Logging Test Results, etc.

[belyro]

How many people out there consistently log test results, carbs, activity, etc.? I do it every now and again for a week or two at a time just to get a sense of whether I'm seeing trends, but I don't do it all the time. My monitor saves my readings and even averages them and graphs them for my endo, so I don't need to manually track them for that purpose.

Does anybody actually keep a perpetual log?

[aeromarv]

I didn't up until a year or two ago.

Right now I have an excel file I store on my cell phone with every reading, carb count, and bolus I've taken this year. I don't know where my logs went from last year.

My endo has a form he likes to use, so I recreated it in excel and print him copies when I go for my visits. I haven't moved into graphs with this file, although I used to do it for previous doctors.

My last endo had two nutritionists in his suite of offices I'd meet with at each appt. On my first appt. they asked what I did for a living. When I replied that I'm an engineer, the response I heard was, "Oh. An Engineer. I love you guys, cause you write everything down!"

[JediSkipdogg]

I log all my test results and have EVERY ONE of them since diagnosis. I have a paper binder for them from 1983 till 2000. Then sometime during 2000 I discovered the computer software method and have used that since and upload maybe once to twice a month and keep them there.

As for carbs and activity. My meter can do it, but I don't record it. The only time I do is if I'm trying to see if an adjustment needs to be made.

[jen_slc]

I actually do log everything. My glucose levels and insulin doses are anything but consistent for more than a week or so at a time. Up until about a year ago, I didn't log anything because like you said, the meter saves them and it's all downloadable. But when I realized I had some problems that I hadn't noticed before, I started logging. I keep a mini notepad of all my levels, bolus ratios, basal doses, exercise, significant events that inevitably affect my bg like stress or periods, so that when I see a problem I can go back and try to pinpoint what happened. Without doing that, I never would have noticed that my bg runs lower at certain times of the month. I also used to log carbs, but not any more, just my bolus ratios.

This is all in addition to downloading and more analysis using OneTouch software. I used to hate logging even just my bg results, but it doesn't bother me anymore. I love all data I can get! It's all my job's fault. And the mini notebooks are super cheap, they last me several months at a time.

And I can't wait for Brian's data management site, Diabuddies, to upload the UltraSmart!! (hint hint Brian!) :wink:

[grace girl]

I used to not log much at all, but over the past 5 months I've logged everything. I made up my own form because I like to do things my own way....my endo doesn't care what form I use as long as I log! I log all sorts of things, more and more every week, really, because I've learned that all of this info really reveals a lot that I would have missed otherwise.
Of course, I just started on MDI in May, started carb counting in July, so I still feel like I've got a lot to learn.

[spike]

I kept logs during my pump start-up period. Once I got my pump settings established, I stopped writing down my meals, insulin usage, and activity levels.

[Keezheekoni]

Well for awhile I was logging everything...now I let my meter record the pertinent data and it gets uploaded at the endo's office. When I start on my pump, I will probably go back to a paper log for awhile, just so I can see the trends myself. :)

[BriOnH]

And I can't wait for Brian's data management site, Diabuddies, to upload the UltraSmart!! (hint hint Brian!) :wink:

I've been working really hard on the site lately! Looking forward to the next release. Need to check in with Shane on how the US coding is going. :)

[blue eyes]

I only record result because my endocrinologist and diabetes educator want me to. I record my results in a novo nordisk diabetes record book that the endocrinologist gave me, record results 2x / day (different times of the day), test when I feel high or low and occasionally record these results too.

The only time I record what I ate, how I felt etc is when I test and log for feeling high or low.

[jefftj]

I keep a log of all my BG records and exercise is rather regular unless I'm in the hospital or on a trip. I keep a Onetouch program on the comuter but it actually doesn't have enough room in the comment space to put all the information I need. I have refractory epilepsy and have to keep a record of seizure activity. I just ripped the tape off my arm from the MRI I had today. The paper record is more or less for me because I keep a spread sheet on the computer for the doctors, they want everything on a disk they can download. As my neurosurgeon put it "I'm a brainsurgeon, not a computer nerd!" Neuroscience clinic wants the spread sheet, endorinology just downloads my meter. The paper record is good for something to look at when I'm not at home. I carry 2 years of BG records in a pocket calender with seizure activity. I like to make sure there is no relationship between BGs and seizures. Good luck and good control to everyone. Jeff

[Cinnabon]

I log my BS results. I dont log in my carbs because Im pretty good at "eyeballing" everything, even with the whole Retinopathy-Vitrectomized event! LOL

[barbarac]

Curious about the logging. Using the animas, using the carb smart part. It figures the insulin on board, and how much according to the carbs I eat, adjusts everything for me, tells me what to take. But when I log it to take to the endo or fax to the educator, do they take all that into consideration if I haven't written those numbers down. Sometimes it looks like it doesn't make sense. Like if I'm low, it adjusts, and looks like I didn't take enough insulin for the carbs in a meal, etc. Should I write anything down to show why I took a certain amount.

[gettingby]

I just use my cable and download my bgs.

[kgm0612]

ME!!!!! I have logged EVERYTHING since day 1.......almost 4 years ago. I use a daily appointment book and log the time, what my BS reading is, what food I ate, how many units of insulin I took, any corrections I made, exercise, and any illness. This system works for me!

Karen

[jeggeman31]

I kept logs during my pump start-up period. Once I got my pump settings established, I stopped writing down my meals, insulin usage, and activity levels.

I am the same as spike. I log NOTHING. My Endo downloads my meter and pump each visit.

[am1977]

I don't log so regularly, but I'm trying to change that. Personally, I think it's helpful, probably necessary, in keeping track of blood sugar trends and patterns... And I think it makes you more conscious of how you are taking care of yourself and where things stand. JMO :wink:

[Cyborg]

I let my meter log my bg and my pump log my insulin usage. My endo is happy if I give him a print-out, but has never offered to download the data.

[Ricros]

I download my meter (freestyle flash) and print it. I also make a backup copy in case any thing happens to my computer. I tried the log boos but too small for my handwriting then I tried a larger notebook but just couldn't keep up with it. Too lazy I guess.

[ant hill]

I just wish for a meter to not just test BGL's but to also have the ablitity to make a note on what i am doing and upload to the copmuter using the Accu-chek Compass softwhare. I wonder if the camit pro is better?.

[Stuboy]

I used to keep a daily log of my 7 main readings, but since i change to basal and bolus, i started to keep a log, and did so for about 4 or 5 weeks, but it got tedious so i've stopped. My Ultrasmart logs everything so im just going to use the graphs on the meter and the software for the ultrasmart.

I refuse to let my diabetes be a pain in the arse, and keeping logs on a spreadsheet is/was an excellent way of managing and plays a HUGE part in getting it right when diagnosed. But after a while when you get used to the whole thing it becomes easier anyway.

[belyro]

I used to keep a daily log of my 7 main readings, but since i change to basal and bolus, i started to keep a log, and did so for about 4 or 5 weeks, but it got tedious so i've stopped. My Ultrasmart logs everything so im just going to use the graphs on the meter and the software for the ultrasmart.

I refuse to let my diabetes be a pain in the arse, and keeping logs on a spreadsheet is/was an excellent way of managing and plays a HUGE part in getting it right when diagnosed. But after a while when you get used to the whole thing it becomes easier anyway.

So do you enter your insulin and carbs into your UltraSmart too? I've tried, but I find THAT tedious too.

[Stuboy]

err i DID, i like you, foudn it tedious. so now it's just blood results! I didn't evaluate the carb and insulin much, i've always seemed to go by what the blood reading is. it helped a bit though.

[belyro]

err i DID, i like you, foudn it tedious. so now it's just blood results! I didn't evaluate the carb and insulin much, i've always seemed to go by what the blood reading is. it helped a bit though.

Ok, good to know I'm not just being lazier than most. ;)

[JanTx]

My endo does download data from both my pump and my meter at each visit. I was using MM's carelink site, but haven't downloaded to that in a while. I keep a log (sometimes faithfully, sometimes not). The best log I've found is "My Other Check Book, Smart Charts". This is a pocket form of the charts found in John Walsh's Pumping Insulin book. You write your food and carbs on the bottom half and your BGs and insulin use on the top. Then you connect the dots on your BGs and get a great picture of your numbers. My endo seems to like looking at the records in this little book more than the charts she downloads.

[duck]

I haven't "logged" anything in a long, long time since I couldn't get my stupid IR communication for my pump to work with my PC. Well, since I had an Endo appt Monday, I worked and worked on getting the link to work and FINALLY...it did.

After I graphed it all out I was like :hmpf:, no wonder I feel like poop lately. My sugars are allllll over the place and I am not testing enough.

So, I guess we all need to log/tabulate/plot our readings out just to see how we are doing and to make changes if necessary.

[Funnygrl]

I look through the pump memory at the end of each day, then write boluses and bs's in a booklet endo gave me.

[rzrbks]

I don't log anything any time.

Except when I'd doing basal check. Then I note B/G readings but since I don't eat when doing check, I have nothing else to note.

Actually, since the worst A1c I've ever had is 5.9 (breathes on fingernails, buffs them and looks at them smugly) my Dr. never asks to see any data, 'Course, I expect this to bite me in the posterior someday, but for now, I just waddle along, happily stupid.

or as Dylan might put it.

I just walk along and stroll and sing,
I see better days and I do better things.
(I catch dinosaurs
I make love to Elizabeth Taylor . . .
Catch **** from Richard Burton!)

[Gordonm]

I use MM Carelink also. It keeps track of carbs and insulin usage. I put in every BS into my pump so it has the data. I download it every week and I print out a copy. I also have a One touch Ultra Smart and download tha tinfo also. I'm terrible at writing things down but not bad at downloads. The info is there I just have to go get it. I do sometimes write down certain foods to see how they change my BS but not as much as I should. If I kept track of everything sine diagnosis my office would be full of paperwork. I'm not a records keeper.

[ant hill]

I used to keep a daily log of my 7 main readings, but since i change to basal and bolus, i started to keep a log, and did so for about 4 or 5 weeks, but it got tedious so i've stopped.

I only started my log becuse of the swich from Protaphane to the Lantus and i was told to conduct a log, So i dd then they tell me to post the .doc file to them so that can evalueate my resalts. Now after they are happy with that i'll stop logging and just upload to the computer and consentrait on the average 6MMOL/L

[Amanda_Jo22]

I never use to log until i got my ultrasmart meter. I love it because I can log electronically and see patterns. I have lowered my a1c greatly since i've had this meter.

[MJM]

I log absolutely everything. How can anyone manage properly if they don't know what they are doing? I use an Exel Spreadsheet and an A4 Daily Sheet copied from Medtronics. I transfer the info from the daily sheet to the spreadsheet. How would you know what your Carb Ratio or Insulin Sensitivity is? Taking too much time agruement doesn't wash with me. After all it takes about 5 mins daily and the info you can get is worth it all.

[lgvincent]

I keep a consistant record of my glucose and insulin injections. It's due, in part, to my being taught that when I developed diabetes and in part because of the fact that it's very easy to see everything in front of me rather than having to scroll through a meter or computer screen.

[Solar]

Does anyone have an excel spreadsheet they could send me or post? I'd like to record:

Day
Time
Dose
Carb amount
notes

I know...I could make one but I figure there must be many already made. :)

[Coppernob]

I keep a log for two reasons:
- it makes me accountable in a way or at least it makes me think about what I am doing rather than running on autopilot where I can become lax
- and it helps me keep better track for reporting purposes when I have been ill or something has been happening to me that affects my blood sugars

I guess a third reason might just be that I am very much a creature of habit! :D

[cyberus]

I log every test in Datapilot which goes back to a week or so after DX last July, plus I have software for my Breeze 2 to DL into.
I used to log all my food but stopped that when I finally got a grip on how much and what did what to my BGL