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24 hour injection of insulin

R

RebeccaSmith

Well-Known Member
Messages
70
Location
Hampshire
Sorry I didn't let you know how it went with my dad. (My Dad didn't understand that I can't do the same things as I used to and didn't accept that routines would have to change due to my diagnosis of diabetes and that I felt he wasn't as supportive as he could be) I gave him my coursework summarising how I felt about my diabetes, and as I thought, he threw it in the bin. I got my lead nurse to speak to him in person, and I think it helped him to understand that this isn't something that will go away or that he can turn a blind eye to - he needs to understand how I feel, the affects of diabetes and the limitations it causes. I also overheard my family discussing him enroling in councilling, and things at home have got much better.

Moving on...

I'm in the 'honeymoon' period at the moment. My body was reacting so very well to insulin, and my bloods were constantly controlled. I've also mastered how my body alters itself to insulin and learnt how to carb count.
In Hampshire, apparently the rule is to not have the fourth injection before bed that gives the 24 hour flow of insulin unless you wake up with bloods of 10.0 or more for at least a week. For the past 2 weeks, I have had occasional good blood tests, of 6.0. I've also had blood tests of 10, 9.0 and 8.0 regularly, and at one point 11.4. I've also woken in the night gasping for water and needing the toilet with bloods of 12.6.
It's three weeks until I take my first AS exam, some of my AS's are 3 hours long. I'm so incredably worried. I've called my diabetes nurse many times, expressing my concern and want for this injection, because, I can see the inevatable happening - me needing the 4th injection just days before my first exam. I know when this happens, I will need to learn to carb count again and lower my insulin units. I'm scared that if this does happen, I will have hypo's in my exam.
I've spoken to the exams officers at college, and they say that the exam board doesn't get notified of diabetes as so many people have it.
My diabetic nurse said he would write a letter for me to forward to the exam board, but there is so little time left now and even if he did, would they understand my person condition and state with diabetes?
What do other counties do with newly diagnosed type 1's and the 4th injection, because I remember the pead. saying that other counties would make them take the 4th injection from the beginning.
I really don't understand why i'm not being given it, when the majority of the time, I wake up with bloods over 8, and i'm evidently leaving the comfort of the honeymoon period.
Any advice, knowledge and support would be most heplful. :)
Rebecca
 
Hi Rebecca,
Do you mean your basal (background insulin....possibly Lantus?) I've never heard of anybody going without their background insulin and if that is what you mean, I think you need to ask for a change of doctor.
Yes, if you choose not to eat a meal, there might be occasion where you could skip a bolus jab but your basal is needed to keep your body ticking-over.
Can you just confirm that's what you mean, please?
 
I assume that's what it is. I've not heard the specifics of it, but they call it the fourth injection. It is administered just before bed, and gives the body background insulin that lasts for 24 hours. I'm seeing the doctor on Monday for an unrelated issue, and I will discuss the issue with her, but I can't see how I would be able to get a different pead and lead nurse as they are the only ones who deal with it at my hospital...
 
Perhaps I'm mistaken then, Rebecca but it seems ridiculous for them to tell you not to have your background insulin before bed. I cannot fathom that one out. I hope some of our more enlightened members can offer you some advice on this, as I can see the problem if you cannot be referred.
Stay with us and I'm confident someone else will come along and advise you.
All the best, chocoholic.
 
I've spoken to the exams officers at college, and they say that the exam board doesn't get notified of diabetes as so many people have it.
Click to expand...
Hi,
Does your exams officer know the full circumstances. I've looked up what I think is the relevant document http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/538/29. Access Arrangements Booklet.pdf
What it seems to suggest is that If your diabetes was diagnosed recently ie during your course or there is a 'flare-up' then you could get special consideration from the exam board. Th ending of a honeymoon and subsequent difficulties in control could constitute a 'flare-up' (sic, not many diabetics suffer from congenital diabetes!)

Candidates who are present for the assessment but disadvantaged


13.1.1 Special consideration will normally be given by applying an allowance of marks to each
component affected in a particular scheme of assessment. The size of the allowance depends
on the timing, nature and extent of the illness or misfortune. The maximum allowance given will
be 5% of the total raw marks available in the component concerned, including coursework.

The following circumstances must apply at the time of the assessment and be supported
by appropriate and up to date evidence.

4% Very serious problems such as:
• severe disease;
3% A more common category, many more cases will fall into this group, including:
• recent illness of a more serious nature
• flare-up of severe congenital conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, severe
asthmatic attack;
Click to expand...
 
Well, I went to see her and asked what the situation was with diabetes. She stated that the exam boards do not need to know if you are diabetic or not. Being niave, I just assumed that that would include me as well, regardless of my situation.
That information is really helpful, and I feel that applies to me - should I be placed on the fourth injection before the exams commence.
I looked on the link and went to page 61, I believe it was, to research the application.
It told be to go onto this website:
"Form JCQ/SC – Form 10 and Form JCQ/LCW – Form 15 are available electronically at
www.jcq.org.uk/"
I went on it, but was redirected to the site that you reccomended.
I'll try again when I have more time.

I'm not due to see my pead. or diabetic nurse until Weds. 6th May, and my first exam is Weds. 13th May... I guess i'll have to wait and see what happens.
That advice was really helpful though. Very much appreciated. :)
 
Rebecca
You do what you need to for your exam and dont let anyone tell you different. you might not need 'special' treatment but if you need to attend to yourself as a result of diabetes (ie test, eat or whatever) then you need to do it. It could be dangerous not to

As to the question of not injecting your basal (24 hr) insulin, i can only assume that they think you are in honeymoon and dont need it but to be honest, relying on your other three injections to keep your bg stable is not a regime I think would be supported by a Consultant surely?


If it works for you, fine, but basal insulin is what your body needs when you are doing nothing. Your bolus insulin is for food. If three injections are lasting you 24 hours then fine, but its not common

I would def check it out
 
Okay, thanks. I'll go and speak to them on Monday and see what the situation is and maybe I will try and speak to my diabetic lead at the hospital and hope that he will give me that basal injection sooner rather than later. What a silly situation..

thank you bery much for the advice, everyone.
 
hya rebecca,
in doing my degree ive had a few exams as a type 1, im given a little extra time,half an hr, i do not have to use this but if i need to check my blood /take insulin or eat the time i use is knocked off the half hr,
you need to ask what they can offer you,
good luck :D
 
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