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Struggling with between meals

S

SueB

Newbie
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4
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just over two years ago. I found it very frustrating at the start as it was impossible for me to get my levels on target (4.5 - 7.5). I found that I had to adjust my expectations as it was really getting me down. I set myself the target of try to stay below 10 at each meal, got more success with that, and then found my levels were on target a lot more. Since then I have done DAFNE and have been happily calculating my CPs, using my ratio and using an adjustment where necessary at a meal and was feeling pleased with what I was doing. I have also split my BI which gives me a lot more flexibility to adjust my morning BI in the light of what we decide to do on a day at the weekend (I had been hypoing most weekends). My HbA1c has been between 6.4 and 6.5 but rose to 7.4 last time as I had been ill for an extended period and I was not confident about he use of the sick day rules, but I am now a lot better at that. So all was going well.
BUT
Then I read a bout the targets for two hours after a meal!!! It does not seem to matter what I do I can not get on target within that time, even though my levels are usually fine at the next meal.The advice of DSNs was not to test between meals, which is fine except I drive a lot for work and can not afford to lose my licence so I always test before I drive.
SO
- Is it realistic to get below 10 after 2 hours?
- If so how on earth do people do it?
- If my levels are okay on meals do I need to worry about the other levels
I have tried:
- moving the injection site to legs for low GI, tum for high GI
- splitting my morning QA to address the low GI of porridge
(but then I would forget to the second half of it)

Can you help
 
Sue,

Pleased you too had a positive outcome from attending the DAFNE course! :D

It is possible to get results below 10 post-meal times, but you may have to consider reducing your carb portions and adapting a low-gi approach to eating. I typically try to stay below 8 one hour after eating my main meals, I manage this by aiming to eat no more than 20-40g of carbs per meal depending on the time of day. Like everyone else, occasionally I slip outside of my own personal target range, but I always aim to be around the 5-6 mark pre-meal times, if not I include a correction dose with my next meal.

As you drive for a living, it would be sensible for you to perhaps set your targets a little higher than the lower figure what you quoted (4.5-7.5) as 4.5 is way too low for driving anyway, and one should not drive unless they are 5 or above. Try reading the food section on this forum, and buy yourself a good low-gi cooking book from most retailers. Just remember to test test test when making any changes to your diet or insulin, and stay safe on the roads.

Nigel
 
Nigel

Thanks for the ideas and letting me know that it is possible to reach the targets that they give us. Now I just need to sort out how. I will have a look at the food bit on the site as you suggested and see if I can sort this out.

SueB

PS I always test before I drive and would never drive if I am below 5.
 
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