Carb counting - what did I do wrong?

[Kaylz]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the kind words and support! I honestly think coming to this forum might be one of the best things I've ever done 🙂 haha hopefully no problems will occur, sometimes temptation is the hardest part of diabetes! My office are awful, we have had sweets in the office every day except today (because I threw a tantrum about it lol) - when I say sweets, things like Krispy Kremes, 4 different kinds of chocolate biscuits, chocolate brownies, the list goes on. Very pleased with myself that I managed to hold out and refrain from eating any, I'm not usually so disciplined! Just so determined to get this sorted out once and for all! 🙂

I've had a craving for a doughnut for a while but I'm not giving in, I did give in to a chocolate eclair after tea tonight though which btw is one of the best choices for 'us' just so you know in case you do fancy a little treat - Tesco 4 pack are only 12g carbs each, well done for sticking at it though 🙂 and congrats on the 4 hour test - I tested lunch today too 5.4 before, 5.8 2 hours later and 6.8 4.5 hours later so not too bad either, we can do this rigorous testing together haha 🙂 x

 

[Sprogladite]

I've had a craving for a doughnut for a while but I'm not giving in, I did give in to a chocolate eclair after tea tonight though which btw is one of the best choices for 'us' just so you know in case you do fancy a little treat - Tesco 4 pack are only 12g carbs each, well done for sticking at it though 🙂 and congrats on the 4 hour test - I tested lunch today too 5.4 before, 5.8 2 hours later and 6.8 4.5 hours later so not too bad either, we can do this rigorous testing together haha 🙂 x

Oh that is good to know, thanks! I will be so pleased if I get anywhere close to your numbers!! I realised this morning my finger sticker thingy was set to 3mm and that's why my poor fingers are so sore...lol woops! Turned it back down so hopefully it won't be so bad going forward. Haha rigorous testing together sounds like a plan! We can turn it into a competition lol (I am horribly competitive...haha!) 😉

 

[Kaylz]

Oh that is good to know, thanks! I will be so pleased if I get anywhere close to your numbers!! I realised this morning my finger sticker thingy was set to 3mm and that's why my poor fingers are so sore...lol woops! Turned it back down so hopefully it won't be so bad going forward. Haha rigorous testing together sounds like a plan! We can turn it into a competition lol (I am horribly competitive...haha!) 😉

Even though it's a simple finger pricker I love how we all refer to it as a 'thingy' haha, my fingers aren't too bad at the moment for once 🙂 and now now I never said anything about it being a competition 🙂 x

 

[SB2015]

Just done the 4 hour test and BG is 6.9 🙂

Well done.
This is great progress.

Hope the fasting test goes well over the weekend and glad that you have had a good discussion with your parents.

 

[trophywench]

I use orange Lucozade for hypos - if I'm 'well' hypo - I have difficulty chewing or swallowing - hence a drink is a better choice. Also - I'm never tempted to just have a swig of it when I'm nort hypo - far too sweet and counterproductive if I happen to be thirsty - shooting my BG up into the stratosphere ain't exactly the best plan to quench my thirst, now is it?

However if there was a bag of jelly babies, esp an OPEN packet of them - in the house they'd all be wailing 'Mummy Mummy - eat me!' at me incessantly, and I'd never get any peace until I did it ! You know, don't you, what happens when you say - 'Well - I'll just have the one - one won't hurt me, will it?' Fatal !

 

[Sprogladite]

Frustrating weekend. Sugars were erratic on the weekend and I wasn't feeling too well. Ended up having a hypo at 1am during the fasting test and had to cancel. Then had a migraine on Sunday and really struggled to eat at all so again sugars were loopy. Surfaced from the migraine in time to have dinner last night - chicken, asparagus and gnocchi - I was 11.7 before, and 11.3 2 hours after. I went back to bed at that point, I had had enough lol. Frustrated I couldn't complete the test, will try on Friday night instead of Saturday this week so I have another day to try in case it goes wrong again.

That being said, my waking sugars have been very good, so that's one thing - 5.5 this morning!

 

[Sprogladite]

Ok i have another question! I typically eat breakfast at 9:30am once I've got to work in the week, and then have lunch between 12:30 - 1:00pm. I'm eating lunch before the 4 hour mark after breakfast - does this mean I'm likely to still have active insulin on board? If so, do I need to take this into account when dosing for my lunch?

Breakfast went well from what I can see - 9.9 before (had risen from 5.5 by the time I got to work) that's now 12.1 2 hours later.

 

[Kaylz]

Ok i have another question! I typically eat breakfast at 9:30am once I've got to work in the week, and then have lunch between 12:30 - 1:00pm. I'm eating lunch before the 4 hour mark after breakfast - does this mean I'm likely to still have active insulin on board? If so, do I need to take this into account when dosing for my lunch?

Breakfast went well from what I can see - 9.9 before (had risen from 5.5 by the time I got to work) that's now 12.1 2 hours later.

What kind or rapid acting are you on, I have breakfast at 8:30 then lunch around 11:30 and still have rapid insulin on board, it really depends on what your lunch carb total comes to x

 

[Sprogladite]

What kind or rapid acting are you on, I have breakfast at 8:30 then lunch around 11:30 and still have rapid insulin on board, it really depends on what your lunch carb total comes to x

I'm on novorapid. 3 hours after breakfast sugar level is 8.4 so it's gone down!

 

[Kaylz]

I'm on novorapid. 3 hours after breakfast sugar level is 8.4 so it's gone down!

So are you away to have your lunch now, I wouldn't be over cautious and lower the insulin I usually have just under 30g carbs for my breakfast and as I'm using a 1:10 i have 3 units for that, lunch is usually around 38-39g carbs so I take 4 with that and bearing in mind I still have a little insulin on board I've never ran into any problems, I seem to be having a bad day today woke to a 7.3, 3 hours later I was 8.7 I did get a little stressed though, check in an hour and 10 mins for me as I had a bar of chocolate with my lunch x

 

[Sprogladite]

So are you away to have your lunch now, I wouldn't be over cautious and lower the insulin I usually have just under 30g carbs for my breakfast and as I'm using a 1:10 i have 3 units for that, lunch is usually around 38-39g carbs so I take 4 with that and bearing in mind I still have a little insulin on board I've never ran any problems, I seem to be having a bad day today woke to a 7.3, 3 hours later I was 8.7 I did get a little stressed though, check in an hour and 10 mins for me as I had a bar of chocolate with my lunch x

I'm about to head out, in maybe 5 mins. Back on the pea and ham soup today which is only 18g carbs so will only be a tiny dose. I suspect I might be coming down with something, feeling rather grotty today

 

[Kaylz]

I'm about to head out, in maybe 5 mins. Back on the pea and ham soup today which is only 18g carbs so will only be a tiny dose. I suspect I might be coming down with something, feeling rather grotty today

Oh no that's not so good, hope it doesn't come to anything and you feel better soon 🙂, your putting me right in the mood for some pea and ham soup as it's not the first time you've mentioned it, I think I know what will be for lunch tomorrow haha x

 

[Sprogladite]

Oh no that's not so good, hope it doesn't come to anything and you feel better soon 🙂, your putting me right in the mood for some pea and ham soup as it's not the first time you've mentioned it, I think I know what will be for lunch tomorrow haha x

Haha I'm getting sick of it! But eating it every day is helping me figure this thing out so I'll put up with it for now before I start making things more complicated lol!

 

[Sprogladite]

Just tested 2 hours after lunch, I'm at 6.2 (from 8.4). Just pleased to be in single figures at this point lol!

 

[Kaylz]

My 2 hour post meal was 5.5 from 8.7 but it will be because of the fat in my chocolate bar, I've got to do tea myself tonight as mum is working so my grandad will be pestering me with are you not putting the sausages in the oven yet, are you not putting the peas on (doing it later tonight so it's just getting put out for when mum gets in the door but grandad likes it basically bang on half 4) so I'm kinda expecting a higher reading haha 🙂 glad your seeing numbers like this seems like your getting the right hang of it now 🙂 x

 

[Sprogladite]

My 2 hour post meal was 5.5 from 8.7 but it will be because of the fat in my chocolate bar, I've got to do tea myself tonight as mum is working so my grandad will be pestering me with are you not putting the sausages in the oven yet, are you not putting the peas on (doing it later tonight so it's just getting put out for when mum gets in the door but grandad likes it basically bang on half 4) so I'm kinda expecting a higher reading haha 🙂 glad your seeing numbers like this seems like your getting the right hang of it now 🙂 x

Lol well I have the hang of pea and ham soup...maybe I'll start adding things like yogurt to see how it goes with something more complicated haha 🙂 Lol you saying that has reminded me I had better check to see what is on the menu for dinner tonight...thanks to the migraine on Sunday I didn't get to go to the supermarket but I did manage to drag my mum to the Tesco express round the corner where we found a few bits. I never knew couscous was so (comparatively) low in carbs! I also learnt that gnocchi is made from potatoes! Haha! Good luck for tonight, I'll cross my fingers for you - let me know how you get on and we can compare results lol 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

Lol well I have the hang of pea and ham soup...maybe I'll start adding things like yogurt to see how it goes with something more complicated haha 🙂 Lol you saying that has reminded me I had better check to see what is on the menu for dinner tonight...thanks to the migraine on Sunday I didn't get to go to the supermarket but I did manage to drag my mum to the Tesco express round the corner where we found a few bits. I never knew couscous was so (comparatively) low in carbs! I also learnt that gnocchi is made from potatoes! Haha! Good luck for tonight, I'll cross my fingers for you - let me know how you get on and we can compare results lol 🙂

I've never even tried cous cous, that's him just walked in the door now (I'm sure I can feel my levels rising already) haha he's away for a shower (he only has a bath in his house and finds it difficult getting in and out due to his hip replacement the other year) please keep everything crossed for me haha and don't criticise my weird choices but tonight I'm having pork and leek sausages, 2 yorkies, petits pois, gravy and some coleslaw (yes you read that right gravy and coleslaw on the same plate) 🙂 x

 

[Sprogladite]

I've never even tried cous cous, that's him just walked in the door now (I'm sure I can feel my levels rising already) haha he's away for a shower (he only has a bath in his house and finds it difficult getting in and out due to his hip replacement the other year) please keep everything crossed for me haha and don't criticise my weird choices but tonight I'm having pork and leek sausages, 2 yorkies, petits pois, gravy and some coleslaw (yes you read that right gravy and coleslaw on the same plate) 🙂 x

Haha you're talking to someone who ate cheese and onion crisps dipped in salad cream when I was pregnant...no judgement here!! 😉

 

[trophywench]

Novorapid is at its most active peak between 1 and 2 hours see graph http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=408

After 3 hours it still is fairly active and may 'run out' any time between 4 and 6 hours. For me personally - it lasts up to 4.5 hours but honestly, were my BG anything over 5 at the getting on for 4 hours mark - I'd just leave it and say none left. Were my BG 4.1 at that stage however, then I'd knock a smidge off my bolus (well I would anyway with a 4.1 even if it was 11 hours since a had it) So for me anyway, it starts about 10 mins after jabbing it and lasts a tad longer than 3.5 hours actually doing anything much. After that for an hour, it's still there a gnat's whisker.

I've been using the stuff since 1998 though and nobody could expect you to know stuff like this after the first 5 minutes so I wouldn't think about it too much - and certainly until you know whether your basal keeps you steady in the background - you can't possibly nail it all down properly anyway. What you are looking for at the moment is, does the Novorapid bring me down to what it was just after 4 hours ago, and that's that.

Not sure what sort of place you work, but - can you not vary your lunch hour - even just occasionally for something special - like going without eating lunch for an extra hour or eat something not messy, at your desk? Or do without breakfast entirely and do the morning basal test at work?

 

[trophywench]

Haha you're talking to someone who ate cheese and onion crisps dipped in salad cream when I was pregnant...no judgement here!! 😉

Well considering I used to adore salad cream sandwiches as a child (since 'adultery' I've given them up and anyway, mayo just isn't as nice on a sandwich LOL) and I still love a crisp sandwich - I don't consider that odd at all. However - MacRae kipper fillets with a strawberry jam sandwich (one of first husband's aunties) even when pregnant, is exceedingly weird !