[WiseWords]

PART 2

Originally posted by zookeeper671
There really isn't any reason for this to have happened, and according to my doctor,
it's just a part of the disease that I need to "get used to and learn to manage."
That's a pretty scary statement to someone newly diagnosed.

Correct.

The main message, however,
was NOT "get used to it,"
but rather, "learn to manage."
(Do you think that classes might have helped
with the learning part?)

Originally posted by zookeeper671
Other than a couple of questions, there really isn't a point to this post other than a means for me to gab with others who might understand.
Thanks for listening,
Angie
__________________
T1 since Oct. 2003
Humalog/Humulin U

Oh, you're wrong on that one!
There is a big point to it.

The point is for you to learn what to do.
First thing, is learning to recognize
the earlier symptoms that are unique to you.
Then, you will be able to prevent the more serious lows.
You can avoid a BG that is so low that you
are unable to help yourself.
And you are hearing from
someone who knows.


There are some people who have a greater difficulty
telling when they are low than others do.
If you are one of those, then following a good schedule,
in terms of diet & activity will help,
along with testing whenever you are not sure.
Better to test too much than not enough,
but don't get paranoid about it.
If you are testing 10-15 times, or more, per day,
then you are over-testing.

For a new diabetic, once before each meal and at
bedtime, or before an evening snack,
is a good starting point.

Along with that, whenever you think you
might be low, or before anticipated exercise.
Later, and not too much later, testing after you eat
will let you know if you are getting too high
after a meal.

All results should be recorded,
as in written down on paper,
in a log-booklet, with the time & dates.
Then, if you have a pattern of lows or highs,
it will be readily apparent, and adjustments can be
made to diet and/or insulin.

All the computer log gizmos are nice toys,
but if the results stay in your meter's memory,
or go through a cable to your computer, and
bypass you, then you will never learn anything.
It is not enough to look at fancy display charts or graphs.

By writing down the results on paper,
you will learn what is happening and when.
Additional notes about any extra activity
will also be helpful.
For the first 3-4 weeks, I recommend also
keeping a daily log with the time and dates of
every piece of food that goes into your mouth.
That must include the weights or measurements
of each item. Get yourself a small scale,
and measuring cup.

By doing this, it will be easy to spot
the reasons for unexpected high or low
blood sugars, and allow you to make the needed corrections.

Lastly, RE: - your insulin -
You are on the right stuff and
don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I also take Humulin U and Humalog,
along with Humulin R.

As soon as I saw your insulin types,
I knew why you were low in class.
You are taking the Humalog before each meal.
You took it at lunch, went to an afternoon class
and got low. Either it reached its peak
during class, or you were walking between classes
and the exercise along with the Humalog reaching
its peak, put you at a low point of normal.
Then, in class, with both insulins active,
you got low or lower.
Either take less Humalog, have a bigger lunch,
and/or have a snack before class.
Initially, test your BG before the next few classes.

With your schedule, is a late afternoon
snack a regular part of your diet?
Some people also need a mid-morning snack.

You will need to do some work
to avoid these severe lows in the future.
Learning to recognize when you first get low
is the main point. Testing is a part of that.

If you haven't been to Rick Mendosa's website,
that is a good place to start.
He is a professional writer and adventurer
who has diabetes. He has a lot of good info on
his site with good links to others:
ClickLink--->Advice for Newbies