[viranth]

I eat and check my BG every three hours (if I feel weird I check my BG any time).

My doctor said it shouldn't take more than 3 hours between meals, to keep the BG from bouncing up and down.

I've got a a pretty good grip on my BG because of this, and by eating healthy and slow carbs it should be easier for everyone else too.

[solox316]

Thinking back.... if I would've had an A1C at of 6.5 at age 16, I would have been floored with excitement, so in the big picture, you are doing well, esp. for your age... Those years are the worst to control!

If you aren't interested in a pump, Bluesky's suggestion of switching to a basal insulin like Lantus or Levemir could very much help, and would get rid of the constant rise/fall.

Foods with more whole grain, fiber, and overall lower carb may help stabalize your bg, I think this was mentioned already though.

Talk with your parents about your feelings about your Dr. and how you wish to have better control... Maybe it is time to look around for someone new, or just a new approach.

Hang in there!

[Scratch]

I'm never at a constant number. I'll be 95, which is a great number, but I'll have to drink something so I don't keep dropping. Basically, I can never be at a steady, stable number without dropping, which results in me having a comfort zone at higher numbers

Right here is the key problem.

You don't just take NPH and humalog really. You need to learn the principles and reasoning of the basal/bolus method, where if your basal insulin dose is correctly titrated you will tend to remain steady without dropping.

Think Like a Pancreas is an excellent book by Gary Scheiner to explain basal and bolus -- you should also check with your doctor about seeing a diabetes educator who might be able to help teach you about it, along with carb counting for your meals.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

No, but there are insulins that will help you achive this. Have you considered switching from NPH to Lantus or Levemir? When I did this (switched to Lantus), I found that it stabilised my blood sugar enormously. Using NPH means that your blood glucose is forever going either up or down. I am amazed that doctors still prescribe the stuff .

!! It was such a difference ... for the first time in forever I felt, well, the absence of the changes in background insulin level. It was a sort of calming ... totally unexpected.

[UpNorth]

Teenage years, and type 1 diabetes... says it all basically, and i'm very happy i got the big D just before i turned 19 and not earlier It's bad enough around THAT time of the month

I'd suggest you throw the NPH which is oldtime peaky **** to speak the truth... I've never tried it, just because i've heard so much bad about it Try Levemir or Lantus instead! They're flat long acting insulins that keeps bloodsugar more stable since they don't really have a noticeable peak. Lantus is known though, to maybe cause some weightgain- though i didn't really notice any... while Levemir doesn't have that problem, and doesn't sting like Lantus when injecting it

Don't be afraid to switch over to 4+ injections per day. Basically, more injections per day means more control. And pump really isn't as bad as one think at first I've tried it, and it doesn't hurt (or well, most times it doesn't hurt) to insert the infusionset, and having the tubing hanging around 24/7 doesn't take long to get used to Gives very good control and a lot of freedom too once you've figured out the basalrates. I'm on MDI now though... I prefer MDI... I've had some infusionsets fail me with the pump... And for some reason, i feel MDI is more fun People's faces when injecting in public... PRICELESS


Also, find yourself a doctor you feel comfortable with. Having a good Diabetes Team is very important!

And btw... Welcome to the forums

[exohstephh]

Lantus stings when injecting it ? WHY!
and how does it work ? What happens if you're low at some point through out the day-- because it's a slow release insulin, doesn't that mean that..while you're low you could potentially have insulin in you making you go lower?

I probably sound REALLY dumb; I'm sorry! I've just never known anything other than.. 3 shots a day, humalog & nph. I feel like I need change though . . .

[Lizzie G]

I prefer MDI... I've had some infusionsets fail me with the pump... And for some reason, i feel MDI is more fun People's faces when injecting in public... PRICELESS


whats MDI? sorry....dumb question i expect but i have never heard of!

[BlueSky]

...What happens if you're low at some point through out the day-- because it's a slow release insulin, doesn't that mean that..while you're low you could potentially have insulin in you making you go lower?...

Yes, it does. The best you can do is ensure that this basal insulin action is as steady and consistent as possible, so it doesn't mess your blood sugar levels around. NPH is also a long acting insulin. It peaks at 6 - 10 hours after injecting it, and the action tails off for the next 8 hours. This why NPH really needs to be taken in two shots. But even then, it doesn't work that well. Lantus and Levemir do a much better job .

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Lizzie G

whats MDI?

Multiple daily injections.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by exohstephh

Lantus stings when injecting it ? WHY! and how does it work ?

Lantus works by having crystals slowly dissolve and enter the bloodstream. How to get those crystals inside you? It so happens that Lantus is acid-soluble; unlike the neutral-pH insulins you use, Lantus solutions have a pH around 4. You inject the acid, which sometimes stings; your body's slightly-basic pH causes the Lantus to crystalize; the crystals are slowly released.

Originally Posted by exohstephh

What happens if you're low at some point through out the day-- because it's a slow release insulin, doesn't that mean that..while you're low you could potentially have insulin in you making you go lower?

Correct. In a normal person, the pancreas quits secreting insulin when BG is below a certain level. When one injects insulin, the stuff is in until its "time expires". Too low? Too bad; the insulin won't stop.

Originally Posted by exohstephh

I probably sound REALLY dumb; I'm sorry!

Nah. An interest in gaining knowledge is hardly the hallmark of stupidity.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by exohstephh

because it's a slow release insulin ...

I probably sound REALLY dumb; I'm sorry! I've just never known anything other than.. 3 shots a day, humalog & nph. I feel like I need change though . . .

The Lantus would replace the NPH, which, as BlueSky says, has peaks. Those may be contributing to your lows. The Lantus is supposed to have *no* peaks at all (I felt some when I used it, but they were small, and nothing compared to what I'd experienced before), and therefore *fewer* opportunities for lows.

As for sounding dumb ... there's no dumbness like not asking questions. Keep 'em coming.

[mortis505]

You said 3 injections per day, are you taking the humalog at every meal???

[Lizzie G]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Multiple daily injections.

AHHHHH i see.....i thought it was some new and exciting drug that would magically make everything better!

[ant hill]

Originally Posted by alicat61

Hi,
Firstly YOU ARE NOT HOPELESS, You have come to the right place to seek help. Maybe instead of drinking something to stop your numbers dropping you would be better off eating something like a wholegrain sandwich.( releases carbohydrates slower and for a longer period of time)

Yes Alica61, You are right in getting some slow, Complex carbs in you and that will keep the lows away

Also I'm guessing you are around 15 16 years old.Puberty does all sorts of strange things ! I work with Kids in a hospital
and years ago I looked after a boy who had been diabetic from age 2 For no reason his BGL's would rise and fall all over the place. after a while it settled
I'm sure lots of other people will have interesting input into helping you

Yes, Because of what you do and a lot of other things that can influence the BG in a big way and buy eating well will make you happy.

Originally Posted by exohstephh

My dad thinks that I should EAT something as well. My only problem with that is.. well, I feel so fat LOL =] I'm trying to lose weight in the midst of all this [oops, forgot to include that]. I need serious help... :[ It's so hard being a : teenager whos diabetic, trying to control her numbers and lose weight. and I know that sounds REALLY whiney but it's so true :\ I wish it was all just easy

To have a good weight you need to get into something physical that you enjoy and that expenditure of energy is food!! the good stuff as I would know as I was in ballet classes doing the stretches and that alone takes alot out of you not to mention dancing!
That will bring your weight in some control.
Pegasus has the right idea as everyone has their own journey and education is the key.

Originally Posted by alicat61

As for my doctor, don't even go there. I can't talk to those people about ANYTHING, they are so horrible to me.. Last time I went, I came home CRYING LOL, it was terrible. Nothing is EVER good enough for them. My HA1c was 6.5 a while back and they accused me of being low too often? Sometimes I wonder how she's even a doctor.. ;

Yeah enough said Alica61 as doctors just guess your situation without knowing the facts

I'm sorry you don't get on with your doctor,It makes me so mad and sad to hear this. Can you change to someone else? I would have been happy with a HA1c of 6.5. Do you see a diabetic nurse? Also you mentioned that there are other kids at your school with diabetes. Can you talk to them? Do they see the same doctor as you? maybe they could recomend someone more understanding.

Yes see an Endocrinologist as they know far more than a doctor would know.

Originally Posted by BlueSky

No, but there are insulins that will help you achive this. Have you considered switching from NPH to Lantus or Levemir? When I did this (switched to Lantus), I found that it stabilised my blood sugar enormously. Using NPH means that your blood glucose is forever going either up or down. I am amazed that doctors still prescribe the stuff .

Get this new insulins!!! as they are far better that NPH.
Can I also recommend the course called D.A.F.N.E. as this teaches the carb counting and the calcluate how much bolus to whatever you eat.

[HelenM]

Can I also recommend the course called D.A.F.N.E

This course is a UK (and Australia too now I think) course but there is course covering much of the material available online
BDEC Diabetes Learning Programme