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Starting from scratch...

SJGrieves

Member
Messages
11
Location
Bedlington
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have had diabetes for 18 years, the past 5 years it has been very badly controlled, for reasons I don't really want to dive into at the moment.
I have only been taking lantus 44 units at 10pm. I haven't been taking any novo rapid at all. I have now been married for 9 months and we'd like to start trying for a baby. I have had a couple of appointments with a diabetic midwife to discuss exactly where I need to be.
After getting my head round doing things properly again, this starts tomorrow, although I have been taking insulin with everything I've ate today, to try and get an idea of my insulin to carb ratio.
I'm trying 1unit to every 5 carbs and 1unit per 2 mmol correction, and spitting my lantus to 20 units at 10pm and 20 at 10am. Does this sound about right? Like I say I'm extremely rusty so I haven't a clue what the averages are?
 
Ratios can vary enormously @SJGrieves The best thing to do is err n the side of caution rather than risk hypos.

Is your DSN helping you work things out?

Ideally, you'd get your basal sorted first before you checked your Bolus ratios.
 
You don't have to disclose anything that you don't feel comfortable with, but remember that there are many great individuals here that can help

I'd go with 1:10 insulin to carb ratio, unless your DSN has advised otherwise? Usually HCP's will start newly diagnosed on a ratio of 1:10. Although you're not newly diagnosed, you are "getting back into it" so it would be a good starting point.

Correction doses of 1u will usually drop the diabetic 2-3mmol/l, so 2mmol is a good start point. Just watch with large corrections though - as if you're closer to 3mmol/l drop with 1u insulin, you run the risk of hypos.

Splitting background insulin helps a great deal in getting your basal dose sorted out, as you can alter day and night doses.

You should look into getting this book, it's excellent:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B06XCDTPP1/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Good luck with everything by the way
 


I tried 1:10 and my 2 hour check was 5mmols higher than my previous BM which is why I moved it up to 2 I'm fully prepared for a string of guess work until I get it right, after speaking with my DSN last week I was at a stage where just taking 2 units of novo rapid with my meals regardless of the carb content was a dramatic improvement. I'm hoping to have some sort of idea of what my ratios should be at before my next appointment next week.
I've just ordered that book, thank you.
 
hi there @SJGrieves
a huge welcome to the forum !!

some great advice so far -- all I will say is try to take your time and be kind to yourself

it would be fab news to have you posting you were pregnant in the next year or 2 !!!!!!!!!!
( this is directly related to being kind to yourself and taking your time )
 
2 hour post prandial readings aren't the whole picture. The duration of insulin action (DIA) or simply how long your bolus insulin will last; is typically somewhere between 3-5 hours. What that means is that your BG may still be on its way down further, a good while after the 2 hour mark. By all means, test at 2 hours - but then again at 4 to see where you're at

As @azure has said, get your basal sorted first and then everything else will be that bit easier. A lot of us with incorrect basal doses need to compensate with extra bolus insulin. You may be experiencing this, although you may not.

Here's a handy guide to getting started with basal rate testing and to find out if your dose is correct or needs adjusting:

https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/
 
Thank you for all of your replies. I just need to get my head around this not being an easy task, when is it ever. I've done ok today. Managed to keep between 4-10mmols which is quite an achievement for me. Although I've felt ****** and low all day, but I'll get used to this the same as I got used to running high constantly. I've spoke to my DSN shes advised me to stick to a ratio of 1:10 and correction of 1:3 but only with meals. She also told me to take 15 lantus at 10pm and 15 at 10am.
She said I didnt need to fast through the day as my before bed and before breakfast readings will tell me if my long acting dose is right, and how to adjust it if not...
 
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