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Bolus problems.

Moparp

Active Member
Messages
25
Location
Great Yarmouth
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm on Humalog and I've recently tried to cut down on carbohydrates because my sugars were diabolical. I had some fruit today, bolused for it - a couple of units - but it's still happening. Everytime I use Humalog it keeps spiking my sugars up to around 12 and then they plummet to below 4 in a few hours.
Anyone know why this might be happening?
 
Morning @Moparp I tend to test my blood glucose levels before eating or driving throughout the day. Testing after you eat will show a spike as fruit will cause a spike in your blood sugars due to the fructose content. So either avoid fruit as it's a quick acting carb or have you discussed changing over to multiple daily injections, so taking a quick acting insulin for each meal, with your team ? If you bolus with a quick acting insulin for fruit then you can take it 20 minutes before eating to avoid the spike.
 
Morning @Moparp I tend to test my blood glucose levels before eating or driving throughout the day. Testing after you eat will show a spike as fruit will cause a spike in your blood sugars due to the fructose content. So either avoid fruit as it's a quick acting carb or have you discussed changing over to multiple daily injections, so taking a quick acting insulin for each meal, with your team ? If you bolus with a quick acting insulin for fruit then you can take it 20 minutes before eating to avoid the spike.
Sorry I am on mdi. Basal is wonderful but bolus is causing issues. Surely it shouldn't spike if I'm taking fast acting insulin to cover the fast acting carb? Yeah maybe I'll have to leave it longer before I take it... I usually leave it for 15 before I eat. Still don't understand the drop though.

Sent from my D5803 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
Are you using you standard ratio, or have you been injecting more to try and avoid the spike? Sounds like maybe you need to inject less, but inject it further in advance of eating?
 
I second the advice to bolus more in advance - it can make a huge difference. If you do that, you may find you can reduce your bolus a little.

I eat fruit, but tend to keep sweet fruit as part of a meal because I think the added fat and protein help the spike too.

Keep experienting carefully - you'll find what works for you :)
 
Hi. Yes do note the info in the other posts. I'm not sure how the Humalog profile compares with NovoRapid the other popular rapid insulin? If moving the timing doesn't help then it may be worth discussing an insulin change, but you should be able to fix the spike with the Humalog.
 
If you like fruit (or want the health benefits, vitamin C etc), it may be worth focusing on berries as they generally give the same benefit as apples, oranges, grapes, etc, but are much lower in carbs.

I go for whatever is in season or buy the cheaper frozen berries and once they de-frost, eat with Greek yoghurt.
 
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