New to Forums, Not a new Type 1.5....

[Metermaid]

Hi to all, I have browsed some forums, but never took the plunge. But lately I need HELP!
I am 57 yrs old and a type 1.5...or Late onset Autoimmune diabetic. Was diagnosed 10 yrs ago initially as a Type 2...didn't make sense to me, as I am a retired RN, and I just didn't fit the picture. Anyway, one year later...finally dx'd as 1.5.
I am currently on multiple injections: Lantus split as 8 am and 7 dinner time....with Humalog with meals.
Current Hba1c is 8.0...I know...not good. I have always been really sensitive to all the variable of this disease.
Currently, having nite hypos...around 3am to 5am...usually in the 30-40's!! And of course, then my adrenaline kicks in and I am awake for two hrs after treating with 2-3 glucose tabs.
It happens 3-5 times a week....my doc isn't helping me much and I am not having any luck figuring this out myself. I have tried some things, but not any real success. :confused:
Help...Metermaid.
And also be patient with me and my forum skills, it took me a half hr to figure out how to write this intro.
Thanx..

[Jan B]

Welcome Metermaid,

I got so tired of the night lows, I went back to the pump. Control is fabulous, except for when the infusion sets aren't really in when I think they are (I'm hoping the sets I receive in 2 days work better). It's like a miracle to go to bed at 80-90, and wake up at 80-90 and not have night lows.

I was on Lantus/Humalog, and having your problems. Are you pretty confident in the total amount of Lantus you take is covering your basal needs? And the humalog to carb ratio is correct? Once I wore a CGMS the doctor gave me for three days, and found my numbers were all over. Hence, the pump was recommended.

Welcome . . . you are going to get some help!

[Metermaid]

Thanx for the reply..I hope I get help. Yours was my only reply...how come?
I am afraid to increase the Lantus...too many lows.
I take 1 u Humalog to every 12 G Carb..

[Jan B]

Metermaid,

It's 3am here in Texas . . . many people on the forum are asleep! I'm up because my dog started barking like crazy & I just tested at 250 and feel yucky. Last night my second infusion set in one day was bad -- the cannula wasn't actually in! This is my second time using the pump (been almost 4 years) and I'm using old supplies, which I was warned by Medtronics not to do! So . . . I took a shot of Lantus before bed, ate a bit extra as not to go low, then I didn't go low!

Wait about 4 hours or so, and you'll get more replies! Why are you up so late?!

[Metermaid]

Usually up late....but mostly watching this forum....Goodnight.
And thanx!

[BlueSky]

Thanx for the reply..I hope I get help. Yours was my only reply...how come?
I am afraid to increase the Lantus...too many lows.
I take 1 u Humalog to every 12 G Carb..
It is not quite so late here - I am 6 hours behind you (on the following day!). You didn't really provide enough information to comment on. Based on the 8% HBA1c, it sounds like you must be having lots of highs together with this lows. Here are some questions that will help us respond. How often are you testing? Are you going high after meals? Have you tested your basal by skipping meals? And have you tried injecting all or most of your Lantus in the morning?

The first priority needs to be getting the Lantus dose and timing correct. When you have got that sorted, you can start tweaking the insulin/carb ratio and making improvements to the diet. Welcome to the forums .... ;)

[ant hill]

Yes, I can agree with Blue Sky. Diabetes is timing measurement and good food choices also activity and this don't happen all in one day and it's difficult to master!!
This forum is a helping to get good advise and a comfort for those who buckle under pressure from confusion and of course there is fun to be had too. :T
As for time it's only 9:00PM here so America is well and truly asleep. ;)
Wecome Metermaid, This is a great nic name that is so fitting to our dayly lives. :D

[shabbie]

hello metermaid, welcome to DF!

in my humble opinion....

it does sound like your A1c is being caused by rebounding from the hypos you get.

if your lows occur within 3 hours of your last meal bolus,then your carb ratio may be too high.
and if the lows occur at other times it would most likely to be the lantus causing it.

many lantus users would probably suggest taking the lantus in the morning instead of nightime in order to prevent those night lows.

get yourself a copy of 'using insulin' by john walsh, its packed with all the information you need to get on top of this......also spending time here with a panel of 'experts' will be most helpful.

do you have a good endo or just relying on the family doctor?

[kgm0612]

Hi Metermaid & Welcome to the forum.


Karen

[Metermaid]

It is not quite so late here - I am 6 hours behind you (on the following day!). You didn't really provide enough information to comment on. Based on the 8% HBA1c, it sounds like you must be having lots of highs together with this lows. Here are some questions that will help us respond. How often are you testing? Are you going high after meals? Have you tested your basal by skipping meals? And have you tried injecting all or most of your Lantus in the morning?

The first priority needs to be getting the Lantus dose and timing correct. When you have got that sorted, you can start tweaking the insulin/carb ratio and making improvements to the diet. Welcome to the forums .... ;)
Hi Blue Sky,
I test all the time...about 8-10 per day. It's making me crazy not to see a good reason for the highs and lows. When I skip meals...my bg are usually within normal range. I have tried the Lantus 15 units in am...and it seems that is when my night nite hypos increased in frequency. It seems I am very sensitive ....my bg goes up and down with the slightest change in activity, food, and especially sensitive to insulin.
It's true..I have high bg after meals...but not because I ate too many carbs...I really do count them and keep them under 40 for dinner and under 30 for breakfast and lunch. I am cautious with the insulin...since I go low so easliy...into 20's!!
Thx for any help.

[Metermaid]

Which infusion sets do you use with your 522?