Can't Win - Or Why MDI Doesn't Work For Me

[TheClockworkDodo]

I've not had a good couple of weeks - it started when I was having trouble with high levels overnight:



So I thought I'd better put my basal up. And, as my readings during the day were stable to low, I thought at the same time I'd do what the DSNs are always telling me to do, and put my bolus ratios down. And then this happened:



And then the reduced basal kicked in just as the weather suddenly got colder, which meant this happened:



That isn't a faulty sensor - extensive testing with my meter showed I really was hypo all those times during the day, which suggests I really was hypo half the night too. So I hastily put my basal back down, but that takes a while to take effect, and despite the fact that I stuffed my face with biscuits before bed the next night, it still happened again:





But then the reduced basal kicked in, and this happened:



Yep, I'm right back where I started.

On the plus side, I think I have demonstrated that putting my bolus ratios down doesn't reduce the hypos, it just increases the spikes ... 🙄

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

How frustrating for you Juliet.

I need to constantly tweak basal up and down too and am currently seeing far more highs *and* lows 🙄

I generally find basal tweaks are enough to bring things into line without changing bolus ratios as often. Basal changes probably 3-4 times per month, bolus ratios probably 3-4 times per year!

 

[MrDaibetes]

How annoying.
Have you asked your team about a pump?

 

[nonethewiser]

On the plus side, I think I have demonstrated that putting my bolus ratios down doesn't reduce the hypos, it just increases the spikes ... 🙄

Time to consider a pump, had same issues as you and switching soon put things to bed, adjusting basal, even by the hour is one thing that makes a pump worthwhile. Once you do those libre graphs will be within range most days.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Incredibly frustrating but all good data. Would a different basal help? Otherwise it looks like a good argument for a pump if you wanted to go down that route.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

If you want a pump and not everyone does, then push for a pump. Point out there is no basal insulin on the market that matches your basal pattern hence the request for a pump.

 

[Sprogladite]

I was very much like this before I went on a pump - tried every basal out there (for the record, I got on with Humulin I the best out of all of them). I was really against the idea of going on a pump - I understood the benefits but just really didn't want something attached to me all the time. I've now been on the omnipod for just over a year and am really wondering why i waited so long! If you're not keen on a pump, could you perhaps trial one? The micro adjustments you can make are so beneficial 🙂

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Sorry to hear you're having similar problems at the moment, Mike - I suspect the weather has a lot to do with mine. I usually change my basal dose about once a month, whenever the weather changes, but my bolus ratios change more frequently.

I've been begging for a pump for years - I'm on the list, but I need to jump through hoops before I can get one, and the hoops are not very ME-friendly. I'm working my way through Bertie and finding it not very helpful at all - like trying to do a poorly written GCSE in a subject in which I already have a degree.

And I haven't seen a diabetes consultant since December 2017 - my next appointment after that was supposed to be October 2018, but it hasn't materialised yet. My lovely surgery nurse was going to try to chase it up ... when I saw her in June.

It is very difficult to get the right amount of insulin when your ratio is a choice between 1:22 or 1:28, which are my usual lunchtime options. I'd love to eat low carb, but I can't because I have too many food intolerances - there are too few other things I can eat. I can't just eat less, I'm heading for underweight as it is.