[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Batty

what's novorapid? you have to have set meals so you can figure out your doses? so you can't sponatously change a meal in anywhere or it throws the count all off?

Novarapid is just like Humalog and Novolog but I think it's only in the UK or maybe it's Canada, not really sure. What I think he was saying by figuring out the doses is he knows if he has say Mac & Cheese that he needs to take 13 units of Novorapid. He uses that method instead of the true method of carb counting which would provide the best results and allow you to eat whatever you want whenever you want.

I don't have a desk job either, well, it kinda is, but I can't take a break when I want to, but I don't find it hard to find 1 minute to do a BG check to make sure everything is fine. And I use to work at McDonalds for 5 years and I found time in there too. I'm not trying to judge you or anything, just trying to help you get better control. And personally, you can't say you're in control without doing at least 5 checks a day at various times so you know what you are running then. Remember, an A1C only shows an average, so running 300, 40 and 40 in 3 checks shows the same as running 127 all 3 times. And the 127 will produce few if any complications, while the 300, 40 and 40 will produce MANY complications in time. And testing once or twice a day may only show the good times, not the inbetween meal times which is the most important times. Again, this is just my 2 cents.

[jen_slc]

Novorapid is the same as Novolog. Novolog and Humalog *technically* aren't exactly the same insulin protein, so they have very slightly different action profiles, but they are all classed as rapid-acting insulins.

With carb-counting, you can eat whenever you want/whatever you want on a Lantus/rapid-acting insulin regime. If you decide you need to skip lunch or push it back an hour or two, it's no biggie, you can do that with no problem. And you can decide on the spot what you want to eat, your meals are not set by any means! Your Lantus dose, assuming it's correct, will keep you stable until you want to eat. But just a warning, you'll need to test more, at least in the beginning, to determine how Lantus is working in you and to make sure you've got the right dose to keep you stable if you don't eat.

[Batty]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

I don't have a desk job either, well, it kinda is, but I can't take a break when I want to, but I don't find it hard to find 1 minute to do a BG check to make sure everything is fine. And I use to work at McDonalds for 5 years and I found time in there too. I'm not trying to judge you or anything, just trying to help you get better control. And personally, you can't say you're in control without doing at least 5 checks a day at various times so you know what you are running then. Remember, an A1C only shows an average, so running 300, 40 and 40 in 3 checks shows the same as running 127 all 3 times. And the 127 will produce few if any complications, while the 300, 40 and 40 will produce MANY complications in time. And testing once or twice a day may only show the good times, not the inbetween meal times which is the most important times. Again, this is just my 2 cents.

well i've never let diabetes control my life, and i never will. i deal with it, but i don't go "oh i want a snack, better check" and whip out my meter everytime i wanna eat something. i might as well stay at home on disability saying i can't leave the house to work because i need to test everytime i wanna eat or drink something. sorry, but personally testing more than twice a day is just time wasting unless you're sick. when i was diagnosed i was told i only had to check three times a day..whenever i took a needle. now, my doctor says i can test once or twice if i can't find the time, and that he knows its harder when you're just getting out into the world to always test when you inject. i say i have good control because my blood sugars aren't like they were when i was little and when i was a teen..when other people decided what i should eat, when, and how much insulin to take.

a minute for you to test is like 5minutes for me. i work around food, so i'd have to walk all the way to the bathroom..wait in line because theres always a line to get into the female restroom since theres only one..do my test, and then wait for my finger to stop bleeding..or most likely have to call a first aid employee so i can get a bandaid since ANY open wound, no matter how small..even if its just a paper cut that isn't even bleeding just a little red..requires a blue bandaid on it at all times..and then of course a glove on it at all times. that 1minute to test..turns into about 20mins..considering its almost impossible to get a first aid attendant to show up right after you page them..and every bandaid they give out has to be writting up in the book with the person who requires the bandaid's information.

[Simon]

Novorapid is a rapid acting insulin taken with meals. It seems to peak at about 60 to 90 mins and is gone within 4 to 5 hours. It's not that I have to have set meals it's just that the dose is adjusted to the meal and if it's a meal I've never tried before it's harder to estimate the dose needed, especialy if it's a take-away or a resteraunt meal. Doses for meals I cook myself or take aways I have on a regular basis are easy. eg: for me:

Any small portion of meat, fish or poultry with 250g of potatoes + veg = 2 IU
Steak pie with 250g of potatoes + veg = 3 IU
2 prawn+mayonaise sandwiches = 3 IU
Small fish & chips = 4 IU
Chinese + rice = 5 IU

It works out at about 23g carbohydrate to 1 IU Novorapid but the relationship is not always that simple. I find it easier to have a list of meals to choose from than calculate the carbohydrate every time. I'm also so sensitive to insulin that one dose covers a wide range of carbohydrate so an acurate calculation doesn't always seem appropriate.

[am1977]

Originally Posted by Batty

well i've never let diabetes control my life, and i never will. i deal with it, but i don't go "oh i want a snack, better check" and whip out my meter everytime i wanna eat something. i might as well stay at home on disability saying i can't leave the house to work because i need to test everytime i wanna eat or drink something. sorry, but personally testing more than twice a day is just time wasting unless you're sick. when i was diagnosed i was told i only had to check three times a day..whenever i took a needle. now, my doctor says i can test once or twice if i can't find the time, and that he knows its harder when you're just getting out into the world to always test when you inject. i say i have good control because my blood sugars aren't like they were when i was little and when i was a teen..when other people decided what i should eat, when, and how much insulin to take.

a minute for you to test is like 5minutes for me. i work around food, so i'd have to walk all the way to the bathroom..wait in line because theres always a line to get into the female restroom since theres only one..do my test, and then wait for my finger to stop bleeding..or most likely have to call a first aid employee so i can get a bandaid since ANY open wound, no matter how small..even if its just a paper cut that isn't even bleeding just a little red..requires a blue bandaid on it at all times..and then of course a glove on it at all times. that 1minute to test..turns into about 20mins..considering its almost impossible to get a first aid attendant to show up right after you page them..and every bandaid they give out has to be writting up in the book with the person who requires the bandaid's information.

Sorry, Batty, but I have to disagree with you . Diabetes does NOT control your life when you take the time to monitor frequently and take care of yourself- actually you are controlling it. Testing as a Type 1 is very important-it gives us the feedback as to if we are ok where we are or if we need to take some kind of action to correct. It's NOT a waste of time...it's worth every second it takes to test. By not taking the minute (or five, as you say) to test and monitor yourself, you are increasing your chances of ending up on Disability. I know you have said that you have improved your control over the years- and I think that's great -but it would be in your best interest to try and get that A1c down under 7... and what can help you get there is taking that time to monitor your levels and possibly adjust your treatment plan.

Believe me, I know it's a pain to manage/monitor this disease 24/7, but isn't staying healthy and living a long, happy life worth the effort?

[Batty]

Originally Posted by am1977

Sorry, Batty, but I have to disagree with you . Diabetes does NOT control your life when you take the time to monitor frequently and take care of yourself- actually you are controlling it. Testing as a Type 1 is very important-it gives us the feedback as to if we are ok where we are or if we need to take some kind of action to correct. It's NOT a waste of time...it's worth every second it takes to test. By not taking the minute (or five, as you say) to test and monitor yourself, you are increasing your chances of ending up on Disability. I know you have said that you have improved your control over the years- and I think that's great -but it would be in your best interest to try and get that A1c down under 7... and what can help you get there is taking that time to monitor your levels and possibly adjust your treatment plan.

Believe me, I know it's a pain to manage/monitor this disease 24/7, but isn't staying healthy and living a long, happy life worth the effort?

i've been testing at breakfast and dinner the last few weeks because i've been working til 830 which means i get an hour break..and its been slow. my doctor told me to only test at breakfast and dinner. are you gonna correct him? anyways, everytime i've tested..i havent been above 10. what does that say?

[am1977]

I'm not trying to argue or be difficult...this is my opinion.

I am surprised that your doctor told you to test ONLY @ breakfast and dinner...that seems like an antiquated way of doing things and I'd suggest finding a new doctor. It's in your best interest to take care of yourself, even if it is an inconvenience in some way. If your doctor thinks testing so little is okay, then I'd have to question his thought process.

That's great that you haven't been over 10, but you only test 2 times a day. Aside from those two small moments during the day, how do you know what your blood sugar is doing the rest of the time? Obviously, it's bouncing around somewhat since your A1c was over 8.

It's your life and it's really your decision... If you are satisfied with things, then so be it, but I guess I think you should consider your future health. I'd hate to see that you are kicking yourself later on in life.

Good luck and Take care.

[Batty]

Originally Posted by am1977

I am surprised that your doctor told you to test ONLY @ breakfast and dinner...that seems like an antiquated way of doing things and I'd suggest finding a new doctor. It's in your best interest to take care of yourself, even if it is an inconvenience in some way. If your doctor thinks testing so little is okay, then I'd have to question his thought process.

well not only does he have a few diabetic clients..as well as when i first started going to him he was in the -same- office as my specialist so for the first year of be being his client i would have appointments with them -both- at the same time...and they agreed on everything. plus my specialist told me to keep going to him after he moved offices..because i can't go and see my specialist more than once a year(and hes one of two on the whole island) and recommended my doctor to deal with my diabetes the rest of the time. he knows i only test twice a day if i can't do it before bed. i was started on 3-4times a day shortly after my honeymoon period was over by the diabetic team at the hospital..and when i started going to my specialist when i was 13 he said i could go down to 2-3times a day, and the diabetic team said that was alright as well..so its not like its my regular doctor is the only one saying its okay, and when we talk about my diabetes and theres something that will effect me greatly, he always calls my specialist and they discuss it before any huge change is made.

[Xonelith]

Well, I would have to agree with almost everyone here. Your specialist seems like he doesn't know a whole lot about diabetes. I suspect you may have misinterpreted his comment. As for your other doctor agreeing with him, I would ignore that other doctor, as my experiences have proven that 95% of non diabetic specialists know nothing about the proper treatment of diabetes (in particular emergency staff at hospitals). I have switched specialists 8 times since I started looking after my own treatments, and I would suggest you do the same.

As for the amount of times you test, I used to feel the same way as you. I've had T1 since I was 3 and assumed I 'knew' how I felt. I think my A1C's were 9 or 10, and in my opinion was good enough. You test more than I did!!(I didn't test at all)

Once I found an appropriate endo, I realized that what I was doing, was not in my best interests, as the possible 'side effects' kind of suck (ie impotence, missing limbs etc).

I started to test my blood and found that the 'good' levels I thought I had were incorrect. I was bouncing from 4 to 22!!!! Kind of explained the drowsy times of day I was having...LOL

Anyway, I suggest getting a good meter that reads the results quickly and using small lancets to minimize the healing time. If your employer has an issue with that, than I'd be really surprised (maybe wear some gloves if it is a really big deal).

[someone]

Yes, Lantus does require more than one shot. You actually end up taking more shots than you would with something like NPH. The advantage is that you only take a shot when you have carbs. There are no set times for meals or carbohydrate restraints. When I was on Lantus, I was taking 7-8 shots a day (I know it sounds terrible, but it is not that bad.).

[Batty]

Originally Posted by someone

Yes, Lantus does require more than one shot. You actually end up taking more shots than you would with something like NPH. The advantage is that you only take a shot when you have carbs. There are no set times for meals or carbohydrate restraints. When I was on Lantus, I was taking 7-8 shots a day (I know it sounds terrible, but it is not that bad.).

but i dont carb count and i never will, so i guess it wouldnt work for me

[someone]

How can you not carb count?

[Batty]

easy, when i was diganosed, we weren't told to carb count. i'd never heard of carb counting besides in those diets(that fail and seem like way to much work) that people use to lose weight..until i came to this forum though. i've never been told too, or taught too and i don't.

[someone]

Wow, that is amazing. It is hard to imagine that it would be possible to have even somewhat decent levels without carb counting. So do you just eat the same meal all of the time?

[Batty]

Originally Posted by someone

Wow, that is amazing. It is hard to imagine that it would be possible to have even somewhat decent levels without carb counting. So do you just eat the same meal all of the time?

**** no. i eat what i want when i want for my meals. saying its hard to imagine it, is only proving that people diganosed now are being taught to be ignorant. i dont agree with testing all the time, but i know for some people thats how they do it and how they were taught..and they can do what they want as long as they don't push it on me. people are taught different things and what might work for one person, might not for another. i dont agree with carb counting, i don't know a lot about it though but its not something i'm interested in doing..but if it works for some people and they do it, then thats their business as long as they don't push it on me.