the eighth and ninth, the 10th. That's how long I've been taking this thing. I'm not ready to tell you about it yet because it hasn't been that much time. But I can tell you what the like, you know people talk about, I started taking a probiotic and the bloating left my belly. Well, when you're fat, you don't know if your belly is bloated or not. How could you even tell? Right? So but I'm watching that happen now like this stuff. Really lovely. I'm gonna have a good report back about it. I think in a month or so. Not the point. Elimination picks up, things are going on. I had nice process going through me again. But but but but my son comes in Saturday morning. This is just two three days ago on the seventh. He's here now he's got friends over. We're barbecuing for them. There's ribs. You know, I think all the salt like you know what happened to me when I was eating the salty wings last time. Plus, my wife's boss comes in same day, like I'm telling you I got up early Saturday morning, pick my son up from an airport, drove him home, got back in my car, drove to a different airport picked up another person and international flyer. And we get back and settle in. She's hungry. So we go out. And now we're at this restaurant. And my goodness, I have linguini it has shrimp in it, it has mussels in it. There's bread on the table, I'm eating the bread, because the farther away you are from your ego, the injection kind of the more you can eat a little bit. So I'm eating like pretty regularly. And all I could think is I am going to gain weight. I mean just everything about my life in the past says this is going to happen. I did my digestive enzyme with the food, which was nice. I had a very nice experience eating the pasta, and the bread and everything all went really well. Elimination was still fine. But now we're leaving that restaurant. Oh, is that a cupcake store? Now we're a dozen cupcakes in my house because my my son's got friends over the bosses there. Does I mean chocolate and candy on them and they're, I mean just nothing healthy about them. Nowhere. If I would have pulled the wrapper off the cupcake and ate the wrapper. That would have been the best thing I could have done decision wise. But I have a cupcake that night like at nine o'clock at night. Like a causing a hazard you know hazard. You don't know yet. But anyway, eat the cupcake. I wake up the next morning. Hello. I lost weight. I was like wait a minute made the linguini I ate the bread. I had a cupcake. I lost weight doesn't make Get a sense, right on whatever that was on the eighth when I weighed myself 197 pounds I was down, you know, a pound eight since the last time I checked on the fifth. Well, then I wake up on the ninth. Now I'm reinvigorated to, you know, weigh myself again. But now there's been ribs. And what else ribs a whole bunch of stuff, but I wake up the next day 190 6.2 That's yesterday. I was like, my goodness. today. I'm 196 I wake up, but what I ate yesterday, I had a deli sandwich. If I would have thrown it at you. I could have given you a concussion. It was. I got up in the morning I had two eggs. Right. Two eggs. I think I folded a little bit of Parmesan cheese and the tiniest little bit. Little shaved right. And then the sandwich. It's I mean, I'm looking at my hands. No, you can't see that. It's great for podcasts. It's a softball, like a child sized softball. So the bigger ones, you know, they make them big so they can't beat each other with them. Like a big softball, plus maybe another inch. In this kaiser roll. I put roast beef and turkey Provolone on it had some mustard, a couple of other dishes and dashes like you know, salt, pepper, oregano, that kind of stuff. Right? I eat half of her lunch on with a handful of chips. Who am I potato chips. Get out of here. I'm eating like a like a regular person. That night, which is last night ate the other half of the sandwich. And I'm like, Let's have another cupcake. I have another cupcake along with my sandwich with chips. I'm eating until like eight o'clock at night watching a sporting event on the television. And I think I had chocolate chip cookies too. And I woke up later this morning. God bless with govi All right, I don't I'm not a god person but I think if there's a God he's pretty focused right now on will go V and and other weight loss medications. And and who else my blessing while I'm doing this would go v and this probiotic which I'm not 100% ready to tell you about yet. But my goodness gracious. Scotty on to something now. If I come to you 193 Next week, I'll be singing when the microphone comes on. Hey, everybody. Hello. It is the evening on October 17. I'm telling you what the evening because I always record these first thing in the morning. I get up on Tuesday. I weigh myself take a shower. Come in here record my COVID diary today. I like I didn't forget, I weighed myself. I put the wig over you right here on my desk. Something happened and I never got back to it. So it's like 12 hours later. I've never taken it to sleep before. Anyway, I'm gonna take it tell you something real quick. But yeah, to hear. Where am I gonna put this? Up the side
there feels right.
Okay, two things. First thing is I met somebody at a store today, today yesterday. And they were like, I forget how it came up. But I, they were like you lost weight? And I said yes. And I told them how much. And they asked questions about it. It was interesting to watch somebody's face to face, listen to the conversation. And I thought oh, I hope people are, you know, enjoying the diaries like that. And maybe post online. So I put a post up on the Facebook group. I'm sorry, I'm so loud. Like, I don't know how to do this because it's evening. I apologize. I put a post up on the Facebook group, which got a ton of response and so many people who jumped in and were either thank you for doing this because I really have been considering doing this and it's nice to hear the diaries, a lot of people telling me how much you guys enjoyed these episodes. And I have to be honest, I wasn't certain I just you know, I put them up and I hope you liked them. But I got a lot of terrific feedback. I also met a lot of people online who are also using ozempic We go V Manjaro or something like that. A lot of great stories out there. I think I'm going to do a couple of them. So you know if you have type one and you're using one of these GRPs get a hold of me if you want to be on the podcast, I think it would be really cool. Anyway that post was terrific. I love meeting everybody and seeing the kind of like community and and friendship I didn't realize there would be but I guess in a Facebook group that large. We could probably post about anything and find people who are who are affected by what you're talking about or or have thoughts about it. Anyway, let me get out my app. It is October 17. I guess that means that the last time I did this was on this Seven. Yes. I mean that just know the 10th dusk got where to go on the 10th. So today, why don't you go back to the 10th 1010? Where the hell is that? You would think it's after the knife. It is. Okay, so last week when I reported to you, I was 196 pounds. And today, after a week of how do I say this, my wife went to a farmers market and brought fudge back. We found something and by we, I mean me, found something that makes it through the thing that kills the sweet taste on the weego V. And that thing was fudge. I ate too much fudge this week. How much? I don't want to say I'd be embarrassed but if it wasn't a half a pound, I'd be surprised. So I had a little pieces of fudge throughout the day for a week. You know, this week I also ate shrimp. I had some pasta, chicken wings. Yes, smoked chicken wings. A couple of things like that one. And there's like a bunch of noisy stuff here. I gotta get rid of I really don't seem to know how to make a podcast if it's not in the daytime. Pretty good. Eggs wraps. I had a lot of steak with my eggs. These couple of mornings ate a lot of yogurt this week at one. It took my vitamins. And I started a new probiotic, which again, I'm not ready to talk about yet because I've only been on it for a couple of weeks. Anyway, I weighed myself this morning, and I weigh 196 pounds. I didn't gain any weight this week. I didn't gain any weight. Didn't lose any weight. I'm pretty good with that. I have to be honest with you. I know how I ate this week. And the idea that my my weight stay where it is absolutely fantastic. I had a waffle at a restaurant this week. I still just weigh 190 in that amazing. Like, don't get me wrong, I want to lose more weight and I need to lose more through my midsection. Mon mostly. Yeah, not my legs, my legs are done. My like I said tighten my thighs. My legs are done. My arms are fine. The top of my back is fine. Maybe my lower back and my love handles still there's weight there. I'm guessing it's around 15 pounds around my midsection still not the point. The point is, I had fudge, I didn't gain weight. To me. That's the point. That's all I got for you this week, other than to say, there are a lot of you out there. I didn't realize it's very cool that you're enjoying this, please keep coming with the feedback. And like I said, if you want to be on the podcast and talk about using the GLP to lose weight, or you know for your diabetes or whatever, let me know just email me right through the website. juicebox podcast.com. I'll see you next week, which will be I can do, I can do the math. Actually, next week will be the 24th. And then that following weekend, I'll be an odd, Austin. I'm doing a big talk with Jenny and Austin. So yeah, that'll be interesting. 24th And then on Halloween, you'll see me again after my Austin trip. I'm interested to see interest, see how much I can lose this week. And if I can keep it off or add to it while I'm away for because I'm gonna be away for like four days as a flight and air and a couple of other things. Alright, cool. I'll talk to you soon. Well, this is been a hell of a week. Tuesday, October 24. may tell you what happened this week. So Arden's away at college, and she wasn't feeling well. And I been talking to her. We've all been talking to her. I'm sorry, I'm getting my weight at the same time here. But it was kind of getting worse as time was going on. I don't have my glasses, so I'm gonna hold this phone pretty far away from my face. But Thursday, she contacted me and said, What are the chances I have appendicitis. And we looked at her symptoms, and they were very close to appendicitis. And so I sent her to the emergency room, which is a story unto itself that I'll probably tell on the podcast at some point, maybe just not here. She does not have appendicitis. We hope because I guess she would have burst by now she did. But the hospital was not great. A lot of confusion a long time being there ignored her because she was young, you know that kind of stuff. Anyway, she comes home with no answers that night. spent the next day trying to recuperate from, you know, being smacked in the face with morphine that they gave her when she got to the hospital and didn't really get any better throughout the day but in the late evening it got worse and bad enough that it One or two o'clock in the morning on Saturday night, no Friday night, Saturday morning 1am or so. She's back on the phone with me. And now she's got pain in different places and I'm sending her back to the emergency room. And then I get on a plane, like overnight and fly to her. She's, I mean, she's okay. We don't have an answer to her problem yet, but she's not in an emergent situation. This is neither here nor there. This is for me to tell you that. I woke up on Friday morning when I expected to at 8am I live my life. And at midnight when I thought I was going to sleep Friday night. Instead, I kept going. So I got Ardan off to the hospital. I bought a plane ticket, I drove to the airport. I slept in the airport for maybe two hours I got on the plane, I slept on the plane. I landed went right to the hospital, spent a number of hours in the hospital with her got her home. Took her with me to a hotel checked in by the hall. That's not true. We had to go do some other stuff, get her stuff together. By like I'd say two or three in the afternoon. We were both like passing out like we just actually at one point pulled the car over and just like fell asleep together for like an hour. And then I got her back to the hotel. And you know we had all these big plans about what we're going to do but instead she fell asleep at eight o'clock and slept throughout the night. I'm going to tell you that from midnight Saturday morning till Sunday morning. I ate a handful of candy which I grabbed because it had sugar in it. I thought I was gonna pass out so I was not eating. I'm telling you all this because I was also not hungry. We go V is insane. Never hungry once through that whole thing got up Sunday morning. Let her sleep in. Around noon got lunch. I had a turkey sandwich and some crackers Parmesan crackers. I don't think much else a yogurt. And then I don't think I eat the rest of the day. And wait, that's not true. I had some gummy bears in our room. I ate some gummy bears that night. Still not hungry. up Sunday morning. That was Sunday. I woke up Monday morning still in at were artists because I was trying to stay with her while she recuperated and I had a half of a waffle because I got to Arden's dorm room and they had waffles. And then I ate a chocolate chip cookie like seven hours later. And then I had some of the crackers at the end of the night. That was that was it. But I didn't eat for days basically. And I still got home today, Tuesday in time to do my week. govi injection. Let's do that now.
And I was woozy. I knew I needed food, but I wasn't hungry. Anyway, I had a few ounces of steak with a couple of eggs in a wrap. And now I'm here recording this for you. So anyway, I weighed myself today. But I weighed myself after a plane flight and a full day and I've been drinking liquids and everything. Although I didn't eat anything. I did weigh myself before the eggs and steak. And I was 194.2 pounds, which I think is a pound to less than last time. But I got to figure out what the hell was seven days ago. The 17th. It looks like on the 17th I was 196 Oh wait, and I'm 194 to now. Oh, I'm almost two pounds lighter than I was last Tuesday. But the truth of it is, I don't actually know how much I weigh right now. Or how much if it's going to come back on when I get back on a regular eating schedule, which I'm absolutely going to do. I'm not even proud of myself for what happened this weekend. Don't get me wrong, but it was so hectic and crazy. And I was worried about art. And the last thing I was even thinking about was eating for myself. So anyway, I've lost about two pounds this week. I'm guessing that won't hold for next week. But we'll see. And I'm traveling this weekend. And I tend to eat less when I'm traveling. So who knows what the hell's gonna happen anyway. Arden's not better but she's okay. We're still searching for answers for her problem. I know I've been vague about that. It's not diabetes related. So please don't worry about that. If that's one of those things that sometimes freaks people out. Anyway, we dove is amazing. I have not been hungry in days and I have not basically eaten in days. So For any of you who are fighting with that, that food voice, this stuff is it's the tits as they say, Yo, what's up everybody? I think this is gonna be the last entry for this episode. Today is October 31. Happy Halloween? Well, things are going well. Well, well, well. In fact, I have one observation from this week, maybe two, I'll give you my numbers. And we'll get you out of here. So, today's weigh in October 31 194.8 pounds. It is not the lowest I've been. But it's very, very close. And I have some interesting observations. So last Tuesday, when I weighed in, what was that the 25th? You know, I'm sorry, I really should look at these things before 24th. When I weighed in on the 24th, with you. I was 194.2 pounds. And I thought, Wow, that's crazy. But I also just gotten back from an unexpected trip, where I was on a plane and then a hotel and I wasn't eating right. And I actually do remember thinking this is probably not my real weight. And sure enough, just two days later on the 26th after I got back to my eating regimen, I was 196 pounds even. So last Thursday, 196 where I think is about where I belonged. And that sounds weird. But on the 25th I hadn't eaten well, for a few days I traveled unexpectedly, was in a hotel, not doing anything I supposed to be doing excuse me on the 24th but on the 17th when I spoke to you before that, I was 196 and then I had that week and craziness and I thought I don't think I really lost weight. I think this number is you know from running around crazy anyway, might have been right. But today I'm 190 4.8 and I think this is a real weight. So very cool. Let's go over them real quick. My BMI is 28.8 body fat 26.3 body water continues to rise as we would expect as I lose weight 53.2 my skeletal mass is going up you would expect that BMR is going down fat free body weight dropping. slowly, very slowly. Down to 140 3.6. subcutaneous fat 22.8 This is all from the Renfrow read fo r e n p h o scale that my wife bought visceral fat holding it 12 My muscle mass is holding pretty steady. It's at 130 6.2 bone mass super steady 7.2 protein rising metabolic age still 56 but I have lost 38.6 pounds so far since I started back in March was March. Right? Does anybody know? I don't even know at this point. Yeah, wow. March 28. Goodness, that's a lot a lot of weight I lost. There we go. He's terrific. Actually on this crazy on these kinds of weekends. You know, it actually makes dealing with hunger a lot easier. Or this past weekend I was in Austin giving a talk for the JDRF in Austin. And oh, thanks anybody who came out by the way, it's really great. But again, like you're in a hotel, different city, not really eating a ton of food. Never hungry. Absolutely fantastic. Able to keep my nutrition up but without having to you know, try a bunch of different foods. Some of them I was like, I don't know how like this some stuff was greasy. Not for me kind of thing. You know, traveling food. Not great. But while I was gone this weekend, Matthew Perry died. The guy from friends if you haven't heard him, sorry if I'm the one telling you would be odd if you hadn't heard by now. But it occurred to me, like you guys hear me on here all the time saying, like, I think of myself as my thoughts not as how I look, I think that it was possible. I didn't know I was heavier during my life because it's not how I judge myself, etc. But a few months ago, I remember seeing Matthew Perry in an interview like a video interview. And I do remember thinking God, He doesn't look good. And I didn't. I mean he's obviously you know, kicked a fairly terrible narcotics habit that I think was with him for many decades. And that's amazing. But I remember looking at him and thinking like, God, his skin looks like it's hanging on him. He looks like he gained a bunch of weight and lost weight and just didn't move. Well didn't sound good. When he was talking. I'm hearing now maybe he's got COPD had COPD, I'm not sure. Anyway, my point is that his body looked he looked a wreck to me. And I noticed it right away. I, and I saw him and I thought, oh God, Matthew Perry doesn't look good. But I must have looked like that before. And, and I didn't notice it. It's fantastic. Anyway. You know what I write that off as this kind of intellectual? I'm not my body. I'm a collection of my thoughts, but my thoughts don't exist without this body. So I don't know, seeing Matthew Perry seeing him die, reminding myself that I've said I'm not, you know, I'm who I am and my thoughts, not my body. It just made me think without this body, my thoughts aren't important. So, I mean, I think that's obvious and everything, but I felt like I needed to say it here. Anyway, thanks for listening to these. I'm getting great feedback on them. I'm glad you appreciate them and you're enjoying them. We go V 2.4 milligrams, getting ready to go in and hold on a second
that one pinched a little bit. I ain't gonna lie to you. Oh, all right. So I am going to go live my life. Make this podcast for you. I appreciate you listening. And I'll restart my week Ovi diary, excellent will be eighth. On the seventh on Election Day on election day. I'll shoot my week over one more time and, and tell you all about it. Thanks. So listening. Thank you so much for listening. I'll be back soon with another episode of The Juicebox Podcast.
I want to thank all of you for listening to my diary. It really does help me on this journey as it gets longer and longer. And so many weeks and months passed when I started. reporting back to you is really good for me. So thank you for listening. I also want to thank us Med and remind you to go to us med.com/juicebox or call 888-721-1514 Get your free benefits check and get started getting your supplies the same way we do from us med Lastly, I'm going to thank touched by type one remind you that the dancing for diabetes show is coming up very soon, and that they're doing amazing things for people with type one diabetes, all you have to do is look at touched by type one.org. The after dark series from the Juicebox Podcast is the only place to hear the stories that no one else talks about. From smoking weed to drinking with type one perspectives from both male and females about having sex with diabetes. We talk about depression, self harm, eating disorders, mental illness, heroin addiction, use of psychedelics, living with bipolar, being a child of divorce, and honestly so much more. I can't list them all, but you can by going to juicebox podcast.com. Going to the top and clicking on after dark. There you'll see episode 807 called one thing after another episode 825 California sober. Other after dark episodes include unsupported survivor's guilt, space musician, dead frogs, these titles will make you say what is this about? And then when you listen, you'll think that was crazy. juicebox podcast.com Find the after dark series. It's fantastic.
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#1056 Professor Holly
Holly has type 1 diabetes and is a med school professor.
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Scott Benner 0:00
Hello friends, and welcome to episode 1056 of the Juicebox Podcast
Welcome back everyone. Today I'll be speaking with Holly. She's 47 years old and has had type one diabetes since she was seven. Holly is a mother, a wife and a med school professor. She even has a husband with a really interesting story. So get comfortable. And remember while you're listening that nothing you hear on the Juicebox Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise, always consult a physician before making any changes to your health care plan, or becoming bold with insulin. Would you like to save 40% off of comfortable items like joggers, hoodies, sheets and towels. Go to cozy earth.com and use the offer code juice box at checkout to save 40% off of your entire order. And don't forget the private Facebook group Juicebox Podcast type one diabetes a group with now 43,000 people in it someone in there just like you or someone you can help with. It's a wonderful community. You should go check it out. Last little reminder that Juicebox Podcast Pro Tip series for type one diabetes is completely remastered and available at episode 1000 through episode 1026.
This episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by ag one. You can have the same delicious drink that I enjoy every morning by going to drink ag one.com/juice box with your first order. Expect a free year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs. Get your foundational nutrition at drink ag one.com/juice box. This show is sponsored today by the glucagon that my daughter carries. G voc hypo Penn Find out more at G voc glucagon.com. Forward slash juice box.
Holly 2:10
My name is Hollywood Aman. I am a mom of two amazing kids. They're 16 and 11. I'm a scientist and a professor in the med school like here in Quebec City, Canada. And I've lived with type one since the age of seven and I'm now 47.
Scott Benner 2:27
Seven to 40 years.
Holly 2:30
Yep. Okay. hope you appreciate I aged on purpose to make the math easier for you.
Scott Benner 2:34
Thank you. It's why we waited for a birthday to come. Because if you would have been like I was I was diagnosed at seven and I'm 46 I would have been like oh god, hold on. Tell me again. What do you do for a living?
Holly 2:48
I'm a professor.
Scott Benner 2:50
Okay. Your kids have any autoimmune stuff? No.
Holly 2:56
Just me. Okay, you
Scott Benner 2:58
okay? Just type one or do you have something else?
Holly 3:02
I also have Hashimotos.
Scott Benner 3:05
Taking T for? Yeah. Does that do it for you? If it seems here? Yeah. Energy is good. All that stuff? Yeah. Cool. All right. Have you been Canadian? Your whole life?
Holly 3:18
Canadian my whole life? Okay, I've lived other places. But you were born there. I was born here. I've moved around a bit. I'm not from Quebec. Originally. You can tell from my accent. Okay.
Scott Benner 3:29
Blanca. All right. Where do you want to start? I've been I haven't done this in 10 days. It's up to you. I just had a practice. I just got back from vacation. And I was like, well, that's life. We know a lot about our work good now. All right, podcasts. Other people have diabetes. Even scientists, people in Quebec, sometimes scientists, people have diabetes. So I guess let's just go to the beginning for so what what do you remember if anything about your diagnosis?
Holly 3:58
I remember my mom crying a lot and comforting her. And then I was hospitalized for a month. Okay, which was a long time even then I think, wait a month, like a month? I lived in the hospital for a month. Do you
Scott Benner 4:12
recall why?
Holly 4:13
So I what I was told was that they had to stabilize me.
Scott Benner 4:19
So they're stabilizing techniques don't work that well? I guess not. I'm, I'm just checking very quickly. It's 2023 right now. I go back 40 years it was 83. Okay.
Holly 4:33
All right. Even back then. No, that was a long time. I can talk to a lot of other people who've been who were diagnosed around the same time or? Yeah, it was a long time.
Scott Benner 4:41
No, no, for sure. Maybe your parents were like, This is amazing. Can you keep her longer place? You don't know but the kids are pain. maybe who knows? They see your dad grease and bombs. She needs to be here another week. Don't you think?
Holly 4:57
We can't deal with this at home.
Scott Benner 4:59
You Yeah. Three more days. Do you remember anything about your care?
Holly 5:05
I remember that. I mean, in terms of in terms of what I was taking,
Scott Benner 5:09
do you mean? Yeah, and how your family.
Holly 5:12
So I remember, I started with either one or two needles a day, I remember going to two. I remember, I was on two, very shortly afterwards, but I don't remember if I started on to where I started on one. But it was like the classic, you know, beef and pork. Cloudy and clear. I remember testing my urine. That was really fun the test tubes in the bathroom and they would, you know, you would drop in, one of them took two drops of urine and five drops of water. And one of them took five drops of urine and 10 drops of water, and then you drop in the tablet and the fears. They change colors and you compare them to the chart.
Scott Benner 5:49
Does that clear the test?
Holly 5:52
So the clinic test was the strip's and they came late. I believe it might have been Clintus. I don't know.
Scott Benner 5:57
No, no, I know. I'm, I'm amazed that you remember that much of it. So then you're Are you one shot a day or two? How do they start? Yeah,
Holly 6:05
thank you. I think I start with two because I definitely remember doing you know, the the breakfast shot. So it was like, you know, 45 minutes before breakfast, and then the supper shot, which was about 45 minutes before supper.
Scott Benner 6:17
Okay. All right. measurements of your health. Any idea what they were looking for? Nothing.
Holly 6:26
I went to the hospital every three months. They took some blood. That's all I know. Okay. And even see wasn't even like, you know, when was he when he developed? Wasn't it like 79 or something like that. So they may not have even had it. I grew up in Saskatchewan. Oh, yeah. Just north of north of North Dakota and Montana. For anyone who is less, less familiar with Canadian geography.
Scott Benner 6:46
I just like that. I like for people to hear that there was no measurement. Like your measurement of health was what standing up? I don't know. Yeah, right. She's alive. We did it. Come back.
Holly 6:58
Here. I wasn't, you know, I was a little kid. So they might have been telling my parents more than that. This is not a conversation I would ever have with my parents. So.
Scott Benner 7:07
Okay, so you did not talk about diabetes with your parents whose child?
Holly 7:12
Oh, I mean, in terms of like, how am I doing? Ah, no, we talked about that. I mean, I would not have this conversation now. Oh, we would never talk about it. What Why do you think that is? Because I mean, my mom and I don't talk much anyway. And my dad basically left it to my mom. And then she left him when I was eight. And then he moved back to Europe when I was 13. So it wasn't really
Scott Benner 7:35
involved. All right, she left him that's why we don't talk to her.
Holly 7:40
Ah, no, we had a you don't have to tell you. I love my mom. Sure. I love my mom. So this is not a therapy session. Right. But we had a difficult conversation a couple of years ago, and haven't really come back together on that.
Scott Benner 7:56
Oh, I see. So one of you doesn't matter who brought up something. I'm gonna guess it was you. You brought up something that had been bothering you your whole life and it didn't land well. When you have diabetes and use insulin, low blood sugar can happen when you don't expect it. GE voc hypo pen is a ready to use glucagon option that can treat very low blood sugar in adults and kids with diabetes. ages two and above. Find out more go to G voc glucagon.com. Forward slash juicebox. G voc shouldn't be used in patients with pheochromocytoma or insulinoma. Visit G voc glucagon.com/risk.
Holly 8:37
We wanted her to test for COVID Oh, and she did. And we thought it was fine. And then the last night of our visit there she got really upset at me about the fact that she had to test for COVID That's it. Yeah. And but it's so when I talk to people who don't understand diabetes, the way I explain this is my my sister has asthma and was allergic to cigarette smoke. It was always said, you know, she shouldn't be around smoke. My mom smoked all the time. Sure, in the car in house, all that sort of stuff. So take that same attitude map into diabetes. That's sort of what I got. Okay. So,
Scott Benner 9:21
you know, my sister can't be my sister can't be around cigarette smoke. And she's like, why not? I'm fine. I
Holly 9:31
think she tried to quit and she did succeed at one point for anyway. It's complicated. And I lived
Scott Benner 9:37
in Saskatchewan. I do heroin, just so you know. Because it sounds cold.
Holly 9:43
It's very cold. Mo for sure. I plug in your car
Scott Benner 9:47
to keep it warm, not because it's an electric car.
Holly 9:49
So it will start again. Yeah, this is back in the day pre electric car.
Scott Benner 9:53
Yeah. So there's heaters on the engine block and you'd plug it in to keep the oil from becoming Hard, correct? Yeah, heroin right into a vein. That's what I do. I'd be like, I gotta get out of here. Or I'd worn that carbon drive south until I did something, though. What the hell does that mean? It's you
Holly 10:13
know how you know how in places so when I lived in Toronto for a while Toronto winters are technically warmer than Saskatchewan. And I think New Jersey is pretty similar to Toronto, right? I mean, sort of like it's it's cold and gray and slushy. You know, whereas in Saskatchewan, it's cold, but it's blue, and bright and sunny.
Scott Benner 10:32
It doesn't matter to me, I'd get the hell out of there. And Tuesday. Okay, so Oh, that's interesting. I
Holly 10:37
was seven years I supposed to go? I don't know. I mean, you were
Scott Benner 10:41
making better decisions than your mom, you should have tried it and so on. So, okay, so you're not nearly the first person I've spoken to who who's had like a real family remoulding. Around COVID. Like, very interesting. Like, it's not uncommon at all. There's a woman I wish she'd never come on here. But her family like, like, just disintegrated over it. Like just, you know, and it wasn't like in your things really simple. It's not like your mom was like, I don't think COVID is real. And you're like, I think it is it wasn't even that argument. It was like, I just need you to put a swab in your nose to make sure I'm not gonna get COVID Because I have diabetes. Yeah. And that pissed her off enough. How old is she?
Holly 11:22
- Okay, seven years, he would have been 69 or 68. And
Scott Benner 11:28
I'm just trying to change. Yeah. I was trying to figure out why she won't come back around. Yeah,
Holly 11:34
I don't know. I don't know. No, it was my kids were going to visit her. And my youngest was still too young for vaccines. And we know that my eldest does not have the genes for type one, or at least the, you know, the common. The Attilio subtypes that are associated with type one because he was enrolled in trigger was a newborn. But my youngest had never been tested. I mean, trigger wasn't. Trigger wasn't running at that time. So
Scott Benner 12:02
you were basically saying to your mom, listen, I don't want my kid to get COVID and then end up this kicking a diabetes thing in. So just stick this swab in your nose and let's check to make sure you don't have it. Did you pay for the test? No. She she was out the 12 bucks. You're saying? Maybe that was the problem? That she did bring that up real Oh, stop. It. She really? Yeah. She that's great. I just imagined her mind. She's like, my cigarette smoking didn't hurt the girl. Like they said it was going to there's no way that this could happen. Wow. That's fascinating. All right. Anyway, thanks for telling me that. That was a great year. We'll be right back up again. I know how to make the podcast again. Alright, so you haven't spoken to your mom in a while? Yeah.
Holly 12:50
I'm sad about it actually. Like it's Oh, no,
Scott Benner 12:52
I would imagine. Do you want to? You want to talk more about it? Go ahead. No. Okay. I
Holly 12:57
didn't know if you want to unburden unless you want me to send you a copay afterwards.
Scott Benner 13:01
I wish people would send me $40 After I made a podcast with him, but that hasn't happened yet. Okay, so you manage the way you did for how long? Like when did you go to MDI, every day that I wake up, I drink he won. He won, of course, is a foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole body health, drink, ag one.com/juicebox. I drink ag one every morning, just a cold glass of water and a scoop of delicious ag one, mix it up and drink it down. It's the perfect start to my day. I gave ag want to try initially because I was tired of taking so many vitamins and supplements. And I wanted a single solution that supports my entire body and covers my nutritional bases. I wanted better gut health. I wanted a boost of energy. And I hated taking all those pills and vitamins. So if you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with ag one. Try ag one with my link and get a free one year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs with your first purchase. Just go to drink ag one.com/juice box that's drink ag one.com/juice box, check it out. There's links in the show notes and links at juicebox podcast.com.
Holly 14:17
So what do you count as MDI? Like, is to just two needles count? No, right. So I'm so that was mph, right when I was about so I got my and then I got my first so here, here are the things I remember. And I'm gonna I'm just gonna guess about how old I was. I remember getting a blood glucose meter around age 11. Okay, all right. That was the big brick. Yeah, super. You would put the put a big drop of blood on and blot it and wait 60 seconds and then close the meter. I remember that one human synthetic insulins that was a big change. And I think I was I would have been about 1314 15 around there. That's you getting Lantus. Then No Lantis did not come until much later. Okay. Yeah, no, I actually never even I never even got a. I never even took lintas Because I moved to a pump in 2004 and
Scott Benner 15:12
went right to a pub. Here in Canada. I forgot. So
Holly 15:15
yeah, Lantis was later coming here. So, yeah, but I've moved off of mph on to a took lenti Ultra net MPH is terrible. It was just terrible. And so I tried everything else. lenti and ultra Linsay. Were the two.
Scott Benner 15:32
How was it not helpful day to day? Like What Did mph not allow for you?
Holly 15:37
Um, it's just really variable in terms of how it absorbs you never really know when that peak is gonna happen. You know, and I've never needed a lot of insulin. So small variations. We're all we just like, kick my behind.
Scott Benner 15:52
You think you were a low a lot as a child.
Holly 15:55
I was I there was a lot of glucagon in my childhood
Scott Benner 15:58
really? Like, like seizures. And
Holly 16:02
I don't know if I had a lot of seizures. I know I did have one seizure because I was hospitalized for that. But I would wake up, it'd be about usually about 1030 I'd had glucagon and I was barfing. Wow. And I would barf all day and miss the whole day of school.
Scott Benner 16:19
And this was common for you. Common? Well, you mentioned in your note that you don't feel your lows. Is that still Yeah, that's still the case. That is still the case. How, what age did you lose the ability to feel them?
Holly 16:34
So it was about 20 years in. So I would have been about 27 ish. But it's tough to say when it started. You know, I have? I have. It's funny. My husband and I were talking about this the other day, because there was one point when I sort of realized I'm like this something, something weird is going on, we were on a canoeing trip. And we had to get across a lake. It was really windy, was bad weather. It was it was in May. And it was snowing. And it was just we were like What are we doing out canoeing in May. And we had to get across this lake. And so we're just paddling. And all of a sudden, I'm crashing low. And I didn't feel it coming at all. And I you know you're in a canoe, I can't get up and go get my bag or anything like that. But I always had those, those gels tucked in a pocket of my life jacket. And you know, the cherry gels. And they don't even claim to be delicious. They just say pleasant cherry flavor. That's the level to which they aspire. Yeah,
Scott Benner 17:37
we're just gonna go for not horrible here and see, see what we can do. You'll be able to choke it down. That'd be a better marketing plan. If it just said it doesn't taste horrible. Better than pleasant actually. Also, I'm not sure if people are paying attention to what level but this lady lives in a place where it snows in May. So I don't know why you would stay there again. That's ridiculous there flowers and green grass in May here. Do you have a car?
Holly 18:05
It was not normal? We were not expecting the snow on that.
Scott Benner 18:09
Alright. Alright, that's fair enough. So what do you see you do the gel? Does it actually stop that? Or is
Holly 18:16
it works? I mean, obviously I survived. Right? Yeah. But I mean somebody
Scott Benner 18:18
paddling furiously to get you to a bag.
Holly 18:22
I don't recall. Like, I just remember squeezing the gel and like rubbing it in my cheek. And then, you know, continuing to paddle you just sort of keep going. Mainly, I mean, I can still function physically when I'm low. It's the cognitive
Scott Benner 18:36
stuff that goes buried at that point.
Holly 18:39
We were not married. No, we were we were I think we were engaged at that point.
Scott Benner 18:42
Yeah, that's how you know he likes you. And that's over. Really? Like, wow, he's he didn't just get in the car and drive.
Holly 18:51
I mean, driver's license at that point. So you know,
Scott Benner 18:54
oh, because Saskatchewan. Why would you need that?
Holly 18:57
Right. He grew up on a commune. What the hell were Ontario? They have that in Canada. Oh, yeah.
Scott Benner 19:06
How was he your Is he your age? Did you have the cradle what's going on?
Holly 19:10
No, he's so he's 50. I'm 47. Oh,
Scott Benner 19:13
okay. Here's he was a little older. He didn't have a license in his late 20s. What kind of commune was it? We'd?
Holly 19:20
No, it was. That would have been great. They probably would have survived. They sold organic food. And the kids had to do all the weeding.
Scott Benner 19:31
So his parents were his parents were hippies.
Holly 19:34
I think they were want to be hippies. It was a religious commune.
Scott Benner 19:37
Oh, sell it. Gotcha. Did they wear deodorant?
Holly 19:44
Oh, no. Never asked you would they wear deodorant? Now? You were dating him?
Scott Benner 19:47
Did he wear deodorant? He did. All right. Okay. I didn't think Canada made that stuff. What hippies? Yeah, hippies. Like, there's Canadian hippie
Holly 19:59
group. Okay. It does they did have sites around the
Scott Benner 20:02
world. Do you not want to tell me what it was called?
Holly 20:05
It was called the divine Emmis emissaries of the Divine Light.
Scott Benner 20:09
Alright, hold on. First. I'm googling Canadian hippies. They had them. Okay, you guys got that too. Now hold on to one of the white light.
Holly 20:20
emissaries of divine light. I don't know if it's still I believe they might still have one site that is still in existence. One or two? Wow. I know they had one. So I know he lived for a while in Colorado as well.
Scott Benner 20:34
There on the web. Yeah. So I mean, if you've got a website, you're real. Is that something? Good?
Holly 20:42
Oh, no, I was just gonna say commune. I mean, he's amazing. And I do think that there's something to be said for growing up with the idea of, we're all in this together.
Scott Benner 20:54
Ya know, I would imagine. I mean, just as long as the leader doesn't try to touch you weird or something. Great. Are his parents alive? I'm sorry. This is the Yeah, they're fantastic. And they don't do stuff like this any longer. But they're just really lovely people.
Holly 21:09
Just really lovely people. They're not together his dad. His dad was actually one of the last people who stayed in the location where my husband grew up. And his mom met her current partner there. They've been together for 30 years.
Scott Benner 21:23
Wow. Yeah. So he his mom, and that they just traded off and she went a different way. And he stayed behind, trying to keep the ship from going down. I guess that's great. Well, yeah. Oh, very weird. I love this podcast. I don't know why. Every time somebody says something like, that's crazy. Yeah. Very cool.
Holly 21:44
So many people have such, I mean, I think most people don't think their own life. Is that interesting. But when you listen to stories about people's lives, so many people have these interesting stories.
Scott Benner 21:54
Oh, yeah. You're all out of your mind. If you don't think your lives are interesting. You're just not asking the right questions. That's all I guess. Yeah. All right. So where did this start? Oh, you're hyper
Holly 22:03
awareness in the middle of a canoe? In the snow?
Scott Benner 22:07
I guess my question is, what are the implications of that as an adult?
Holly 22:12
I mean, the main implication for me is it makes it difficult to drive.
Scott Benner 22:16
Okay, because out of nowhere, you're just too low to function in your head.
Holly 22:21
Yeah. Well, so I ended up. So I got a Dexcom. Very early, they weren't available yet in Canada. But I was working in the US. I was doing my postdoc at the University of Michigan. And so, because of that, because I have a sensor, I'm able to do things like drive, but prior to that, it was really scary. Yeah. Right. And I would, you know, always test before I drive, and then I would pull over at least once an hour to test and data.
Scott Benner 22:49
So wow, did you ever have trouble? Um, no, because I've followed the rules. You were so ahead of it. Yeah. Yeah. How does it so it impacts that way? Is it? Yeah, this is gonna sound strange. Is it kind of nice. Like, when you hear other people talk about being dizzy at 65 and stuff like that? Are you kind of, I still get oh, you still have oh, man present?
Holly 23:11
I just have no warning that it's coming. I see. Okay, it's more like i. So it's not that I don't feel any low ever. Although, I've been incredibly low. And just feeling nothing. So you know, I think the lowest I've ever been, and just, you know, I, my Dexcom is going bananas. And I feel fine. Would have been about you know, what around to so 36
Scott Benner 23:38
Wow. Yeah. I mean, that's low.
Holly 23:40
But I still do get low still do impact me. And particularly, I get really sad. You cry. Sometimes, so. And mostly it's just like, everything sucks for three or four hours after I've been low.
Scott Benner 23:56
Oh, Tom, are you serious? So yeah, you get a low even like, like, how low do you have to get before the world's not good for hours afterwards?
Holly 24:04
It's not really a number doesn't seem to be tied to a particular number. But it happens with some frequency. And I was already pretty motivated to avoid lows. But that is definitely an additional motivator.
Scott Benner 24:15
Oh, that's interesting. So you know, what's the level of sadness? Are you unable? Like, I'm really sad. Did like just lay around in a pile or?
Holly 24:23
No, I keep going up because I have a life and I have to do stuff. Yeah. But I'm, I'm very much aware that I am sucking it up. And then I'm going to be fine in four hours. And these thoughts that I'm having are just the low. Everything's gonna be okay.
Scott Benner 24:37
Wow. So it's not just like, it's not like a feeling of just like, Doom or dread or unhappiness, it's total despondency. Like, and it touches things get meaning that just because you know it's happening because of the law. You can't say. I know this lamp is pretty and I'm sitting here thinking about throwing it away because I'm so said that I bought this lamp. Yeah, there's no distinction in there.
Holly 25:03
No, I am very. So I have the meta thought that I am aware of what's happening. I'm aware that it's happening because I'm low. And then I'm going to be okay. Yeah, but I'm still feeling the feeling. Wow,
Scott Benner 25:15
that's XR. Does it impact relationships? Like do you is like, do we know we don't talk about stuff during that time.
Holly 25:22
So I do request that to not be asked to make decisions when I'm low.
Scott Benner 25:26
Okay, because you'll follow the feeling
Holly 25:29
more I have real difficulty making choices. That's crazy. Like, it's just it feels impossible to decide anything.
Scott Benner 25:36
Yeah. Like, yeah, like, you have dread, like real, like despondent feelings. And that's something. Are you ever afraid you'll hurt yourself during it? No, no.
Holly 25:46
I have responsibilities to my family.
Scott Benner 25:48
I mean, like, could you like, could you like tumble like, I don't know. There's no world peace. I wish there was more food. Why are there more commons where people make food? And then you're up on the roof looking down at the ground? Like, could it go that quickly? Or? No,
Holly 26:04
I don't think so. I think like, because I am aware of what's happening as it is happening. It's just, it's really unpleasant, even though I know why it's happening. And that is going to stop.
Scott Benner 26:14
Yeah. Wow, that's really interesting. No one's ever said that before. You're on a first I don't think anybody's had a low on a rowboat. married a guy who grew up in a commune or describe sadness after being low life? That's really good shoe. What else you gonna say?
Holly 26:27
I don't know. Let's find out what sound you got?
Scott Benner 26:30
Yeah, that's a good question. I ever I have a meeting later this afternoon, where I have to listen to the people that helped my mom where she lives describe why they didn't help her again. And then I get to sit there and try to be. So my wife tells me, I have to be polite during these conversations, because I'll put the people off, and then it'll make them harder for them to help my mom, I want to hold them accountable. And I'm not good at holding them accountable with pleasant words. Like outside of
Holly 26:59
gender element there, though.
Scott Benner 27:01
I think it's, I think it's because they tried to kill my mommy. And I'm not I'm not okay with that. And on the podcast. It's interesting. Like, there's a, there's a dynamic at play that most of you aren't aware of, but like, I'm a really direct person. And like, if I was in charge of a group of 20 people in a, you know, in a business situation, we would be a very effective group of 21 people. If I worked in that group of 20 people, I would be a despised human being, nobody would like me. So my wife said, There's no way you could have a real job. She's like, people would fire you immediately. And I was saying, but that's why the podcast works. So well. I said, Because I tell myself what to do. And then I do it. Right. And she's like, Yeah, not everybody does the thing at their job that they're supposed to do. And I'm like, so when they don't do it, it's not okay for me to point out to them that they're not doing it. She goes, No, we have to speak nicely, where they know, we know that they're not doing it, but we don't make them feel bad about it. And I was like, Are you sure? Like, because I would just like to tell them? Do your fucking job? Like, is that not okay, so anyway,
Holly 28:09
so I might not say to your fucking job. But I do think so. I do, I suspect. I'd be curious for you to hear your wife's perspective on this. But I'm willing to bet that you could get away with saying things that she probably can't because of the gender, the gender dynamics. Well, I tried that the legs are allowed to be forceful in ways that women aren't I understand
Scott Benner 28:30
your point. I also think that it's, I think that there's also an aspect in my regular life, that sometimes I have to be cognizant about the doesn't exist, and which is that here, I make, like when you come to record with me, you trust me already. Like, right, so like, so I'm kind of the leader of the of the like, I'm the leader of the commune. And, and when I tell you to take off your pants, it's for Jesus, you don't question it?
Holly 29:01
No, you only get to tell me to weed the garden.
Scott Benner 29:03
Yeah. Okay, sure. And then
Holly 29:07
what job I get to do, and those sorts of things,
Scott Benner 29:10
what guy can have my wife off to if she's
Holly 29:13
okay? Which sister wife, I'm going to be friends.
Scott Benner 29:16
I just have this, like, so I'm accustomed to being a trusted source in this situation. And then you get into the real world, where like, you're in a room with four people were like, I don't know what your stupid podcast is about buddy. And I have no idea who you are. And I forget that, like, everyone's not just going to be thrilled that I'm there. Because I do live a portion of my life or when I show up people are like, it's the guy and I'm like it is it's me. And like and like we're all good. And I am a very like, I am a very pleasant person. But I'm also direct to the point of I think it would surprise people that listen that if you if you were to screw me in my own life, I wouldn't care about how you felt in our altercation or in our but But what I'm Interview,
Holly 30:00
it's pretty clear, I think people should be surprised. I would not be surprised. But in
Scott Benner 30:04
this, I'm always coming from the perspective of, like, Tell me more. Why is that? Like, I'm interested in the interviewing more. Because if I just said everything I was thinking, I guess these interviews would be like, like, I don't? How do I put this? You're getting, like, 23% of me on the podcast, and you made the best 25 You would not enjoy the whole 100%? Cuz I would just be like, how the hell did you get in that boat without something to help yourself?
Holly 30:34
It was in the pocket of my life jacket,
Scott Benner 30:38
there'd be more of me going What's wrong with you?
Holly 30:40
What's wrong? Responsible?
Scott Benner 30:43
It'd be more of me on the podcast going? Did you consider thinking? It's stuff like that. So little bits of that, intermingled in the conversations is actually big people like it. And it's helpful because I interact, right. But when I, but when you don't do a thing you're supposed to do with my mom's care. And she ends up in the hospital and literally almost dies. And then we get back, she somehow makes her way through it. And we're sitting in the meeting, trying to figure out how to not let this happen again, and the answer is if you did your job, it wouldn't have happened. And then they get on and say, You know what, we needed a plan. And I said, you had a plan, you didn't follow it? And they said, Yeah, but we're gonna make a new plan. And I said, Are you going to follow the new plan? And they were like, Well, what we and they just kept pushing the idea of, we need a plan. And I started off very nicely, I remind everybody who was on the call, but when it started, I was pleasant. But about the third time that they insisted that the problem wasn't them. It was that the plan wasn't right. I said, No, you guys have to stop. I was like, that's, that's not what happened here. And I just am not good. I've said this in the podcast, I am not good at sitting in a room where you're lying to me, and I know it, and I'm lying to you. And you know it, I just, I can't do that. So in today's meeting, I've been told, just to sit there very quietly. So I'm gonna be like, the heavy in the room. Like, imagine we're in a room collecting money from your gambling debts. And you say, Who's the guy in the corner? Because you think the guy in the corner is gonna break your hand. I'm gonna play that part today. I'm just gonna say hello to everybody and then not say anything. And then all the nice people in my family are gonna nice it up for me.
Holly 32:27
Anyway, good luck to them.
Scott Benner 32:28
Thank you. Because I just made that happen. That sucks. Oh, it was terrible. Like, I'm not kidding. Like she was in the hospital, delirious, throwing things, not herself, minute to minute didn't remember what happened a minute before. You know, the first four days in the hospital, they're like, you know, my brothers. And I got together and talked about her funeral arrangements, like like that. And then I'm on a call with somebody who's like, well, she's great. I'm like, Yes, but I still had to get on a call with my brothers and decide if my mom was going to be cremated or buried. And now we're all gonna sit here and pretend it. It's all fine, we'll make a new plan. So anyway, I yelled at them a lot. And got things in line. That call did not go well, from that point, from their perspective. And at the end, I they were like, well, what do you want to do? And I said, No, I'm not in charge. Like, what do you want to do? Like I don't, I said, I said, Actually, I think what I said was, Do I ask you to come to my job and do it for me? And they were like, what? And I'm like, I'm not doing your job, you do your job. That's all I want from you. You do your job. Don't kill my mom. At one point, my brother reminded me. So my mom got a UTI. Okay, she's at and almost killed her. My brother reminds me that at some point during the conversation with the people, he says, Scott, you told them the entire story of mom's life in 35 seconds, leading up to her beating cancer last year, and then said, If my mom dies from her ASPI and dirty, I'm not sure how well I'm going to handle that. And there was a pause. And he said, and then he goes, and then you said, So cancer couldn't kill her. But you guys are going to. And anyway, my wife says, I can't say that in meetings with people. So
Holly 34:17
I would I think your wife is correct. That is probably probably not going to engender feelings of hey, let's go the extra mile for this family.
Scott Benner 34:29
I thought they would just do it out of fear. And by the way, they did for three weeks. For three weeks. They did what they were supposed to do. And you know why we're having this meeting again, because they stopped doing what they were supposed to do. And my mom got that was only found out because we were paying attention very, very closely at this time because we know, accreditation. I mean, it's a state. It's a facility that is accredited by the state. And you know, there's actually
Holly 34:56
if I were if I I mean, I'm not a lawyer Hey, and not in that situation don't even know what state it is. But you know, that is usually what they're afraid of. They're not afraid of individuals. They're afraid of the accreditation board.
Scott Benner 35:09
Yeah, one woman in the call. I remember her saying, no one's ever spoken to me like this before. And I said, Oh, I'm sorry. This is the first time I've had to deal with someone trying to kill my mom. Am I not being polite enough? I didn't, it would have made a great podcast. Holly was not a great personal meeting between caregivers and family. I lost my temper. And anyway, I will not apologize. Point being we got off on a tangent. I didn't mean to do that. Okay, so you
Holly 35:39
are saying your whole podcast about tangents?
Scott Benner 35:41
Yeah, but I like to pretend that that's not what it is. No, okay. I act like this is part of the diabetes. This is the stick. I'm like, Oh, how did we get down this road? You want to know the truth? Everyone listening? Here's the truth. You can't make an entertaining podcast about diabetes completely.
Holly 35:58
Doesn't work. That's why I like yours. It's very funny.
Scott Benner 36:02
Thank you very much. Why am I reading here that you dropped out of school? What school?
Holly 36:07
I dropped out of university and and went to work on a sailboat.
Scott Benner 36:15
Alright, so now you're the second person that's worked on a sailboat on the podcast. Oh, really? Yeah. One girl. I thought I did for you. This girl. It would happen so long ago. She found it in a magazine.
Holly 36:29
Oh, she went to school on a sailboat. I remember that way. Right? Right.
Scott Benner 36:33
They took her to the Bahamas, like I think she flew to the Bahamas and then came back up the coast or something like that. And her doctor changed her insulin during the the trip. And they they mailed it to a port where they knew she was crazy stuff like that.
Holly 36:48
I loved it. So no, mine was mine was not that organized. Say I just I needed to. I needed a break. I had been, I'd spent two years at university in at Queens, which will mean something to people in Canada, but it's this very waspy school. And I worked there both summers too. So I hadn't left this college town for two years, I needed to do something different. And I also needed to make money. So so I could keep going to school. So I dropped out, planning to come back. And I did end up coming back, although it was mainly because I broke my ankle. And so I had to go back to school. Whereas if I hadn't broken my ankle, I probably would have taken the job I was offered to crew in the South Pacific. And then I'd be having a very different life.
Scott Benner 37:34
Wow. Instead, you came back and finished what degree
Holly 37:38
my first degree, my undergrad degree was in engineering and math and mechanical engineering. And then I worked as an engineer for a while, okay, and then went back to grad school and got a that funding basically to do some work in health related to health. I was still in engineering, but I was doing more human computer interaction, and then did a postdoc in social science and health. And now I'm faculty and in med school.
Scott Benner 38:04
Wow. Tell me what the lore of the boat was that almost got you to leave all those impressive things that you just said,
Holly 38:12
Oh, well, very impressive, because they're because of the way our society is structured. But I mean, there are, I don't know, what's your fun, going places is fun.
Scott Benner 38:22
Forget what society thinks though. Like you were on your way to being like a, like I'm looking you know, you seem safe indoors. You know, your hair's been washed, you're having decent life is what I'm saying. And you were very grateful. But if you think if you didn't break your ankle, you would have just taken a different job and go on a completely different path. I was like, it wasn't drugs. It was just boys. Was it? Nothing. It was just the thing. You liked it.
Holly 38:48
I just liked it. Yeah. So I wanted to go somewhere. I wanted to be somewhere else.
Scott Benner 38:54
So how long did you do it for before your ankle?
Holly 38:57
So I was on the boat. So I I had a period of time where I was working at a manufacturing plant to make more money. And then we left for Florida where the boat was dry, docked, thinking December and I broke my ankle and it was it was about four, four or five months.
Scott Benner 39:15
Okay. All right. So it was still romantic notion. You hadn't been there that long, maybe two years into it, you would have been like, Okay, I want to be an engineer. I didn't want to work for that. I didn't want to work on that boat for very long. Oh, about a bigger, nicer, happier experience. You
Holly 39:30
know, just different different captain.
Scott Benner 39:32
Oh, what's that? Is that politics? Is it
Holly 39:36
so the captain of the boat so the boat that I was working on? Was my I was first mate and cook. And so I did everything that the captain didn't want to do. It was a little 47 foot sailboat, and he would have his friends come and they would stay on board for two weeks at a time. And they would pay enough just to cover sort of costs food fuel Yeah, you know, my pathetic salary, stuff like that. And he was from East Germany, he had defected and moved to Canada and made a bunch of money in real estate, and was very particular. And so he would do things like, you know, call me over after I'd cleaned the clean this the soul, so the floor inside the boat, and when he was inspecting it with a flashlight, and he would show me the spots that I'd missed.
Scott Benner 40:27
Oh, lovely. So I used to do graphic design for a guy who would spend the first 27 days of the month brainstorming, which we later learned been drinking during the day. And then he would spend the last 72 hours standing over my shoulder. Like watching me work so that I'd meet his deadline. And I'm good under pressure because of that. Oh, well, you know, skills, but it was, it was unpleasant. I got him fired. Did I ever tell that story on here? I don't know. That's such a good story. If I never told that story, somebody write me a note. Because I'll tell you. Yeah, he screwed me and I screwed him back. Yeah, sort of like the meeting at that day. It probably wasn't smart enough to push me the rest of the way. Anyway, not the point. Okay, so you end up back at school? And now you? I mean, what, what is your, I guess, tell me a little bit about your job right now, my current job, or the one that talks directly to the other thing you want to talk about which you said to me and your note that you'd like? It says getting doctors to provide better diabetes care. I have some academic work on this. And I have some funny stories personally. So oh, gosh, do you remember writing that?
Holly 41:42
I vaguely it was a really long time ago, it was at least Yes, I do have I do have work on that. So my postdoc, so my current job, my current job. I'm a I'm a professor at a med school. And so I do primarily research, I teach a little bit, I mostly teach health professionals. So doctors, nurses, you know, physiotherapists, people who are in training to become health professionals. And I do a little bit of continuing professional education to so people who are already practicing. So we did do a study where my postdoc, and I, and another and a med student, did video interviews with people with diabetes, type one and type two. And ask them a bunch of questions. And one of the questions we asked was, What could health professionals do better? What could they do to provide better care to people with diabetes? And then we took all those video interviews, and we stitch them together into sort of like a learning module. And then we tested it we trialed it with with med students, and it helps them respond to clinical scenarios of people with diabetes better. So what's your
Scott Benner 42:48
opinion of when people have poor interactions with doctors, doctors that appear not to know how to help them? Why do you think that is? Why can I figure out more than a doctor can figure out
Holly 43:02
about management about anything? About anything?
Scott Benner 43:05
Why do I go in? And why do I go in and say, hey, here are my symptoms? And they're like, Hey, take this. And then in then I go home and go, no, no, that turns out, this is impacting that. And I don't need a medication for the second thing, I need the first thing to not happen that's happening because of this. Here's how you stop it. And then I have to go back to them, explain it to them, and then smile like a puppy and hope they write the right prescription for me. Why is it work that way? Oh, gosh,
Holly 43:32
I mean, I think so you're talking about your experience in the US system, which is a different a different system than other countries. But I do think that it is common for people to have negative experiences in healthcare systems. There are a lot of reasons it happens. Some of them are the fault of system level factors. So things like there is not enough time. Right? Right. So especially in primary care, those health professionals do not are not paid enough to be able to pay their nurses and pay their staff and that sort of thing and run a clinic in a way that would allow them to spend the time with people to really get like to really unpack what's happening with that person, because it takes time.
Scott Benner 44:18
Yeah. Here's my idea. Tell me if it's yeah, I held this idea for a while I've said it to a couple of people using diabetes as an example. I think instead of you coming to a 1520 minute, 30 minutes if you're lucky. appointment where you come in, and then the first couple of minutes is spent with that I forgot Hello, while they're trying to like look at the chart and remember who the hell you are, you know, and then it's how's it going? They don't care. They're just looking at what your last day latency was and what they talked about the notes they made about you and you're sitting there thinking that this is like one of your best friends the whole world and they're busy going like that. I don't remember this person at all. And like that part ends. There's the first five minutes, then how's it going? And then you say the things you've been holding inside the whole time they go. Ah, uh huh. Okay. Yeah, well, everything looks fine here. And then and then that ends and what scripts do you need? That's really why you're there. What do you need? Do you need insulin? Do you need insulin? Do you need test strips? Do you need a CGM? Tell me what you need. Where do I send it? Like, this is what it is? I think we should this is gonna sound weird. So I'm just gonna say we should all just sign a HIPAA waiver, go into one room, spend the whole day, all of us. So if the doctor sees 20 people a day, in eight hours, then there should be a six hour supposing them with those 20 people where they've done that, why wouldn't Why not more, every time on Tuesday, he should do it with the next 20 people. And on Wednesday,
Holly 45:53
you should talk to you should talk to the people at the courier unit at Mayo Clinic. Okay. Victor mentoree, his group has done this. So one of my good one of my best colleagues here, Angela, she worked with him for a long time. And she ran. She ran a trial of this in maternity care, it works really well. They've done it in type two diabetes care, it works really well. Not quite what you're talking about. But but pretty similar, right? So this idea of group based care, where you do go through, and you do look at people's labs and that sort of thing. And then you and then people ask questions. And I think you're right, because, you know, it happens all the time. Because you could people ask questions that you didn't realize you had until someone else asks it,
Scott Benner 46:38
you can basically replicate the podcast and what it does for people in real life. Because then everyone would ask somebody will ask a question. They'll get their answer. Five people who had the question didn't know they had the questions, they'll get the answer. Five people who had the question would never have been able to raise their hand because they're, for whatever reason, they get the answer. Somebody else asks you keep going. There's people around the side of the room to do breakouts, if you need somebody to talk to. It lasts all day, you get a lunch, it'd be beautiful. Is it because we can't bill for?
Holly 47:09
I don't know enough about how us Yeah, why. But billing problems would definitely be one of the issues. The issue around I mean, I don't think it works for everyone. But I think you're right, I think yeah, it would work for a lot of people, maybe not all day, but like half a day.
Scott Benner 47:25
Couple years ago, before it right before COVID, I was getting ready to go on. Like, I must have spoken at nine things and like a calendar year. And I hadn't done it a while. So I just let a listener find, like a space near me. And I told people, I'll be here to talk about diabetes on this day. Because basically, I need practice given my thing again, and talking to people. And I think someone found a church, they like shook the space out of them for free. I showed up, no one murdered me that was delightful. And you know, there at the end, maybe 4050 people came to this. And I still know a number of them. Like they still listen to the podcast. And in like two hours, you can just like pick someone up and move them to a new a new place in their understanding. You know, I'm thinking about a woman who drove I don't know if you know, the, the geography enough, but a woman who listened still whose son is now an adult, but then three or four years ago is probably a high school students still, she drove from Long Island, like out on Long Island in New York, to a place in Pennsylvania that somebody found for me that I was close enough to that I could make it to and spent the night like, put like a whole thing into it, you know, and her I just talked to her recently, her son's doing terrific. You know, like so I just think that 20 minutes at a time when the first five minutes is like, hey, and the last time and it's just like, tell me what scripts you need. Hurry up. I don't think anything really happens. So I mean, I don't see anybody really being helped. Yeah, I see people being maintained. Yep. You know, I see. I think that's fair. Yeah, I see people being they get lost. And because you really are left to go home and fill in the spaces on your own. And listen, I'm just gonna say it plainly. Apparently. I don't know how to otherwise do that. I guess I could have nice this up somehow. I don't think some people are capable of filling in the gaps. Right? And even me, who you might be like, Oh, he understands diabetes. Like look at the look at the opportunities I had, like, like my wife. I was just stay at home father. I had time, right that I wrote a blog. So it was important for me to pay attention to diabetes, then I made this podcast so it's important for me to take these diabetes like you don't mean like I I'm immersed in it constantly, like I used to say all the time. Like the podcast is more valuable for me than it is for you. But then I keep the podcast going and try to give it back to you again. But you all are really allowing me to stay immersed into it. I just think that's what people need any more time they need more conversations, they need to hear other people. And you need to hear things said in a bunch of different ways. So that one of them, like flips your switch, you know, anyway, yeah, no, I agree. Also that I'm writing to me, I said that I'm right there, why won't these people?
Holly 50:20
Right, and there are there have been I mean, there have been trials of that form of care that do show promise. I don't know enough about the funding model to understand why it isn't adopted more widely. I do know, it's really, really hard to implement new things in healthcare. Yeah, like, just ridiculously difficult. There's a whole science, it's called implementation science. Like people have whole careers in how do you get people to do the right thing in healthcare? Which is depressing as heck
Scott Benner 50:51
yeah, I'm gonna pull something up, first of all, because I want to talk to you about it. But you almost you almost booted just now. Thank you very much. Did I keep very close to giving me a Canadian about
Holly 51:02
you're very close to it? I could switch into French if you prefer. I know
Scott Benner 51:06
people listening who would prefer that, but I would not. Because I can only cancel like nine after three years. So I will
Holly 51:14
give you my husband's best best joke. Okay, back for a while now. Why do why do people in France only eat one egg for breakfast?
Scott Benner 51:24
Because one egg is enough. There you go. Thank you. Well, then, three years, three years in high school. Yeah, I ran a survey, fairly informal survey of people who listen to the podcast. I did it with, with a with a Hopkins student who was lovely and wanted to help the podcast somehow. So she helped me get it together. And when we first started doing it, and I'll brag here for a second, she said, How many people do you want to take the survey? And I said, I don't know, like 500. And she goes, you're not gonna get 50. And I said what she was big institutions have a lot of trouble getting people to take surveys. And I was like, are why one five? Yeah. So I got 1100 people to respond. And I could have kept going, I could have kept going. But I was like, at this point. It's actually just for my ego, because we have enough data. So we stopped. I'm not going to go through everything with you. But she written it up. Not yet. She she would love to see that or be great. Had a parent pass away unexpectedly. So but no, so we're working towards it. Your level of education, you know, the background stuff, What's your connection to diabetes? parent and caregiver I have type one was almost 5050. So for all the people who were like your podcast is just for parents because you're the parent. Not true. I knew it wasn't. It was Yeah, I knew it wasn't but nobody listens to me. You know, everybody using CGM or pomp. So how are you doing? It? Is our family history type one, type two, we go through those sorts of things. Do you have other autoimmune diseases overwhelmingly, thyroid, autoimmune thyroid, celiac, were wanting to others. Eight 766 of the respondents had something other autoimmune that wasn't on the list of like 10 things that I gave them to list. I threw in bipolar disorder because of my I know it's not technically auto immune. But I don't know how many people have to tell me that they're bipolar and they have type one before I'm interested 2121 people out of 1100 listed bipolar. Anyway, what was your your beginning a one C and your lowest a one C right. Before you begin listen to the podcast. You know, what was your highest? What was your lowest? Before you began listening to the podcast, and just highest 10 Lowest seven two highest seven six, lowest seven to highest 13? Lowest 8.9 highest 5853? It's all over the place, right? Like there's there's no there's nothing where you say Oh, only people in this scenario are listening to the podcast. How often do I get my Atrio uncIe checked? Most people do it every three months. Only a handful of people don't track there. Ha are there HBA one see, after beginning to listen to the Juicebox Podcast How did your agency change 960 People improved 175 same eight went up. And I just had somebody write to me and say it's unfair. I put went up because it was the right answer. But I was honeymooning and so my once that's normal. Yeah. And I was like that's terrific. But but she goes to tell me in the in the message. She's like the only reason why a one sees in the fives is because of the podcast, but it just went up because I was honeymooning prior, I was like okay, and then everyone beginning to listen to the podcast and now what was your one? See after three months after this thing? These numbers are insane. seven to five Half and a half, six to five and a half goes on and on and on. Like it really is. It's terrific. And I'm trying to child it. I don't know anything about what I'm doing. Do you have not gotten that from the podcast yet?
Holly 55:14
But I'm sure like, you can run a little like if you had an academic and academic partly like the students. Right? What is she doing a masters or a PhD?
Scott Benner 55:23
Think she just finished her master's in public health?
Holly 55:26
Is she going to do a PhD?
Scott Benner 55:28
I think she was thinking about it when I was talking to her. Okay. Yeah. So,
Holly 55:31
you know, like a little pilot RCT of randomized controlled trial of people who are, you know, randomly assigned to listen to like the Pro Tip series? Yeah. And then people who are randomly assigned to does the ADA have a podcast, you have to do something sort of semi equivalent.
Scott Benner 55:49
There's nothing equivalent to this podcasts as well. I know, but you have to give them something.
Holly 55:52
Okay. Right. You can't just say Comcast versus nothing.
Scott Benner 55:56
Okay. I understand. I see. I take any fact I do, too. I take your point. I'm trying to figure out everything. So what is my health care team? So everybody lists who they see for their health care? And then you get into, I asked this question, what motivates people to make positive changes? Overwhelming, either a health concern or a loved one? Right, like 979, you could answer more than once. 979 health concerns for a loved 1707 everything else. So the podcasts,
Holly 56:28
selecting from from predetermined options, they could choose
Scott Benner 56:31
health care, health concerns, loved ones, pregnancy, the podcast, other print or online materials, clinical education received from a medical professional connection to diabetes community, other 790 of them listed the podcast.
Holly 56:46
That is amazing. That's great. So I do think it's funny, because I've heard you say this before about people doing people making changes for someone else. And so I just wanted to plant the seed for you that it can people can do things for other people. And sometimes, when someone else comes into your life, what it helps you realize is that you are worthy of care. Yeah. Right. So it's sort of like,
Scott Benner 57:12
I hope they get that out of the conversation. I just, I always ask it that way. Because I want them to realize that they were in a situation that was not optimal, that they could have fixed it anytime on their own, but needed a next year, like a, like an influence to make them go, oh, I should take better care of myself. I just think that's a very human thing.
Holly 57:34
Yeah, I do. But I also think, well, I don't know. And I mean, obviously, we're all influenced by our own experience. But for me, like a big a big thing has always been that, you know, like, I've always tried my best. But I didn't always know what I was doing. I went, you know, years, I went over a decade without having any diabetes professional. Yeah. 10 years, right. And so knowing it, the belief that I am worthy of care is a really core important thing. And not everyone gets that like, not everyone. Not every child grows up feeling that way. And so I think that that also influences how people live as adults with type one.
Scott Benner 58:18
Yeah. I just made a note for myself. I'll talk to Erica about that in an episode. The therapist I talked to, yeah, yeah. Let's see, I there's one thing I want to one other thing I want to tell you out of that, where do you learn how to operate your diabetes devices? Average answer 5.6. It's out of out of six 5.07. From the podcast next closest 3.53 From a medical professional.
Holly 58:48
Yeah. Well, they don't they don't spend a lot of time on this stuff. Like, I always think I've always said this, that I get the what, from my health professionals. But I get the how, from the diabetes community.
Scott Benner 59:00
Yeah. But they don't tell you that that's not the lit, they don't at the end, they don't go, Hey, I didn't tell you nearly enough. You have to go find out the rest on your own.
Holly 59:09
So I've definitely gotten that. And I've had some really good endos over the years, but the endos would never be the people to talk to you about your devices. That would be this. That would be the the nursing staff, the diabetes educators. Yeah. Yeah. Right. So if you don't have that kind of care, right. So when I've had that kind of care when I've been going to a, you know, a shop that has the setup to really support people with type one, then I get better care. Yeah, but at other times, I haven't always had that.
Scott Benner 59:40
Who addresses your psychological needs around diabetes management, the podcast overwhelmingly, you know,
Holly 59:48
well, it's amazing to hear other people's stories. Yeah, I really was.
Scott Benner 59:51
I really didn't recognize that at the beginning. Oh, yeah. I really thought this podcast was going to be me being like, Listen, Pre-Bolus Yes. Then here's why. He did. Try to understand how pizza hits you, and then understand how that's everything else. And like, and I didn't, it wasn't the people told me, like, seriously the people would come on, it was the first time that an adult was going on and on about how valuable the podcast was for them. And I just was like, obviously, the Pro Tip series, just fix them all up. And she said, No, I knew all that already. And I was like, what? Well, I don't understand how the podcast helped. She goes, I don't really either. She's like, just hearing people talking about it everyday made me want to do a better job. And I was like, Oh,
Holly 1:00:33
I think so. A couple of things. I think that hearing other people, at least for me, and I don't know if other people experienced this. But I started listening to diabetes podcasts, including yours. When I was, you know, I been looping for a few years at that point, I'd lost a bunch of weight. So all my settings were off. And I've been sort of tweaking them, but they weren't quite right. Like, you know, when you know, when your settings are, like close, but not there. And everything's just like, it's not smooth. Sure. Yeah. And I headed in and I'd started perimenopause. So like, everything that used to be really predictable, just went completely to insert expletive. Right. Right. And so I was having a hard time. Something that was helpful about listening to stories, was just like, I'm not the only person who's working hard at this. Now, I'm not the only person who is giving energy to this. And I resented it. Like, I didn't want to have to give energy to this. I've so many things that demand my energy. I didn't want to give energy to diabetes. But I knew I needed to, and hearing other people also giving energy to diabetes made me feel better.
Scott Benner 1:01:46
Yeah. I can't believe how much that's true. Actually. Like, it just it certainly is. It's overwhelmingly true. Just absolutely. There's something about that. You saying you didn't want to give energy to it? You think that was a conscious feeling?
Holly 1:02:04
Well, I was consciously aware of it. Yeah. But it wasn't like it wasn't like, I made a conscious decision that I just I was, you know, I was so I mean, you know, heading into perimenopause, you know, you know, like that time of life when you know, you've got I am, I love my job. And I love my students, but it's a lot of work. Ya know, I love my kids, but they're a lot of work, and diabetes, a lot of work. And I only have so much time
Scott Benner 1:02:29
right now. That's kind of what I was trying to eliminate is that I don't think that people, I don't think that they consciously say I'm not going to take good care of myself. I think they want to. And then there are other things that seemed more emergent. And maybe it's partly because of time and effort and desire. Maybe it's because they grew up not feeling valuable. And they don't think they're, you know, deserving of the effort. You know, I don't know. Anyway, I don't know how the other things gonna work so well. But do you frequently listen to other diabetes? Podcasts? No. 1071? So Wow.
Holly 1:03:07
Did your did your student explained selection bias to you?
Scott Benner 1:03:11
Yeah, I do understand that. I know that this isn't a real thing. Right?
Holly 1:03:15
That's a real thing. What are you talking about? That's a real thing? Well, so you just you have to like anytime you run a survey, right? What's really important with surveys is your sampling frame. Right? And how you get people to how you invite people to take the survey, who sees the invitation, who decides to participate, that sort of thing. So you can't claim that the survey population is representative of the larger population of people with type one. Right? Right. But it's not it's it's a real thing.
Scott Benner 1:03:46
My wife is, you know, she's delighted and telling me that she loves making me unhappy. I don't know why I think it's because we've known each other a long time. And so I wasn't an
Holly 1:03:57
image sounds different.
Scott Benner 1:03:58
I wasn't unaware of that. I also don't think she delights in making me unhappy. It just feels that way. Do you ever point something out? And you're like, I shouldn't have said that.
Holly 1:04:09
Yeah, I was
Scott Benner 1:04:11
just teasing. But. So I get that, that people like, voraciously clicked on the link, because they love the podcast already. But I think the point I wanted to make out of that is if you listen to the podcast, apparently this is how you feel. If you've enjoyed it, and it's an it's struck you, right? I'm not saying that if you randomly if I randomly went out and grabbed 1000 People who had diabetes, and gave them the podcast that they'd all love it. I'm sure half of them would hate it. And you know, some of them wouldn't like me or some of them wouldn't jive with how I I know that would all happen. I don't know that. That's important. Because when we're talking about this many people, right, even if it was one in 10 Even if one in 10 people had this experience, then that makes the is very, very valuable those other people, because you what you want to think is, well, those other nine people will find something else that will help them. But that is not necessarily true. It's helpful. And I hope that the online material helped them or they read a book and it helped them or, or another podcast, whatever. Right. But I don't know, like, I just don't know, I don't know another place where you could grab 1100 people who, like if I put up a survey that said, hey, I want you to take a survey about your doctor. And it's got nothing to do with me. I don't think 1100 of them would so overwhelmingly say yes, I found help from this doctor and the rest. And so I am completely aware of what you're saying. This was kind of more for me than anything else.
Holly 1:05:49
I think you know, my beautiful. Yeah. So thank you, oh, well, cuz you've poured your heart and your life into making this.
Scott Benner 1:05:56
I just wanted to see like, because then the other thing was at the end, someone said, Hey, can you put a place where we can like leave a message? And I almost think all these numbers. I don't know how important they are. I think you should read the messages. Oh, you know,
Holly 1:06:13
I'm sure I can't because I'm sure the ethics, the IRB approved it. So I'd particulars around who gets to see the data. But it sounds amazing.
Scott Benner 1:06:21
I'm just the one looking at it. Like nobody else has seen it. But if you saw the feedback, like, like, people start in such a hole, and then they go to a doctor and say helped me. I don't know, like there. Unless I'm wrong. You shouldn't. That story should never end with Oh, and then I found a podcast and everything's okay. Now, that seems wrong to me. Maybe that isn't maybe that's how maybe that's how this is going to work? Like, you know. Yeah, I don't know, in the future.
Holly 1:06:50
People in healthcare settings are constrained. Right, and what they can say and what they can do. That isn't to say they couldn't do better. Yeah. Right. Yeah. But yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I do think I mean, so let me let me give you a compliment that, because I review a lot of papers, and a lot of grants. And a word that often sort of bothers me, when academics use it is empowerment, right? We are going to empower patients, because very often, especially in grants, when I am reading this grant, and they're saying we're going to empower patients. Often what it means is, we're going to figure out a way to make these patients do what we know they should do. That's often the underlying subtext of what they need. And I think what you are doing is actual impairment, because you don't really care. You just want to help people. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:07:48
that's the first thing. I think it's really lovely. She said, Well, thank you, you're very nice. The person who helped me she's like, you know, like, academia is not going to care about this. And I said, oh, did I give you the impression that I cared about that? And, and she's like, what I'm like, I don't care what the establishment thinks of it. Some people will. Yeah, and that's lovely. But like, overall, she's like, you know, she's like, they're, they're not, the questions aren't exactly asked correctly. Like, in the end, I'm like, I don't care. I'm like, it's not, I'm just trying to check to make sure I'm doing what I think I'm doing. That's all because it's gotten too big now. Like, you know, like, when it was smaller, I could like talk to more people and like, okay, you know, I see, there's a group of people feel this way, this group through this, I could, I could kind of feel like it's too big now, like, I don't, I need to make sure the ship is still going in the direction. I think it's going in, and I can't I'm not trying to diss I'm not trying to help everyone. I don't think that's possible. I'm trying to help the people who intersect well with the information. That's all and, and look for ways to, I'll tell you what people do not like, it's easy to say, I asked him about different series, the series that get the worst grades are about how people eat, and about the afterdark stuff. But people also love the afterdark stuff. So what they said in the survey, and what I see in the downloads did not coincide.
Holly 1:09:16
Well, I think that's quite I mean, I think what you're what you're speaking to, is that not everything that you put out is going to resonate with everyone. Sure. Yeah. Right. But there are there are people who, who, with whom those different things may resonate. I think my favorite episode was in the how we it was like a vegan cat. Yes. It was so funny. Oh,
Scott Benner 1:09:37
thank you. Well, please.
Holly 1:09:39
Was that a family?
Scott Benner 1:09:40
I don't remember it was how we Yeah. Vegan cat. Yes.
Holly 1:09:44
Oh, it's killed myself. Like I listened to it while I was reading. I almost fell down.
Scott Benner 1:09:48
Well, thank you. That's very nice. There's party here. I'll share this with you. I don't think the people listening are the best arbiter of what they should hear. No, because they because they don't if they knew they wouldn't need it. Does that make sense?
Holly 1:10:04
Maybe? Yeah, no, that's a fair point. That's your point.
Scott Benner 1:10:06
You don't? I'm sorry. I was gonna say a person who knows what they need, does it? They don't go looking for answers about it.
Holly 1:10:14
Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, no one should ever ask questions, though.
Scott Benner 1:10:19
No, it means that it means that I'm in a unique position to know what will help you before you know what will help you.
Holly 1:10:28
Hmm. Yeah, I don't know. That's not impairment, though.
Scott Benner 1:10:31
No, it's not. But it helps me it helps me structure the podcast. Yeah. And then after that, you do whatever you want with it. And that's where I say like, go like, you're an adult, do your thing. Like, you'll be okay. You can do this. Like, that's where all the empowerment comes into. But if I, if they needed to see my left hand, and I showed them my right hand and empower them, that wouldn't help them. So I'm like, here's the stuff like, look at this stuff. I know you don't want to listen to I know, nobody wants to listen to the idea that the food they take in is very impactful on their health. Like that's not a thing, like a lot of people don't want to know that they want. I think that I think some people do think there's a large section of people who are very in tune with what they I also think there are a lot of people are like, look, I got diabetes, and I really want to eat a Hohoe. And I need this to work out for me. And please don't tell me not to eat the Hohoe. Like, I'm going to eat it like so help. Yeah. And so I
Holly 1:11:26
do that. I do. I don't know. I do. I don't know. Sorry, my I just keep. So I had, I had my first colonoscopy last week. So my perspective on eating has completely. I did not know how much fiber made a difference in my life until I had to eat really low fiber for a week.
Scott Benner 1:11:47
Oh, yeah. And then everything slowed down and was unpleasant. Well,
Holly 1:11:51
so I like a very healthy high fiber, mostly vegetarian diet. And my fiber went down by 74%. And my insulin to carb ratio went up by 70%.
Scott Benner 1:12:05
Yeah, there's a strong correlation between people who eat very like vegan like that, and not eating a ton of events that you can take it a lot of carbs, and still have low variability and things like that. Oh, yeah. Oh, I see what you mean. Okay.
Holly 1:12:21
Yeah, but I didn't I you know, it just I knew intellectually, that fiber is great. Fiber is good for you. And it's good for blood sugar management, but I'd never seen it in my graphs. Until, you know, I'm stuck eating white toast and eggs. And all of a sudden, I'm going all over the place. So they
Scott Benner 1:12:41
need to eat.
Holly 1:12:43
So here the deal is you have to eat low residue, and like, they gave you the list. And I'm like, what, like, there's nothing on this that I actually eat. So I probably could have done more I could, I was just, I was just like, Okay, I mean, eat toast and eggs and yogurt.
Scott Benner 1:12:58
And you so you got like fat from the, from the yogurt more so than normal, you got the spike from the toast. And it's not easy to deal with. And so what I meant was, is that I don't think people like to be hit in the face with the reality that that less processed foods will lead to easier days. Yeah, with diabetes. I think that's the thing that I think that it's important to deal with this the way I talk about it, which is you're going to eat however you want to eat. That's not up to me. I think you need to just understand how insulin works with your diet. Like that, to me is the best thing you can do. But then when I put out the how we eat episodes, I think people saw it as like, don't tell me how to eat. And I was like, I'm not telling you how to eat. I'm telling you. This is how this lady eats. Like, yeah, and here's her story. Maybe you'll find something in it.
Holly 1:13:49
I will say the title like how we eat was a little weird. I'm like, what? Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:13:53
well, how we, everybody. This is how everybody eats. This person needs this way this person needs that way.
Holly 1:14:02
I think what it evokes is an eye in the type one community when you meet people who have who are very much about how they eat. They're not always the most enjoyable people to talk to. So that might be part of what's coming out. They're like the people who are just like, let me tell you about my eating style. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:14:24
no, no, I somebody telling you about their eating style was like listening to a like a reformed like alcoholic explain. Yeah, drinking. Just like I yeah, I don't. I don't. It's fine.
Holly 1:14:34
There's some there's some zealotry out there. Yeah, it is not. And I'm really happy for people who have something that works for them. I just, you know, Oh, yeah. And I think sharing that information in a way that's like, hey, this really works for me is great. I worry sometimes about the everyone should do this.
Scott Benner 1:14:53
Yeah, I've learned that the Internet doesn't work the way people are scared. The internet works. But I mean, what do I mean? Okay? There's a there's a phrasing that people use. I've noticed online that and they say that like, it's this thing that is definitely happening in the world because I saw it, I saw it like three times definitely is happening. It's like when somebody tells you this code for Dexcom CGM is bad. It's a randomized code that gets put on. It's not like there's a box of CGM somewhere and they make it like this code number. And all of them in there have the same. I don't know, they act the same way. But people think that way. So you see,
Holly 1:15:34
what's a calibration? It's it's basically it sort of like a fudge factor.
Scott Benner 1:15:38
Yeah. But my point is, they get these four digit codes, right. So so so somebody will come out and say, I noticed that this number isn't good. And they'll literally they'll come to that conclusion, because they have one that didn't last 10 days, and had that number on it. And online, they saw somebody else say that there's didn't last that long. And it also had the same number. So see if the number
Holly 1:16:00
or well they would be coming from the same batch, wouldn't they
Scott Benner 1:16:03
know, I think they're randomized. I believe they're just random,
Holly 1:16:07
random. Why would they why would they have a random number?
Scott Benner 1:16:11
It's no, I'll talk to him. But it's the code that it's just the code that connects the CGM to anyway, I used the bad example. Here's my next exam. Yeah,
Holly 1:16:20
I think you're trying to make the point that people draw large draw very generalized conclusions from like, minor interactions online, and they assume that everything is like that. And it's not.
Scott Benner 1:16:31
So I know, a lot of people who eat low carb who aren't crazy. Yeah, me too. And just because the same 10 People are ringing a bell and lighting fires and telling you, you have to eat low carb, or you're killing yourself doesn't mean that everybody who eats low carb feels that way. But it feels like that when you're online that's happening. And yeah, I think it can it can, you know, it feels like, look, you know, every time I mentioned this, there's always an argument. And I always say like, Did you not notice you're always arguing with the same five people? Like, it's, it's not like the whole world's against you. And every time you say it out loud, we learned that the whole world doesn't agree with you. It's these five people who just believe that they're using their online influence, to say something that is very important to them, right? Like they are struggling, and they're not now. And it's because of this thing. And it turns into proselytizing. They're like, you have to do this, because it worked for them. And it's not to say that it won't work for somebody else. It might it's the veracity comes from they think it saved their life. You know, and like, like I might have, and it very it very well might have been there's nothing wrong with it. But you can't do what you just said like you can't let the masses think there's one way to do a thing. Because the first time you tell somebody, if you don't eat like this, you can't control your blood sugar. If that person's like, well, I can't eat like that. Then they just give it away, then they're like, well, then I guess I don't get to. I don't get to I don't get to be healthy. You know, because I'm not going to eat this way. And I think they give up. And that is important. It's the one thing I don't allow on the Facebook group is you can't tell people how to eat. On the Facebook group. If somebody comes on. It's like, look, I'm trying to Bolus for a Slurpee and a pretzel at a 711. If you know how to do that, tell them and if it is your inclination to tell them not to eat it. You can't do that. Like that doesn't help. Their eating. It's too late. Yeah, now that now if you can tell them how to Bolus work great. And if you can't, then shut up and leave. And so I'm
Holly 1:18:40
very impressed at someone who can Bolus first locrian a pretzel Did
Scott Benner 1:18:43
I hit we when we were in on a trip with our family? Just now. We all went to a movie one night, and art and standing there and she goes, I'm going to get that Mountain Dew. I see. Like, yeah, she was I am I'm getting that. And I was like, Okay, so the girl comes over and she goes, Do you want the artists like what sizes they come in? And the girls like large and medium? And artists like oh, okay, I'll get a large. Well, I don't know what world these Oh my god. I mean is as big as my monitor. It was like, like, two people had to carry it. It's just juice. This is this giant thing. And I was like, Can you Bolus for that? And she's like, Yeah, I think so. And I was like, Okay, so that's awesome. gave herself an insane amount of insulin. And then when and basically, you're basically doing it. I don't know how to explain this. I do not explain this. It's um you know, when you have a high blood sugar and you put an insulin to push it down, right? Yeah. Okay. Or you have a low blood sugar is probably a better example. You have a low blood sugar and you put food in to push it up. So you create the possibility of the low without with the Bolus. And then you feed it up with the Slurpee, right. Instead of trying to think about how do I conquer the Slurpee. Yeah, with insulin, I think about it as how do I conquer the insulin with the Slurpee? In that? It's a it's a slight difference. But it's important, right? So she just gave herself a, and you ask like people would be like, well, how much? I don't know, a lot. Like, because how many carbs are that? I have no idea. How are we going to find out? I have no idea. So you just give yourself a bunch of insulin, and then you keep feeding the insulin. You wouldn't do that in your regular life. But to conquer this one thing? Yeah, this is how you do
Holly 1:20:32
it. It's like holiday holiday management. Right? Here, when you hear people say, like, an extra insulin. And then
Scott Benner 1:20:38
I'm gonna, I'm gonna jack up my basil a little bit today, because I'm going to be grazing all day. Like, it's the same kind of idea. It's just finding a balance between the insulin and the food.
Holly 1:20:46
It's interesting now for old time, like, those of us who are old, like, you know, I grew up in the, you eat these foods at this time. Right? Right. So it's an interesting transition.
Scott Benner 1:20:59
Also, not for nothing. But for many of the people who tell me they grew up the way you do. They all have your body style. Like your fit. Yeah, I'm right about that. Right. Yeah, yeah. Okay, so are Jenny talks about it Jenny's fit, like she she ate, she ate? Well, diabetes, because of the technology of the time, including insulin. diabetes forced her to eat well, and that's just how she eats now. And now we're in a situation where it's 2023. And, you know, nutrition is not the same as it was. And by the way, maybe it wouldn't have been the same for Jenny. If she didn't have diabetes, I have no idea, right? But it's not the way it's just not the way it is anymore. Like there's so much processed food, people have so much access to food, there's so much snacking, like that kind of stuff, because it's all available, available available. My stance is just what I said earlier. Like, I don't know that it's right to eat hohos. Like, probably you shouldn't. But in a world where you have diabetes, and you're going to anyway, you should know how to do it without hurting yourself long term, like, blood sugar wise, I'm not saying the Hohoe still not hurting you, which is another thing you have to say to people like, just because you Bolus for it well, doesn't make it not a HoHo.
Holly 1:22:14
Like, right. In addition to in addition to blood sugar, you still have, you know, a cardiovascular system that you may have heard about. Yes.
Scott Benner 1:22:21
And that is a problem like for diabetes is that and I've tried to bring it up as much as I can think to. Yeah, just because you Bolus for it without a spike, and without getting low later doesn't make it a healthy decision. You just stopped it from being a bad diabetes issue. Yeah. Right. And so anyway, there's a way to I get to say all that. I blend it all into the podcast. Yeah. Because if we just settle all at once people get pissed. Yeah, you know,
Holly 1:22:45
so have you, Jenny ever done an exercise? More on exercise? I would love to hear that. We have an exercise process. You did? I did not like it. Yeah. You didn't like her. And I love you. And I really liked your podcast, but I what was wrong with it? I don't know if that was the one. But I will tell you a story. I was heading out on a run. So I run a lot. And I was running, I was heading out on a long run. So I'd had food and I Bolus for it. Before I ate because I was about to run like 2025 kilometers. Yeah. It's takes me about two hours. And I'm listening to podcasts and one of one of yours comes on. And I remember this, I was coming around the corner. And I heard your voice in my ear say, I think you just shouldn't exercise with active insulin on board. And I said out loud, BLEEP you, Scott, how about I just don't live my life then. Some guy walking by it's like, I don't usually talk to podcasts while I'm running. But no, I do think I do think that it is easier. It's easier to exercise without active insulin on board. But then you have to structure your whole life around when you're going to eat or when you're gonna have insulin and that sort of thing. And it makes it very difficult to have an active life.
Scott Benner 1:24:00
Yes. So that's a that's a painting with a broad brush statement. Like because you're Yeah, if you asked me how to do it. Yeah, I wouldn't say that to you. Because you're a person who goes out and runs like some insane amount of distance. Whatever you just said sounded horrible. I don't drive that far. And like so what you just did that? Hey, you just drove that I just drove like 1500 miles round trip. Yeah, but But my point is, like 15 minutes in your car. i My point is, is that is that most people? There's a spot where I'm no better than a doctor really? Who tells you like, here's the launching in place, you're gonna have to figure out the rest of it yourself. Because I don't know everybody's level of exercise. But
Holly 1:24:39
Jenny was like, like, I knew who she was before I heard your podcast, cuz she's known. Yeah. Like she was on the board of set of when I don't remember the name of it, but it was like women athletes with type one. Right? Right. So she knows what she's talking about. I would love to hear like an issue about what she does. How does she manage her blood sugar or On the activity that she does,
Scott Benner 1:25:01
what if she just jumps on and says, I just make sure I don't have any active insulin when I'm running. But if she said that, thanks. So I do think there are people who are like, I mean, I had Chris Freeman on recently. Yeah. Right. He's talking about, like, sucking down goo packs, and like, you know, eating certain things beforehand and keeping his blood sugar higher while he's doing stuff, but not too high. So it doesn't impact how he is. It depends on how much effort you want to put into it.
Holly 1:25:27
Now, that's true. Yeah. But I do think I mean, I think one of the things, and it's very, it's much more old school, right? But you can also use exercise to essentially beef up your insulin. Right? So if you've got a kid who's spiking after a meal, so not tied to play in the play in the yard for a while, you know,
Scott Benner 1:25:47
a lot, some people get pissed about that, when you say that. Oh, really? Yeah, I once watched some, I don't know, because people sometimes tell them what to do. I was gonna say unstable. But I don't know, I just remember, I remember a big, like, it depends on how the information is presented. Like I've had a person on the podcast, who would tell a story about like, I had to run around the house 10 times that of a cookie, like you go, right. Or my mom would make me run up and down the steps five times, and then I could have a snack. In context. People are like, that's great. But one guy one time gets online and says, Hey, I bought my daughter, this mini trampoline to help with their high blood sugars. And before I knew it, people were like, I don't know, like the woke mob got a hold of him. And it's just like you're forcing her to exercise. It only takes one unstable person to say something to draw out for more unstable people to make it seem like the entire internet is full of unstable people. And then one guy who's just like, I just wanted to tell you that there's a $20 Trampoline at Toys R us.com. Please leave me alone, you know, like, like is, is is caught in this thing. So I do know that some people have a sensitivity to that. And what I tried
Holly 1:27:01
different from the you know, you shouldn't need that.
Scott Benner 1:27:05
No, I think everybody's got a sensitivity to something. Yeah. Not that I don't care about their sensitivities. But I don't. I'm just from the wrong generation.
Holly 1:27:15
I'm not I mean, you're about we're about the same age. I'm 51.
Scott Benner 1:27:19
So, same, there are plenty of things in the world that make me uncomfortable, it would never occur to me to ask someone not to do them. If they were like, if it was their thing, you know, but there are plenty of people.
Holly 1:27:32
I just wonder if everyone knows, right, like, you know, that if you you know, if you inject close to your big your big leg muscles, and then you go for a walk, right, that correction factor is gonna hit you,
Scott Benner 1:27:47
right? I have somebody I just recorded with somebody who talked about the heel raises, like you Oh,
Holly 1:27:54
yeah. soleus soleus Caffrey.
Scott Benner 1:27:56
Yeah, how that can help burn blood. Right. And, and that's cool. Like, I'll put that
Holly 1:28:01
I saw that paper that made that paper made made the rounds of the sort of bro science,
Scott Benner 1:28:07
right? 100%. And I'm not saying that it's like, gonna make your blood sugar go from 300 to 150 or something like that. But if you're sitting at your desk, and you do that, and it takes 20 Points off your blood sugar, like cool, you know, and there's a reasonable amount of bike. Yeah. And if it doesn't do that for you, cool. Like, I don't care. I'm like, I'm the girl wanted to say it. Oh, my God said like, it's fine. But I took a risk having her on. Because she's going to be it hasn't been out yet. But she's a person who wears a CGM who doesn't have diabetes? Oh, so so she's gonna come on. Look, there are some stuff she said that was like that kind of like, like, I think. I think there's a difference between bro science and ahead of the curve. Yeah, we also, we also always made it clear to you, but we don't always know which is which at the time, but it doesn't hurt to say them out loud. Like, I mean, she's talked about apple cider vinegar, and how it how it she wasn't talking about type ones. She was talking about general health. And I said, like, what am I going to like? A lot. A number of people who listen to this podcast said, Hey, this girl has been really helpful to me. Okay. Can you have her on the podcast? I'm like, Yeah, sure. I don't know if what she said is right or wrong. Who cares? Like just like, yeah, like so.
Holly 1:29:24
I will just tell you that when I was a teenager, and we moved cities, I did not get set up. I did not. So my mom did not set me up with any diabetes care. But I was encouraged to repeat mantras, about the sweetness of life. So if your podcast goes down that road, I'm going to stop.
Scott Benner 1:29:43
That's where you'll go. Well, you know, somebody asked me that somebody asked me to do affirmations once. Like, could you have short podcasts of just like daily affirmations for people? And I was like, I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see. I decided with the podcast says here's what the podcast is. It's how I learned to take Care diabetes, do what you want with that. I think type one diabetes is mainly timing and amount of insulin. That's basically what I think it is. I think
Holly 1:30:10
it is. It's just that's that can be really hard to figure out
Scott Benner 1:30:13
unless you turn the whole thing into a bunch of T shirt slogans that everybody can understand. Remember when they need, which is what I feel like I've done? Yeah. And I also know that the conversations are very important, like in this survey, like you'd be surprised people, like I thought people would be like, This is what I want to hear. This is what I want to hear. I love it when two people just talk about diabetes, or I want management conversation, but I let them choose as many as they wanted. And what I learned is that overwhelmingly, they like both did they don't have a preference.
Holly 1:30:46
It's I really liked the ask Scott and Jenny ones
Scott Benner 1:30:49
do. Yeah, we do this. We have. Trust me. We have questions piled up actually, it's so funny. You said that. Yesterday, I said to my wife, I wonder if I could do like ask Scott and Jenny's and put them behind, like a paywall. And so that and then let them out after they're older, because I'm looking for ways to create, you know, some sort of more income like I'm trying to help Jenny's who like, I'd like to be able to gesture and make any money to come on the podcast at all. Like so.
Holly 1:31:19
Although she does I mean, it doesn't it must drive great interest in Integrated diabetes. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:31:25
she's the probably the most, she's probably the most popular person who does what she does in the world. But I think it takes six months to get in with Jenny at this point because of because of the podcast. So its own the business, right? She's lovely. And she doesn't own the business. So it's not like she's piling up money. She's just working harder, get anything. Anyway, so I was thinking about that, but it's nice to hear
Holly 1:31:46
you get a finder's fee, some sort of commission.
Scott Benner 1:31:48
I've mentioned that to her. Like, maybe you want to get a piece in I mean, so anyway, that's between her and whoever she works for. I don't know, I don't know what we talked about.
Holly 1:31:58
It's always sad when something that was free become goes behind a paywall, but I do I mean, I totally understand I
Scott Benner 1:32:04
wouldn't put the whole show behind it like literally just like, like bits and pieces that eventually would come out in the public anyway. Or maybe just I've also thought about pay walling like cursing people. If any idea how many people want me to curse on the podcast,
Holly 1:32:18
that would be that would be smart. I think that would be
Scott Benner 1:32:21
maybe just one word. Nobody believes anything out. And you hear my story about my mom and her dirty ass and I'm and all the words that I used while I was yelling at those people.
Holly 1:32:32
Maybe it's your record that call with them. Oh, okay to listen,
Scott Benner 1:32:37
I'll tell you what, like a car wreck you'd we'll look at it. I was like, but after it was over my brother's like you Okay, and I'm like, how was I not? Okay, I have the very unenviable ability to be angry and make sense at the same time.
Holly 1:32:54
How was that unenviable? That's great. Well, it's
Scott Benner 1:32:56
for me, it's great for the people on the other end, it's bad. So like imagine I unenviable is the wrong word. If you and I were in an argument, and I was agitated, talking quicker than I usually do. Yelling and making sense. How do you keep up with that? Oh, I could keep up you could and then a lot of people that some people can't. And so like I I try not to overwhelm situations because I know. Yeah, I know I can. So I'm joking. I might not be able to keep up. Oh, it's off put my also have a deep voice. So just over the phone. Yeah, I sound like a, like you mentioned earlier like sometimes people listen to men over women. Oh, yeah. Right. And so then you add a deep voice to it. I'm authoritative. I trust myself. So you don't hear a lot of I don't do a lot of things where I'm questioning what I just said. I don't use language to put you in a better position that I'm in. When I'm in having a conversation like that. By that's why when my wife's like, you have to let them feel and I'm like, can't we just point out that they suck.
Holly 1:34:02
And move on to practice because you have a practice meeting. We did it in the car and get all your emotions out.
Scott Benner 1:34:08
We did it in the car yesterday, my brother my brother called I was in the car with Callie, we were driving home from the vacation. And for like 45 minutes. They were like, you can't say that. Don't say that. Don't say that.
Holly 1:34:19
And I was like, no, no, I mean, like an actual practice where they let you say it all. And then you debrief.
Scott Benner 1:34:25
Oh, I said it all and then they debrief me in the car. So it's okay. Anyway, what I decided is I'm just going to treat this situation like it's a podcast. Yeah. Where I wouldn't like purposely insult somebody. Yeah, although sometimes I say some stuff on there sometimes where I'm like, I should have said that. But that often.
Holly 1:34:46
Has anyone ever been offended or upset about it? Right? No. There's a dynamic when you're just joking with people, you know, they feel and it's not I think people like that. I like that.
Scott Benner 1:34:58
We're gonna be done the minute The first thing I'm going to ask you when we're done is your Are you okay? With everything we talked about? No. And if you were to say to me like, I hated this, like, Don't ever let anybody here and I'd be like, All right, I mean, it sucks for me. But I one time, one time, I can tell you afterwards because but one time and conversation took such a strange turn, that it wasn't a fault of any it wasn't. Anyway, I didn't do anything wrong. And it just that we both got to Unreal. Like we shouldn't let anybody listen to that. And I was like, Yeah, I agree. And that was the end of it. So. So it got deleted. Is there anything we didn't talk about that we should have? I don't know. What? Yeah, what about
Holly 1:35:45
one on your podcast has ever explained standard deviation really? Well, even the guy from Dexcom. So he knows what he's talking about. But he's not
Scott Benner 1:35:52
great at explaining. He was a nerd. Like diabetes nerd.
Holly 1:35:57
I mean, as a nerd, I respect what he was trying to do there. All right.
Scott Benner 1:36:03
Find somebody who can more colloquially describe standard deviation.
Holly 1:36:07
Yeah, no, I'm being very nitpicky. My podcast is amazing.
Scott Benner 1:36:10
I'm amazed that you came. I said, my podcast is amazing. I'm amazed you came up with something.
Holly 1:36:16
It is. No, it's I really appreciate it. And I don't you know, I was saying how I found it when I was struggling. You know what, I started with the pro tips. Yeah. And it was not, it wasn't the content, because it wasn't that I didn't know that stuff. It was that I was exhausted. And I needed and I really appreciated the structure of it. I'm like, Okay, I have to do some stuff. I have to work on my set. Okay, basil. All right. This week, I'm gonna focus on basil, you know, and it was just really helpful. So thank you.
Scott Benner 1:36:45
I'm glad I tell you. I was with Arden for like, eight days this week, right. And about two days before it was done. We were at a restaurant. I said, I think I wanted to. I said, I think you know this, but you're doing a very good job with your diabetes stuff at college. And she's like, she didn't really say much. And I said, you do just an exceptionally good job. And I know how difficult it must be. But But I just want to tell you how great you're doing it. And she said, thank you. And I said, I knew I should require no, Arden wouldn't cry if you were stabbing. So by the way, that's not an invitation for someone to stab my kid, please. Anybody pleased? So then, I said, you hear me? Right? And she was Yeah. I said, I'm really it's exceptional what you're doing. And she's like, Okay, I said, having said that, there are two things you're not doing that I need you to do. And I said, You are not Pre-Bolus thing well enough. And she goes, I know I'm trying and I said, I know you are try harder. And and she's nice. And she's like, what else am I not doing? And I said you're not correcting highs quickly enough. And she's like, I get busy with work. And I said, I know. Just she still wasn't she looping? Yeah, she is. But she's eating at a college and the food's terrible. And then she's not Pre-Bolus eating enough. And like in time distance on our Pre-Bolus She's not afraid of insulin, like so. Like, she just doesn't have a long enough Pre-Bolus. And she's seeing a spike. And then she's letting the loop handle it. Which is cool, because it ends up okay, but I'm like, don't do that. Like, it's not as fast as you do it. She's had a small rise in her agency. But I mean to say that it's I think it's like six, two or six, four or something like that.
Holly 1:38:32
college kid. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:38:34
it's amazing. She's doing terrific. But I'm like, we could get back in the fives if you just did these two things. And and she and I said long term health. You know, I'm not pushing her about it. Like I'm getting too slow. But I'm like, it's important for your long term health. And I said, also, you're sitting down trying to do something for three hours at school, and your blood sugar is 180 or 200 for an hour and a half. Like that's not valuable for you. It's making it more difficult for you. So that's it for her.
Holly 1:39:02
I find your focus better woman higher,
Scott Benner 1:39:03
do you really? Yeah, she gets more like hyper focused.
Holly 1:39:07
Like I'm like, Alright, I'm gonna write this paper and it's gonna get done.
Scott Benner 1:39:11
It's like your Adderall is the high blood we see now you earlier said we shouldn't say things that people could misconstrue. Now we're like, leave your blood sugar high to get a nice Adderall effect. No, I.
Holly 1:39:23
I mean, I'm very honest about you know, like, I don't see any. And I do think it's important for parents to understand that, you know, some no one ever asked me, right. How do you feel in your high? Right? No, and had they asked I would have said I feel really good and relaxed and not scared.
Scott Benner 1:39:43
Yeah, no, I think my bigger concern with her being higher in the evenings while she's doing work, isn't it's not the blood sugar as much is it that when it's over and she's refocused on her diabetes, she makes a Bolus then she goes to sleep. Oh, yeah. And so it creates like Have time at three in the morning where you're not sure. Like if somebody should be paying attention or not. So like, I'm more about like, don't get high, so you don't get low. And so
Holly 1:40:09
I say, I think, like to you and to other parents, it's really beautiful. What you do for your kids? What else you're like, oh, no, that level of support? Yeah, is and I think as an adult who didn't always get that, as a kid, I see how beautiful it is. And I don't know if the kids will ever be able to see it. Because they'll always have had that and they will. They won't know any different. Yeah. But as an adult who didn't get that as a kid, that is beautiful. That level of
Scott Benner 1:40:40
support. That's very nice to you to say. And I forgot your perspective, which was from a woman who smoked in front of your sister was good. But not it's very nice. I listen, maybe one day, I don't know. I'm gonna make so many podcasts. I used to think my kids will listen to this after I'm dead. And now I'm like, I bet you my kids look at that and go I can't take him for that long.
Holly 1:41:00
So it's kind of amazing. No, I mean, it's gorgeous.
Scott Benner 1:41:04
Yeah, it's my it's like a little time capsule. I kept for them. Yeah. Anyway, all right. I'm gonna go yell. It's I mean, I'm gonna go listen to some people tell me how they tried to kill my mom again. And I'm gonna refrain from mentioning that part of it out loud. Good luck. Thank you very much. Hold on one second, I will tell you.
A huge thank you to one of today's sponsors, GE voc glucagon. Find out more about Chivo Capo pen at G Vogue glucagon.com forward slash juicebox. you spell that GVOKEGLUC AG o n.com. Forward slash juicebox. I also want to thank ag one and remind you to drink ag one.com/juicebox. Get your free year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs when you use my link for your first order. I also want to thank Holly for coming on the show and giving me such a great conversation. Don't forget the Juicebox Podcast private Facebook group. And those diabetes protests that began in Episode 1000. A diabetes diagnosis comes with a lot of new terminology. And that's why I've created the defining diabetes series. These are short episodes, where Jenny Smith and I go over all of the terms that you're going to hear living with diabetes, and some of them that you might not hear every day, from the very simple Bolus up to feed on the floor. Don't know the difference between hypo and hyper. We'll explain it to you. These are short episodes, they are not boring. They're fun, and they're informative. It's not just us reading to you out of the dictionary, we take the time to chat about all of these different words. Maybe you don't know what a coup small respiration is, you will when you're done. Ever heard of a glycemic index and load haven't doesn't matter. You will know after you listen to the defining diabetes series. Now, how do you find it, you go to juicebox podcast.com up top to the menu and click on defining diabetes. You'll be able to listen right there in your browser. Or you'll see the full list of the episodes and be able to go into an audio app like Apple podcasts or Spotify and listen to them at your pace. Download them into your phone and listen when you can. The defining diabetes series is made up of 51 short episodes. That will fast forward your knowledge of diabetes terminology
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