Insulin shot before or after eating?

Nita · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 07:13 AM

I seem to have a question most every day but being on a new regime I have to know.

I was told to take my Humalog shot before each meal or not later than 15 minutes after. Anyone else told that??

Being new to carb counting and recording and also calories I don't seem to be able to do this until after I have eaten and written everything down and adding it all up. Is this o.k.?

Which brings up another question.....most say to check your BS two hours after meals by when you put your first bite into your mouth. And here I am not getting the shot until after I eat so should I count it by the first bite or when I get the shot?

Thanks, everyone,
Nita

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 07:22 AM

I see no problem in giving after. My brother has done that for years and he has an A1C on MDI in the low 6s. It will make a slight difference, but I think maybe .2% on the A1C max (that's my guestimate.)

As for the 2 hour test. If you are one to follow that it would be 2 hours after both have occurred. Since you gave the insulin after it would be 2 hours after you gave it. That way both the food and the insulin have had ample time to work and peak.

sofaraway · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 09:59 AM

i always take my novorapid straight after I've eaten, i find it easier. i then do my 2 hour test from when i take my insulin (not the first bite). this works for me.

what you could do is try doing 2 hours from first bite and then again at 2 hours from insulin and see what the difference is.

Stuboy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 11:33 AM

it depends on what im eating whether i take my insulin before or after i eat... if im eating something with a lot of fats in it, then ill take my insulin after my meal, but things high in carbs, or things that will raise the sugar level quicker, i take my insulin before.

Cyborg · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 09:02 PM

If you have gastroparesis, you may want to take your bolus after you eat. If you want better bg control and less of a post meal spike, you should take your bolus before you eat. Depending on my bg, I may take my bolus up to 1/2 hour before I eat.

HelenM · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 01:19 AM

Like Stu, it depends on what I'm eating but also what my BS is before eating. Normally I'll take it immediately before but If BS is very low or the meal contains a lot of fat I'll take if after, if the meal has a lot of fat (for me something such as tarteflette made with potatoes, cheese, and bacon ) I'll take half before and half a little while after. I also split doses for a long, several course meal.

Bladerunner · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 01:36 AM

I always take it about 15 min. before, then measure my bg about 90-120 min. after eating, if its to high I take some more insuline. If I want/need some food around 3 oclock I take another shot novorapid.

Rustam · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 02:46 AM

It is amazing for me that Insulin can be taken after meal too !!!I am facing lows since last two days.Should I try this magic after meal.

sofaraway · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustam

It is amazing for me that Insulin can be taken after meal too !!!I am facing lows since last two days.Should I try this magic after meal.

it looks from your sig that you are using regular/actrapid for your fast acting as opposed to humalog/novorapid. i believe with this insulin that you need to inject around 30mins before eating as it doesn't start acting as quickly as the newer insulins.

when are your lows happening?

ant hill · #10 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nita

I seem to have a question most every day but being on a new regime I have to know.

I was told to take my Humalog shot before each meal or not later than 15 minutes after. Anyone else told that??

I would do the injection before the meal but after that you have taken your short acting don't wait any longer than 10 minuets no later!!

Cyborg · #11 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 06:10 AM

You have to bolus for your food no matter what. So even if you forget and it's 1/2 hour after eating, you still need the insulin...

Rustam · #12 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofaraway

it looks from your sig that you are using regular/actrapid for your fast acting as opposed to humalog/novorapid. i believe with this insulin that you need to inject around 30mins before eating as it doesn't start acting as quickly as the newer insulins.

when are your lows happening?

Yes I am using Fast acting and Long acting sparetly since one year.I take Mixture in 10+16(10 R & 16 N) 30 mts before brkeafast then 10 R only, 30 mts before lunch and then 10 R+16N ,30 mts before night meal.
Last day I took my breakfast after 40 mts of Insulin,which put me in problem.

Just for my information,what is the start-up and acting time of both Regular & NPH insulines??

dgrilli · #13 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 07:47 PM

I like to take mine about 15 minutes before eating. But I use a Pump so when I can I do the bolus before just like that.

I have learned that my body does not like any more than the amount of 7cc's at anyone time. I like to take no more than 4cc at a time and the rest over hours. So I have learned to do the Combo Bolus at a ratio. I learned this from Cyborg (Thank You Cyborg).

My numbers are a lot more stable. If I would eat a sweet like a small bar of chocolate smaller bolus over a time.

I'm using a pump and I know there are ways to mimic this with MDI. Unfortunately I'm not that well versed but I do have very good Idea.

My Brain and Stomach thanks you Cyborg.