Re: Frustrated

[Guest guest]

Hi - Thanks for all your information. I have only been on

the Lantus for one week and Novalog two days. I am figuring out how

much insulin I need in order to eat the meal and then if my bg is

high, I have to figure out that factor to. I hear you about the

food. Yes I realize I will still have to figure out the calculations

with the pump, I just think it would make my life easier in that I

would have to constantly be giving myself shots and caring needles

with me even though the pen is pretty convenient. I have been doing

a lot of reading about the pump and a friend of mine has one and

shown me how it works.

Thanks for all your information. It was very helpful.

> << I am so frustrated that I have to figure out how much insulin I

> need when I eat and if my sugar level needs to be adjusted. >>

>

> Hi ,

>

> I understand your feelings of frustration. When I was diagnosed, I

> felt as if I would never be able to adjust to these increased

> responsibilities that were placed upon me -- and that I *had* to

take

> care of, no matter how much I might have objected. Actually, for

me,

> learning how to properly dose insulin was the easy part (I didn't

mind

> the injections, the frequent monitoring of my BGs, or any of the

steps

> involved in that aspect of my self-management); the *difficult* part

> was figuring out what I could and couldn't eat, particularly the

> realization that going forward, I would need to give that degree of

> focus and attention to the food that I ate every day. I was so

> frightened when I left the hospital, because I was convinced that I

> would never be able to put this food puzzle together properly. It's

> funny -- I was actually thinking about this just the other day. It

> will be seven years since my diagnosis (I'm T1) in September. For

> seven years, there hasn't been a single day when I haven't carefully

> planned and calculated my meals. I didn't think I would be able to

do

> it for seven *days*, yet I've managed to pull it off for almost

seven

> years. I still have days where it's overwhelming, and I just wish

> that I could have ONE day off. I haven't eaten a " spontaneous " meal

> in such a long time. That's not always the easiest thing to do when

> you're reliant upon injected or infused insulin to survive. The two

> are so closely interrelated and depend so much on one another that

to

> temporarily upset even one side of the delicate balance can

> potentially create even *more* problems that aren't necessary. I've

> given myself the chance to eat foods that I typically wouldn't eat

on

> a regular basis anymore; I don't deprive myself to that degree.

But I

> realize too that the focus I have on food is so much a part of who I

> am now, so much a part of my daily life, that to some degree it's

> almost become unconscious. I just do it.

>

> Insulin dosing, and fine-tuning your short-acting boluses to match

the

> carbohydrates you consume, is a challenging process. I'm *still*

> learning about some aspects of carb counting, even now (i.e.,

certain

> foods will affect my BGs differently than others despite the fact

that

> the carb content is identical). Are you self-adjusting your doses

> based on the foods that you're eating, or are you using a *set* dose

> for meals, and adjusting up or down when your BGs are high or low?

>

> There's a considerable learning curve attached to using insulin.

You

> didn't mention how long you've been using Lantus and Novolog; you

> mentioned that you were diagnosed in December, but you didn't say

when

> your doctor started you on insulin. It *will* take time, but it

will

> become easier. You're actually in a better position right now in

> terms of what you're using to control your diabetes. So many of the

> oral medications have side-effects (in the same way that oral meds

for

> other conditions have side-effects as well), but insulin is a

> naturally occurrinig hormone -- you're replacing something that your

> own body no longer makes or utilizes properly. I wish you the best

of

> luck with everything.

>

> But I did want to mention something else, since I'm not certain if

> your doctor explained this to you:

>

> << My doctor told me that once I finish my Advanced Classes and go

to

> a class about insulin pump, they will help me get a pump. Life will

> be much easier I think and I will have better control. >>

>

> I'm on an insulin pump -- for the second time. I used a pump for

4.5

> years, from one year after my diagnosis until February of last year,

> took a one-year vacation, and have been back on the pump since

> February 2004 (exactly one year to the day that I started injections

> again).

>

> I can't say enough about the pump; I didn't truly realize how much

of

> a gift it was until I took a break from it (I needed it both

> physically and psychologically). But the one thing I *did* want to

> tell you is that an insulin pump will not automatically measure your

> blood sugar, decide how much insulin you need at a given time, and

> automatically deliver that insulin. That's still *our*

> responsibility. When using a pump, you will still need to test your

> BGs as frequently (and in the beginning, more frequently, in order

to

> verify that your basal and bolus insulin is programmed correctly) as

> you do now. The pumps that are available now will do bolus (meal)

> calculations for you, but you still need to program your insulin to

> carbohydrate ratios, and how much carbohydrate you'll be eating at a

> given meal, into the pump. The pump will calculate the bolus you'll

> need based on the information it has already, but the pump can't

> automatically detect BGs and automatically deliver insulin. That's

> still up to us. I think it's a very good idea for you to attend

> classes about the pump. It's a big decision for anyone to make.

>

> Again, I wish you the best of luck, .

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am glad your husband's numbers are finally heading downward. That

is great. I hear you about getting excited about good numbers. I

can totall relate. I am the same way.

> My husband was talking to a man yesterday who uses an insulin pump

and

> loves it.

[Guest guest]

No need to apologize for griping or whining. We are here to help support you

emotionally. These is a great group of folks. They

are knowledgable in alot of areas. So fire away with your questions and

gripes.

Jany

-- Frustrated

In December I was diagnosed as Type II, none of the pills work

despite my exercising, watching carbs and losing weight.

[Guest guest]

> Actually, for me, learning how to properly dose insulin was the easy

> part (I didn't mind the injections, the frequent monitoring of my

> BGs, or any of the steps involved in that aspect of my

> self-management); the *difficult* part was figuring out what I could

> and couldn't eat, particularly the realization that going forward, I

> would need to give that degree of focus and attention to the food

> that I ate every day.

,

You are already speaking right to us - was diag w/ type 1 4/28.

read the post " Brand spanking new " and you'll know where were at. All

the things you speak of have been discussed and we have been given much

encouragenment if dedicates herself.

I don't think she really knows what she's getting into - but she's

diciplined - much, much more than I am. Her Sister, 7 yr junior has

diabetes for 3 years, been in and out of comas, missing half her organs

(it seems) and started out on the big side - now a toothpick. Her Mom

is just waiting for " that " call. -- SAD. She is doing a little better.

& T1

[Guest guest]

Yes, it can be very frustrating. I have been on insulin now nearly a

year. Pills stopped working for me. I'm 61, retired disabled (not

from diabetes) and still have lots of stress in my life. I don't

have a bit of trouble testing and I have a sliding scale chart I use

to measure the insulin based on my BG level 30 minutes before a

meal. The injections don't bother me most of the time. I used to

give myself allergy shots. Where I am trying to learn an extra thing

is knowing I will be having a larger meal at times than others how

much more insulin do I have to give for that. My Dr. has not told me

to do this but has OKed for me to do. Most of the time I forget but

when I remember I find that a little extra or if I don't need a shot

according to my reading take a small one anyway and the next 30min

before a meal is much better. Anyone else trying this method?

From neurological problems from a car accident I don't have the

concentration or patience to figure out what I am going to eat and do

all the carb, calorie counting, etc. I just eat within reason and

try to stay away from things I know will run my sugar up. I'm not

afraid to experiment (just real careful not to get too low - I am

very afraid of having lows. As long as I can take care of the

problem myself I will be OK but if I am really bad off I'm not sure

about Doug remembering what to do for me). I was running high last

A1C test but not too bad. I had had steriod injections in my back 3

months in a row that ran my sugar way up for a while. Dr. increased

my Lantus but I have cut that back to previous amount now that sugar

levels have calmed down. The weight loss was a bonus so it was not

bad as I expected to switch to insulin. We eat out a lot whenever we

go to town (15 miles away) and around town too. Away from home I

always carry a small ice chest with cold drinks so it was easy to add

the insulin/ alcohol swap and syringe to the package. Remembering my

meter with testing strips was the hard part. I understand Avandia can

cause weight gain. I had not gained but could not loose either. My

weight is OK per Dr. but I would like to loose about 10 around my

middle and back.

I have rambled on about myself too much but I was just trying to let

you know that the testing and shots can be managed at home and away.

Love and blessings to you,

Millie

> << I am so frustrated that I have to figure out how much insulin I

> need when I eat and if my sugar level needs to be adjusted. >>

>

> Hi ,

>

> I understand your feelings of frustration. When I was diagnosed, I

> felt as if I would never be able to adjust to these increased

> responsibilities that were placed upon me -- and that I *had* to

take

> care of, no matter how much I might have objected. Actually, for

me,

> learning how to properly dose insulin was the easy part (I didn't

mind

> the injections, the frequent monitoring of my BGs, or any of the

steps

> involved in that aspect of my self-management); the *difficult* part

> was figuring out what I could and couldn't eat, particularly the

> realization that going forward, I would need to give that degree of

> focus and attention to the food that I ate every day. I was so

> frightened when I left the hospital, because I was convinced that I

> would never be able to put this food puzzle together properly. It's

> funny -- I was actually thinking about this just the other day. It

> will be seven years since my diagnosis (I'm T1) in September. For

> seven years, there hasn't been a single day when I haven't carefully

> planned and calculated my meals. I didn't think I would be able to

do

> it for seven *days*, yet I've managed to pull it off for almost

seven

> years. I still have days where it's overwhelming, and I just wish

> that I could have ONE day off. I haven't eaten a " spontaneous " meal

> in such a long time. That's not always the easiest thing to do when

> you're reliant upon injected or infused insulin to survive. The two

> are so closely interrelated and depend so much on one another that

to

> temporarily upset even one side of the delicate balance can

> potentially create even *more* problems that aren't necessary. I've

> given myself the chance to eat foods that I typically wouldn't eat

on

> a regular basis anymore; I don't deprive myself to that degree.

But I

> realize too that the focus I have on food is so much a part of who I

> am now, so much a part of my daily life, that to some degree it's

> almost become unconscious. I just do it.

>

> Insulin dosing, and fine-tuning your short-acting boluses to match

the

> carbohydrates you consume, is a challenging process. I'm *still*

> learning about some aspects of carb counting, even now (i.e.,

certain

> foods will affect my BGs differently than others despite the fact

that

> the carb content is identical). Are you self-adjusting your doses

> based on the foods that you're eating, or are you using a *set* dose

> for meals, and adjusting up or down when your BGs are high or low?

>

> There's a considerable learning curve attached to using insulin.

You

> didn't mention how long you've been using Lantus and Novolog; you

> mentioned that you were diagnosed in December, but you didn't say

when

> your doctor started you on insulin. It *will* take time, but it

will

> become easier. You're actually in a better position right now in

> terms of what you're using to control your diabetes. So many of the

> oral medications have side-effects (in the same way that oral meds

for

> other conditions have side-effects as well), but insulin is a

> naturally occurrinig hormone -- you're replacing something that your

> own body no longer makes or utilizes properly. I wish you the best

of

> luck with everything.

>

> But I did want to mention something else, since I'm not certain if

> your doctor explained this to you:

>

> << My doctor told me that once I finish my Advanced Classes and go

to

> a class about insulin pump, they will help me get a pump. Life will

> be much easier I think and I will have better control. >>

>

> I'm on an insulin pump -- for the second time. I used a pump for

4.5

> years, from one year after my diagnosis until February of last year,

> took a one-year vacation, and have been back on the pump since

> February 2004 (exactly one year to the day that I started injections

> again).

>

> I can't say enough about the pump; I didn't truly realize how much

of

> a gift it was until I took a break from it (I needed it both

> physically and psychologically). But the one thing I *did* want to

> tell you is that an insulin pump will not automatically measure your

> blood sugar, decide how much insulin you need at a given time, and

> automatically deliver that insulin. That's still *our*

> responsibility. When using a pump, you will still need to test your

> BGs as frequently (and in the beginning, more frequently, in order

to

> verify that your basal and bolus insulin is programmed correctly) as

> you do now. The pumps that are available now will do bolus (meal)

> calculations for you, but you still need to program your insulin to

> carbohydrate ratios, and how much carbohydrate you'll be eating at a

> given meal, into the pump. The pump will calculate the bolus you'll

> need based on the information it has already, but the pump can't

> automatically detect BGs and automatically deliver insulin. That's

> still up to us. I think it's a very good idea for you to attend

> classes about the pump. It's a big decision for anyone to make.

>

> Again, I wish you the best of luck, .

>

>