Not happy with this diabetes scenario

SamJB said:

Maybe I was too flippant with the "fill your boots" comments. Let me clarify: the "For Normal Eating" bit in DAFNE, is the heart of the very problem I have with it. As discussed, I'm in favour of reduced carbs so that the insulin dose is low. That is what needs to change in my opinion. I'm in favour of carb counting and all the rest of it, but the dietary advice of eat normally (i.e. the RDI of 300g/day for men) is what is inefficatious. There needs to be a paradigm of a "carb-controlled" (moderate/reduced/low carb) diet, not the "eat normally" philosophy.

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Well then you see from this I already low carb. I haven't reduced my intake at all since diagnosis, although I have moved the few higher GI items to low GI. But I was always eating about 120-150g/day. Which is lower than the women's recommendation.

But I'm 23, short, slim etc. I'd gain weight on a larger diet! That's what's wrong with the guideline daily allowances though, everyone has different needs!

Very interesting reading and agree with all said. Personally for me Im currently eating 300~350 grams of carbs a day. Grainy bread, cereals,pasta etc. should add slim 6ft 3 recently started doing weights again as well as cycling,jogging,swimming. Alternating routines on different days 1 hour ish at a time. first time since diagnosis, as I'm trying to gain some bulk back from what I lost at diagnosis 2 and a bit years ago. Last hba1c was 6.7 and from current readings hoping next one will be very low 6s. Waking low 5s, and 5~8 through the day (pie chart on meter nearly all green yay) . obviously the odd high low from miscalculation, pump failure our just because. Even I'm shocked at some meals how much I have to bolus in comparison to my basal needs.

However should I start struggling with highs,lows,weight and adjusting insulin wasnt working the obvious solution would be to reduce carbs thus reducing insulin.
also, not everyone is able to take regular excercise which definately helps all things diabetic, so there wouldn't be a need to consume 300 carbs a day. If you can learn to adjust insulin and importantly time insulin correctly to suit eating 250 plus carbs a day, whilst having a good hba1c great. might be you can but just don't want too and low carbing suites you great too.

Wouldn't try too convince anyone to low carb or not but do agree with someone elses point that often newbies come on seeking advice on how to eat what they want (within reason) and instead of advising about the problem are given loads of advice to low carb

Ill leave now lol.


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Hi Brett!! Been wondering where you were recently!

Hi hale, been busy with all this excercise malarky, will check in more regular lol. Hope everyones well

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Everyone else manages to exercise and still log on haha only kidding, glad you're well and feeling motivated!

Well there you go then hale, you're one of us! Sort of, anyway! Seriously though, you're on a low to moderate carb diet, you're insulin sensitive and you've got a great HbA1c.

Brett, you exercise a lot. This brings more insulin receptors to the surface of a cell thus increasing your insulin sensitivity and reducing your insulin requirement.

Noblehead is also on a moderate carb diet, is on about the same amount of insulin as me and also has a good HbA1c.

Hmm, there's a trend going on here...

SamJB said:

Well there you go then hale, you're one of us! Sort of, anyway! Seriously though, you're on a low to moderate carb diet, you're insulin sensitive and you've got a great HbA1c.

Brett, you exercise a lot. This brings more insulin receptors to the surface of a cell thus increasing your insulin sensitivity and reducing your insulin requirement.

Noblehead is also on a moderate carb diet, is on about the same amount of insulin as me and also has a good HbA1c.

Hmm, there's a trend going on here...

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**** it. I've been trying so hard to stay away from all of you

Seriously though, I just had a lovely dinner with around 30g carbs in the form of sweet potato. It'll take a lot for me to give that up

Absolutely no reason why you should! Thats a reduced carb meal if ever I saw one. Small amount of insulin for that = small mistake. Bet your levels will be great after.

Im having spag bol with zero noodles. About 12g in.

I bake it, then mix in cream cheese chorizo and spring onion. Never get tired of it!

Actually i lied, There was also an extra 1g hidden in the salad

Do excercise alot which is why (i think my basal requirements are low. However im still bolusing in excess of 20 units at times for meals. So yes alot less basal but not much less bolus.

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brett said:

Do excercise alot which is why (i think my basal requirements are low. However im still bolusing in excess of 20 units at times for meals. So yes alot less basal but not much less bolus.

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Wow.... That's a lot of bolus! I've never taken more than 5 units at once and that was to cover a 3 course meal! I think my pen would go into shock haha

SamJB said:

Maybe I was too flippant with the "fill your boots" comments. Let me clarify: the "For Normal Eating" bit in DAFNE, is the heart of the very problem I have with it. As discussed, I'm in favour of reduced carbs so that the insulin dose is low. That is what needs to change in my opinion. I'm in favour of carb counting and all the rest of it, but the dietary advice of eat normally (i.e. the RDI of 300g/day for men) is what is inefficatious. There needs to be a paradigm of a "carb-controlled" (moderate/reduced/low carb) diet, not the "eat normally" philosophy.

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Yes I suspected you were being flippant Sam

The 'Normal Eating' is a bit misleading and can see where your coming from, but even though DAFNE does teach you the skills to bolus for most everyday foods it doesn't suggest for one minute that you eat them all, as I said earlier (and you'll be no doubt aware yourself having been on the course) that they don't recommend a particular diet or discuss RDI of carbs, fats or protein, in fairness if they were to go into diet in great detail the course would take much longer than 5 days, perhaps another structured education course might be a good idea for type 1's where they could discuss dietary matters :idea:

Noblehead, I agree that further education, or perhaps enhancement of the DAFNE course is required.

Danny, sorry for hijacking your thread. What can be said really? You know you need to improve your control and you do need to take more responsibility for it, as it sounds like you're heading for a a load of complications. After the long debate about DAFNE, it would be a good idea for someone like you (high HbA1c, loves carbs) to go on it. At the end of the day, you need to change. If you dont want to change then you will get complications. I know you like a drink, perhaps switch to a low carb lager such as Coors Light?