Insulin

jusrelaxin · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008, 12:00 PM

Sooo they started me on insulin yesterday

I have a night time one and a day time one.Im using the pen instead of the needle.Its not horrible but I certainly dont like it.
Buut everyone was right when they said pricking your finger hurts more.And it was much appreciated that you guys told me that.So lastnight they gave me 2 units for my bedtime one and today they gave me 1 unit with my lunch because my blood sugar was a little high.
The people im working with are amazing and very helpful.

ant hill · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 05:53 AM

It sounds if you are on the right track as over time will be the real test. So how do you feel, Any better? Have you had a low yet? And last if not least test often!!!

jusrelaxin · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 08:26 AM

um.so far i dont feel any difference..my sugars are still up and down...i test when i feel the need to and when im supposed too.No lows yet and certainly not looking forward to it either lol.

mortis505 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 09:12 AM

Arte you on a basal/bolus regimen? Or are you just taking a bolus?

Real4 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jusrelaxin

Sooo they started me on insulin yesterday

I have a night time one and a day time one.Im using the pen instead of the needle.Its not horrible but I certainly dont like it.
Buut everyone was right when they said pricking your finger hurts more.And it was much appreciated that you guys told me that.So lastnight they gave me 2 units for my bedtime one and today they gave me 1 unit with my lunch because my blood sugar was a little high.
The people im working with are amazing and very helpful.

Those are VERY low doses of insulin, most type 1s take about 50 units a day depending on what they eat (type 2s on insulin take more) from what I read on the forum here. To get good control, your dose will go up, I'm sure.

Good luck on your good start.

shiftzor · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 10:49 AM

A TDD of 50units sounds a lot, however I do agree that a TDD of 3 is tiny, I am on a TDD of 26units. Are you sure that you are a type 1? Maybe a pre-diabetic or a type2 or even a LADA. It sounds like you are taking a basal insulin, although i don't understand why its split which does suggest it’s actually a bolus, although that is a weird way to use bolus since it’s usually taken with a meal. Give us a clue

TDD = total daily dose
Basal = long acting insulin, i.e. Lantus or Levemir
Bolus = short acting insulin, i.e. Novorapid or Humalog

Lizzie G · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 02:07 PM

hmmmmm 3 units not much....but 50 is a LOT for a type 1. my pancreas doesnt function at all any more and my TDD is around 20. i dont know anyone that takes 50 in a day.

PhoxOne · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 04:28 PM

On my pump I'll go through about 300 units in aprox 3 days. However that is with the basal rates and such. Before I had my pump, I was using a ton of insulin. My rate was and still is 1 unit to every 5 grams. 3 Units per Carb/Exchange.

I thought testing was way better then getting shots though...

Good luck, lows are annoying and highs are worse, so keep it in range :P

paramountz · #9 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 05:22 PM

I use 30 units lantus 1X a day and between 7-15 units of Humalog 3X a day depending on the meal it works for me.

jusrelaxin · #10 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 06:04 PM

I take my basal at night before i go to bed...which seems to be either 2 or 3 units for now.
and i take my bolus before each meal so far the highest amount has been 2 units.
They are still trying to figure out what works for me I guess.
I have to call in with my blood sugar before every meal and then they tell me how much to take before the meal and then take my basal around 10pm..Im not too sure what the name of my insulins are or whatever..yet atleast.I have another appointment to go in and see them tomorrow night..not sure what its about..maybe to start teaching me how to figure out how much to take and counting the carbs in order to figure out how much to take or whatever.I dont find the pens that bad...but I do think what amounts they are giving me is low seeing as my blood sugar is still up.
But I do what they tell me for now until I learn to figure it out on my own.

Stuboy · #11 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:02 AM

i dont think a tdd of 50 is ALOT, im on a tdd of more than 50, 17u am levemir, 17u pm levemir and a ratio of 12:1 so usually about 10 to 12 u for lunch and evening meal.

Some people use a whole cartridge in a day!!

3u a day is small though. but as long as he's feeling better that's the main thing.

Have they told you about counting carbs or anything yet? Are you on a mixed insulin or basal/bolus?

Erin · #12 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:56 AM

My guess is that they don't want you to have too many scary lows right at the beginning. So they're letting you get into the habbit of taking insulin using very low doses, to teach you HOW to take insulin. They'll probably slowly increase the dose until you are on a regime that works well for you. Good job on starting to take the insulin and being pro-active about your diabetes care.

I get my pump today *grins* and they are starting me on 0 insulin in the pump. I am to practice using the pump for a week with just saline in it, while I continue to take insulin shots of course! I think it's the same idea of what they are doing with you.

sugardumplin · #13 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 09:08 AM

I think she is LADA. But that is my personal opinion. I bet she is on long acting insulin and bolusing for her meals.

I think she is doing so good understanding all this so early on.