#1843 Two Fancy Pill Boxes - Part 2 - Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Transcript

Scott (0:00)

Welcome back friends, to another episode of the Juice Box Podcast.

Suzanne (0:14)

Hi, my name is Suzanne and I have been a type 1 diabetic for 51 years. I feel like I was diagnosed in the dark ages.

Scott (0:25)

This is part two of a two part episode. Go look at the title. If you don't recognize it, you haven't heard part one yet. It's probably the episode right before this in your podcast player. The podcast contains so many different series and collections of information that it can be difficult to find them in your traditional podcast app. Sometimes. That's why they're also collected@juicebox podcast.com Go up to the top. There's a menu right there. Click on Series Defining Diabetes, Bold Beginnings, the Pro Tip Series Small Sips, Omnipod 5, Ask Scott and Jenny Mental Wellness, Fat and Protein Defining Thyroid After Dark Diabetes Variables, Grand Rounds, cold win, pregnancy, type 2 diabetes, GLP meds, the math Behind Diabetes, Diabetes Myths, and so much more. You have to go check it out. It's all there waiting for you and it's absolutely free. Juicebox podcast.com nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan. This episode is sponsored by ABLE now Tax Advantaged Savings Accounts for Eligible Individuals with Disabilities. If you or your child lives with diabetes, you may qualify for an ABLE account because of ongoing medical needs and many people in the diabetes community do. With ABLE now, you can save for future expenses without affecting eligibility for certain disability benefits such as Medicaid. Learn more and check your eligibility@ablenow.com you spell that a b l e n o w.com today's episode is also sponsored by the Contour Next Gen Blood Glucose Meter. This is the meter that my daughter has on her person right now. It is incredibly accurate and waiting for you at contour next.com/juicebox. Why does that matter?

Suzanne (2:19)

I don't know if it does. I don't know if it does it. I also am a bit scared. Full disclosure of how my body will respond. I have not been in a crisis, knock on wood here, since the first diagnosis. In that whole. Like I was in a crisis when I went into the hospital both times. Right? Both hospitals.

Scott (2:40)

Yeah.

Suzanne (2:41)

So I don't know how I respond. I worry about, although I know there are things you can do, but I worry about the gastro effects because, you know, with diarrhea and vomiting then it becomes a whole nother game with the Addison's and the steroids.

Scott (2:57)

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1843 – Two Fancy Pill Boxes, Part 2 (May 6, 2026)
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Suzanne (51 years living with Type 1 diabetes and recently diagnosed with Addison’s disease)

Episode Overview

This episode, the second part of a two-part conversation, continues the engaging discussion between Scott and Suzanne about her life with Type 1 diabetes and her more recent journey with Addison’s disease. The episode examines Suzanne’s experiences living with multiple chronic illnesses, her evolving strategies for self-care, the role of friendship and community, and larger reflections on the diabetes social media landscape. The conversation is candid, insightful, and packed with both practical advice and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Navigating Addison’s Disease and Type 1 Diabetes

New Challenges with Addison’s Disease
- Suzanne describes facing new fears and logistical realities post-diagnosis. Unlike diabetes, Addison’s presents unpredictable medical emergencies, especially in the context of stressors like vomiting or trauma.
“I've never been one to have my diabetes stop me from something. Addison's, I kind of feel like, is a whole nother game.” (Suzanne, 03:44)
Sick Day and Emergency Protocols
- The sick day protocol for Addison’s requires extra steroid dosing and, in emergencies like bone fractures or severe illness, an injectable steroid.
“Normally your body would produce all of this cortisol to deal with the stress...I would not have that extra cortisol. So you have to take this emergency injection of liquid cortisone.” (Suzanne, 04:29)
Feeling More Fearful of Addison’s than Diabetes
- Suzanne is adjusting to a heightened sense of vulnerability, especially around events like car accidents where swift steroid administration could be lifesaving.
“I would say I'm not fearful of the diabetes. I'm more fearful of the Addison's…it's all new…there are legitimate, quite frankly, legitimate reasons maybe not to be fearful of it.” (Suzanne, 06:51)

Access to Healthcare and Geography

Both discuss the importance of access to quality healthcare and the trade-offs considered when contemplating moving to different regions for weather, taxes, and family.

“The bottom line is, for us, because of me, is healthcare.” (Suzanne, 09:36)

Community and Social Support

Connection with Jackie
- Suzanne describes her deep friendship with Jackie, another local person with diabetes and her dogs’ sitter who once rushed her to the hospital.
“Jackie's amazing. She also…stayed with me till, like, 1-something in the morning…Able now is sponsoring this episode.” (Suzanne, 13:15; Scott, 13:29)
Isolation Despite Population
- Despite living in a populous suburb, she notes the surprising lack of local Type 1 diabetes support groups:
“There is such a lack of a diabetic community. It is shocking.” (Suzanne, 15:43)

Social Media, Advocacy, and Communication Fatigue

Over-saturation of Online Diabetes Content
- Scott and Suzanne critique the current state of diabetes social media, lamenting that organizations waste resources chasing internet trends rather than building meaningful, small-scale support.
"I feel like the diabetes space online is starting to get oversaturated. That worries me because I think that ends up pushing people away when you have too much." (Scott, 18:01)
Superficial vs. Deep Support

“It would be much better to just start…a group in Connecticut for people to get together and talk once a month…those 30 people would really be helped by that.” (Scott, 19:48)
Attention Fatigue in Health Communities
- The parallel is drawn to trends in other online communities (like YouTube reptile channels) that rise and crash, warning diabetes advocates to “not burn this out.”
“When everyone rushes in, you…saturate the market. And then…people get sick of it, they're gone, and you will never get them back.” (Scott, 27:37)

Practical Diabetes Management Challenges

Pre-bolusing and Meal Management
- Suzanne details her ongoing battle to consistently pre-bolus at dinner. The chaos of family meals and the complexity added by steroids from Addison’s challenge her control.
“I really suck at pre bolusing at dinner time…it's hard for me only because I'm cooking and making dinner…” (Suzanne, 38:06)
Fat and Protein Management
- Figuring out post-meal glucose rises related to fat and protein remains a challenge even for this highly experienced individual.
“It's the magic of fat and protein…I still find it confusing. Despite listening to the podcast, I still find it a little complicated.” (Suzanne, 40:17)
Practical Solution Brainstorm
- Scott suggests planning and calculating carbs, fat, and protein for common meals ahead of time.
“What if you spent 15 minutes thinking about five meals that you know you're gonna have this week and do the carbs and the fat and the protein for them and then write them down on a piece of paper…” (Scott, 41:15)

Medical Devices & Tools

The “Fancy Pill Boxes”
- Suzanne indulges in new, custom pill organizers after her Addison’s diagnosis, combining utility with a sense of preparedness and even a touch of humor.
“I have this really nice one…I spent way too much money on…but I was like, hey, I just got Addison's. Like, I'm getting all this stuff…” (Suzanne, 42:00)

Family Health History & Autoimmunity

Autoimmune Disease in the Family
- In addition to her own history, Suzanne’s family tree includes Type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis.
“My grandmother's sister was a type 1 diabetic…there was hypothyroidism and then rheumatoid arthritis on both sides of the family.” (Suzanne, 29:45)
Interest in TrialNet
- Suzanne’s daughter now wants to participate in the TrialNet screening after witnessing her mother’s struggles.

The Emotional Reality of Chronic Illness

Acceptance and Adaptation
- Suzanne speaks with both pride and humility about managing her diabetes and Addison’s, always seeking improvement but accepting imperfection.
“It's not perfect, you know? Like, I am not a perfect diabetic right now at all. I can just keep working on it and trying…despite everything, I'm in a good…place.” (Suzanne, 37:34)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

On Approaching New Therapies with Caution:

“I’m a bit scared…of how my body will respond. I have not been in a crisis…since the first diagnosis.” (Suzanne, 02:19)
On Explaining Addison’s in Daily Life:

“I've got to have that emergency injection. And then I've got to explain to everybody…it's not like an EpiPen. You’ve got to mix it, take it. It's like old days of glucagon.” (Suzanne, 03:44)
On Healthcare and Moving:

“The bottom line is, for us, because of me, is healthcare.” (Suzanne, 09:36)
On Small Community Impact:

“Maybe 30 people would show up, but those 30 people would really be helped by that.” (Scott, 19:48)
Reflection on Oversaturated Social Media:

“The people looking, they don't care about the diabetes piece…They're clicking or scrolling because you're pretty or you're attractive…” (Scott, 24:36)
On Family Mentality:

“Brother’s normal. Girl’s an issue, but brother’s normal.” (Suzanne, 32:06)
On Coping:

“I'm just living it, and that's all I can do.” (Suzanne, 37:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[02:19] – Suzanne’s fear of medical crises with Addison’s and glucocorticoid dosing
[03:44] – The realities of Addison’s for daily life and physical activities
[06:51] – The comparative fear of Addison’s vs. Diabetes
[09:36] – Navigating healthcare and family decisions about moving
[15:43] – The importance of connection and lack of local diabetes community
[18:01] – Scott’s critique of oversaturated diabetes social media
[38:06] – Suzanne’s struggles with pre-bolusing and dinner glycemic control
[40:17] – Discussion about fat, protein, and post-meal blood sugars
[42:00] – The story behind the “Two Fancy Pill Boxes”
[29:45] – Suzanne’s discovery of family history of autoimmune conditions
[32:06] – On being a “medical orphan” and family health quirks
[37:34] – Acceptance, pride, and the ongoing quest for better management

Tone and Style

The episode is candid, witty, and layered with relatable banter—a balance of warmth, humor, and real-life vulnerability. Scott and Suzanne’s dynamic is conversational, open, and often lighthearted even when discussing serious challenges (e.g., car accidents, emergency injections, struggles with daily routines).

Summary

Scott and Suzanne offer listeners not just practical tips for diabetes and Addison’s management, but a model for resilience, adaptation, and authenticity in chronic illness. The episode moves seamlessly from critical advice and first-hand experience to broader reflections on community-building and the pitfalls of performative social media advocacy. Whether discussing the nitty-gritty of pre-bolusing, the nuanced fears of multi-morbidity, or the joys and ironies of finding the “perfect” pill box, this episode feels both accessible and indispensable for anyone navigating chronic illness or supporting someone who does.