is there any other alternative to injecting insulin too frequently?
Greg
than I do.
So, if anybody has a suugestion, please let me know. I would
appreciate it very much.
I take insulin shots as prescribed. Seems like it works pretty well.
NovoLog, FlexPen about 2-6 units before meals.
and
Levemir FlexPen about 14 units before going to sleep.
So, when I am ready to eat I take 2-6 units of NovoLog, depending on
how much of carbs I will have in the meal.
If I will have a lot of carbs, I will take number of units more close
to 6 units.
If I will have a little of carbs, I will take number of units more
close to 2 units.
Nature of my work impies that I have to think a lot and concentrate a
lot. This makes me feel like I need some either the sweets or just
some snack with carbs. So, I do that, but I have to inject some
insulin. If I do not eat some snack, I can not work.
Problem is that it happens too frequently. It is like I had some
snack, injected 2 units, worked about 30 minutes- 1 hour and now it
seems my body wants another snack.
It makes me feel almost like my brain was used to slow down my
bycicle.
But instead of pressing my foot on the asphalt to slow up the bike, it
is my brain that was performing what my foot should?
So, my question is, is there a way other than what I do to handle this
situation?
I know if I do not inject insulin my glucose level will jump to
180-200.
This is not good.
I know if I do not eat the snack, I can not do my work.
This is not good either.
So, what is the solution?
jamesmichael2
I underwent similar problems for many years. Retiring a few years ago
helped a great deal (I understand you may not have that option), but I also
now use an insulin pump and that makes things easier and better control is
frequently achieved (again, a pump may not be an option for you, but if it
is I recommend that you consider using one). Good luck.
Jim Michael
T1 41 years
jamesm...@cox.net
"Greg" <tent...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fbd613be-0e52-474f...@g23g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
Nico Kadel-Garcia
> Probably there is some way to handle this situation in a different way
> than I do.
> So, if anybody has a suugestion, please let me know. I would
> appreciate it very much.
>
> I take insulin shots as prescribed. Seems like it works pretty well.
> NovoLog, FlexPen about 2-6 units before meals.
> and
> Levemir FlexPen about 14 units before going to sleep.
>
> So, when I am ready to eat I take 2-6 units of NovoLog, depending on
> how much of carbs I will have in the meal.
> If I will have a lot of carbs, I will take number of units more close
> to 6 units.
> If I will have a little of carbs, I will take number of units more
> close to 2 units.
>
> Nature of my work impies that I have to think a lot and concentrate a
> lot. This makes me feel like I need some either the sweets or just
> some snack with carbs. So, I do that, but I have to inject some
> insulin. If I do not eat some snack, I can not work.
First, you sound like you need an insulin pump. Second, if you need
the sweets because your blood sugar is low, and you can verify this
with a glucose test, do *NOT* take insulin with them. Eat a healthy
snack, like fruit. It'll keep your satisfied longer, and by eating a
smaller snack you should be able to juggle it against the
hypoglycemia, rather than over-compensating and getting into a
positive feedback loop.
> Problem is that it happens too frequently. It is like I had some
> snack, injected 2 units, worked about 30 minutes- 1 hour and now it
> seems my body wants another snack.
You've turned yourself into a reactive hypoglycemic. Cut the insulin!
On an insulin pump, I'd "raise the carb ratio". And an insulin pump,
you can manage boluses for snacks down to 1/10 of a unit, which is
very hepful indeed.
> It makes me feel almost like my brain was used to slow down my
> bycicle.
> But instead of pressing my foot on the asphalt to slow up the bike, it
> is my brain that was performing what my foot should?
>
> So, my question is, is there a way other than what I do to handle this
> situation?
>
> I know if I do not inject insulin my glucose level will jump to
> 180-200.
> This is not good.
No, but how low is your blood sugar getting? If it's dropping well
below 80, that's *worse*.
> I know if I do not eat the snack, I can not do my work.
> This is not good either.
>
> So, what is the solution?
Test when you feel low. Adjust the insulin dose down, even to zero,
and maybe eat better snacks that don't kick so hard.
Julie Bove
"Greg" <tent...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fbd613be-0e52-474f...@g23g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
Well... I take a heck of a lot more insulin than you do. But not the same
kind. I take Novolog with meals. Normally I eat only lunch and dinner.
Most Saturdays I do eat lunch because we go out for lunch with my parents.
But I don't always have a full meal. Sometimes it is just a green salad and
some whole pinto or black beans. During the week, I find that I need a
snack between breakfast and dinner. I normally eat my breakfast around 8
and don't have dinner till 6 or after. My normal snack is peanut butter
filled pretzels. I eat about half a serving of them. I do not inject any
insulin. I also have a snack before bed and do not inject any fast acting
insulin.
Just curious... Are you testing your BG before you eat your snack? If so,
what is it? Because my thinking is that it is probably too high to start
with.
Maybe you need to change your snacks to something less carby. Nuts, meat,
cheese, eggs, olives and non-starchy vegetables.
Nicky
wrote:
>It makes me feel almost like my brain was used to slow down my
>bycicle.
>But instead of pressing my foot on the asphalt to slow up the bike, it
>is my brain that was performing what my foot should?
I'm a Type 2 on d&e, so I have no opinion on your snack/insulin
dilemma - but I do know that when I'm studying or thinking hard for
some other reason, I have a similar issue. I tend to take chocolate
into exams - might as well capitalise on it :P - and to keep a low
carb protein snack like nuts handy for other times; the protein
supplies a slow trickle rather than a fast carb hit, which my body can
cope with.
Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 150ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.2% BMI 26
Greg
Checked glucose level----->90. Will test during the day when I have
same "fried, dry brain" feeling.
<<do *NOT* take insulin with them.>>----->
Maybe 90 for me is too low? If I take a fruit without insulin. Would
1 (one) apple be a good choice?
> On an insulin pump>>
How much Is pump itself?
How much is maintenance? What is involved? Is it implanted via
surgery?
Is it permanently inside your body?
How do you feel it up?
For how long you have yours?
How much are cost of supplies?
Can you give me an idea?
> No, but how low is your blood sugar getting? If it's dropping well
> below 80, that's *worse*.
It does sometime but very infrequently. But this "fried, dry brain"
feeling I have during working day. I almost sure that 90% of these
times my blood shugar is either normal, (between 80 and 120) or maybe
even a little above 120. (like 140s)
> Test when you feel low. Adjust the insulin dose down, even to zero,
> and maybe eat better snacks that don't kick so hard.
You mean try to eat just a snack. like an apple, withhout making a
shot. Right?
Julie Bove
>> Second, if you need the sweets because your blood sugar is low, and you
>> can verify this
>> with a glucose test ---> I just came to work. NO food taken yet.
>> Already have this "fried, dry brain" feeling.
> Checked glucose level----->90. Will test during the day when I have
> same "fried, dry brain" feeling.
>
> <<do *NOT* take insulin with them.>>----->
> Maybe 90 for me is too low? If I take a fruit without insulin. Would
> 1 (one) apple be a good choice?
No. Apples have carbs. Ask your Dr. what your range should be. Mine
should be 90 to 130. 90 is not a hypo but my BG can drop rapidly from
there.
I have never had a fried, dry brain feeling. What are you eating for meals?
Are you drinking enough water/liquids?
>
>
>> On an insulin pump>>
> How much Is pump itself?
> How much is maintenance? What is involved? Is it implanted via
> surgery?
> Is it permanently inside your body?
> How do you feel it up?
> For how long you have yours?
> How much are cost of supplies?
> Can you give me an idea?
Can't answer this but likely not something you could afford without
insurance.
>
>> No, but how low is your blood sugar getting? If it's dropping well
>> below 80, that's *worse*.
>
> It does sometime but very infrequently. But this "fried, dry brain"
> feeling I have during working day. I almost sure that 90% of these
> times my blood shugar is either normal, (between 80 and 120) or maybe
> even a little above 120. (like 140s)
Hmmm... Strange. Unless perhaps you went from a really high number and
dropped rapidly.
>
>
>> Test when you feel low. Adjust the insulin dose down, even to zero,
>> and maybe eat better snacks that don't kick so hard.
>
> You mean try to eat just a snack. like an apple, withhout making a
> shot. Right?
No. Not like an apple. Something without many carbs.
Nicky
wrote:
>> Second, if you need the sweets because your blood sugar is low, and you can verify this
>> with a glucose test ---> I just came to work. NO food taken yet. Already have this "fried, dry brain" feeling.
>Checked glucose level----->90. Will test during the day when I have
>same "fried, dry brain" feeling.
>
><<do *NOT* take insulin with them.>>----->
>Maybe 90 for me is too low? If I take a fruit without insulin. Would
>1 (one) apple be a good choice?
About 17g carbs, depending on size / variety. Quite a carby snack, for
me - I tend to take an apple on a walk.
Peppermint Patootie
Nicky <ukc802...@btconnect.com> wrote:
> I tend to take an apple on a walk.
I take an apple with me when I work out at the gym. After my workout, I
take my first bite of the apple as I'm going out the gym doors. That is
the best apple I've ever eaten, every time. ;-)
PP
Steve Hopkins
"Greg" <tent...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f6cdb89b-ef76-4134...@k17g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
>> can verify this
>> with a glucose test ---> I just came to work. NO food taken yet.
>> Already have this "fried, dry brain" feeling.
> Checked glucose level----->90. Will test during the day when I have
> same "fried, dry brain" feeling.
if you aren't testing prior, you might have been quite high and hitting 90
would give you that feeling (ie: hypo - brain fog feeling)
>
> <<do *NOT* take insulin with them.>>----->
> Maybe 90 for me is too low? If I take a fruit without insulin. Would
> 1 (one) apple be a good choice?
see above, if you've been running too high then 90 would feel like being
too low. yes a small apple would be a better choice. but you need to
test to know for sure.
>
>
>> On an insulin pump>>
> How much Is pump itself?
Depends on the pump. there are a few out there. Animas and Mimimed
are the two most popular. They run about $6500.00 US. They are available
in all countries. If you have insurance and meet their criteria then they
will
pay for one with a letter of medical neccesity from your doctor.
> How much is maintenance? No maintenance.
What is involved? - You change the infusion set every 3-4 days and that's
about it.
Is it implanted via > surgery? - No.
> Is it permanently inside your body? - No
> How do you feel it up? - By a reservior that connects to the infusion set
that is inserted by an special injector made for the infusion set you use.
Inset
infusion sets have the injector built in which is very easy to use.
> For how long you have yours? - I've been pumping 14yrs now. Just received
the latest Animas PING pump that links up to my meter. Which is very nice.
I
test my glucose and hit the "bolus" button and everything is pre-programmed
into
my meter and pump. I don't have to manually tell my pump how much insulin I
need now, my meter does that for me and sends the command to my pump as
well. Very smooth!
> How much are cost of supplies? - Depends on who you use to get your
> supplies.
Mine are FREE because of the service that I use. after my insurance $500
deductible
a year, the service that I use pays my 20% that I would normally have to
pay. But
otherwise, figure costs of $300-$500 depending on how many times you change
your
sets and type of sets you decide to use.
> Can you give me an idea?
>
>> No, but how low is your blood sugar getting? If it's dropping well
>> below 80, that's *worse*.
>
> It does sometime but very infrequently. But this "fried, dry brain"
> feeling I have during working day. I almost sure that 90% of these
> times my blood shugar is either normal, (between 80 and 120) or maybe
> even a little above 120. (like 140s)
>
>
>> Test when you feel low. Adjust the insulin dose down, even to zero,
>> and maybe eat better snacks that don't kick so hard.
>
> You mean try to eat just a snack. like an apple, withhout making a
> shot. Right?
HTH.
Steve H.
T1