[am1977]

So I thought I'd update those interested in my results from using the CGMS. I wore the sensor from Monday Afternoon until Thursday (really Friday, but it only collected data til Thurs. ). Most of the results I wasn't too surprised with, but it was an interesting experience anyway.

The main thing we discovered was how drastically and dramatically my blood sugar spikes after meal time. I realized that this was a problem for awhile, but I didn't know the degree to how much I spike . Well, seeing the data collected gave me a better picture of what was happening.

My CDE suggested that I take my meal bolus 1/2 hr before meals. She said that though it's supposed to be ok to take the bolus with your meal, a lot of diabetics have problems with post meal blood sugars. Apparently it doesn't work quickly enough. I am going to try this out with my breakfast and lunch meals, but since I exercise after work before dinner and am usually low, I don't think I will be able to do this then. Is anyone else taking their bolus ahead of time like that?

Another thing is my exercise. Yes, it does bring me down a lot. I have been setting a temp basal right before the time I exercise, but I guess that I've been doing this wrong. The temp basal has to be set at least an hour before you exercise, not right before. Otherwise, you are most likely still going to be impacted by your usual basal rate.

Lastly, I asked her about Symlin. She wasn't so keen on using it either. She has been a diabetic for over 40 years and she tried it. She said when she first started she had wicked lows and then also was nauseaous and vomitting from it. Plus, even though it helped her post meal blood sugars, 4 hrs. post she still had spikes.

However, the CDE said that if I wanted to try it still, she would give me a bottle and write me a script. Since my problems with my evening blood sugars and also my problems controlling my appetite in the evening, I decided to go for it. So I'm planning on starting tomorrow. I'm going to be taking 1/2 my bolus and the Symlin before my dinner and see how it goes. To prevent my blood sugar from spiking 4 hrs later, if I eat about 60 carbs, I will bolus one unit with the Symlin, and then take the other 2 units 2 hrs later.

I'm excited and a little nervous about trying this out (I just don't want to be nauseated :vomit: ), but if it helps, it will be worth it. I'll keep you posted

[Cyborg]

Glad the CGMS went well and good luck with the Symlin. I'm interested in hearing your results with it.

To answer your question, I've heard of taking your bolus before eating. And I've actually heard a suggestion that you should be on the verge of going low before starting to eat. It's not something I personally do.

BTW, why are you splitting your boluses?

[jen_slc]

Glad to hear you got some good info from your time on the CGMS. I hope setting the right basal at the right time for exercise works out for you now! I'm curious about your post-meal spikes... do you use Humalog or Novolog in your pump?

When I was on Humalog, my 2-hr post-meal readings were never where they should be, they always spiked high no matter what I ate. And I couldn't correct for it because it would always send me low, so I figured my body/insulin was just 'slower' than everybody else because eventually I would return to normal... just 3-4 hours later instead of 2. Then I switched to Novolog and my 2-hr post-meal readings were much much lower. It definitely prevents my meal spikes from going as high as they were and it doesn't drop me low either. If you're on Humalog, maybe Novolog is another option? Just a suggestion.

Good luck with all your new experimenting!

[lelggren]

Sounds like you got a lot of good information from it! I did that about 5 years ago, and all I had was lows the whole time and so it wasn't really that productive for me. But, I'm excited to hear your progress! Especially with the Symlin. My dr. is putting me on it in a month or so and I'm nervous about it. Please let me know how it goes for you!

[am1977]

THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES

Cyborg- yeah, the CDE who helped me out with this system suggested that I take the bolus for my meals split up. Generally, I'll have about 50 or 60 carbs for dinner. With Symlin, you take half your bolus, which would be 3 units for me. B/c she has noticed problems with pt's blood sugar STILL spiking 4 hrs post meals, she suggested I take 1 unit with my Symlin injection and the other 2, 2 hrs later. She thinks it might help prevent those spikes...so I guess I'll try it out and see

Jen, I was on Humalog for a long time. Recently, I've switched to Novolog, but I haven't realy noticed a difference in how it works. Maybe it's too soon to tell...I'm hoping it will make a difference .

Laura, I will definitely let you know how things go with Symlin. I'm a little nervous about starting it, I know that it has some side effects, such as Nausea and being more prone to lows, but hopefully, I'll adjust to it.

I will keep everyone posted on the changes I'm making