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    • 25 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Ironically, I was a 10 year old "before" my diagnosis. BUT, one day I was over my friend's house (on what they call a playdate in today's parlance) and we went to the pharmacy to by candy. I remember vividly a video playing on a loop on a little TV on the counter describing what diabetes was and insulin injections every day. I remember thinking to myself that those poor people must feel like pin cushions. Fast forward to two days after my 11th birthday and my doctor telling me that I had diabetes. I remember my mother being fully unaware of what it entailed. I remember telling her that it's ok, all I need to do is take shots every day. She looked at me puzzled, like how do you know this? The doctor was also a little perplexed but added, it's a little more than that, but correct. Then he explained it based on his two-three hours of training in medical school. It's funny how prompts trigger strange memories.
    • 58 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      Funny you should ask right now. I had to personally buy my first-ever vial in 25 years. Thanks Medicare for all the obstacles you place in the way. Am I grateful for Medicare? Yes, I guess, but I paid in all my life and I’m still paying. But Walgreens can never get the preauth right. They don’t send it to my doc or they send the wrong form. So I had the bright idea to change pharmacy’s, Publix. I went and had a convo with them, explaining I’m on a pump, I mentioned part B, the preauth. No problem. Have your doc send the script. That’s a whole other story. Then I get a call from Publix. We don’t do part B. Wow, wish you had told me. OK, I’m just going back to Walgreens. Except Medicare won’t allow refills without doctor script. So they called my doctor and my doc declined it because they had already approved it for Publix. Now I had sent an email explaining all of this to doc. I called my doc but they don’t answer their phones. Left a detailed message but have no idea whether they got anything. So I asked Walgreens if I could buy a vial. Nope, no script from doc. So I went to Publix, explained it all and they sold me a vial for $29. It was worth it but so frustrating because I can’t get my hands on a script anymore and take it where I dam-well please. Sorry for long post. I’m angry.
    • 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      Medicare is basically not covering Tresiba in 2026 :( so I've been busy stockpiling pens. I have enough Tresiba pens in the fridge to get me through '26 without having to buy any.
    • 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      Price is OK. But the bureaucratic migraine is amplified a hundred fold. ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ
    • 5 hours, 25 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      I started the year paying the $35 Medicare drug cost but then the pharmacy started filling the insulin as Medicare Part B (because it being used in my pump) and I get if for $0.
    • 5 hours, 26 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      Medicare cap of $35 a month has been has been wonderful for so many people.
    • 5 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      I started the year paying the $35 Medicare drug cost but then the pharmacy started filling the insulin as Medicare Part B (because it being used in my pump) and I get if for $0.
    • 6 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      Medicare cap of $35 a month has been has been wonderful for so many people.
    • 6 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Judith Marged likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      I started the year paying the $35 Medicare drug cost but then the pharmacy started filling the insulin as Medicare Part B (because it being used in my pump) and I get if for $0.
    • 6 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Judith Marged likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      Medicare cap of $35 a month has been has been wonderful for so many people.
    • 6 hours, 35 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      Has your cost of insulin changed in 2025?
      Medicare cap of $35 a month has been has been wonderful for so many people.
    • 21 hours, 37 minutes ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Sorry. Of course I store unopened in frig. Opened in my room as I use it up in 30 days
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Katrina Mundinger likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      I actually don't care, consequently I don't know either. When I was diagnosed I often didn't have the $18 for a vial of Humulin and used expired insulin others wouldn't. I tracked everything. The math didn't change, old or new. How many do I have total? More than I need and enough to share through my endo's office.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Katrina Mundinger likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      I am working through the end of my 90 day supply of Insulin. It is time to order another batch. Usually 6 vials.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      Funny you should ask right now. I had to personally buy my first-ever vial in 25 years. Thanks Medicare for all the obstacles you place in the way. Am I grateful for Medicare? Yes, I guess, but I paid in all my life and I’m still paying. But Walgreens can never get the preauth right. They don’t send it to my doc or they send the wrong form. So I had the bright idea to change pharmacy’s, Publix. I went and had a convo with them, explaining I’m on a pump, I mentioned part B, the preauth. No problem. Have your doc send the script. That’s a whole other story. Then I get a call from Publix. We don’t do part B. Wow, wish you had told me. OK, I’m just going back to Walgreens. Except Medicare won’t allow refills without doctor script. So they called my doctor and my doc declined it because they had already approved it for Publix. Now I had sent an email explaining all of this to doc. I called my doc but they don’t answer their phones. Left a detailed message but have no idea whether they got anything. So I asked Walgreens if I could buy a vial. Nope, no script from doc. So I went to Publix, explained it all and they sold me a vial for $29. It was worth it but so frustrating because I can’t get my hands on a script anymore and take it where I dam-well please. Sorry for long post. I’m angry.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      Oh sometimes I miss the old days of not needing an Rx for insulin in any state. Needles and were restricted due to illegal drug users, but then came disscsions about drug abusers sharing dirty needles. I'm not sure where that ended. Anyway it's extremely abusive for politics and insurance companies controlling diabetic supplies. The disease is a big enough burden.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      I just got my 3 mo supply so I get 6 for 3 mo. I just opened the 1st if the 6
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      This is one of those questions that makes me wonder what on earth somebody hopes to learn from the answer. T1D Exchange - please explain.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      How many unopened, unexpired insulin pens or vials do you have?
      Medicare is basically not covering Tresiba in 2026 :( so I've been busy stockpiling pens. I have enough Tresiba pens in the fridge to get me through '26 without having to buy any.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Steve Rumble likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Donna Owens likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Yes. It’s f*ing annoying.
    • 1 day, 22 hours ago
      Amy Schneider likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 1 day, 23 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I want a thumbs down icon!
    • 1 day, 23 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I seldom have any questions other than RX refill request which I submit through the patient portal. If I do have treatment questions, I typically do my own research, and if not satisfied with what I find out, I submit a question in the portal.
    • 1 day, 23 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      When I come up with a question between visits, I usually just do some research.
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    If you wake up in the middle of the night to treat a low, do you brush your teeth before going back to bed?

    Home > LC Polls > If you wake up in the middle of the night to treat a low, do you brush your teeth before going back to bed?
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    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    15 Comments

    1. Stacia Wohlford

      I keep mouthwash and an empty cup by my bed. When I’m too tired to get up and brush my teeth I just rinse. Makes me feel a little better!

      2
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Linda Rumbelow

      I drink orange juice and then rinse my mouth out before going back to bed.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Sherolyn Newell

      Who actually gets out of bed? I keep stuff I can reach. Never thought about putting mouthwash there as well. That’s a good idea.

      2
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Megan W

      I swish water around my mouth. It can be better than using mouthwash depending on what you treat a low with. Mouthwash after an acidic drink/food can wear the enamel on teeth.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Ken Raiche

      No never in my whole life have I ever done that. My bedside go to Dex 4 and then hit the hay for more important zzzzzz’s. Fortunately haven’t had the occasion to do that in quite some time which I’m happy to say is great and hopefully stays that way. 🤞🤞🤞

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. George O Hamilton

      If I am half asleep and I already brushed my teeth two or three hours before this low alert, I have very little interest in brushing again after a swallow of apple juice. I want to go back to sleep.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Gerald Oefelein

      I use juice or glucose tabs to treat, then do a thorough rinse with warm water.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Lawrence Stearns

      Funny question. No, I don’t brush in the middle of the night. My go-to is a bottle of honey. I just take a squeeze and go back to bed.

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Carole Ludwig

      My go to is a couple of jelly beans as going downstairs to get OJ is not good when you’re half asleep. The JB’s are sticky so I always try to rinse well before going back to bed. Brushing teeth wakes me up too much.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. ConnieT1D62

      No. Never thought of it, but it is a good idea to at least do a mouth rinse.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Sally Numrich

      No, but have thought about using those little sweet tarts that can be swallow like little pills, no chewing. Just not sure how quick they’d work if not chewing?

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Dave Akers

      Swallowing Skittles whole is my technique. Not that comfortable on the throat but no cavities! Better than getting out of Bed.😊

      1
      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Yaffa Steubinger

      I don’t brush my teeth but I keep a bottle of water next to my bed and I’ll swish the water around after eating a snack.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Leona Hanson

      No. I eat soft marshmallows and go to sleep. Plus my teeth are in a cup.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. LizB

      Sometimes I swish some mouthwash around and if I’m awake enough and thinking enough I’ll use my toothbrush as well, but not with toothpaste. Just enough to get rid of any sugary feeling in my mouth.

      5 years ago Log in to Reply

    If you wake up in the middle of the night to treat a low, do you brush your teeth before going back to bed? Cancel reply

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