Combo Bolus

[Oradev]

Well, it's Sunday, and my family is having a cookout. They'll be having cheeseburgers, hotdogs, fries, baked beans, and some other sides. Now, in your experiences, how should I use the combo bolus. If I would eat a hotdog and fries I would bolus for around 110 carbs. So if I wanted to use a combo bolus, would I just tell it to give me 70% up front and 30% later? Do I have to specify a time for the 30% to kick in? Is 70/30 a good place to start or should I do something else?

Suggestions welcome.

[duck]

I've not mastered the combo bolus, and honestly I think it is different for everyone...The only food I seem to have a decent grasp on is pizza, and I wouldn't go to the bank with that information.

Anyway, pizza is about 70/30 for me, with the 30% being given over an hour or so. Still, I find that about two hours after eating pizza, I need to give another 10% right away (from experience).

For hotdogs and burgers, I bolus normally...If I eat A LOT of red meat (beef), my sugars climb at about three hours. What's weird to me is if I have one or two burgers, nothing. But a nice, large steak, at three hours "Houston we have a problem."

The fries, treat like you are eating glucose, no need to combo that, just knock it out as soon as possible.

I hope that wasn't confusing. Remember you still need to test like it is going out of style while you are at the cookout...

[ricardo]

Well, it's Sunday, and my family is having a cookout. They'll be having cheeseburgers, hotdogs, fries, baked beans, and some other sides. Now, in your experiences, how should I use the combo bolus. If I would eat a hotdog and fries I would bolus for around 110 carbs. So if I wanted to use a combo bolus, would I just tell it to give me 70% up front and 30% later? Do I have to specify a time for the 30% to kick in? Is 70/30 a good place to start or should I do something else?

Suggestions welcome.

You just need to experiment. Check your bg's often. Don't rely on what someone says works for them.

[Dewey]

I've not mastered the combo bolus, and honestly I think it is different for everyone....
I definitely agree here. It Is different for everyone, so what may work for one, may or may not work for another, or you. However, it is good to get a feel of what others might do in varying situations. Some opinions may benefit you when it comes to learning of different treatment methods. Approaching things with an open mind will definitely help in whichever method you choose. If one way doesn't work, there's always another to try. :thumbsup: Please keep us posted, Adam, and have fun at your cookout! :cool:

[Oradev]

I've not mastered the combo bolus, and honestly I think it is different for everyone...The only food I seem to have a decent grasp on is pizza, and I wouldn't go to the bank with that information.

Anyway, pizza is about 70/30 for me, with the 30% being given over an hour or so. Still, I find that about two hours after eating pizza, I need to give another 10% right away (from experience).

For hotdogs and burgers, I bolus normally...If I eat A LOT of red meat (beef), my sugars climb at about three hours. What's weird to me is if I have one or two burgers, nothing. But a nice, large steak, at three hours "Houston we have a problem."

The fries, treat like you are eating glucose, no need to combo that, just knock it out as soon as possible.

I hope that wasn't confusing. Remember you still need to test like it is going out of style while you are at the cookout...

Thanks Duck. As always, you're a great help. I stayed away from the fries today, but ate pretty much everything else. I'll let you know how I did.

[Zokes]

I use the combo bolus for foods that take longer to digest, i.e. fatty foods (pizza). I go with the 70/30 over 1 hour. In the setting you described, I'm not sure why you're considering combo. If you are concerned b/c you'll be eating a little bit here and there over the course of a few hours, then maybe the extended bolus (aka party bolus) is what you should consider. If I'm out with friends and we're just noshing I'll use this bolus.

Along with everything else here, everyone is different. Makes it hard to fine tune, but with all the different opinions, we really get an overall idea of what to try and how to "experiment".

[Oradev]

I use the combo bolus for foods that take longer to digest, i.e. fatty foods (pizza). I go with the 70/30 over 1 hour. In the setting you described, I'm not sure why you're considering combo. If you are concerned b/c you'll be eating a little bit here and there over the course of a few hours, then maybe the extended bolus (aka party bolus) is what you should consider. If I'm out with friends and we're just noshing I'll use this bolus.

Along with everything else here, everyone is different. Makes it hard to fine tune, but with all the different opinions, we really get an overall idea of what to try and how to "experiment".

Thanks Zokes. Before I ate I was 118 and I ended up having a post-meal bloodsugar of 186, which is high, but isn't too bad. I might have to change my ratio a little more.

One of these days I'm going to eat pizza again. I will probably go with the 80/20 or 70/30 combo depending on how greasy the pizza is.

Those who chose to give me advice, thanks.

[nantomsuethom]

We could never get that combo bolus right. Thomas always went low. He would also go low shortly after eating pizza, mac & cheese, lasagna (sp?)... if when he bolused for them before he ate (then go high because of the low correction and the food kicking in).
We found that if he waits about 30 min. to bolus after eating these foods his bgs are pretty good. The down side to that is he has occassionally forgotten to give the bolus after 30 min. and he has gone pretty high. We now set a timer if at home or on his pump if out.

[archimeech]

Adam,
While the combo bolus feature is nice, I rarely use it. The biggie I use it for is Pizza. A little to begin with and the 70% over the course of about an hour to take care of the fats that digest more slowly. I have found it to be more usedful as of late, however. I think I'm starting to get a "slow stomache". Not quite gastroparesis, yet, but the beginnings of it. If you ever get to that point the combo bolus will help immensely. When I'm at a party of bar-B-Q, I usually just take a lot of small boluses as I'm eating or each time I fix a plate. That way you're not stuck with the insulin all at once and if something happens you haven't taken too much.

[Oradev]

Adam,
While the combo bolus feature is nice, I rarely use it. The biggie I use it for is Pizza. A little to begin with and the 70% over the course of about an hour to take care of the fats that digest more slowly. I have found it to be more usedful as of late, however. I think I'm starting to get a "slow stomache". Not quite gastroparesis, yet, but the beginnings of it. If you ever get to that point the combo bolus will help immensely. When I'm at a party of bar-B-Q, I usually just take a lot of small boluses as I'm eating or each time I fix a plate. That way you're not stuck with the insulin all at once and if something happens you haven't taken too much.

How about Ice Cream? Does it affect you 4 hours down the road?

[nantomsuethom]

How about Ice Cream? Does it affect you 4 hours down the road?
Yes, that is another thing Thomas waits to bolus for. He has eaten icecream and waited 1 hour to bolus. He would checked his bg at 30 min. and would be less that 120 or so.

[archimeech]

Sadly, yes it does. I love ice cream and really have to watch what, how much and when I eat it.

[Oradev]

I've not mastered the combo bolus, and honestly I think it is different for everyone...The only food I seem to have a decent grasp on is pizza, and I wouldn't go to the bank with that information.

Anyway, pizza is about 70/30 for me, with the 30% being given over an hour or so. Still, I find that about two hours after eating pizza, I need to give another 10% right away (from experience).

For hotdogs and burgers, I bolus normally...If I eat A LOT of red meat (beef), my sugars climb at about three hours. What's weird to me is if I have one or two burgers, nothing. But a nice, large steak, at three hours "Houston we have a problem."

The fries, treat like you are eating glucose, no need to combo that, just knock it out as soon as possible.

I hope that wasn't confusing. Remember you still need to test like it is going out of style while you are at the cookout...

Duck, what is the duration mean? Is that the amount of time say 30% of the bolus will be givin to you?

[duck]

Yes. With the MM 508 and this Cozmo you program an immediate hit and then another that is given over some set duration. The duration is probably different for different foods. But like I said, I haven't mastered it yet...I need to seek out Master Yoda and take it up with him maybe.