I think it is worth exploring the hypothesis that you are double diabetic given the persistent high blood sugars in spite of your insulin doses.
Before you did that I guess a nurse might ask if you've got any lumps where you inject that migh be causing the insulin not to get through? If so you'd expect some unpredictability with bgs not doing what's expected or what's worked before.
Do you have any other indicators of insulin resistance e.g. weight gain, higher triglycerides than hdl , high blood pressure?
If you did a day of not eating any carbs or protein (the nutrients which will raise your blood sugar) what would your levels look like on the current basal dose?
I had a high hba1c recently and was reluctant to increase my basal but have done so and my average bgs are down so you may just have to bite the bullet there. It may be needed because I am 50 and although I'd hate to admit it, my hormones may be causing more resistance. Not sure if its been mentioned but splitting tbe hasal can be helpful as they don't always perform by what it says on the proverbial tin.
If you've got your basal correct it does become a lot easier to do bolus dosing IMO because you aren't always chasing your tail with correction doses.
I am sorry that your DSN is using a stick rather than a carrot re the FSL and I think the only way to counter this is to prove her wrong by using the libre to adjust your basal rates. Ideally keep asking for a pump because that's a great tool to counter stuff like the Dawn Phenomenom.
If you are in any way insulin resistant then going low carb will help. You keep your basal rate but obviously adjust boluses erring on the side of caution! I find I need half the dose in a protein based meal as I did for a carby one but it might be wise to try a third of the dose and NOT go on a long walk afterwards!
The exercise part of this involves doing a little more work to get strong muscles (squats,lunges, push ups, hill walks rather than strolls) t o make your body more sensitive to the insulin you're injecting.
If you start out with a high bg but not enough insulin your blood sugar won't come down and may even increase because your liver will pump out more glucose in response to the muscular demands i.e. walking isn't a solution for type 1s to reduce blood sugars unless your blood sugars are under 10 in the first place.
Anyway that;s my 2 ps worth - hope you feel better and more in control soon as I know how I feel with higher blood sugars and the feeling that it is my 'fault' and it's not great!