Hi Everyone - I'm new to the forum and pumping

[type1since82]

I just started on the Paradigm 522 on Tuesday 1/22. I like it pretty well so far. I have been diabetic since I was 5 and have been through various insulin types - latest was lantus and novolog. I was never a big fan of the pumps because I didn't like being hooked up to a tube for life, but I finally decided that I just needed to suck it up and do it because the other benefits were so numerous.

I started out on 2 different basal rates, only .1 apart due to problems w/ late night/early morning lows. The first 2 days on the pump, I was running consistently low so my endo advised going down .1 unit on both basals. I've done that, but I'm starting to get frustrated because now I seem to be bouncing around between lows (40's-60's) and highs (160-220). I called my doctor on Friday trying to reach them before the weekend and received a message that I would be called back before close. I was not, so I'm a little annoyed about that.

I read someone's poll asking how many basal rates people have during the day and 3-4 seemed to be the norm so that made me feel a little better that once I talk to the doctor, he can probably look at my patterns and figure stuff out. I know it just takes trial and error, but I'm ready to get a little more normal readings. The other variable is that I've been trying to fight off a cold since Wednesday so I'm sure that's complicating things. :hmpf: I'm testing between 15-20 times a day right now... just a little obsessed w/ my blood sugars because I want to have good data to show the trends.
Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I've been on another forum, but this one seems to have more traffic so I thought I'd join here too.

[Garf]

Hello and welcome :ridinghor

[kgm0612]

Hi & Welcome to DF.

I've been pumping for 15 months. I started off with only one basal rate, added a second one a few days later, and then a third a few weeks after that. I did some "tweaking" on my own with help from my online friends.

Karen

[xMenace]

I have 24. Four wasn't working out. I am still tweaking them. I do one or two basal profiles a week: skip a meal and test hourly. I find one day's results not sufficient info for making adjustments. At least three is better.

[type1since82]

wow - 24, huh? I have my own guess as to what changes to make, but I guess I'll be the good little patient since today is Sunday and hopefully I can talk to someone tomorrow. I'm happy that the overnight seems to be correct - I have had 3 nights now where I've stayed w/in 20 points of what I was when I went to bed - been doing a bs about every 2 hrs. That's enough for me to believe that my overnight basal is correct and that's the most important one to me. I might actually let myself sleep through the night tonight :)

[Tattoo azz]

hey there type1, i've been D since 82 as well.Welcome to DF everyone is pretty cool here

[KickStart101]

Hi, it's Nice to see you here. Ouchie! Your poor
fingers. I don't blame you. I'd probably be obsessive
about testing also 'til I got it right, if I was on the pump.
I hope that you'll get it figured out just right for you, very
soon. Welcome.:dancing2:

[MJM]

Welcome Type1since82 to the forums.
You're almost like a newborn as regards the pump. You have joined a great site for information, friendships, laughs, and lots of answers to any question you might want to ask. This site here is like a great 'Diabetic Encyclopaedia'. You will probably learn more here than you ever thought you would. Enjoy the site and join in as much as you can.

[type1since82]

Listening to everyone certainly seems more accurate than reading what 'should' happen because we know that what should and what does is not always the same. It's good to discuss real life scenarios and see what others think/do. I'm happy to be here - been looking for a good forum.
Thanks!!

[KritterMom]

Hi there, very nice to meet you. There are so many really nice and helpful people here, a very nice place to be!

[notme]

Hi Type1, Glad you could join the forums. I have been pumping for about six years and found the first few weeks very confusing. I use four basal rates as I find that I go low in the morning and then again after my walks in the evening. It would not surprise me if you have end up with at least four basal rates if not more. It will just take time to figure it all out. Once you are set up, you will see the trends and be able to adjust on your own. Your doctor will appreciate your great record keeping and I am sure he will see what trends you have going and be able to adjust your basal rate. There is also the possibility that you are counting carbs on certain foods a bit wrong for your needs. You will be able to test those carb ratios now. Fatty foods can boost your blood sugar a few hours after eating them.

Glad you will talk to your endo soon.

Welcome!

[type1since82]

I'm up to 3 basals now and changed the carb ratio for dinner. that seemed to work well last night. I'm just happy to be ok through the night - I'm consistently not changing more than 10-15 units on my bloodsugar each night and that has always been my biggest concern - going low. So I was glad to get that one fixed first :)

[AJ21]

Welcome to the forum. Like you, i've been diganosed (nowhere near as long tho) and i'm debating switching to the pump. What's keeping me is also the 'attached to a machine' feeling.
Hope you get your bloods all worked out. Mine are a mess on lantus/novorapid.

[dendrobium]

I have had Type 1 for 33 years (with no complications) and I have been pumping for 20+ years. If your endo doesn't know how to hook you up with a continuous blood glucose monitor to get a 1-2 day blood glucose profile, find one who does. This is the only way to be able to set first approximation basal rate(s). Once these are established, you can then fine tune them for a best fit. Of course, the best algorithm will still vary depending on stress, exercise, health and diet. Good luck.

[type1since82]

AJ21 - hey, I just wanted to let you know that after 2 1/2 weeks of 'being attached' I honestly don't find it to be an annoyance. I really thought that was going to be the worst part, but it is really not bothering me. I hope you decide to make the move to a pump too. My main decision maker was all of the health benefits of being on the pump and I do plan to have kids in a few years so I want to be in as tight of control as I can.

dendrobium - thanks for the advice on the cgm. I think I'm being my own cgm right now :wink: - testing my sugar every 30-60 mins. It may not be as often as a cgm, but it is giving me a pretty good idea of how I'm doing.