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Really don't understand what I'm doing wrong

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Kaylz

Kaylz

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
So last Thursday I checked pre lunch had my 3 units for a sandwich and 2 hours later was 3.8, had a jelly baby, tested again fine so had a cup of coffee, a Jacobs cheddar at 1.8g carb and 2 squares Lindt 90% by tea had shot up to 8.5, today checked before lunch - 6.0, had my 3 units for a sandwich 2 hours later - 3.5, had a jelly baby - 4.0 thought ok will have my coffee, a Jacobs cheddar and 2 squares Lindt 90%, checked before tea and now at 7.6 :( I really don't understand where I'm going wrong, the DSN told me to follow up with a biscuit or a glass of milk imagine how high I would be then, getting to the point where I just don't want to bother with eating :( x
 
Sounds to me as if your ratio is a bit too high for the that sarnie - as I see it your levels dropping to 3.5 and 3.8 means too much insulin and then you are seesawing a bit.
I'd try less and see if it evens out a bit.
Good luck
 
I'm honestly thinking I might have to change everything again especially my breakfast too, 4 hours after my breakfast yesterday I had dropped by 0.7 and today dropped by 1.0, I only just changed my lunch and tea to 1:12 a few weeks ago :( x
 
Unfortunately ratios do change quite often, especially at Spring and Autumn times as the weather changes. I've noticed recently that some days I could probably have increased my ratio for dinner to 1:9 or 10g. Once we start getting longer bursts of warmer weather or I start getting into hypo territory I'll amend it. ( currently 1:5g breakfast and 1:8g lunch and dinner).
 
I don't know what the weather's been like with you, but it's been much warmer here. I always find I need less insulin in the summer. I think you're beginning to get the picture about diabetes. It's a constant tweaking of ratios every few weeks. Don't worry, when you've been at it a bit longer, you'll just do the tweaks as second nature without thinking. It's just at the present, early days, you have to think a lot more about what you're doing,
 
Greyhound Gal said:
Unfortunately ratios do change quite often, especially at Spring and Autumn times as the weather changes. I've noticed recently that some days I could probably have increased my ratio for dinner to 1:9 or 10g. Once we start getting longer bursts of warmer weather or I start getting into hypo territory I'll amend it. ( currently 1:5g breakfast and 1:8g lunch and dinner).
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Beat me to it, Greyhound gal, I'm going to have to learn to type faster!
 
my problem is though I'm scared to change things at the moment without talking to someone first as I don't want to go ott and end up not taking enough insulin and ending up sky high x
 
Kaylz said:
my problem is though I'm scared to change things at the moment without talking to someone first as I don't want to go ott and end up not taking enough insulin and ending up sky high x
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Can you talk to/email your helpful DSN Paul? That's what they're there for, really.
 
Kaylz said:
my problem is though I'm scared to change things at the moment without talking to someone first as I don't want to go ott and end up not taking enough insulin and ending up sky high x
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Kaylz, Don't get me wrong I understand your worries about going too high, however a few hours of spiking is far safer than going hypo, its those pesky hypo's we all worry about (well I do ) !!! So long as you make changes to your insulin doses gradually you'll be fine, honest !
Unfortunately Diabetes doesn't seem to like following our rules for very long, it takes every opportunity it can to ring the changes, the past 6 weeks or so, mine has rung the changes three times 😱 but I'm wise to it now :D
I know it doesn't seem like it right now but give yourself time , this will almost become second nature to you.
 
Hi @Kaylz my ratios have varied from 1:5 to 1:20 and most points inbetween. You could always try reducing your dose by a half unit and seeing what that does or have a couple of grammes extra carbs which would equate to somewhere near a quarter unit reduction. If that works out OK you can then work out a ratio from that. Given that you are going low small changes like that shouldn't send you too high at all.
 
I also meant to say @Kaylz that you aren't really doing anything wrong, you are just learning and hopefully getting a feel for how you respond to insulin and carbs. Learn to trust your own judgement but exercise that judgement with caution and you won't go far wrong.
 
Thanks guys, I emailed Alison last night but she hasn't gotten back to me today, could anyone give me advice from todays followings, I really think I need to change my breakfast ratio, I got up at 8 tested at about 10 past - 6.9, jabbed ate my breakfast 10 minutes later, tested at about 10 past 11 before I went out - 5.6, went out not much really 2 min walk to the bus stop, got off in the next town, 2 min walk round boots right next to the bus stop, quick stop in at farmfoods, 5 min walk to appointment, same back checked my bs before lunch at half 1 - 4.9, had 28g carbs but used a 1:14 ratio rather than a 1:12, took 2 units for my lunch, tested at 2 hours - 5.1, had 2 squares 90%, checked again before tea so just over 4 hours after lunch - 6.2, could you guys please give me an input for this? thanks in advance for any replies x
 
Sounds pretty perfect to me. Possibly a smudge too much insulin as you are generally ending up with lower than pre-meal BGs once the insulin has pretty much finished working, though all within a very slight margin, and it might simply be the walking/activity.

Your small amounts of carb to prop up BGs seem to be working OK, but the other option is reducing insulin by a gnat's whisker.

You are doing fine though - don't fret.
 
I agree, your control is enviable! Maybe stick to a 1:14 ratio instead of a 1:12 as it seems to be working for you x
 
Thanks guys, although I've gone back to a 1:12 for lunch today, as I think I've found my problem with my breakfast, I went over the granola box again and the yoghurt which changed recently and looks like I've been miscalculating and having about 0.3 units leaving itself to please what it does in my body 😳, so changed it to what it should have been this morning and went from 6.5 before breakfast to 6.6 before lunch, will check in 2 hours then again before my tea obviously, but I think that's where the problems been :( xx
 
At least you know now 🙂
 
Kaylz said:
Thanks guys, although I've gone back to a 1:12 for lunch today, as I think I've found my problem with my breakfast, I went over the granola box again and the yoghurt which changed recently and looks like I've been miscalculating and having about 0.3 units leaving itself to please what it does in my body 😳, so changed it to what it should have been this morning and went from 6.5 before breakfast to 6.6 before lunch, will check in 2 hours then again before my tea obviously, but I think that's where the problems been :( xx
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Good detective work :D
 
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