[Jenn L]

So I am only 41, but found out I have Peri-Menopause! Great
I am having a terrible time figuring out the ammount of basal I need to adjust for my "cycle". Please tell me I am not alone! I can drop from an impossible to fix 200's to an oh no too low within an hour or two from "start time". But not always! My A1c crept up to a 7!! (but I did lower my cholrsterol) My doc is at a loss aside from houry finger sticks. FOR 2 WEEKS!! Any suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!!
Take Care
Jenn

[MamaCat]

Well, Jenn, welcome! The good news is you've got at least 10 years, probably, to figure this one out! Ha! Ha! (Sorry...)

I understand that many women become more insulin resistant once their cycle starts, but I am more insulin sensitive (I am resistant a few days before my cycle). When your bGs start fluctuating, the first thing to do is look at the calendar, then start testing more frequently. It's really all you can do, because perimenopause causes the hormone levels to fluctuate at different levels throughout the month and from month to month. And one hormone affects the other hormones, insulin being one of them.

It's been frustrating for me, too, because I can't nail down a pattern this month and rely on it next month. I just have to test and be flexible. And, it's true that perimenopause can last awhile. Genetics may play in this, so ask some of your direct female relatives who have gone through menopause how old they were when they actually stopped menstruating.

[grace girl]

I don't know if there is an easy answer, I am going through the same exact thing. My endo said that if there is a pattern to it all I could adjust my basals, but there is no pattern. The week before my cycle I can be at 300 for no good reason, then back down to 100 within an hour. During the week before my cycle I have some of the strangest things happen with my bs....it's just unreal. If I tried to correct every high I get that week I would end up very low 99% of the time. I've tried corrections during the day because of this and gotten myself into big trouble with lows. I've just about reached the point of trying to just ignore it, knowing that this, too, will pass.

[kgm0612]

Jen...........I honestly think all us 40-something plus women go through this each month. I do not set a temporary basal rate during my cycle as some women do. I just make corrections as needed throughout that time. Usually a week before my period I am running high and during it, I am running low. No two cycles are ever the same.............very frustrating! LOL

Karen