Insulin dose before lunch when 81?

[tiffanyfaith86]

I guess this is a general question about insulin use. If im 81 before lunch do i still need to do my premeal insulin, if so, should i lessen it?:confused:

[sugardumplin]

well, I think you should take enough to cover the carbs you are about to eat. Your signature says you take 5 units per meal. depends on what you are eating I guess.

I would think 3 units. But thats just off of my pump settings and for 45 carbs. I am not sure what ur ration is. I think u would be fine though just to take 1 unit per 15 carbs

[Subby]

All of this is just my own approach and not medical advice!

81 is possibly right on the cusp of a potential low if you are travelling downwards, so if you feel you are going hypo, I suggest you use the 15 rule (take 15g carbs, check in 15min, repeat if still low) and once seeing better numbers, start thinking about your meal and bolus.

Otherwise, once you have fixed an oncoming low or if this isn't really a hypo, take your dose as per normal. You are taking your insulin for the oncoming meal and the next few hours. Even rapid insulin normally takes some time to start working, and typical carbs in a meal usually hit the system first.

[tiffanyfaith86]

my doctor upped me to 8units premeal because even with 5u and a 30carb meal i still would be 200s.

i did 6u this morning tho for brkfst, and i did 5u premeal lunch because lately i have been going to 60s with the 8u

[Subby]

All of that kind of dosing is guesswork. You should move to a carb counting system if you want better accuracy and results.

[lorilei]

it honestly amazes me that dosages are still sometimes assigned by units per meal vs carb counting..i honestly think that this type of dosing really made my first go at insulin while pregnant just about impossible...tif..please seriously consider carb counting to at least get in the rhythm...subby is offering very sound advice...

[tiffanyfaith86]

im suppose to call my doctor next week with how im doing at that time with the 8unite ill ask him if thats ok to do the carb counting instead.

Thank you all

[poodlebone]

Tiffany,

You should definitely ask about some diabetes education classes, or about seeing a CDE/nurse. They're usually better at explaining things and setting you up for carb counting than a doctor is. Local hospitals often offer education classes.

[tiffanyfaith86]

i have been to a diabetes education class but honestly they didnt tell me stuff i already didnt know. They didnt talk much at all about insulin, because most of the class was type 2 and at that time i still believed i was one too.

[rzrbks]

you need to go to an insulin class with a CDE. She/he will explain and help you understand carb counting and do it way better than a PCP or PCP's nurse.

Hopefully your insulin CDE will also take time to exp[lain bolusing at 2 hr after meals as well, know, however, that many CDEs don't like MDI people to do correction bolusing --------- I learned how to do that here at DF and I have been grateful every day since.

[jenb]

At the risk of sounding a little aggressive, I'd advise you to tell (not ask) your doctor that you ARE going to start carb counting and ask for a referral to someone who can help get you started if your doctor doesn't feel comfortable doing it. The faster you take the pilot's seat, the better you'll feel!

Jen

[mazea]

I agree with Jen b. Just who exactly is the leading your health here? With diabetes it never shouldn't be the doctor. A doctor provides good experience and advice. The end decision should be yours. Tell your doctor you want to try carb counting. And if he says no ignore him and carb count. I listen to everything my specialists say, even the lectures but then I will ignore it and do what I want. Ignoring doctors gets me a good HBAC1. I am not over-awed by smart people.

They can't do anything to you if you ignore their advice. If they do, then get a new one because you can't get a new you.