Experienced Users - Please read and comment

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Sam and S'mores

Sam and S'mores

Member Since 2011
Hey All,

I am pretty new here, and I am very grateful for the support and information on this site. I want to help and give back in any way I can. Since I’m still very new, I cannot give much advice, but for the same reason, I am able to still remember the first few days after DX when I found this site, and the same overwhelming support and information was too overwhelming for me. I spent a lot of time just trying to pare down the information into a simple list of things that I needed to do first.

I think that a “Quick Start Guide” would have helped me tremendously in those first days when I had too much information and emotion to process. Here is my suggestion for what would have helped me. (I posted it over in the Think Tank)

Proposed "Quick Start Guide" for the Lantus forum

Please feel free to let me know if you think I am way off base here.
 
I read through it quickly and it looks great. The basic info is there with links to read further if needed/desired.

I believe this came up recently (and does periodically) in another thread in Health, I think. We are afraid to scare off newbies by bombarding them with information and sometimes overzealous helpers.

My sweet Donny is singing at me to take him outside, so I will be back later.

MJ&Donovan
 
Wow - that's a great guide. I remember when you started and I'm glad things are going better for you.

Some people are able to follow an all-inclusive guide like that, some are overwhelmed and need to get information as they go. I'm not sure which group I'd fall into, as my diabetic is no longer with me. Just reading it made me remember how confusing all the abbreviations and terms are.

Regardless, it is a huge effort that will probably benefit a lot of beans.

Don't think you put anything in there about the importance of a spreadsheet in order to get help from the wonderful people here in LL and show your vet you know exactly how your cat is doing... (if you did - disregard)
 
 

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I thought it was a great effort too - I know how hard I struggled when I first started... not knowing what was what, something like this would have been nice. a step by step approach. and yes too on including an SS link.

bump up for the experts....
 
Sam:

I've often thought something like this would be awesome; thank you for taking the time to do it.

It's very good!!!! I just had a few thoughts:

1. It's probably good to include that lantus and lev need to be stored in the frig at the required temps and should not be rolled.
2. I'm not sure I'd mention syringe names per se. You might mention there are short needles (5/8") and long needles (1/2")...whichever used is a personal preference.
3. For the Sharps container, I just use a plastic milk or OJ carton. We fill them and take them to the vet for disposal.
4. I might also mention that test strips for nonRelion brand can usually be obtained cheaper on ebay or American Diabetes Wholesale.
5. I might stress that the hypo toolkit should be assembled and ready BEFORE the first shot (not that someone should need it that soon but sometimes it's easy to forget to do it and then when you need it.....).
6. Under "Step 5" fourth bullet...do you mean to have Tableau's name in there? ;-) ;-)
7. Recommend you suggest they print off all the stickys and keep them in a notebook for quick reference.

Please feel free to toss what ideas you don't like.....I want it to be what you want it to be. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thanks again and REALLY nice job!
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have updated it based on the comments.

I'll leave it in the Think Tank for now, but I'm planning to bring it over here tomorrow unless someone raises concerns that need to be addressed first.

Edited: I'm happy to report that last night I started to get some very good (but more involved) suggestions and discussion on the topics and off-line in PMs, so I am going to leave this in the Think Tank for a while. Keep the suggestions comming!
 
Just wanted to say what a nice idea this is, and what a great job you've done!

People come here with different learning needs. Some people may feel overwhelmed by a lot of information presented in one place, and there are angels here to walk them through it. But others will be THRILLED to have a step-by-step guide like this. It gives a wonderful sense of control.

Well done!
 
Hi Sam, great job! :-D Here is my input.

Step 1. Second bullet. Users of Lantus NEED to use U-100 0.3cc syringes. We recommend syringes with 1/2 unit markings. ( I don't know if I would mention the prices as they vary. Maybe you can mention Ebay or other places were you can buy them at a better price). Some states require prescription, some dont. http://www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes/state-law/state-prescription-laws.html is a link to State Prescription Laws

Step 1. Third bullet. I use milk cartons also to dispose of syringes then take them to my vet. If you cannot take it to your vet you can take it to your pharmacy or some can be mailed to medical waste management sites.

Step 2. Bullet three. I would mention Lancet Pen devices.

Great idea. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
 
I think that's a great idea. I remember when Blackie was first diagnosed that it was so overwhelming. With all of the knowledge, and information out there that's provided for newbies, it can be a bit daunting to say the least. I remember I had to constantly ask questions before I even got a remote handle on things.

Thank you for providing that for the newbies. :)
 
Hey All,

I edited my post above to make sure not to confuse. I am getting some good suggestions in the forum and through PM's, so I will be leaving this in the Think Tank for a while longer.

One request: This is a very supportive board, and please keep up with the positive comments if you like this idea, but a post like this also requires people who don't agree to also speak up. Please speak up, either in a PM to me, or over in the Think Tank board (where thicker skin is officially required ;-) )
 
i'd add these to your list of supplies: Needle Clipping & Storage Device

These little needle-clippers mean that you can toss the needle-less syringe into the garbage - no special disposal except once every 2 years. the clipper container holds up to 1500 needles.

i have no idea how Rebecca, the webmaster, might feel about it, but i'm a fan of drop down links at websites instead of embedded links. to try to find things afterwards on this site is really overwhelming. so much of the information is common between all of the insulins that it seems like the basic info could be consolidated. i found the most helpful basic info was on the lantus forum itself (way to go, jill!)
 
Thank you all for your suggestions.

I've updated to include Levemir references.

I'll take any last comments, and then I'm going to post it for anyone who wants to use it.
 
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