Arm is now recovering from the surgery that took place 6 weeks ago and is making great progress.  Summer is in full swing here in Spain.  Hoping that everyone is having a great time.

There was one story from a local paper, which caught my attention yesterday.  It highlights the perils of traveling with or without your medicine and I have wrote about it on my other site.

Remember peeeps, if you are traveling to another country please spend 2 minutes thinking about what you need to take as it really is better to be safe than sorry.  Wherever you may be heading there is usually advice from organisations such as Diabetes UK and the ADA is the USA.

Please be safe and have a great summer!  Saludos…….

It’s Summer is a post from: Diabetes in Spain

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This is the 2nd such announcement from Novo Nordisk stating that they are to withdraw insulin. The last announcement which is affecting Greece were for financial reasons, however it just feels plain wrong none the less.

Did they consult the end user of this product, the patient? Could they have consulted patients? What about medical professionals? Did anyone at Novo Nordisk actually stop to think about their actions, especially when they have critical ramifications.

Come on Novo Nordisk.. You guys need to get on the ball. Start communicating properly with patients and their care providers. If at the end of the day it has to be done, then make the process easier for the people that need to change insulin! But do it properly, please!!

In terms of Diabetes, Novo Nordisk is on a par with BP in terms of reputation, so you guys need to start working on this side of your game! What’s insulin is going to be next? Which country?

PS: For the record I use NovoRapid..

Novo Nordisk Withdraws More Insulin is a post from: Diabetes in Spain

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A short post today. Some minor updates to the site which we hope you like and includes a nifty blood glucose calculator for peeps who wish to know what it means in the UK/USA. That can be found on the right hand side of page through out the site.

So what else is new?

New information for people interested in Victoza from Novo Nordisk, which is certainly making waves within the Diabetes Community.

Hablas Español!
Version Español disponsible aqui!

When further information is available you can rest assure that we will publish it all here!

Please Read — Disclaimer!

Indications and Usage
Victoza® is an injectable prescription medicine that improves blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes when used with a diet and exercise program.

Victoza® is not insulin. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective when used with insulin. Victoza® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis. Victoza® is not recommended for use in children.

Site Update – Victoza Info is a post from: Diabetes in Spain

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The problem is that this particular, innovative product will not be available to persons residing in Spain!

Whilst this product may not be suitable for all persons with Diabetes, it can and will be an excellent product for some.

A brief run-down on what we are missing here;

Key Features

Just insert a test strip and plug into a whole new world of diabetes management.

• Integrated AutoLog technology for intuitive meal marking
• Brightly colored display and lighted test strip port – easy to read everywhere and anytime
• Text messages instead of error codes
• Rechargeable battery that can charge from any USB port
• USB connector and integrated diabetes management software from Bayer
• Date and time synchronization with the computer for accurate result tracking
• 2000-test memory

Uses Bayer’s CONTOUR™ technology

• No Coding™ Technology
• Minimises effects of many common interfering substances
• Automatic control solution marking

You can read further about the USB Meter here on the Bayer UK Site.

But why no Spain, I hear you ask? Well at the moment I can not give anyone a answer however I have been in touch with the US Corporate Director to ask why they decided that persons with Diabetes residing in Spain should not have access to what could potentially be a life changing product.

I’m hopeful that an answer will arrive shortly!!

Incidentally, Bayer has a pretty decent presence here in Spain. The USB meter uses existing strips from the contour range and uses the same measurements as the USA (mg/dl).

I would personally like to try out the meter. I am currently using an Accu Chek Aviva Nano and whilst pretty and has nice lights, the meter’s performance is disappointing and I feel I can no longer trust the meter any more. Not a good sign for all parties concerned.

Here’s to hope and some answers from the Bayer HQ.. Bye for now..

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According to Patricia Kilian, Ph.D., Program Director for Regeneration at JDRF, the study showed that the stress hormone could increase the rate at which insulin-producing cells in the pancreas expand in animal models. These findings reinforce the potential of regeneration as a cure for diabetes and provide insights for discovering new approaches to treat people with diabetes by restoring or regenerating their ability to produce insulin.

Further reading over at the JDRF site…

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Is a once-daily human analogue injection approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults.

Has 97% similar to the body’s own hormone (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a natural hormone in the body that plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy level of sugar in the blood. In type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 production and function is often impaired.

New Victoza Pen

Lowers blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin from beta cells and reducing the release of glucagon from alpha cells when blood sugar levels are high and by slowing gastric emptying.

Insulin lowers blood sugar by increasing sugar uptake primarily in muscles, liver and fat.

Glucagon increases blood sugar primarily by releasing sugar stores in the liver.

Also, reduces body weight and body fat mass in people with type 2 diabetes through mechanisms involving reduced hunger and lowered energy intake.

Is a once-daily injection given any time of day independent of meals.

Was extensively tested in a clinical trial programme including more than 6,500 people.

Has been directly compared, in terms of safety and efficacy, against commonly-used diabetes treatments like glimepiride, rosiglitazone, glargine, exenatide and sitagliptin in phase 3a and b clinical trials. 3-9

Has been documented in clinical trials to;

• Reduce blood sugar levels
• Reduce weight
• Reduce blood pressure
• Improve the function of insulin-producing beta cells

Note: Victoza® is indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic control in combination with:

• Metformin or a sulphonylurea in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin or sulphonylurea.
• Metformin and a sulphonylurea or metformin and a thiazolidinedione in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite dual therapy.

Novo Nordisk’s Victoza® Receives FDA Approval for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes is a post from: Diabetes in Spain

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Pregnant women and children between the ages of six and 15 can already benefit from free dental care, other patients may have to wait longer but the aim is for diabetic patients with dental problems to be seen within 48 hours.

The Junta de Andalucia intends to prevent, treat and research diabetes, mainly at the Puerta del Mar Hospital in Cadiz and the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Sevilla, where specialists will improve techniques for insulin regulation and early detection of diabetes. In one per cent of cases, patients don’t regulate their insulin, and another one per cent hasn’t been diagnosed.

Diabetes can result in other illnesses including periodontal diseases which affect the gums and the structure which supports the teeth.  Other problems include retina diseases which can result in blindness, and the so-called diabetic foot, which on occasions requires amputation.

Source EuroWeeklyNews…

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So what is this day all about you ask? Well firstly it is to raise global awareness of this “lifelong” condition which had entered Epidemic proportions.

Secondly it is to let “Persons with Diabetes” around the world that they are not alone, and to highlight the benefits of exercise that will ultimately help then manage their diabetes better.

So what can you do today! Well if you happen to have diabetes the today at 1400 Hours local time, people are invited to test their blood sugars then exercise for 14 minutes and then re-test.

If you don’t have Diabetes, then perhaps it would be a good idea consider getting yourselves check over to make sure your not at risk. What is Diabetes I here you ask???

These results can be posted to the BigBlueTest page over at tuDiabetes.com, or on Twitter making use of the #bigbluetest hashtag.

There are some Diabetes Peeps out there that I wish to highlight and say thank you to as they are truly inspiring and have put an enormous amount of time and effort to helping others help themselves.

A huge huge SHOUT out goes to these guys and in no particular order.

• Manny from tuDiabetes.com – Without Manny their would be no BigBlueTest and the DOC would not be what it is now.
• Kelly @ diabeticlivingonline.com
• Kelly @ diabetesaliciousness™
• Kerri
• Cherise
• George “A.K.A NinjaBetic”
• Ashley
• Bernard
• Crystal
• Jenny
• Sarah Jane
• Jaimie
• Lee Ann
• Gina & The Diabetes Resource

Also a mention goes to Tim and Alison who provides some pancreatic-ally challenged wit and humour over at Shoot Up or Put Up…

So thanks to you all.. Go BigBlueTest!!!!

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