A Little Help for a new TYpe1.

[colsal]

Hi,

I have been newly diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes and have just started injecting insulin. I take 10 units of lantus in the evening and Novorapid with my meals. The nurse in my clinic has told me to take 2 units of the novo rapid with each meal as I am quite sensitive to the insulin. I have noticed that with 2 units my blood glucose can still be above 11 2 hours after I eat. Should I not be adjusting my novo rapid to counteract this or do I need to wait to see how I react to certain foods before taking any steps.Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Daibell]

HI. I guess on this you need to decide how much control you take now over your insulin and what you discuss with the nurse. Your nurse is probably taking it carefully to avoid you taking too much insulin and having a hypo. It does sound like your NovoRapid needs to be increased slightly and also most on Basal/Bolus start carb-counting quite quickly to match their insulin to the carbs in the meal. My nurse started me immediately with carb-counting but she new I was a bit of a nerdy engineer! I would talk to the nurse shortly and talk about carb-counting. Do you have a 1/2 unit pen? With your low level of insulin dose a 1/2 unit pen is almost essential (mine is).

 

[colsal]

Hi Daibell. I am a bit of a nerdy engineer myself and like to have everything under control. No I don't have a half unit pen and no the nurse didn't really mention too much about carb counting but I have been reading a good bit about it myself hence the post. I have an appointment to see her again next week so I can discuss carb counting with her then. Thanks for your advice

 

[azure]

Hi,

I have been newly diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes and have just started injecting insulin. I take 10 units of lantus in the evening and Novorapid with my meals. The nurse in my clinic has told me to take 2 units of the novo rapid with each meal as I am quite sensitive to the insulin. I have noticed that with 2 units my blood glucose can still be above 11 2 hours after I eat. Should I not be adjusting my novo rapid to counteract this or do I need to wait to see how I react to certain foods before taking any steps.Any advice would be appreciated.

Long term, yes, that'd be your aim - to adjust your meal insulin according to the carbs you're about to eat

As its early days, I advise caution until you know a little more and understand how your body reacts. Your DSN may also be wanting to get your levels down gradually.

Keep records of what you eat and your blood sugar 2 hours after as that will be very helpful.

Edited to add - get a half unit pen. It will make things a lot easier.

 

[Liam1955]

@colsal - Hello and Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Daibell]

Hi Daibell. I am a bit of a nerdy engineer myself and like to have everything under control. No I don't have a half unit pen and no the nurse didn't really mention too much about carb counting but I have been reading a good bit about it myself hence the post. I have an appointment to see her again next week so I can discuss carb counting with her then. Thanks for your advice

If you use a replaceable cartridge pen, then the Novo Pen Echo 4 or 5 has half-units. My DN offered me a choice of a throwaway pen or replaceable cartridge and I chose the latter.

 

[colsal]

Thanks guys for all your advice . I will discuss with my nurse next week.

 

[Annie86]

Hi Daibell. I am a bit of a nerdy engineer myself and like to have everything under control. No I don't have a half unit pen and no the nurse didn't really mention too much about carb counting but I have been reading a good bit about it myself hence the post. I have an appointment to see her again next week so I can discuss carb counting with her then. Thanks for your advice

Hi. It may be that they will get you on a course as soon as one becomes available for carbon counting. Discuss a course with her. Are you seeing a diabetes nurse specialist or your local practice nurse?

I agree it does sound as though your fast acting needs increasing slightly, however if you start to use carbon counting it is different all together. You will give so many units per 10 grams of cards or such like. It is important that you do this under supervision to begin with to lessen risk of hypo's etc.

Don't forget it is still early days. At the moment they are probably focusing on getting you use to the multiple injections and blood glucose tests. Take one day at a time and take it at your own pace.

Best wishes

Anna