Two Friends

It's not to uncommon to hear a story about Uncle Arthur (arthritis), and other "illnesses" like that. Well I decided I would write my own little story. Not about Uncle Arthur {I have not met him yet}, but about my two "friends" who have joined my life journey. One is named Insipidus and the other Celiac.

Insipidus joined me about a year and a half ago. It wasn't long after she joined up with me that she started demanding water and completely wearing me out. She kept me up at night requiring that I pay her some attention. She is what you would call very dependent.

Insipidus finally wore me out so much that we brought her to the doctors attention and the doctor prescribed Desmopressin to keep her in check. Since being treated with Desmopressin she is a lot less dependent, only showing up in the mornings and evenings and occasionally in an afternoon. But her and I have learned to coexist. And we get along pretty well.

Then about a year after Insipidus showed up, she invited a friend to join her. I guess she got lonely and decided she needed someone else to help keep her company. Her friend is named Celiac. Celiac is very temperamental and a very very picky eater. Insipidus did not insist on any special diet but Celiac sure did!

When Celiac first showed up I started realizing that almost everything I ate was upsetting her. Then I realized it was all the gluten that is hidden in tons of things that was bothering her. Once I cut gluten out of my diet Celiac became very happy. However if I accidentally have anything that contains even a small trace of gluten, Celiac gets really upset and living with her for the next couple weeks is not fun.

Despite some challenges, we've all learned to live together.

One of my friends on Facebook found this article and posted it in my DI support group and I thought that I would share it with all of you. I thought that it was very informative and covered all the bases.

  Here is the link.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183251.php#.

Enjoy!

My symptoms before diagnosed:

• Extreem thirst (I drank 3.5+ gallons of ICE COLD water a day)
• Polyuria (running to the restroom every 15-30 minutes all day)
• Nocturia (every 15 minutes - 2 hours)
• Orthostatic Hypotension (as well as a general feeling of being very lightheaded all the time)
• Tremors
• Cold hands and feet
• Dry skin
• Lack of ability to produce tears
• Extreem fatigue
• a general feeling of being unwell
• And I have to admit to being irritable at times. :) 

My first endocrinologist thought that my thirst is what caused my polyuria and so he told us.... "Its just like the chicken and egg paradox - which came first the chicken or the egg, except we were dealing with - which came first  the extreme thirst or the extreme urination?" We did not fully know the answer to that paradox until I started taking DDAVP. Now, we know that the thirst comes after I have already dumped for about an hour. 

I can't imagine life without DDAVP. 

Pets

I don't know about all of my readers, but I am an animal lover. My family has two cats, a dog, and a rabbit, (I have included pictures of three of my pets at the end of this post) all of which are very loved and doddled over. Today's post is for all those animal lovers out there. I decided to do some looking and find out about some animals that have DI. I found out about a couple that I have provided links to the web-sights where you can read about them if you are interested. 

The first link I will share is about a dog named Tigger. It looks as if this story was from 1998. http://brindleweb.com/pets/tigdi.html

If you want to see a picture of the dog click on this link  http://brindleweb.com/pets/tigger.php

The next link will bring you to a web-sight that shares a couple different pet stories. http://www.petdiabetes.com/pdorg/diabetes_insipidus.htm#Ziggy

Again I hope that you enjoy these!!

Below is my cat Dusty

 

My cat Princess (most often called Prissy - because she is prissy) 

And my dog Precious (sorry that it's not the best quality of picture)

Introversion vs. Extroversion: Which one am I and which one are you?

It all began this past semester with a wonderful Economics teacher and a wonderful Psychology teacher. Believe it or not, this semester was the first time that I really got interested in unveiling the truth about extroversion and introversion. Which was I? What exactly is an introvert vs. an extrovert?

I began my quest to discovery by visiting the dictionary. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Introvert means “to turn or direct inward.” Introversion was given the psychology definition of “the direction of or tendency to direct one's thoughts and feelings toward oneself.” And last but not least, Introverted was defined as follows: "Marked by interest in or preoccupation with oneself or one's own thoughts as opposed to others or the environment; shy or reserved."

According to those definitions an introvert would appear to be selfish (focused on oneself) and shy. However I was not completely satisfied with that answer. Surely there was more to it than that. And I was not ready to call an introvert selfish.

So, I decided to try to google introvert. And this is the next definition I came up with: "A shy, reticent, and typically self-centered person. A person predominantly concerned with their own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things."

Okay so both references called an introvert shy and self-centered. I still was not satisfied with that definition. I still would not call a introvert self-centered. I found a better explanation of introversion in the book written by Susan Cain which I will talk more about later. But for now..... what about extroverts?

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Extroversion is “Interest in or behavior directed toward others or one's environment rather than oneself.” “Gregarious and outgoing” was added to the definition of extroverted.

Well, now it was time for the most interesting part. I decided to do a quiz online and see which I was and how exactly psychologists were defining these terms.

So, again I googled and found a quiz that was based on a book by Susan Cain’s book “Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” I answered all but one True and that is a pretty good indication that I am an introvert. I tended to agree with her prognosis. Here is the link to Susan Cain’s Introvert Quiz - http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/quiet-quiz-are-you-an-introvert - I encourage you to find out what you are and then comment on my blog and let me know what you discover. You will also find her explanation of the terms a whole lot more helpful and accurate than the dictionary definitions. She draws a distinction between being shy and being an introvert. I found it really interesting that they were not actually the same thing.

Anyway, another article you may find interesting can be found at this link - http://flokka.com/you/understanding-personality-types-extrovert-or-introvert .

Although this topic has virtually nothing to do with Diabetes Insipidus, I think that my DI has made my introversion and need for some alone time greater.

What about you? Are you an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert? Please comment below when you find out.

For those of you with DI, has your DI strengthened your introversion or extroversion?

Values and Insights

Some time ago, I was asked “What values or insights have you gained from having DI?" I am sure that by now the person who asked me is wondering if I will ever get to their question. To tell you the truth I have been putting this question on the back burner because I was not quite sure what all to tell. I have learned a lot of things through all of my health struggle with DI. So, I decided to make answering this question a little less daunting and a little more readable for all of you by giving three general things. J

Here is the long awaited answer.

Insights from having DI

This may seem like a very small insight but since struggling with DI I have a very hard time saying “please wait.” to any of my little Sunday school kidos who ask to get a drink or go use the restroom. I guess this is because I know what it feels like to have an urgent call to the bathroom and to be thirsty.  Thankfully, all my little kidos are very good and do not take advantage of my extra sensitiveness in that area. I do tell some to wait if class is just about over. J

Another thing that has changed is that I am a bit more sensitive to people who are hurting. I want to help them and that is part of the reason why I am hoping to get into Nursing in about a year. 

On a spiritual note, it has definitely taught me a lot about my Savior. It took me a long time, during that time before I was diagnosed, to finally realize that God uses our suffering to draw others to Him. When I realized this very important truth things began to change in my heart. I realized that my health struggle was all part of God’s wonderful plan for my life, and that it would give me unique opportunities to be a witness to some people who I otherwise would not have come in contact with.  I also came to realize how much I needed Christ for my daily strength and help. I can’t imagine going through what I have in the last year  without my loving heavenly Father.

Do you know my Heavenly Father? Do you have an intimate relationship with Him? Have you ever called upon him and asked him to forgive you for your sins and to come into your heart?

God’s word says  that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 – we are all sinners.

       In fact, God tells us in James 2:10 that “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” – this means that if you have only sinned once (told a lie, lusted, stolen, envied, ect.) you are as guilty in God’s eyes as if you had committed all of the sins.

God goes on to tell us that a penalty must be paid for our sins - “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a) – this means that because of sin (whether it be one “small” sin or many “big” ones – there is no difference in God’s eyes) the penalty is eternity in Hell - eternal separation from God.

But God offers hope to us in that same verse. The whole verse says “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Christ offers us a free gift of Salvation.

This is an offer for forgiveness of our sins and for spending an eternity in heaven. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

God loved you so much that he provided, through the death, burial, and resurrection of his Son – Jesus Christ, salvation free to any who believe and confess.

How do you accept this free gift of salvation?

 Romans 10:9  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

It’s simple. Believe that Christ died, was buried, and rose again for your sins, confess to God that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness, and ask Him to become your Savior (to save you from the penalty of your sin).

Christ promises that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

If you have any questions please do not be afraid to ask. If you read this and come to know Christ as your Savior I would love to hear from you! You can leave a comment or you can contact me at hmhsunshine042@gmail.com.

Answers to a Puzzling Question

So, I decided for this post that I would do a question answer format. I was not sure what questions my readers might have.So, I asked some of them and here are my answers to the first question that I recieved. I hope that you find it helpful! And feel free to ask me any further questions that you have. 

 The first question posed was: "What is the easiest and shortest way to describe DI to someone?" 
    Answer: I have found that it depends a lot on the situation surrounding the question, and have also found that there are numerous ways to describe and define Diabetes Insipidus. I will only give a couple examples, and may give more in later posts. 

A.  If asked in passing I do not go into the specifics of DI. Most of the time the simplest way to explain it is to say,

•  "The doctors found out that I have a hormone deficiency that causes my body to dehydrate itself. The doctors have put me on a hormone replacement that regulates how my body uses water."

   
B.  If the person has more time and wants a more detailed description, I would tell them that

•  "I have a form of Diabetes Insipidus that is cause by my body not producing enough of a hormone called Vasopressin. Basically,Vasopressin controls how the body uses water (although it does a lot more than that). I take a hormone replacement, DDAVP, and without it my body will dehydrate itself." 

 C.  If they do not understand, are still interested, and want to know more I sometimes will continue with information as follows: (This explanation is assuming that they know what type 1 Diabetes is. But be careful. This explanation will either cause greater confusion or will prove very helpful in understanding what DI is. In short, use this with caution. Also be aware that this explanation can help people understand that Diabetes Insipidus ,although similar in some aspects, is NOT Diabetes Mellitus) 

•  "Type 1 Diabetes is caused when the body does not produce enough - if any- of the hormone Insulin and is treated with Insulin injected and blood sugar (glucose) levels being closely monitored. Similarly, in Central Diabetes Insipidus the body does not produce enough of the hormone Vasopressin and must be treated with a hormone replacement called DDAVP with sodium levels being monitored (although this has to be done through blood work - there is no sodium monitor available). In short, Diabetes Insipidus has to do with sodium levels and the hormone Vasopressin, and Type 1 Diabetes has to do with blood sugar (glucose) levels and the hormone Insulin. Neither of them can be avoided or cured."

In my next post I will answer the second question that I received,  "What values or insights have you gained from having DI?"

Tattoo Tracks Sodium via an iPhone

Instead of having to check my blood sugar, I have to have monthly blood work done to keep tabs on my sodium levels. A while back I was browsing around the internet to see if there was any such thing as a sodium monitor and I ran across this article:  Tattoo Tracks Sodium and Glucose via an iPhone | MIT Technology Review

I actually got in contact with the lead scientist that is heading up this research and shared my story with her. Here is part of her reply to my e-mail: "Thank you so much for your email.... I am glad you reached out because we are particularly interested in the potential for the technology to help people struggling with Diabetes Insipidus. Emails like yours help us understand (and convince others) the critical need."

When I e-mailed her I was not exactly expecting a reply but was quite pleased to hear back from her. 

She also encouraged me to follow their progress at this link: www.neu.edu/nanosensors