Highs and lows

[Lisa69free]

Hi again, sorry if I'm posting too much. Recently diagnosed early last month T1. Initially I was having 20 units long lasting insulin shot and 5 to 7 fast acting insulin after food. I was finding I was often 15 to highest 22 before bed and fasting morning reading of about 10. Diabetes nurse suggested to change daily to 24 units. Things were good for a few days then bang. Lows of 2.5 regular on waking and before food are very regular now so lowered daily back down to 20. Only change is I started working again.

 

[Fairygodmother]

You’re doing well in adjusting the the insulin according o your blood sugar reading but the lows aren’t nice are they. We can’t tell you what to do here, just say what we would do if we were in your position. I’d ask the advice of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, a doctor or a Consultant. Do you have any of these who you can contact?
What insulins were you prescribed? They all have different action profiles; some people split the dose of the long acing, am and pm, so as to minimise high and low blood sugar readings. Maybe it’s worth discussing whether this is possible with the insulin you’re on.
Good luck, I hope you can contact one of the above soon and get a solution. The early days of T1 are a time when the body adjusts to using insulin. You may still be in what’s called the honeymoon phase when your insulin production hasn’t quite tailed off yet so have that fast acting carbohydrate near you 24/7. A high isn’t as worrying as a low, so a good stock of glucotabs and/or jelly babies is essential for all T1s.

 

[jaywak]

It does seem we are on a knife edge sometimes , I have found if I give myself 16 units of my long acting insulin I will be high , If I give myself 18 units of long acting insulin the same happens , But if I give myself 17 units eight times out of ten bg tests will be in range .

 

[Lisa69free]

Thanks for the replies. I had a telephone consultation with the diabetes nurse this morning and we covered lots of things. I'm to start pre-bolussing 15 minutes before eating. She said I'm not to count carbs on good carbs. Only white ones and if some like say canned baked beans, just to half carb count them. She is also putting me forward to have a CGM at no cost to myself so I'm in quite a good mood today

 

[ratherbegliding]

Hi Lisa,
Following your comment of 'not counting carbs on good carbs' may I suggest you read a book called 'The Diabetes Solution' by Dr. Richard Bernstein (Google is your friend).
I would have thought going back to work will generally reduce your insulin requirements because the act of forced concentration, stress, workload etc in my experience tends to burn energy...aka blood sugar of it's own accord. That said, stress can increase BG levels too.... either way, insulin requirements on a calm, lazy weekend will always differ from a day spent in the rat race.
Welcome to the club!
RBG