Shoot Up or Put Up

Hello you! Your soaraway Shoot Up is a community of people who live with diabetes. We have a diabetes forum and a blog written by Tim and Alison who are both lucky enough to be pancreatically-challenged. Feel free to see what's going on in the activity stream and to pitch in with your comments on the blog and on the forums. To post on Shoot Up it's easiest if you create an account. If you're not sure how blogs and forums work, we have a handy guide. Finally, if you can't be bothered reading, watch us on our YouTube channel.

Recent blog posts

Bullet Life after birth

It’s three weeks now since we started playing at being parents, and we’re having lots of fun. My caesarean scar has healed beautifully, which is of course amazing as most clinicians seem to expect that it should be oozing green pus and festering nicely by now, me being diabetic and all. I still can’t lift [...]

Bullet UK making progress with pumps, but oh so slowly

This dog was underwhelmed to hear that 7% of people with Type 1 diabetes in the UK now have access to an insulin pump. Compared to 15% in Germany and 40% in the good old US of A, it’s a step in the right direction but a very long way from where we need to [...]

Bullet A caesarean with diabetes – special requests

I have to say, having Eva by caesarean was a thoroughly pleasant experience. A couple of weeks before she was born we decided that Eva would be coming out via the sunroof so that gave us time to do a bit of planning. I had two big concerns – controlling my diabetes during and after [...]

Bullet Introducing Eva

Is everyone still out there? We’ve been cocooned in the wonderful world of our tiny baby for the last fortnight, but now it’s time to come out into the big wide world and say hello. Baby Eva was born on 24 April and cleverly disproved the myth that all diabetics have massive babies by being [...]

Bullet Poll results – Aside from routine appointments, how many times have you been hospitalised as a result of diabetes?

Well, it’s that time again – the “monthly” (and I use the term in its widest conceivable sense) poll results. Last month *cough* we asked “Aside from routine appointments, how many times have you been hospitalised as a result of diabetes”? Rather pleasingly for all concerned, “Never” topped the poll with an impressive 41% share [...]


Diabetes news

Bullet UK making progress with pumps, but oh so slowly
Bullet Cheery news round up
Bullet Looking for diabetes inspiration?
Bullet DUK says nine out of 10 parents unaware of type 1 symptoms
Bullet C8 non invasive CGM gains CE Mark approval
Bullet Diabetic kids take part in the Games
Bullet NICE to rate trusts on implementing new treatments

From the archives

Bullet Diabetic days – great expectations

As part of our superlative ongoing series, type one mum-to-be Sam Clifford describes her diabetic day: ——————————— The first thing I thought when Tim asked me to write about a day in the life of diabetes was how on earth to chose one out of the many fabulous days I have experienced not only in [...]

Bullet Heat

Edinburgh is currently suffering from a heat wave. No, really. Honestly it’s true. Sometimes in Scotland the cloud, rain, drizzle and sleet briefly clear to allow through a little bit of sun and occasionally the temperature gets into double figures. While I’m enjoying the smell of molten tarmac that wafts through my office windows, and [...]

Bullet Driving Edinburgh commuters up the wall

Regular readers will remember that at the ripe old age of 32 I’m currently learning to drive. To have left it so late is sad, I know. Anyway, I thought I would give you a quick update as to how I’m doing – because I know you’re all just dying to know. Well, it’s all [...]

Bullet Shoot Up's new birthday suit

The observant among you may have noticed a few changes with your soaraway Shoot Up. In celebration of our first birthday I’ve been tinkering around under the hood with the intention of improving the site’s “user experience”, whatever that means. Essentially you’ll keep getting the same quality Shoot Up blogging goodness but now the forums [...]

Bullet I’m a diabetic spotter

I admit it, I am a secret diabetic spotter. I’m not quite at the anorak wearing, binocular carrying stage yet (despite photographic evidence to the contrary), and I haven’t ever kept a log of my sightings, but I am always on the lookout for others who are playing at being a pancreas. I’ve known about [...]

Latest site activity

  • I haven’t been on this site for (at least 9 months by the looks of things!) and I am just delighted for you Alison, to read of your wonderful news and see the pictures of your gorgeous baby!! Your last sentence […]

  • sleepeAnenoFA became a registered member 6 hours, 7 minutes ago

  • Tim replied to the topic Recession Meter in the forum Living with type one 5 days, 15 hours ago

    So do you have the ‘choice’ of just one meter now? They were thinking of doing this (still are?) in NHS Lothian but I think the plan was to have the option of three or four meters / strips to give a semblance of choice.

  • What was it you liked most about your meter compared to the new sh*** one? The term ‘patient choice ‘ is key. E.g. Convenience, appropriate to carry, good/ better for sport or work, gives you a better quality of life etc; try and find out the cost of your strips compared to the NHS ones and work out the difference. If you’re a type 1 you really…[Read more]

  • Hello fellow Fingerprickers
    My local authority has worked out that test strips are quite pricey and has implemented a regime of bulk-buying from one manufacturer. Unfortunately the new meter is a random-number generator that can also make a nice beeping-noise. Hospital consultant : “Yeah, we all know its s@*%, good luck with your GP”…[Read more]

  • lizz commented on the post, Life after birth 6 days, 13 hours ago

    Oh – I recall that! I’m afraid military precision will probably be out, but goodish precision will be back by three months when you feel normal again. I can actually remember thinking – hang on – I feel normal! […]

  • Love the last sentence Alison – a good office smile in the morning keeps them allwondering what Im doing!


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