How many different basal rates in a day?

[CarbsRok]

Do you mean Basal Programmes @CarbsRok?

I'm assuming he means no more than 5 basal rates in any 24 hour period, I'll have to have a look later to see what it says.

@noblehead no I mean basal rates in the 24 hours. Some pumps have 24 rates in a 24 hour period and others have 12.

 

[noblehead]

@noblehead no I mean basal rates in the 24 hours. Some pumps have 24 rates in a 24 hour period and others have 12.

Yes they do, not sure how many you can use on the Omnipod.

Back to Walsh and Pumping Insulin when discussing basal rates , this is what he says (his bold);

About 90% of experienced pumpers use more than one basal rate a day, so it is not uncommon to be started on more than one basal rate. However, basal insulin delivery is slow and the insulin continues to lower the glucose for 5-6 hours after a rate is changed.
Because of these limitations, having more than 5 basal rates during the day usually provides no benefit. Focus on using fewer basal rates and make basal changes early. (Page 129).

 

[donnellysdogs]

I had differnt hourly rates because during night my sleep varied so much.
Being outside workingbwould be differnt tondiving 1 hour to and from houses. Then because I start off at resonNle effort to huve effort and then lesser, the driving home agai and then total relaxation fot tea for 45 mins etc for /4 hours made - hrly or less time slots for me as perfect

 

[RuthW]

I have three patterns, and two of them have three rates, while one of them has only two rates. I am not likely to use that one again though. It was my first rate when I got my pump. It's only there for nostalgia now.

I think according to Think Like a Pancreas, the issue is not how many rates you have, but how many peaks and troughs. Scheiner says "our objective is to mimic normal physiology as closely as possible. A healthy pancreas secretes basal insulin in a circadian pattern, based mainly on how other hormone levels vary through the course of a full day. It produces more basal insulin at certain hours, less at others. Normally there is one peak period and one valley period - not multiple peaks and valleys. A basal program that includes multiple peaks and valleys is almost always incorrect - or at least compensating for some other aspect of the insulin program that is not set up properly.'

Of course, aiming for one peak and one valley doesn't mean you can't have ten rates. It just means they should be gradually stepping up or stepping down, and not bouncing back and forth from high to low.