end of the honeymoon?

shabbie6247 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 09:54 AM

i've been on insulin for 7 months now, i was doing really well until mid february when i was struck down with a cold virus, since then i seem to have lost my 'buffer zone', i could snack in between meals without affecting my BS at all and everything was hunky-dory.....not now though.

after the cold, i followed that up with a kidney infection and in this last month i've just been fire-fighting to keep my BS levels in reasonable check.

my period heralded the increase of blood sugars,

and when the usual increase of levemir from 9u to 10u didnt settle my readings another increase to 11u then 12units, and havent had to decrease again after finishing my period.

a basal test last night showed i am taking exactly the right amount of levemir now.

my next challenge is to get my bed-time readings into more reasonable numbers , always 10+ (180+).

i just bought a copy of think like a pancreas which is proving to be useful already.
sorry for going on.....its good to talk

am1977 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 05:34 PM

Hey, the honeymoon always seems to end too quickly doesn't it?

. However, from the sounds of it, it does sound like you are working very hard at controlling your disease. Good for you

. I'm sure if you keep working at it, you'll stabelize your levels... It can be very difficult, unpredictable, and frustrating, but I do believe it can be done.

Good luck and feel free to post (or vent

) anytime

panda1076 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabbie6247

i just bought a copy of think like a pancreas which is proving to be useful already.

I read that book when I was first diagnosed--it was a great resource and well written!

Notey · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabbie6247

a basal test last night showed i am taking exactly the right amount of levemir now

How do you take a basal test?

NoraWI · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 06:40 AM

The duration of Levemir is dose dependent and your 9 units may peter out on you way too early. Try splitting your dose. When I tried Levemir I found that I needed repeat shots of it during the day or I, too, would go high in the evenings. I ended up going back to Lantus as I was unwilling to shoot Levemir the 3 or 4 times a day I would have needed to.

shabbie6247 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoraWI

The duration of Levemir is dose dependent and your 9 units may peter out on you way too early. Try splitting your dose. When I tried Levemir I found that I needed repeat shots of it during the day or I, too, would go high in the evenings. I ended up going back to Lantus as I was unwilling to shoot Levemir the 3 or 4 times a day I would have needed to.

i thought about splitting the dose, but then figured that i would have a high spot somewhere regardless of when i take the shot.

with the guidance of my shiny new copy of 'using insulin' i have found success in changing my I:C ratio for the evening meal, its 1:10 for breakfast and lunch, then 1:8 for dinner. it seems to be working a treat so far. unless i take a naughty high fat meal of course

Kimber · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 09:12 AM

Can anyone please tell me the name of the author of "Think Like a Pancreas"? I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday thinking they would have a health section with diabetic books and magazines and all they had was cook books

I am thinking I will have to order it.
Also looking for information on "Dreamfields Low Carb Patsta" I haven't had pasta for 5 months then discovered this "proteceted" carb?? Have no idea what that is but I ate some and it didn't make me ill (no tummy problems of any kind!) and my numbers didn't skyrocket like last time! What the heck are "protected" carbs?
Kimber

panda1076 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notey

How do you take a basal test?

If you want to evaluate your basal rates, you have to evaluate one time of day at a time. You would skip a meal and test yourself every 1-2 hours during that time period.

For example, if you want to test your morning rates, test yourself upon waking, skip breakfast, and test yourself every 1-2 hours until lunchtime. If you do not fluctuate more than 30 points in either direction and you remain in a good range, then your basal is right.

If you start trending upwards or downwards, you should adjust your basal rate starting an hour before you see the trend start. Your BG should be in a normal range (I think they recommend 90-150) when starting an evaluation, and you should stop (and treat yourself) if you go too low or high.

panda1076 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber

Can anyone please tell me the name of the author of "Think Like a Pancreas"? I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday thinking they would have a health section with diabetic books and magazines and all they had was cook books

I am thinking I will have to order it.

I love this book. I bought it at Barnes and Noble, but they did have to order it for me. You can buy it online if you know you want it. If you have it ordered via the store, you are not obligated to purchase it if you don't want to. You can browse the pages and then decide.

The author is Gary Scheiner
Amazon.com: Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin: Books: Gary Scheiner,Barry Goldstein

By the way, has anyone read this book of his--
Amazon.com: Insulin Pump Therapy Demystified: An Essential Guide for Everyone Pumping Insulin (Marlowe Diabetes Library): Books: Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer,Gary Scheiner

I am wondering how it is before buying it...

shabbie6247 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber

Can anyone please tell me the name of the author of "Think Like a Pancreas"? Kimber

its written by gary scheiner
heres the isbn for it: 1569244364

i've found 'using insulin' is better for me as it covers a lot more of my questions.

shabbie6247 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 04:29 AM

my lab results came back today.....

cholesterol = 4.5
and

HbA1c = 6.2.....AGAIN!
i'm so excited!!!!

looks like a nailed those highs in good time after all, i really thought i was in for a 7 this time because of the honeymoon slowing up and the infections and all.

Kimber · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 02:08 PM

Panda,
Would "Think Like a Pancreas" have useful information for someone who is on a basal dose of lantus only? There is not much I can do if my numbers are off except for eat something if they are low. They are almost never high but if they were I suppose I could do extra exercise. Thanks for the help,
Kimber

shabbie6247 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimber

Panda,
Would "Think Like a Pancreas" have useful information for someone who is on a basal dose of lantus only? There is not much I can do if my numbers are off except for eat something if they are low. They are almost never high but if they were I suppose I could do extra exercise. Thanks for the help,
Kimber

kimber i found 'using insulin' much more informative, but both books discuss and guide you through how to use it for best results. whatever type or whatever your regimen. i especially like the guides through basal testing, both books cover that in some detail.

Kimber · #14 (**permalink**) 05-13-2007, 09:53 AM

Shabbie,
Thank you. I will check out the book store for this info soon.
Kimber