Lowering your basal insulin.

[azure]

Oh thank you azure I'll look at that.... really can things deteriorate quickly. Hard to imagine I feel so good. But I totally believe what you are saying... I'll also fill on my endocrinologist this weds too re my new plan I'm trialing and hoping it will work. Tho that's probably my denile at play.

Yes, things can deteriorate very quickly. I'm not saying that to scare you - it's an important thing to know. I was particularly concerned as you said you were going to bed and so your blood sugar could creep up,as you sleep and the high sugars could mean you were too sleepy to wake up and realise.

Even if you were a long-term Type 1, I'd be saying that you should phone your doctor. 28 is a high blood sugar. It doesn't matter that you feel fine as how you feel isn't related to the damage the high sugar is causing. You've mentioned thirst and urinary frequency - that means your body is struggling to cope with your high sugar.

It's possible that your blood sugar has gone up to 28 because of the reductions you've made to your insuljn. I know that's not your fault because it sounds like you've not had the support you need (eg carb counting) but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is getting your blood sugar down now, and after that, getting more support to get you back on track with your basal and bolus insulins.

Please take care X

 

[nessa1970]

Yes, things can deteriorate very quickly. I'm not saying that to scare you - it's an important thing to know. I was particularly concerned as you said you were going to bed and so your blood sugar could creep up,as you sleep and the high sugars could mean you were too sleepy to wake up and realise.

Even if you were a long-term Type 1, I'd be saying that you should phone your doctor. 28 is a high blood sugar. It doesn't matter that you feel fine as how you feel isn't related to the damage the high sugar is causing. You've mentioned thirst and urinary frequency - that means your body is struggling to cope with your high sugar.

It's possible that your blood sugar has gone up to 28 because of the reductions you've made to your insuljn. I know that's not your fault because it sounds like you've not had the support you need (eg carb counting) but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is getting your blood sugar down now, and after that, getting more support to get you back on track with your basal and bolus insulins.

Please take care X

Oh yes it is high. But I'm sort of use to 30 an HI. On my meter. I've been drinking water I'm in bed I did the stick thing it's only at 1+ for ketone but of course the highest for sugars. I'll have my insulin tomorrow morning. I read the dka thread that was a bit scary. But very good information. Yes I'll have a very big talk to endocrinologist this week I've got lots of questions bulleted on a paper... so as I don't forget. I'm hoping that book is in my library tomorrow. Have a great day and I'll check in tomorrow with an update. Thanks alot.

 

[nessa1970]

Let that picture process in your mind for a second. That's me just before I was diagnosed and a few months after. There's nothing healthy about me in the picture on the left.

With your blood sugar in the 20s your body is LITERALLY eating your muscle trying not to starve to death (look at my arms between those pictures if you don't believe me). Without insulin your body also can't absorb the extra glucose in your blood stream...but it has to go somewhere (otherwise you'll die). Right now, your kidneys are working extremely hard trying to filter out all that extra glucose and over time that process can cause irreparable kidney damage.

As someone who was in your shoes a year ago (September 2015), I'm begging you to get your blood sugar under control and then focus on losing healthy weight. If you're feeding more than yourself at dinner then I'm assuming you have children. Do it for their sake if nothing else.

Whow that's quite shocking those two pictures. Is that you losing weight while you didn't no you had diabetes? Yes I will get a plan going on weds at my appointment. I'll have 4 units lantus tomorrow morning. I have children but there adults. I will try to get the sugars down this week. They haven't been high for long only about 4 days. So it shouldn't cause to much trouble aye. I'm more afraid of low than high like I've said I'm use to high sugars. I've had them for over a year and a half while they said I was type 2 an all is ok. I think in a way I just don't trust them. It's been a four year battle all up.

 

[catapillar]

I'm not trying to scare you @nessa1970 but I think going to bed with ketones of 1+ and blood sugar of 28 is dangerous. DKA can progress quickly, can make you very seriously ill with lasting impacts on your health and, ultimately, can kill.

Is there an out of hours doctors service you could ring for advice - maybe try health line 0800 611 116 a free phone 24/7 New Zealand government medical advice line staffed by nurses.

Look after yourself.

 

[nessa1970]

I'm not trying to scare you @nessa1970 but I think going to bed with ketones of 1+ and blood sugar of 28 is dangerous. DKA can progress quickly, can make you very seriously ill with lasting impacts on your health and, ultimately, can kill.

Is there an out of hours doctors service you could ring for advice - maybe try health line 0800 611 116 a free phone 24/7 New Zealand government medical advice line staffed by nurses.

Look after yourself.

Omgosh how did you get the number for healthline nz. Yes I know the number um no I really do feel okay. Gosh thank you tho so much for looking for the number I'm really shocked. Um I guess I'm hearing that this high sugar is of concern and maybe you feel I am being flippant with my health. I'm truly not. I really do feel fine. I've had high sugars for weeks a few months ago before gad test come in and I was 5+ on the urine sticks thing an I was fine.... so maybe I'm still got some insulin I'm producing. Do you think?

 

[catapillar]

If you have high blood sugar for a long time and you have ketones you have insufficient insulin. With insufficient insulin you are at risk of DKA, a condition which can and does kill. I am concerned about you, ketones and insufficient insulin is dangerous. Please consider seeking medical advice from health line - it sounds like that's what they are there for.

 

[nessa1970]

If you have high blood sugar for a long time and you have ketones you have insufficient insulin. With insufficient insulin you are at risk of DKA, a condition which can and does kill. I am concerned about you, ketones and insufficient insulin is dangerous. Please consider seeking medical advice from health line - it sounds like that's what they are there for.

Well I just tested an I'm 19 so that's good the water for last 2 hours has helped. I will ring healthline but I suspect they'll be okay with it as I'm pretty sure 1+ is trace.... ? I will ring now tho. Thank you for your reply and care. It's nice to know you all are so knowledgeable and supportive as it can get lonely trying to work it all out.

 

[azure]

Well I just tested an I'm 19 so that's good the water for last 2 hours has helped. I will ring healthline but I suspect they'll be okay with it as I'm pretty sure 1+ is trace.... ? I will ring now tho. Thank you for your reply and care. It's nice to know you all are so knowledgeable and supportive as it can get lonely trying to work it all out.

That's good news @nessa1970 but I can't stress enough the importance of getting your blood sugars down long term. If your diabetes team aren't helping you, push for more help or see someone else.

Do keep testing your blood sugar. Things can change. When I was admitted to hospital, as I mentioned above, my blood sugar had come down a little by the time I got there, but they didn't take any chances. I was put on IV fluids and insulin.

At 'best' high sugars long term can cause serious complications, at worst they can put you at high risk of DKA.

 

[Juicyj]

Hey @nessa1970 Glad to hear your BG levels are coming down. Yes it is a serious concern and maybe this is where the education is different to the UK, but we are taught to keep our BG levels around 5-8 mmol/l to avoid complications. DKA is something we are told to avoid at all costs as this is dangerous and can kill, it's not a scaremongering exercise but reality. I know that you feel let down by your healthcare team, but now your diagnosis is confirmed as type 1 then it's a good chance for you to focus on getting well again and back to normal. Having already grasped the concept of low carb, this can help you alot as it will stablise your BG levels and if you stay on track you should avoid hypos too. Hypos are a hard consequence but they are manageable, just keep quick acting glucose at hand always, like jelly babies, lucozade or gatorade. Try and avoid buying coke as it sounds like you have an issue with sugary drinks.

Now you've found this site then use it as much as you can, there are always people around to talk to and who will help you, focus on getting better and managing your BG levels, weight will come and go, but health always comes first

 

[nessa1970]

Hey @nessa1970 Glad to hear your BG levels are coming down. Yes it is a serious concern and maybe this is where the education is different to the UK, but we are taught to keep our BG levels around 5-8 mmol/l to avoid complications. DKA is something we are told to avoid at all costs as this is dangerous and can kill, it's not a scaremongering exercise but reality. I know that you feel let down by your healthcare team, but now your diagnosis is confirmed as type 1 then it's a good chance for you to focus on getting well again and back to normal. Having already grasped the concept of low carb, this can help you alot as it will stablise your BG levels and if you stay on track you should avoid hypos too. Hypos are a hard consequence but they are manageable, just keep quick acting glucose at hand always, like jelly babies, lucozade or gatorade. Try and avoid buying coke as it sounds like you have an issue with sugary drinks.

Now you've found this site then use it as much as you can, there are always people around to talk to and who will help you, focus on getting better and managing your BG levels, weight will come and go, but health always comes first

Thank you. I rung healthline she said to go to the hospital in the next 2 hours as she said I'm presenting early dka... so i explained a few things and she said if I choose to stay home to get someone to ring me at a set time. So I'll do that. It's raining badly here I'm not ringing an ambulance and I'm not to drive and I'm fine. Just tired now as its 1am here... she told me what to look out for and I'll do that too. And I'll take my insulin tomorrow eat low carb and things should progress nicely I suspect. Yes people have been very very caring and supportive with great information and links too information I didn't know. So I'm most grateful. Thanks

 

[azure]

Remember you can always change your mind and go to hospital @nessa1970

Do keep testing and don't feel bad if you need to phone for help. Even the most controlled, most experienced Type 1s can need help sometimes

Let us know how you are X

 

[nessa1970]

Remember you can always change your mind and go to hospital @nessa1970

Do keep testing and don't feel bad if you need to phone for help. Even the most controlled, most experienced Type 1s can need help sometimes

Let us know how you are X

Thank you again azure. I definitely will go if I get high readings feel sick or any symptoms that are dka related. I've set my alarm for 2 hourly wake ups to test bs and ketone... I'll continue with the water and take insulin early morning. I'll stick with 4 lantus and tomorrow I'll go to 6. I don't want to jump back to 10 to quickly as I don't want the low. The "freak me out" and make me want to not take insulin and go high instead... the shaking one is ok but the last few I had there was just a normal me and then boom!!!! It still freaks me out thinking about it.... I never want that again. Cheers Azure

 

[azure]

Yes, hypos can be really frightening, especially when they come out of nowhere. But you will reduce them by carb counting - it really is important and improves control enormously Less hypos and less highs

Its the difference between driving with a map and driving with a blindfold on. It really does help that much

 

[azure]

How are things today @nessa1970 ?

 

[nessa1970]

How are things today @nessa1970 ?

Hi. Things are okay. I still have high blood sugars so I think my visit to endo will result in higher insulin doses... I'm guessing. But I am not sick just thirsty and more than usual toilet trips... I'm implementing the low carb diet so that should help and start the gym this week... thank you for asking.

 

[Juicyj]

Hey @nessa1970 Going to sound like the nagging one here, but are you taking your insulin ? Getting those BG levels down is your top priority. Stay safe hun, I know your appointment will help you in adjusting your insulin, but please don't be afraid of taking it to get your BG down to a safer level.

 

[nessa1970]

Hey @nessa1970 Going to sound like the nagging one here, but are you taking your insulin ? Getting those BG levels down is your top priority. Stay safe hun, I know your appointment will help you in adjusting your insulin, but please don't be afraid of taking it to get your BG down to a safer level.

Hi there... yes I took 5 unit lantus and had 2 unit apidra with meal. It's a good start I think and slowly increase each 2 day. No ketone well 0.3. That's fine right?

 

[azure]

Thank you for letting us know @nessa1970 People here, including me, are genuinely worried about you. You're one of us

Low carb is one way of eating, but the most important thing in Type 1 is to 'think like a pancreas' and match your insulin to your food, as close to the way your own body used to do it.

The reason you had the hypos was more than likely because you hadn't been shown how to match your insulin to your carbs. This isn't the fault of the insulin or the carbs. Once you get more support, you'll be in a much better place

I know people keep saying this and you're probably thinking "blah blah blah" but high blood sugar will damage your kidneys, your eyes and your nerves. It's really important to get those sugars in range. Even if you managed to stay out of DKA, you're still damaging your body.

Insulin is a lifesaver and a health preserver

 

[Juicyj]

It is early days but don't be afraid of increasing your insulin doses to get your BG levels down, you're not taking very much at the moment so it will increase, insulin as @azure has said is our lifeline to good health, taking it is like breathing oxygen to us type 1's so try not to be worried about this, it's getting your doses right for your requirements which will help you stay healthy

 

[nessa1970]

Thank you for letting us know @nessa1970 People here, including me, are genuinely worried about you. You're one of us

Low carb is one way of eating, but the most important thing in Type 1 is to 'think like a pancreas' and match your insulin to your food, as close to the way your own body used to do it.

The reason you had the hypos was more than likely because you hadn't been shown how to match your insulin to your carbs. This isn't the fault of the insulin or the carbs. Once you get more support, you'll be in a much better place

I know people keep saying this and you're probably thinking "blah blah blah" but high blood sugar will damage your kidneys, your eyes and your nerves. It's really important to get those sugars in range. Even if you managed to stay out of DKA, you're still damaging your body.

Insulin is a lifesaver and a health preserver

Oh no I definitely understand and I do not atall think blah blah. I'm really very appreciative to you all. Yes I will be telling my endo I want to learn the carb count matching insulin. Is there a certain way to say that or does it have a name ? I'm writing everything down so nothing gets missed at my appointment.