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New and Confused!

Trixy83

Well-Known Member
Messages
98
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
HI all, I'm 31, diagnosed as type 1 on January 20th (I've also posted in the newbie section!) For the last 5 weeks I've strugged to get to grips with all the information thrown at me. My bs readings are a mess, I think I've had one day since being diagnosed where I've been in single figures at each reading. I also have an overactive thyroid and apparently that's messing with my metabolism and making it harder to control my diabeties. At the moment I take 14 units of levimer morning and night and at meals I take a standard 6 units of novorapid plus a correction dose of 1 unit for every 3 mmol above 7. This just doesn't seem to work, probably because it's not factoring in what I'm eating. Does this seem like a standard dose? Would there be any harm adding a unit or 2 more and seeing how I go on that? I'm just so confused with everything, so any advice, help, whatever anyone has that would help would be so much appreciated!! Mentally I'm totally fine with my diagnosis, I was hospitilised on the Tuesday and was out with friends that weekend! I refuse to let this stop me doing the things I want too (although randomly the last 3 nights out I've had where I have drank excessivly have been some of the best readings I've had then and the next day, can I just replace my insulin with alchohol? haha) I'm going with the I could cry and get upset about it, but I'll still wake up with it tomorrow approach, but I'm just frustrated my readings are so all over the place so I'm looking for as much help as I can get. Thanks all
 
hi trixie
first a warm welcome to the forum
your medical team will have given you those doses as a starting point. you need to be careful with changing doses and remember that with 2 insulins only changing 1 at a time. -- and then test for a few days to see results. Levemir is the one to get right first as your background insulin should keep you pretty stable without carb intake. it is important to remember this is a marathon not a sprint so you won't solve it all in 1 or 2 days.
you could ask your team to go on a DAFNE carb counting course but there will be a wait for this.
i have tagged @noblehead as he has good info on online options and he is also very good with advice. also tagged @tim2000s for his very helpful advice

just try and read through the info as best you can and keep posting your questions .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Trixy,

It's important to get the basal dose right above all else then you can work on your insulin-to-carb ratio's, have a look at the following which explains how to fast for a basal check:

http://www.salforddiabetescare.co.uk/index2.php?nav_id=1007

As himtoo says, if you've not done a carb counting course such as DAFNE then you should ask your DSN to enrol you on the next available course, to get an idea of what its all about register with the following, it's an on-line carb counting course based on the DAFNE teachings:

http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/
 
first of all dont panic or worry,you dont let diabetes take over,remember your in charge, because your in the Honeymoon period. once you get established or in control doing what the nurse said youll get in control, what i do is b/f meals i do a meter reading then take the insulin dose. ive been a diabetic type 1 for 3 years my bs readings are 4-7 target readings you can eat anything you want in small qtys, your diabetic nurse will adjust your insulin levels
 
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