What do you use?

Collette · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 09:52 AM

Those of you on insulin:

What form of insulin are you on and how much? and what do you use to take it?

Im on Humulin I, 32 units am and 30 units pm (at the moment until i adjust properly from not taking it for quite a while) and i use the 'pen'.

Thanks, just curious to know of the different devices out there

HeatherP · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 09:57 AM

Hi Collette!

I use Humalog before each meal 1-8 units depending on what my b/s is and what I'm eating. I inject 8 units Latus in a.m. and 10 units in the p.m. Old fashioned syringes for me.

Hope you're having a good day.
HeatherP

webpundit · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:00 AM

I take 23 units of Lantus with the good ol' syringe at bedtime and take Humalog with those pre-filled pens with each meal using a sliding scale. So far I've figured out my carb ratio is between 1:10 and 1:15.

I like my Humalog shots better simply because they don't burn so darn much as the Lantus!

-WP

Collette · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:00 AM

Heather, Thats alot of injecting

Guess i should be grateful i only have to do it twice a day!

Webpundit, i have never really heard of the carb counting that you and others do, is there a site where i can find out more?

lgvincent · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:04 AM

I use Humalog at each meal and NPH at bedtime. The pen is kind of expensive so I still use syringes. If my eyesight continues to get worse, I'll probably switch to the pen so I can count the number of units with each click of the pen but I'm curious to know how I'll know what type of insulin I'm using.

HeatherP · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:11 AM

I'm sure there's some websites - probably others will be able to direct you faster, but I'll see if I can find some info for you. If you learn to carb count you'll have A LOT more freedom to eat what you want.

Collette · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:14 AM

Thanks Heather.

Sounds daft, but i thought the main concern as the sugar intake not carbs?!

HeatherP · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:17 AM

Well, sugar is a carbohydrate. Nowadays, if you count carbs, then you can eat pretty much anything you want (in moderation, of course) as long as you inject the right amount of insuin to cover it. Once you get your insulin to carb ratio figured out, you have a lot more freedom. Maybe that will help you get thru the difficulty w/ injections that you're having.

HeatherP · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:25 AM

Hi Collette,

I did a search and found this site - I just skimmed it, but it looks like it has some reliable basic info:

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_food_diet/carb_counting.php

Collette · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:31 AM

Thanks.

HeatherP · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:32 AM

Me again. Here's a couple of other links that may help you:

http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/library/wcarbsug.shtml

http://diabetes.about.com/cs/carbcentral/a/carbohydrates.htm

Hope the info helps!
HeatherP

Collette · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:33 AM

Thanks, god im thick!!

webpundit · #13 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:50 AM

Hi Collette,

Those are some great resources that Heather has included up there. I'm kinda new to this whole new-fangled carb counting myself and I'm not too fond of it, but it helps me have fewer lows and naturally fewer 'highs'

I hadn't been doing it so far and my HBA1c would always be 9-10. Now I've finally managed to touch 8...hallelujah! (actually when I was newly diagnoised, and I was taking 100 units a day, I did get a 6 one time)

Anyway, good luck with your foray into the world of carbs. I'm constantly trying to educate myself too!

Learn and you shall live,
WP

Collette · #14 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 10:57 AM

Webpundit, im just having a look at the links, loads of info, thanks again Heather.

I was only really taught to eat certain amounts from the food groups and to keep low on sugar, salt, fat and high on bran.

rzrbks · #15 (**permalink**) 12-09-2003, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Collette
I was only really taught to eat certain amounts from the food groups and to keep low on sugar, salt, fat and high on bran.
.

Collette,
you might want to visit a CDE, they can move you over to the Carb counting.

I'm on 10 units of Lantus each night and 15/1 Novolog before each meal--I use the InDuo injector (injector and Bg tester in one unit), with that, I feel I get many of the benefits of a pump without being "hooked up" 24/7--and with the 1/4in- 31g needles, it's not such a pain