Type 1: Carb counting frustration [emoji35]

[LauraR88]

So, as I've mentioned before I've pulled my head out the sand to deal with my diabetes properly. However I feel like everything I'm trying to do in order to improve my results and prevent any complications, I'm just coming up against a brick wall!

I started to carb count a couple months ago and it worked out 1u to every 10g carbs. My DN then gave me the expert meter last week to work out bloods, units and carbs, however, ever since having it i am yet to be in range it's really getting me down. Now I don't even know where to start to correct things and I don't get to see my dietician till 19th Dec!

What do I do? Other than giving up!

 

[tim2000s]

Hey @LauraR88 - first up. Never give up! That's the first rule of Type 1

Second, go take a look at BERTiE Online. Hopefully it will give you some help in getting on top of things and understanding what and how to approach what you're struggling with. It's not just about the foods, but knowing about how you deal with them, and hopefully it will give you some tips!

 

[slip]

Have you done a basal test? if your basal foundation isn't correct then you'll be fighting it all the time.

Can you not phone your DSN and run through some results - your bolus ratios might just need tweaking?

Until you get a good handle on things it's always best to keep copious notes - for you to refer to next time you have such and such a meal you can always learn from your past experiences - I won't call them 'mistakes' but learning opportunities instead!

the notes will also give your DSN more to go on when decided if something needs changing.

 

[LauraR88]

I have done a basal check and apparently it's spot on.

I don't tend to eat many different things (as boring as that sounds!) so ive compared what I've eaten recently to what I've eaten before and just don't understand where I am going wrong it's so frustrating

 

[slip]

It is frustrating as there's so many variables involved - oh and the alignment of the planets too!

Exercise? might that have some baring on things? or Stress?

say you go to the gym on Monday, Tuesday lunch time you have cheese on toast and dose accordingly and the result later is spot on, so cheese on toast the next day and use the same dose as before but this time you end up higher than expected, it could be because you didn't go to the gym on Tuesday (the nearest I get to Gym is Big Jim down the pub! So I blame him) Joking apart it's patterns like this that could help.

 

[noblehead]

I started to carb count a couple months ago and it worked out 1u to every 10g carbs.

The I:C ratio can change from meal to meal, so for example you might use a 1:8 ratio on a morning compared to a 1:12 ratio on a evening.

I have done a basal check and apparently it's spot on.

Well that's good, you now know it's your I:C ratio or carb counting skills (or both), if you find your high postprandial but are back in range pre-prandial then you need to look at your bolus timings.

 

[LauraR88]

Your not going to believe this, so after posting about this yesterday, getting myself in a tizzy, frustrating myself ,............ I went to take my bloods after my lunch and then again at tea time, to find that they were completely in range! Bearing in mind I have done nothing different to the days before I'm more confused that ever haha.

Please excuse my ignorance, but by post prandial and pre prandial do you mean before and after meals?

 

[noblehead]

Please excuse my ignorance, but by post prandial and pre prandial do you mean before and after meals?

Yes, pre is before food and post is after.

Pleased your having a better day today

 

[slip]

that's not Murphy's law or even Sods law - it's T1Ds law, a law unto itself!

It can work the other way too! have a great week or 2 always within range and post about it, and as soon as you hit the post button your sugar levels sky rocket!

 

[LauraR88]

@slip you couldn't be anymore spot on! Haha T1Ds really is a law unto itself, I'm finding that out the rough way!