One of the “fun” things about being so glucose sensitive, is that whenever my blood sugar is off, I get some kind of weird infection. That is also true of whenever I come off of antibotics, so add the two together, and I have a lovely cold sore — first one I have ever had.
ARGH!
I got my graduation packet today, and I have filled everything out that I know how to fill out. I’m going to take it to school tomorrow, and once I have all the rest of the information I need, I’m going to fill it out, make copies, and then mail it after school.
It needs to be return receipt.
Oh, and in case you don’t know — I should be finishing a Master of Science from the University of North Texas, majoring in Computer Education and Congitive Studies.
Basically an education degree, though we focus on using technology.
I’m not real happy with this insulin at this point, but I AM a guinea pig, and I’m not real sure it is a problem.
BUT I’ve had to up my carb ratios from 10-1 to 8-1 and from 9-1 to 7-1. I’ve also had to up my correction factor from 32 to 26.
I’ve also had to increase all my basal rates by .1 units.
That all means I’m taking more insulin. Like I said though, I’m not sure it is a problem, since I’m comparing Apples to Oranges. In other words, the reason that this insulin takes more insulin, is that it is not quite as effective as Novolog.
Note: don’t take this gospel, your mileage may indeed vary, but it does show that all insulins are not quite equal.
It does seem to work faster in the long run though, which I think is a good thing.
Other good things: Sites last much longer. A good thing, since I am sending more insulin through the site.
I honestly think most of the issue is user error, but then I’ve only use the One Touch Ultra Meters a few times and weren’t happy with how they operated then.
Items for the Week: LifeScan Announces Worldwide Correction Concerning Certain Blood Glucose Meters
Required reading for anyone who gets excited over islet cell research.
He does an excellent job of explaining all the issues and is very readible.
Dr. Andy: Living pancreatic islet cell donation
Living pancreatic islet cell donation
I finally broke down and changed my basal rates by 0.05 every time period.
I just am not getting the control with the Apidra that I had with the Novolog.
I’ve tweaked slowly — first thing I did was to back down the IOB to 3.0 hours — 3.5 worked fine with Novalog.
Then I tweaked the carb ratios, dropping them. I can see what is happening with carb ratios the easiest.
Then I dropped correction factor, but I’m actually seeing an increase in blood sugar during periods when I should have very little insulin in my system.
So now I’ve increased the basal rates.
My sites seem to be lasting longer with Apidra. My site usually starts itching a bit on day two, and this one hasn’t been. I’m going to try 3 days with this one and see how it goes.
I definately use more insulin with Apidra, and I’m having trouble getting things set right.
I’m not sure if it is the Apridra though, or the external stress I’m going through.
After three days on Apidra I can start commenting intelligently.
It doesn’t seem to really do anything for the first hour, but appears
to be gone within 3 hours. I’ve got my IOB (Animas 1250) set to 3
hours, and that seems to work best.
I had site reactions with humalog, and could always feel large boluses
go in with Novolog but I don’t seem to feel Apidra.
At first I thought I was going to have to change my basals, but things
smoothed out pretty quickly — changing the IOB to 3 did the most
good.
Also another good lesson — remember to change things one at a time!
Infinitely more useful than the Food Pyramid thing.
New “Lifestyle” Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes: A Newsmaker Interview
In the new recommendations, 40% of daily calories come from carbohydrates; 20% to 30% from protein (except in the presence of renal disease); 30% to 35% from fat, (mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fats); and the diet consists of a minimum of 20 to 35 g of fiber. By reducing daily caloric intake by 250 to 500 calories, individuals should be able to lose one pound every one to two weeks. Total daily caloric intake should be at least 1,000 to 1,200 for women and 1,200 to 1,600 for men. To maintain or increase lean body mass, the guidelines recommend a target of 60 to 90 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, including cardiovascular, stretching, and resistance activities most days of the week, with a minimum of 150 to 175 minutes weekly.
Diabetes Mine: The ADA vs. Dr. Bernstein
I’m commenting on a Diabetes Mine post.
I’ve done Atkins and I’ve done Bernstein. My food service here in Dallas will do protein only and low carb meals if I want, but they get boring fast. I compromise and do about half the carbs that the ADA recommends.
Both my sister and a good friend at work have lost quite a bit of weight, are healthier, etc. since they have done Atkins.
I will say, though, that as long as you are on shots, you won’t get as good as control as you would with the pump.