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Diabetes support

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Original poster

Diabetes chat - general

455 replies

Oblomov · 29/07/2014 20:30

wow. new topic. cool.
I am a type 1, since aged 1, so 40 years. I have had a pump for the last 10.
Any questions, please ask. I am ALWAYS Happy to help.

OP posts:
SpottyTeacakes · 17/06/2015 19:32

It wasn't hot at 8:30 this morning. I wish I could be micro managed until it's all worked out I'm finding it really hard!

hoxty · 17/06/2015 19:49

Is there anyone you can ring?

SpottyTeacakes · 17/06/2015 19:51

We're meeting again next Thursday. What I need to do is some fasting but I really struggle without coffee Blush

hoxty · 17/06/2015 20:44

If you have plain black coffee with no milk/sugar that could work!

SpottyTeacakes · 17/06/2015 20:49

I know but I like my coffee milky! Mmmm coffee. I'm really jealous of your hba1c

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 08:00

hoxty do you think it could be my period? I don't usually have them but have recently come off my depo injection wondering if that could be causing my hypo after breakfast as it's happened again this morning AngrySad

LinzerTorte · 18/06/2015 11:25

That sounds really hard, Spotty. We asked DD1's consultant if periods could affect her blood sugar and he said he'd never heard of it happening, but the verdict in one of the FB groups was almost unanimous - that periods do affect your glucose levels.

DD1's blood sugar has been really up and down (but more up) ever since she got back from her residential last week. The residential went well, we stopped her basal the night before she went away as instructed by her consultant and she didn't need any insulin at all by the end of the week, but she's needing a lot more again now. The fact that she's had a bad cold hasn't helped either.

The rep from the pump company came for a couple of hours yesterday to demonstrate the pump to us. DD1 tried out the steel catheter but found it quite painful, so we're hoping the teflon one will be better - it certainly looks easier to insert. She'll be going into hospital on Monday; it's quite good timing actually, as I feel like we really need some help with adjusting her insulin dose.

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 11:28

Sounds like she's over the honeymoon period. I have a Teflon cannula with an insertion device. It doesn't hurt at all. I'm fasting today, last ate just before 8 and can't eat until 6. Well I can but it needs to be carb free, will treat myself to some cucumber and cheese for lunch Hmm

LinzerTorte · 18/06/2015 11:55

Hmm, I don't know; the honeymoon period didn't start all that long ago and they said at the hospital that it could well last for up to a year as her diabetes was picked up fairly early - although I do know that it only lasts a few weeks in some people.

I think it's more due to the fact that she wasn't having any basal insulin (after the residential) until last night. Maybe I've been a bit too cautious about reintroducing it and should have done so sooner.

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 16:52

My fasting readings today went:

5
7
10
10
12
13
17

Argh! I did eat some cheese and olives but that's it. I've upped each hour by 0.1u so will see what happens.

LinzerTorte · 18/06/2015 17:56

I wonder why they're going up? As the insulin wears off?

I don't know what to make of DD1's levels; she was quite high (not hyper but higher than target range) three hours after breakfast and lunch, but didn't corrected and by the time she had her next meal (1-2 hours later) she'd dropped quite a lot (lower than target range but not quite hypo). That makes me think her basal must be too high, but she only had 2 units yesterday night and nothing this morning.

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 18:13

Mine won't be wearing off as the pump puts some in every three minutes. It's just not right which is frustrating.

It does sound like your dd's basal is too high. The best way to find out is to do some fasting readings (or eat carb free for a meal if she can't fast). It's crap but really is the only way to be sure, I find.

LinzerTorte · 18/06/2015 18:20

Oh, of course. So sounds like you're doing the right thing by gradually upping the insulin.

Maybe I'll leave off the basal tonight then, but perhaps make sure she boluses a bit more at mealtimes. It's a fine art! Probably not worth doing fasting atm when it will all change again on Monday; we've been told to stop the basal on Sunday.

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 18:35

Oh yes good point. It's all about to change anyway!

MrsCampbellBlack · 18/06/2015 22:18

Evening! DS had clinic today and his hba1c was 38! Was 77 at last appointment 7 weeks ago but they've said it is unlikely we'll maintain these levels once honeymoon is over.

Linzer - I thought hormones/puberty were a massive factor in glucose levels.

Spotty - what does your team think?

SpottyTeacakes · 18/06/2015 22:25

MrsCB do you know what that is in old money?! We still do hba1c's in %

I haven't spoken to my team Grin I'll see them Thursday but I need to learn to do it myself really. I'll see how breakfast goes tomorrow.

LinzerTorte · 19/06/2015 08:20

HbA1cs are in % here too, but I've no idea what DD1's was when she was admitted to hospital - or even since - really must ask. Aha, think I've found it on her blood test results: 134 in mmol/mol or 14.5%. So that sounds like a good result, MrsCB (have just checked and it's 5.6, so really good).

I know that there are so many things that can affect blood sugar, but it just seems like too much of a coincidence that DD1's levels were consistently low before she went on her residential and now we just can't seem to get her back on track. Mind you, her cold probably isn't helping - and maybe it's all due to that rather than the fact that we're having to readjust to her needing insulin again after 2 or 3 days without any.

hoxty · 19/06/2015 21:33

Period could absolutely have an effect spotty, how are things now? Tho from those readings I'd be pushing your basal up like you are. Did you have your appointment? I know nothing about pumps tho...

SpottyTeacakes · 20/06/2015 09:10

My appts Thursday. Readings are still all over the place but I'm sure I'll get there...

paddyclampo · 20/06/2015 21:08

God I have to have my a1c in old money too!! Periods DEF have an effect on my levels, as does ovulation, and just about everything else really!!!!

My levels have been quite stable this last week, despite having an op involving a general anaesthetic :)

No doubt it will all go pear shaped this week!!

How are you feeling today Spotty?

SpottyTeacakes · 20/06/2015 21:12

Well I went out last night to the races and despite feeling a bit worse for wear today have been 6's and 7's. I've eaten rubbish too Confused

I swear it gets more complicated the better you try to control it!

MrsCampbellBlack · 24/06/2015 18:23

How's things Spotty?

DS has been poorly since Saturday - cough and high temperatures which of course means his levels have been high for him.

He was hardly ever ill before diabetes - does it in your experience mean more colds and coughs?

He's got a very big week next week as it all his leavers stuff from school (yr 6) and I want him to enjoy it.

And I won't dwell on the fact that the children break up next week for 2 months and I really needed to be in work this week.

SpottyTeacakes · 24/06/2015 18:33

No I don't get more ill.

Once he's more used to his diabetes he will be able to deal with illness better. For example you can increase the basal by x% to keep it under control.

I'm doing fine had a really painful cannula insertion earlier and not sure if I should change the site. It feels bruised but I'll ask tomorrow. Think my levels dropping but I weighed my jacket potato and everything so it shouldn't be! Off I go to test for the eighth time today...

SpottyTeacakes · 24/06/2015 18:35

Nope 5.7. I'm obv just being grumpy Grin

LinzerTorte · 24/06/2015 20:12

Spotty How's the site now? I seem to be remember being told that if it's still painful after about half an hour, we should change the site.

MrsCB I was wondering about increased coughs & colds too. DD1 is virtually never ill, had a grand total of two days off (two separate years) in primary school and hadn't missed a day of middle school until her diagnosis, but has just had a really nasty cold and was off for three days. Am sure it's just a coincidence, but I'm sure I read somewhere that DC can be more susceptible to illnesses after being diagnosed with diabetes.

DD1 is now on day 3 of the pump; it's taking a lot more getting used to than I was expecting (she was really looking forward to it, but yesterday was talking about going back to pens), but she switched the site this morning to one at the front from one at the back, which she found quite uncomfortable, and seems to be more positive about it all now. I'm very impressed at all the things the pump can do, especially the bolus wizard.

I've more or less given up on being able to work much until September. DD1 will have to be in hospital for up to two weeks and I'm with her every morning and as much of the afternoon as I can manage, then the DC break up next week and will be off until the second week in September. At least I can turn work down as I'm freelance, but am just worried that customers won't come back if I take 11 weeks off.