- Messages
- 71
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Hi guys 
I've been on an insulin pump for about 7 years now (been t1 for 19), and gradually over time my management has definitely slipped; I generally only do 1 or maximum 2 blood tests a day, sometimes none at all, and all basal adjustments and most boluses are now completely guesstimated. I've recently realised that although I thought my blood sugars were vaguely consistent, my lack of blood tests has hidden some massive fluctuations through the day.
I'm trying to get back in control and know I should probably do some fasting tests to sort my basal rates before I do anything else (I haven't actually done that since at least 5 years ago when I was ill for a long time and had to drop my rates considerably, and from then on any later readjustment was just guessed). I'm a bit unsure of what I'm doing (despite the fact that you'd think by now I should know everything there is to know about all this!) so thought I'd ask you lovely people!
How often do you need to change/check your basal rates?? Like yearly or every few months, or more? How many sections would you split your day into in terms of fasting etc? I was thinking 3 sections, ie skip breakfast and test every few hours morning and early afternoon for at least 3 days, then skip lunch and do late afternoon/early evening, then late evening/overnight, obviously adjusting in between as necessary...assuming I have to adjust all my rates and check again for a few days after each it'll take me close on a month, seems a lot of work!! Are your changes in base rates fairly evenly split?? (ie because of my haphazard adjusting of mine I'm sometimes on the same rate for like 5 or 6 hours then different rates every couple, it seems a bit chaotic!) How many different basal rates do you have through the day?? With my levels being all over the place with my current rates anyway, do you reckon it'd be easier just essentially starting over with more evenly spaced and less fluctuating doses and adjusting from that rather than trying to tweak the rollercoaster that my rates seem to be on at the moment?? Sometimes I think just starting with a blank slate might be easier!
This is all feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment; I know I have changes to make but it just seems easier to carry on as I am just kind of pretending it's not happening and dealing with it as it comes...I just want a week off from diabetes and I know I can't do that, which is just making the thought of having to put even more work in so much more frustrating!
Any advice (or just a big hug) would be much appreciated!!
Rachel x
I've been on an insulin pump for about 7 years now (been t1 for 19), and gradually over time my management has definitely slipped; I generally only do 1 or maximum 2 blood tests a day, sometimes none at all, and all basal adjustments and most boluses are now completely guesstimated. I've recently realised that although I thought my blood sugars were vaguely consistent, my lack of blood tests has hidden some massive fluctuations through the day.
I'm trying to get back in control and know I should probably do some fasting tests to sort my basal rates before I do anything else (I haven't actually done that since at least 5 years ago when I was ill for a long time and had to drop my rates considerably, and from then on any later readjustment was just guessed). I'm a bit unsure of what I'm doing (despite the fact that you'd think by now I should know everything there is to know about all this!) so thought I'd ask you lovely people!
How often do you need to change/check your basal rates?? Like yearly or every few months, or more? How many sections would you split your day into in terms of fasting etc? I was thinking 3 sections, ie skip breakfast and test every few hours morning and early afternoon for at least 3 days, then skip lunch and do late afternoon/early evening, then late evening/overnight, obviously adjusting in between as necessary...assuming I have to adjust all my rates and check again for a few days after each it'll take me close on a month, seems a lot of work!! Are your changes in base rates fairly evenly split?? (ie because of my haphazard adjusting of mine I'm sometimes on the same rate for like 5 or 6 hours then different rates every couple, it seems a bit chaotic!) How many different basal rates do you have through the day?? With my levels being all over the place with my current rates anyway, do you reckon it'd be easier just essentially starting over with more evenly spaced and less fluctuating doses and adjusting from that rather than trying to tweak the rollercoaster that my rates seem to be on at the moment?? Sometimes I think just starting with a blank slate might be easier!
This is all feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment; I know I have changes to make but it just seems easier to carry on as I am just kind of pretending it's not happening and dealing with it as it comes...I just want a week off from diabetes and I know I can't do that, which is just making the thought of having to put even more work in so much more frustrating!
Any advice (or just a big hug
) would be much appreciated!! Rachel x
