Newbie here!

[rachelshane]

Today is a good day!
One week on from ear infection and feeling rough, my time in range is a lot better. My lines are smoothing out- look a lot less like a roller coaster.
Will reflect more later but here is my update from libre……..

 

[SB2015]

Really pleased that you are seeing some positive impact of the things that you are trying. It does take time to get things settled, but you clearly want to look for solutions.

@helli mentioned about FIASP. I found that when I used it I didn’t need to concern myself as much about pre-bolusing, which was good as, like you, I can get distracted. So well worth you asking about it.

You mention about options for pumps at your next change over. I am now using the Medtronic 780 (which replaced the 760) along with their sensors in a closed loop system. This has made my life a lot easier. If you have any questions about it, just ask.

 

[Vamppir8]

Really pleased that you are seeing some positive impact of the things that you are trying. It does take time to get things settled, but you clearly want to look for solutions.

@helli mentioned about FIASP. I found that when I used it I didn’t need to concern myself as much about pre-bolusing, which was good as, like you, I can get distracted. So well worth you asking about it.

You mention about options for pumps at your next change over. I am now using the Medtronic 780 (which replaced the 760) along with their sensors in a closed loop system. This has made my life a lot easier. If you have any questions about it, just ask.

Interested on your FIASP comments, I thought I had perfect control as I only test between meals and always spot on (except them days when nowt goes right). Since having libra its not the case I am peaking to 15-20 between meals. Interested how quick it is as pre jabbing is not an option as have memory problems as it is. Do you jab same amount or less/more units? How quick is it? Are there any side effects different from novorapid? How easy was it to get? My drs are useless and run on locums so never seen same one they dont stick around. Only seen nurse once in over 3 years that was just 5 mins for libra, turn this there and push, bye bye. Did you just ask? or did they suggest it? other? Cheers very interested as not alot of info around about it.

 

[rebrascora]

I use Fiasp and for me it is a little quicker but I still have to prebolus 45 mins for breakfast and 20mins other meal times to prevent spiking. There haven't been any side effects for me but I believe some people find it can start to make their injection sites "manky" (mostly though, it is those on pumps using a cannula which is delivering insulin into one site for 2-3 days who have that problem I believe)
I didn't find Fiasp an easy swap from Novo(not so)Rapid which needed 75 mins on a morning to prevent breakfast spikes. I seem to need more Fiasp sometimes, particularly if my BG levels get above 10 and it also takes absolutely ages to work at that BG level or above, so quicker than NR in range 4-7 but slower above 10 and need much more above 10 too to bring levels down. I find that I have to be very proactive with my Fiasp to keep my levels below 10 otherwise it becomes frustrating.
I asked my consultant about trying it and it took two 3 month trials (went back to NR in between) at my request, before I figured out how to make it work for me and they were both 3 frustrating months. The only reason I stuck with it the second time was that I promised myself I would give it a full year and I cracked it a month later. It still isn't ideal for me but I can make it work and a bit better than NR.

As a Type 3c/Type 1 you really should be under the care of a consultant/specialist diabetes clinic. GPs have no real knowledge of Type 1 let alone the additional complications of Type 3c to give advice on insulin usage and you really need to ask/insist on a referral to a specialist diabetes clinic at the hospital.

 

[Vamppir8]

Glad it's working out for you. May ring diabetes nurse next week but she only available twice a week for 4 hrs... So not hopeful. Other than diabetes nurse once a year first 4 years and 3 year gap to last week. Only see her cos asked Dr for Libra he said no again like every time, he accidently booked me in for pump clinic. Consultant was 30 minutes late (first appointment of day.. ) chatted to nurse and she said you only had to ask your Dr for one... Know what you mean drs are useless, even worse if your admitted to hospital they have no clue, dangerous.

 

[rebrascora]

Know what you mean drs are useless, even worse if your admitted to hospital they have no clue, dangerous.

Actually, my Drs are all really good, but they don't have specialist knowledge about managing Type 1 diabetes, let alone the extra complications of Type 3c. It's not their job to be knowledgeable about that, but it is important that they refer you to the people who are.

 

[SB2015]

Glad it's working out for you. May ring diabetes nurse next week but she only available twice a week for 4 hrs... So not hopeful. Other than diabetes nurse once a year first 4 years and 3 year gap to last week. Only see her cos asked Dr for Libra he said no again like every time, he accidently booked me in for pump clinic. Consultant was 30 minutes late (first appointment of day.. ) chatted to nurse and she said you only had to ask your Dr for one... Know what you mean drs are useless, even worse if your admitted to hospital they have no clue, dangerous.

If you are after a fast acting insulin, you could also ask about Lyumjev. People that I know who use it find it even faster than FIASP and they are able to avoid pre bolusing for meals of up to 30 g of carbs. Your memory difficulties could be a strong argument for the switch if they are not keen.

With regard to side effects, when I tried to use FIASP I reacted to whatever they had added to it to make it faster. After 6 months I went back to Novorapid and prebolusing

If you are finding that you have poor support from your GP or Practice nurse, it would be worth asking for a referral to the local specialist team (possibly at your nearest hospital) where you could get to see a Diabetes Specilaist Nurse and/or a consultant. They will be dealing with many more people in our situation and more familiar with the different options available for us to manage our diabetes effectively.

 

[Vamppir8]

If you are after a fast acting insulin, you could also ask about Lyumjev. People that I know who use it find it even faster than FIASP and they are able to avoid pre bolusing for meals of up to 30 g of carbs. Your memory difficulties could be a strong argument for the switch if they are not keen.

With regard to side effects, when I tried to use FIASP I reacted to whatever they had added to it to make it faster. After 6 months I went back to Novorapid and prebolusing

If you are finding that you have poor support from your GP or Practice nurse, it would be worth asking for a referral to the local specialist team (possibly at your nearest hospital) where you could get to see a Diabetes Specilaist Nurse and/or a consultant. They will be dealing with many more people in our situation and more familiar with the different options available for us to manage our diabetes effectively.

Pre jabbing not gonna happen in my case, works (dont ask me) too quick. Before tea I was 4 last night was chip night heaviest once a week treat 17 units, if I had pre jabbed, wouldnt have made it to table 10 minutes before.

 

[rebrascora]

When you are prebolusing you have to take into account your starting reading and the food you are going to eat.

Your levels were low at 4 before the meal, so injecting that much insulin all in one go would land most of us in a really nasty hypo, even with no prebolus time. Add to that, chips are fatty and therefore a bit slower to digest and release glucose and so many of us would probably split the dose in that situation and inject some just before we eat or even just after the meal if our starting level was 4 and the rest an hour or so afterwards to try to balance the insulin's activity with the food's release of glucose.
If your levels were 7-10 before the meal, then pre bolusing would be a very good idea and I would often need a good half hour maybe more at that level, but only 15 mins if my levels were 5-7. Above 10 and I would probably need a good hour for the insulin to work before I ate, but that is just what works with my body and the insulin I use and everyone is different.