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newbie to basal / bolus regime

anna29

anna29

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,789
Location
Preston Lancashire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Cruelty to Animals/Children
Liars/Manipulators/Bullying
Hiya, went yesterday met new DSN [she was lovely] due to my erractic BS levels yet still too high, am being trained on the 29th july, to start a basal/bolus regime. She told me my life will change and I will have to live around the new regime , have to fit my eating n activities around the injections etc. Also warned me I might lose my driving licence initially till all is under control. Am bit wary of how to adapt to all of this if you see what I mean? :? Plus my maths skills are diabolical to carb count accurately! Thank gooodness I do have a few weeks to let this sink in and read up on advice and information etc. She has also managed to squeeze me onto a new course staring next week, it runs for 6weeks 2.5hr weekly. So that will help me too. Am being referred to a diverticulitis / coeliac specialist as blood results in, indicate things are wonky! [her words!] too be honest its the new life change routine n basal / bolus thing that am bit wary with. :? Any help, advice would be appreciated . Anna.x
 
Hi anna, I have a small digital scale and the Colins Carbs book, sorry can't remember the correct name of the book now, you can weigh and calculate the carbs in whatever it is you are eating.

Or, if you don't fancy doing the maths you could have a look at one of these scales that does everything for you. I though a youtube video might be more helpful than a website.

[youtube]tDPseDYfnZo[/youtube]
 
Hi Anna,

It takes a while to get used to, but I found the basal bolus more flexible. It is not quite eating what you like, to inject to coverr it, but it is far more flexible.. It is easier to eat nothing, if you are not hungry etc, or, if you fancy a big meal, you can have it. Of course, a good diet is still advised, an some people like to low carb,but basal bolus still allows you more flexibilty.

Good luck, and great news about getting on the course.
 
anna29 said:
Hiya, went yesterday met new DSN [she was lovely] due to my erractic BS levels yet still too high, am being trained on the 29th july, to start a basal/bolus regime. She told me my life will change and I will have to live around the new regime , have to fit my eating n activities around the injections etc. Also warned me I might lose my driving licence initially till all is under control. Am bit wary of how to adapt to all of this if you see what I mean? :? Plus my maths skills are diabolical to carb count accurately! Thank gooodness I do have a few weeks to let this sink in and read up on advice and information etc. She has also managed to squeeze me onto a new course staring next week, it runs for 6weeks 2.5hr weekly. So that will help me too. Am being referred to a diverticulitis / coeliac specialist as blood results in, indicate things are wonky! [her words!] too be honest its the new life change routine n basal / bolus thing that am bit wary with. :? Any help, advice would be appreciated . Anna.x
Click to expand...

Hi,

Your life will indeed change with the basal/bolus regime, But for the better! it's far more flexible and enables most people to have better stable control.

I notified the DVLA that i started taking insulin and after a medical they accepted i was healthy to drive and i have a 3 year restricted licence. I chose not to continue my driving lessons for the first few months though as i got used to everything. It shouldn't prevent you from driving as you should start on low doses and work your way up to the right dose for you, which should help avoid as many hypo's as possible, obviously you may still have hypo's here and there but i should think you could drive after a few weeks if you felt comfortable with that.

It's great you've gotten onto a course, they really are invaluable and will make starting the new regime a bit easier as it's better if you properly understand the logic behind it all.

Don't worry about your maths skills! you'll soon be an expert on it all in no time, you can also get scales that work out carb content. Also a good idea to get a carb counting book so you can refer to that if your not working from packaging.

Hope you get the 'wonky' results sorted.

You have plenty of time to read up on things and ask as many questions as you like when they pop into your head, as it's hard to think of everything at once!

Good luck anna :)
 
Hiya , Awww thanks ebony,Ka Mon, sugar. For your reassurance, ideas, advice, it has helped me already! Feels more copable and do'able the basics am starting to grasp now thanks to you all. Aint it great when you get support inbetween seeing the professionals! think I might do a thread on that point? Thank you all so much its appreciated. Anna.x :)
 
Anna,

Firstly moving onto basal / bolus if a little scary because its new is a positive move! it will give you more flexibility to live your life how you want to...

Carb counting looks pretty daunting to start with and it will take some work to get your ratio's sorted but once you have it becomes second nature...
 
My daughter was changed to basal/bolus 4 weeks ago and i was dreading it :oops:

I've found the carb counting is not as bad as i expected but it is at the moment time consuming with weighing and calculating, i am fine at home but struggle with estimating when eating eat but i just bought the carbs and cals book with pictures in so hopefully that will make it easier.
I haven't had a lot of help with adjusting her doses so have found that quite stressful and hard but i think i am turning a corner with it today :)
 
Hiya, so pleased to hear from you, know what you are referring to, I too am bit wary how to balance it all and fit it all in with my lifestyle and routine etc. With you turning the corner, is it down to it making more sense thus it becomes easier n you get a clearer veiw of how to do this? I am to start with the same combo of levemir and the novorapid like your daughter. Mentally it does feel bit of a jigsaw puzzle to slot together. :roll: You sound like you're getting to grips with it and coping well. Great to hear this. Please keep in touch n let us all know how you and your daughter are doing. Anna.x :)
 
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