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Type 1 Diabetic Needs Help

J

Jimmy37

Active Member
Messages
30
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
watching arsenal loose
I have been a diabetic for 21yrs Type 1. I am taking Humalin M3 Insulin. I am also taking Remopril 2.5mg I also take Lumgen eye drops every night. I take 50 units of Insulin in the morning and 50 units at night. At my last eye screening exam my doctor told me that I had severe diabetic retinopathy and might need laser eye surgery. But before they could be sure he wanted me to have a fluroscreen test. I went back 4 weeks after for the fluroscreen test and the test showed that i did have some bleeding on the eye. I asked my doctor if I needed laser treatment and he responded by saying that the bleeds are not affecting my central vision. I then told him that recently I had eye floaters. I was then told that eye floaters can happen and that all I need to do is keep my sugar levels under control. I do not know what to do the floaters are still there.

After that I started to excerice at the Gym about 3-4 times per week doing only cardio for 45 mins. I did start having some Hypos at night but I was fully aware and woke up to ensure I bread and banana.

Just over a week ago things got really bad. I woke up took my Blood Sugar levels and it was 4.9. I then had my breakfast (2 slices of toast and tea - no sugar) after about 4 hours i then took my blood sugar levels again and it was 11.9. I then took another shot of insulin (this time 30 units). after 2 hours I had lunch tuna sandwich and can of diet drink. I then went to Gym about 5 hours after. After the Gym I had 2 bananas and a orange. I then checked my blood sugar levels and it was 12.9, so I decided to take another shot of insulin 50 units this time. I went to bed.

I had a very serious Hypo my blood sugar fell below 1.8 and I last consciousness during my sleep. My wife said I had two seizures and my breathing started to go very shallow as if I was slipping into a coma. My wife called the Ambulance and thank God they brought me back.

After going to the Hospital the Diabetic Nurse Specialist told me that I should not have taken 50 units of Insulin anymore and that I should reduce it to about 40 units twice a day and I should be taking my insulin 30-45 mins before meals. They even gave me a chart to show the effects of Humalin M3 and how it works.

I started to follow the instructions of my Diabetic team hoping to regain some control. I went back to the Gym and decided to make sure I eat carbs before the Gym and tested my blood sugar levels. My first visit to the Gym is I tested my blood sugar and it was 11.5. I did 45 mins cardio after the Gym my blood sugar fell to 3.9. I then had two small oranges at the Gym. When I went home I had a bowl of cornflakes and a slice of bread. I took my insulin 35 units 4 hours after the Gym and had my dinner (chicken breast, wholegrain rice and Quinea). I checked my blood sugar level before bed and it was 1.9 so I decided to have banana, two slices of wholemeal bread and milk). I woke up about 2am and because I felt funny in my sleep I checked my blood sugar levels again and it was 1.8. I then repeated what I did earlier but this time I had some sweats, and 2 Rich Tea biscuits and a cup of tea with sugar. I then checked again after 30 mins and it went up to 5.5

Woke up today tested my blood sugar was 4.4. Took my insulin 35 units and had my breakfast ( 2 slices of toast and tea without sugar) I checked my blood sugar levels 3 hours after breakfast and it was 12.9. I do not know what I am doing wrong.

This why I am so confused because I do not know what my Diabetes is doing anymore. I was sure that after eating my dinner with had carbs that my blood sugar levels would be a bit higher than 1.9. If there is anyone who can advice me on what is wrong that would be great.

Thanks and Sorry for the long text.
 
Hi,

you would benefit greatly from a multiple daily injection regime..............

some people can work well with a mixed twice a day regime, but their activity levels, diet are very restricted and their response to illness etc is a struggle.....

is the regime I mentioned something you have heard about?

having a quick acting analogue insulin to deal with food gives a much more accurate, quicker and reliable effect on blood sugar, meaning you can fine tune your insulin intake to match whatever food you are eating, or not, if you don't feel like eating.....
 

Thanks for the information. I never heard of a quick acting insulin. I have always been on Humalin M3 twice a day. Do you have any suggestion. I am due for Diabetic check within the next two weeks. Should I bring it up with my Diabetic Nurse?
 
With the trouble you've been having, I'd certainly bring up MDI with your DSN - and also a DAFNE course (or equivalent).

The quick acting insulin (bolus insulin) gives you the freedom to eat as much or as little as you want but you must be able to carb count and work out how much bolus insulin to give for those carbs.

Long acting (basal) insulin is the background insulin which is taken once or twice each day.
 

Sorry for being stupid but what is a MDI
 
MDI is multiple daily injections. You take one or two basal injections each day and a bolus injection every time you eat carbs.
 
hi, I've been diabetic around 25 years I too am on humilin m3, I did try after being convinced to go on multiple injections after a couple years I couldn't get on with it lost alot of weight, I was also on 40/50 units morning and evening, I was eating alot having hypos etc, iam back on Humilin m3 feel alot better iam on half the insulin I was on, and slowly increase if i need, iam not the best control at the min hba1c at 10 I drink and smoke, you could try lowering your humiln m3 abit, then have the odd unit of nova rapid etc if sugars high or your eating extra etc
 
a quick rundown on MDI -- this is a regime where you take a long acting insulin ( lantus or levemir )
either once or twice a day -- this provides the background cover to keep your blood sugars stable whether you eat or not

then a fast acting insulin ( novorapid ) is taken at meal times and is matched by dose to the amount of carbohydrate that is consumed at the meal

care of Type ! d's Has progressed over the last 15-20 years and it is surprising you are still taking a 2 shot per day routine.
I am sure your D care team will have discussed this with you but it would be worth enquiring about changing to MDI
and you need to then get on a carbohydrate counting course ( DAFNE )

this method gives more control compared to twice daily mixed insulin injections which require more adherance to a daily regime.
hope this helps @Jimmy37
 
Thanks for all the help and info. I am due to go and see my Diabetic Care Team within the next two weeks. I will mention this to them. Do they just swap your insulin or do they have to do test before giving you new insulin.
 
unfortunately they will probably just write you a new prescription along with a 10 minute explanation -- but given your post you won;t be any worse off and now you have found us -- we can help with the changeover ( and them as back up )
 
Hi. As a T1 I would have expected you to be on MDI. My DN 2 years ago put me straight onto it after tablets. If agreed the team should be able to just swap you straight onto the two new insulins. It does mean 1 or 2 more injections but it's worth it as it gives you fine control. I think you may be having too many carbs? You mention bananas a lot. I can understand having them to help recover from a hypo but best avoided apart from that.
 
@Jimmy37, no experience of the insulin you are using but I agree with the other members that MDI (basal/bolus) would be a better insulin regime as you can best match it to the food you eat, plus you can take a bolus reduced dose prior to exercising.

Regards to your retinopathy, you should ask for guidance from your HCP's about improving your HbA1c as sudden tightening of bg control can make retinopathy worse, have a good read of the following website as it has a wealth of information on diabetic retinopathy:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html
 
I checked my blood sugar level at 10pm last night 2 1/2 hours after my meal and it was 13.9. I woke up this morning and it was 2.9. I took 35 units of Humalin M3 at 7pm and then had Dinner at 7:45. I do not understand what is going on with my Diabetes. Can anyone help with some advice. Would having 2.9 blood sugar level be considered has a Hypo.
 
Below 4 is hypo. I honestly think that you should ask your DSN about MDI. You'd have much better control when you got adjusted to it.
 
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