Royjk
Well-Known Member
I have just got over the shock of my doctors words about using diabetic insulin pens. I knew that my regular finger blood tests were showing numbers in the mid 20's and I had expected him to just give me another tablet, and say see you in 6 months. However he changed the tablets and added a basal - bolus insulin injection plan, explained everything and sent me to the chemist to get my prescriptions.
So I picked up my necessary supplies, of test strips, and pens/refills, and visited the practice nurse who showed me how everything worked. She also invited me to meet with the diabetes educational nurse. I realised that I could do nothing immediately about the 103 A1c, that will reveal itself in a couple of months when I take the next test in February. But I can influence the daily 6 finger blood tests.
So I made a simple graph to show the expected high and low limits of 5 - 8.2 mmol/l, and against this I plotted my daily results which showed clearly my blood sugar was always at least 3 times higher than my target. I listed the food that I had eaten over the test period, and identified the high carb items. I now have a choice eliminate these things from my diet, or dial up a bigger number on my pen.
If I just take more and more insulin I can just eat as before, but the test results will be OK. Job done blood sugar under control. I can see nothing in the rules which will not allow me to do this, I think it is called counting carbs.
However I will aim to identify and eliminate the high carb foods, and eat things which have a Glycaemic index less that 53. This will require an overhaul of my eating habits, with the primary step of drinking liquids with no or very low sugar content. So soft drinks and beer are out, to be replaced with lemon or lime in my tea, water and dry red wine. White bread rolls are out, to be replaced with nuts. Potatoes and parsnips are out along with vegetables grown underground, to be replaced with vegetables grown above ground. That is the start of the control of my blood sugar level. I am sure it will take time to establish a new diet, and I am now searching different aisles in the supermarket.
I am still only 6 days in to this new diabetes problem, so I am not sure how my plan will work out.
I have looked at food alternatives, but being a bit lactose intolerant, I give foods containing things like milk, butter, and cheese a miss, before I even start.
My use of the pens for the first few days, are just a few bruises, having previously used injected blood thinners I find that the pens are easy to use. I have a jar for the frequently changed needles and will be able to get rid of them safely at the doctors surgery.
So this is my simple experience and initial plan, does anyone have any good ideas of ways that could control my Type 2 diabetes, and lower the risk of diabetes problems.
Royjk
So I picked up my necessary supplies, of test strips, and pens/refills, and visited the practice nurse who showed me how everything worked. She also invited me to meet with the diabetes educational nurse. I realised that I could do nothing immediately about the 103 A1c, that will reveal itself in a couple of months when I take the next test in February. But I can influence the daily 6 finger blood tests.
So I made a simple graph to show the expected high and low limits of 5 - 8.2 mmol/l, and against this I plotted my daily results which showed clearly my blood sugar was always at least 3 times higher than my target. I listed the food that I had eaten over the test period, and identified the high carb items. I now have a choice eliminate these things from my diet, or dial up a bigger number on my pen.
If I just take more and more insulin I can just eat as before, but the test results will be OK. Job done blood sugar under control. I can see nothing in the rules which will not allow me to do this, I think it is called counting carbs.
However I will aim to identify and eliminate the high carb foods, and eat things which have a Glycaemic index less that 53. This will require an overhaul of my eating habits, with the primary step of drinking liquids with no or very low sugar content. So soft drinks and beer are out, to be replaced with lemon or lime in my tea, water and dry red wine. White bread rolls are out, to be replaced with nuts. Potatoes and parsnips are out along with vegetables grown underground, to be replaced with vegetables grown above ground. That is the start of the control of my blood sugar level. I am sure it will take time to establish a new diet, and I am now searching different aisles in the supermarket.
I am still only 6 days in to this new diabetes problem, so I am not sure how my plan will work out.
I have looked at food alternatives, but being a bit lactose intolerant, I give foods containing things like milk, butter, and cheese a miss, before I even start.
My use of the pens for the first few days, are just a few bruises, having previously used injected blood thinners I find that the pens are easy to use. I have a jar for the frequently changed needles and will be able to get rid of them safely at the doctors surgery.
So this is my simple experience and initial plan, does anyone have any good ideas of ways that could control my Type 2 diabetes, and lower the risk of diabetes problems.
Royjk
