Not on pump, adjusting basal daily?

[klpants]

Does anyone on MDI alter thier basal on a more frequent basis as oppsoed to the general rule of just adjusting bolus?
I'm finding that some days I'm doing more exercise than others or eating more than other days and believe my basal could do with adjusting. Not sure whether to do this as already pretty good control, just would help cut out the few hypos I have because of exercise.

I also realise it sometimes takes a few days for the adjustment of basal to make any difference so again could complicate things.

Is adjusting the basal unit frequently only something pumpers can do effectively?! anyone??

[Oradev]

Does anyone on MDI alter thier basal on a more frequent basis as oppsoed to the general rule of just adjusting bolus?
I'm finding that some days I'm doing more exercise than others or eating more than other days and believe my basal could do with adjusting. Not sure whether to do this as already pretty good control, just would help cut out the few hypos I have because of exercise.

I also realise it sometimes takes a few days for the adjustment of basal to make any difference so again could complicate things.

Is adjusting the basal unit frequently only something pumpers can do effectively?! anyone??

I am on MDI and usually adjust my basal based on the amount or intensity of exercise the night before. Exercising at night also seems to help my morning and lunch insulin to carb ratios; therefore, require less insulin those days.

[rzrbks]

Nope, the ONLY time I mess with basal is when #s are off as I do the monthly checks.

Bolus is the only one I adjust or manipulate. I'm more of the adjust food type when it comes to exercise and activity---much safer-------for me----------you have to do what works for you.

[Gangrel]

Yes, if i know i'm going to do long term exercise, say walking the golf course, or hiking or whatnot, I would lower my basal a unit or two in addition to taking less bolus with a meal.

I used to have a chart that had recommendations on %s to reduce doses for different forms of activity, but I think i've lost it. Maybe I can find it online somewhere......

[Scratch]

Ever since I got myself established at being active nearly every day, I've had no need to adjust the basal dose based upon latest or planned activity.

I like to keep running at my basal insulin minimum all the time. It's easier and more fun being active. :D

[grace girl]

I don't adjust my basal unless I have a real pattern of a few days that indicates the need for a change. Daily changes in activity level and/or exercize I handle with bolus. With the three day lead time I need to properly adjust my lantus it just doesn't make good sense to change it unless I really need to.

[xMenace]

...I'm finding that some days I'm doing more exercise than others or eating more than other days and believe my basal could do with adjusting. ...

Exercise yes, eating more no. Eating shouldn't affect your basal sugar output. That could lead to unexpected hypos/hypers.

[LancetChick]

I adjust my Lantus as needed from day to day, sometimes dramatically. I've read that you can't get an accurate sense of how a change is affecting you for 3 days or so, but that's never been true for me, and I can generally tell within several hours. I change basal doses for exercise, hormones and alcohol, and when I can predict a need for dramatic change I'll more than triple my dose sometimes. An example would be when I've been drinking wine for several nights in a row. The last night of wine drinking I'll give myself 3 units of Lantus at night (8 units at noon) and wake up with normal BG, and the next night without wine I'll give myself 10 units of Lantus and 3 units of NPH (same 8 units at noon) and wake up with normal BG. I think it depends on your individual chemistry...... if I were unable to get an accurate sense of how my basal was affecting me for three days, I wouldn't feel safe making dramatic changes. Fortunately, Lantus does not affect me like that, but I'm sometimes jealous of pumpers who are able to target different basal rates for different times of the day.

[Funnygrl]

There's a member here who used to adjust his Lantus dose daily based on how much Humalog he used through out the day, before he started a pump. I'll see if he reveals himself ;)

[jen_slc]

I am one of those that cannot adjust basal for different days, though I wish I could get away with it. It truly does take a few days to see an effect for me, so it totally screws me up. Although my exercise and high-intensity days are pretty routine, my body's reaction to it is anything but. :T So... I try to deal with it best I can by adjusting bolus doses and snacking. Playing around with my basal for different days just creates havoc for me.

[Dervish]

I used to have a chart that had recommendations on %s to reduce doses for different forms of activity, but I think i've lost it. Maybe I can find it online somewhere......

No idea whether it's the same one or not, but Using Insulin has a chart like that on p.255 showing suggested adjustments to basal, bolus, and/or food amounts based on duration and intensity of exercise.