Hi,
I'm a Type-1 diabetic since 1971 [then aged 19] and since October 2015 [when I was hospitalized three times with DKA] my diabetes has been wildly out of control. It was not perfect before then but it was, at least, compatible with a good lifestyle. Now I'm having to test BG hourly by day and every two hours by night - in order to be able to react 'on time' to requirements for extra carbohydrates or insulin, as indicated by the BG level tested. My insulin [Novorapid] has been delivered for the last 2 years, or so, by a manually-controlled Medtronic pump.
I try to control my BG by setting a bolus to match my meals, with a dose-correction for the BG at the start of the meal - but there's the problem - if the meal is just a little late, the BG falls rapidly before I can get to eat! The basal-rate on my pump is set to ZERO for the hour before each meal but the problem persists. I have to eat my meals 'to a schedule' or have a snack while I'm preparing the meal - which is a nuisance!
Is this unusual - or does every long-term Type-1 diabetic have the same problem? Can anyone suggest a way to improve the flexibility of my meal-times - or to protect myself from threatening lows?
I'm a Type-1 diabetic since 1971 [then aged 19] and since October 2015 [when I was hospitalized three times with DKA] my diabetes has been wildly out of control. It was not perfect before then but it was, at least, compatible with a good lifestyle. Now I'm having to test BG hourly by day and every two hours by night - in order to be able to react 'on time' to requirements for extra carbohydrates or insulin, as indicated by the BG level tested. My insulin [Novorapid] has been delivered for the last 2 years, or so, by a manually-controlled Medtronic pump.
I try to control my BG by setting a bolus to match my meals, with a dose-correction for the BG at the start of the meal - but there's the problem - if the meal is just a little late, the BG falls rapidly before I can get to eat! The basal-rate on my pump is set to ZERO for the hour before each meal but the problem persists. I have to eat my meals 'to a schedule' or have a snack while I'm preparing the meal - which is a nuisance!
Is this unusual - or does every long-term Type-1 diabetic have the same problem? Can anyone suggest a way to improve the flexibility of my meal-times - or to protect myself from threatening lows?
