Trying To Get The Diabetes Back On Track - Need Some Help!

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Vanchatron

Active Member
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I'm 21 years old and I've been diabetic now for around 11 years. The past 6 months I've been without a blood testing machine and I figured that I know my body well enough now to make changes in my insulin without the need for a machine, so I never got a new one.

Having read through a few notes I had saved which show my insulin changes, I noticed that whilst I DID have the machine, I was making changes often in my insulin and now that I DON'T have a machine, I haven't changed my insulin once. This has made me wonder whether I'm even on the correct dosage of insulin anymore. I "feel" fine, but at times I DO have high blood sugar and want to get it under control if possible so I have some questions:

- Where should I start in trying to figure out how much insulin to take? I'm going to the Dr tomorrow to request a new blood testing machine.

- In regards to the above point, should I test my blood around twice a day at Morning/Night or more often? I've been without a machine for so long now I can't even remember what my blood testing schedule used to look like.

- Pretty offtopic question here, but I'm on Actrapid (Fast Acting/Clear) & Insulatard (Slow Acting/Cloudy) and was just wondering how long it takes for the effects of the insulin to wear off. I want to try & get it exact, so that insulin is always in my body. For example, if it lasts 8 hours, I'll time my next shot 8 hours from the first so that I get new insulin into the body just as the previous insulin is about to wear off.

- At the moment I'm injecting Actrapid & Insulatard twice a day (Morning & Night) and was just wondering if this was normal? I often hear people talking about injecting after every meal or more than 2-3x a day.


Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
 
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hanadr

Expert
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I agree you need to do some studying. THE book is Dr. Bernstein's diabetes Solution.
Pretty much all you will need to know is in there somewhere.
 
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Vanchatron

Active Member
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26
Had a look through those links but couldn't find anything which helps me to answer the above questions. E.g. I still need to know how long I need to wait before taking another shot of insulin, whether to start injecting after every meal, whether to test my blood just twice a day or more etc.
 
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tubolard

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The GP may have some sample monitors from the manufacturers but I don't think the doctor can prescribe a new blood glucose monitor - I think these have to be purchased or you can try and blag one from a vendor. There's a link on the home page for a "competition" for a free Bayer monitor.

Not being a T1 I can't help you as to when you should test.
 
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bonerp

Well-Known Member
Messages
398
I agree with Sarah. There are a few charts knocking around that show duration times of insulin. Diabetes UK can post you one. This may help.

As for testing, as a type one on insulin, Id suggest at least prior to every mealtime to understand whats going on again. Maybe even a couple of time during the night until you get good control.

If you dont feel your insulin is doing what you want it to do then you will need to have a chat with ur Specialist diabetic nurse.

Speak to her about carb counting too. That should help with a good insulin regime.

You'll note I wont be any more specific and nor should anyone else on here.

Good luck
paul
 
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