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Diaries

Topher

Well-Known Member
Messages
202
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
You people still use their diaries to log their BS levels in. If not when did you stop using them

Thanks
 
Yup. I still keep a log and regularly review for patterns. Only way to properly see changes and adjust doses accordingly.
 
Yes I use my DAFNE ones, fill in my sugars 6 times a day and include any carb numbers and all my insulin doses, plus any hypos
 
I've only ever kept a diary when my bg control goes astray and need to find the reason why, but that said my previous bg meters (prior to moving over to a pump) logged insulin doses and carbs so they helped somewhat.
 
I struggle to keep my diary up to date, it does seem like a chore. My meter records my numbers so I use that to keep check more than anything. I'm dreading seeing my nurse as I'm sure she'll tell me off!!

I am getting a freestyle libre so will print off the graphs from that.
 
My dad prints me out a diary sheet. All made by him and I fill in the sugars and highlight sugars that are high and low. I'm the talk of the diabetes unit and whenever I go everyone wants to see my folder. It's handy to keep a record as you can see patterns emerging
 
I don't think I've ever done the diary thing. I've tried a few times, but I must admit, I'm too disorganised for it. However, I happily test, I have taken to the immense (and expensive) luxury of CGM.
 
I've kept a diary from day 1 of being diagnosed. I then progressed to devising a spreadsheet on the pc as the diary was a bit limited and have now gone onto an app as well. I'm probably a bit of a saddo, but I like to see what my bg levels are doing in relation to food. The diary is mainly for the DSN or Consultants benefit, although the HBA1c result probably tells them all they want to know, the spreadsheet is for my benefit as it's a food diary as well and the app is useful as it produces a lot of statistics. As a newby, I'm probably a little bit obsessive at the moment, but hopefully, given time, I'll be more relaxed about the whole thing and learn exactly what I can and can't eat and what my bg levels are likely to be after a certain food.
 
That's me I'm obsessive about it too I write everything down it drives the wife mad
 
asyarlk said:
I struggle to keep my diary up to date, it does seem like a chore.
Click to expand...
Me too! I started off so well, recording EVERYTHING - every bit of food, every injection, my 12-14 BG tests a day, every bit of exercise. But in the last couple of weeks I've been slacking and it does seem like such a chore now. It might be because I'm relying on the Libre lately but that obviously still needs you to log food and insulin, which takes time and is the last thing I want to do. Need to get myself back into it...it IS helpful having a really good record. In particular, I find it helpful knowing how I responded to certain foods-vs-insulin doses so that when I have the same food again I can check what happened last time and adjust as necessary.
 
Ah, I'm a widow, so I can indulge my obsession to my hearts content. Probably not healthy, but hey, I don't care......
jason134 said:
That's me I'm obsessive about it too I write everything down it drives the wife mad
Click to expand...
jason134 said:
That's me I'm obsessive about it too I write everything down it drives the wife mad
Click to expand...
 
I had kept a reading for every test and insulin dose for 2 months after diagnosis. After getting my new meter, accu chek expert, I have stopped as it everything. Carbs, levels, doses etc... I can also upload it all to diasend and my laptop to view patterns and graphs. I'd say not have any records of your results is quite risky as I've had to rely on previous results a lot to change ratios for example.
 
I keep one, just use an exercise book. Must admit it drives me crazy but the Consultant uses it to adjust my food intake\meal timings etc in relation to my b\s cos I'm very unstable at the moment. Its working well helping so far but I will ditch it as soon as I get the chance!! Sue xxx
 
I still keep a diary after many years. I've tried lots of apps and I've also tried not keeping any records but I honestly believe the simple act of writing things down and keeping a record leads to better control.
 
I tried really hard with the diary thing when I was first diagnosed but I always fail within a couple of weeks...I know I should but I'm just not that organised. I'm interested to learn that there are meters that record such information, I will be checking this out...my current meter/s are very basic indeed so this would be really useful. When it comes to apps and gadgetry I can be a bit obsessive so this would be a great option for me
 
I never use to write my results down and mainly relied on the meter storing it. But the doctors didn't like this because they could not see it as a day written in a line so was harder to see trends and I do agree now I keep a diary I can see for my self what's going on a lot better. I fill my diary in once a day. So go about my day doing bg's as I need then write them in my book at the end of the day from the meter log
 
I have over 30 years of record on a external drive attached to my P.C,I find it very useful especially when ill I can make adjustments to my insulin before my blood/sugars get out of hand.
 
I used to keep a diary having had type 1 for a good few decades, but about a year after going on the pump I stopped as I felt the machines kept my results if I ever needed it and my diabetic team no longer ask for it or tell me to keep one, so I no longer do.
 
I usually keep a log when things start getting strange, or when I start trying new things (food, exercise, sleep patterns,etc)
I do like to keep a diary when I try a new 'meal' usually it's take out/fast food/chain restaurant stuff. That way I know exactly what to dose for best result when eating out.

I have found that I don't typically need a log of numbers day to day as long as I ensure that each reading is as expected.

Also the my meter does a good job of storing my tests and carb inputs as well as creating reports which makes it easy to upload and look through. I find that's much more helpful at finding trends and patterns then me flipping through a book look at numbers.
 
Ive always used a bg monitoring diary since they became available.....so yonks for me. I am somewhat puzzled as to why the bg meter companies havent updated their monitoring books to include carb, carb ratios, correction doses, bolus and basal doses. Instead, just the standard twice daily regime seems to be the norm
 
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