Hi All. My name is Chris, I'm 27 and have had type 1 diabetes for 12 years with control that has been 'up and down' but mostly stabalised now. I am hoping for some advice on how other people with type 1 diabetes deal with irregular eating patterns and how they achieve accurate blood sugar readings.
I'm a self employed musician and my work often means that I have irregular meal times etc which is why a few years ago I switched onto a Basal Bolus regime a few years ago. Since an appointment with my specialist on Monday I was informed that DVLA now require diabetics to check their blood before every car journey - this is something I've half done in the past but not before every journey. I am slightly concerned that if I eat for example my lunch at 12;30 and then have to drive at 14:00, my blood sugar reading will still be slightly higher as a result of my lunch - and also how this could be perceived by the DVLA medic team. I now do 4 blood readings per day, adding in a check before every single car journey (sometimes including long distances stopping every 2 hours) this will probably take me to 10 readings per day and with them all being at different times - will not provide an overall well controlled picture of my diabetic control. Is there anybody else out there who has a similar lifestyle and is slightly worried about this as is concerns me greatly - having a driving license is absolutely essential for me to continue in my career!
Another slightly concerning note is the recent news that diabetics could be limited to 2 blood test strips per day - how is it possible to achieve an accurate pattern of control - do all pre driving tests on 2 strips per day?!?!
Any advice anybody has would be gratefully received.
Many thanks in advance - Chris
I'm a self employed musician and my work often means that I have irregular meal times etc which is why a few years ago I switched onto a Basal Bolus regime a few years ago. Since an appointment with my specialist on Monday I was informed that DVLA now require diabetics to check their blood before every car journey - this is something I've half done in the past but not before every journey. I am slightly concerned that if I eat for example my lunch at 12;30 and then have to drive at 14:00, my blood sugar reading will still be slightly higher as a result of my lunch - and also how this could be perceived by the DVLA medic team. I now do 4 blood readings per day, adding in a check before every single car journey (sometimes including long distances stopping every 2 hours) this will probably take me to 10 readings per day and with them all being at different times - will not provide an overall well controlled picture of my diabetic control. Is there anybody else out there who has a similar lifestyle and is slightly worried about this as is concerns me greatly - having a driving license is absolutely essential for me to continue in my career!
Another slightly concerning note is the recent news that diabetics could be limited to 2 blood test strips per day - how is it possible to achieve an accurate pattern of control - do all pre driving tests on 2 strips per day?!?!
Any advice anybody has would be gratefully received.
Many thanks in advance - Chris