Diagnosed T1 yesterday; high readings

[Windy]

one person who has ever actually noticed me jabbing at a table waved their blood glucose meter at me across the room

Is this like the secret handshake that the Masons have, but for T1s?

I've only noticed once that someone was injecting their insulin, and that was at work when I was talking to her. She was chatting away, then hoiked up her t shirt a bit, jabbed her stomach, and kept talking. I said "Diabetes?" and she laughed and I said I was T2, and that was about it. I wouldn't bat an eyelid if someone injected in a restaurant, and probably wouldn't even notice tbh.

@pawprint91 - I've got a copy of Pocket Carbs and Cals that I bought and haven't really used.
I can send you if you PM me your address. Not offended if you don't want it, or if you don't want to send your address. It always pays to be cautious online. I don't want any money for it, it's going to the charity shop otherwise, or back on the bookshelf to gather dust! @everydayupsanddowns - please let me know if this isn't allowed (I mean the offer of the book rather than dusty bookshelves)

 

[pawprint91]

Is this like the secret handshake that the Masons have, but for T1s?

I've only noticed once that someone was injecting their insulin, and that was at work when I was talking to her. She was chatting away, then hoiked up her t shirt a bit, jabbed her stomach, and kept talking. I said "Diabetes?" and she laughed and I said I was T2, and that was about it. I wouldn't bat an eyelid if someone injected in a restaurant, and probably wouldn't even notice tbh.

@pawprint91 - I've got a copy of Pocket Carbs and Cals that I bought and haven't really used.View attachment 21330
I can send you if you PM me your address. Not offended if you don't want it, or if you don't want to send your address. It always pays to be cautious online. I don't want any money for it, it's going to the charity shop otherwise, or back on the bookshelf to gather dust! @everydayupsanddowns - please let me know if this isn't allowed (I mean the offer of the book rather than dusty bookshelves)

That's so kind of you! I have the app (paid for version), so not sure if I would need the book too?

 

[Windy]

That's so kind of you! I have the app (paid for version), so not sure if I would need the book too?

If you've got the app, you shouldn't need the book too, and the app's easier to carry! 🙂 Sarah

 

[pawprint91]

Can anybody offer any further advice on my readings? (Diabetes helpine not open at the weekend!!)

Basically, today and yesterday, my readings have gone right down before meals (in the 6-8 range). Whilst this is surely positive, I'm only on basal insulin at the moment - would you say this is normal? This is my 5th day on basal insulin. I guess my body could still be producing some of it's own insulin too, which I guess might be helping. My only high (teen numbers) reading has been before bed, and that is because I am probably only doing it 2-3 hours after eating, the others are all before a meal when it has been at least 5 hours after a main meal (with maybe only one snack). I'm just a bit confused as to when I would end up needing novorapid if these are my readings without it. I know we're all different but just wondering if anybody could offer any insight! 🙂

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I guess my body could still be producing some of it's own insulin too, which I guess might be helping.

That would be my guess. An alternative might be that your basal dose is too high (ideally with the right basal dose we stay close to level).

 

[pawprint91]

An alternative might be that your basal dose is too high (ideally with the right basal dose we stay close to level).

As a total newbie, this would be my guess, too. Don't feel comfortable adjusting my own doses 5 days in, guessing I should be okay for the rest of today and tomorrow before I can call a nurse on Monday. (Hoping so, anyway!)

 

[Lucyr]

If your readings are normal, just enjoy it whilst it lasts! Keep testing to keep an eye on your levels though

 

[Mrs Mimoo]

Thank you for the advice 🙂

Nurse told me to download a few apps and use these to begin to learn/recognise carbs that are in the foods I would normally eat at home - only had a look this morning but bloody hell, I can't believe how many carbs are in some things. Obviously you wouldn't be going mad with eating carbs, but is there a limit a diabetic can have in a day? However, no novorapid in relation to this yet, only 2/3 units if readings remain high. I didn't write this part down, but I'm sure she said in the end when I'm confidnt with carb counting etc 1 unit of insulin (novorapid) is needed for every 10g of carbs? Have I made this up? I wouldn't be surprised if it differs from person to person. She has also booked me on a course at the hospital in August, I didn't catch the name but it could well be the one you have mentioned!

No mention of an insulin pump yet, but she did say I would be able to get a Freestyle Libre device - she said due to me being a teacher it will be invaluable to me in terms of checking blood sugars etc and not stressing when teaching.

there are many apps but I like the free myfitnesspal although it has annoying ads which I ignore

 

[Mrs Mimoo]

If you've got the app, you shouldn't need the book too, and the app's easier to carry! 🙂 Sarah

Hi Windy which app to you recommned for carbs and cals?

 

[Windy]

Hi Windy which app to you recommned for carbs and cals?

Hi Mrs Mimoo, I'm afraid I'm a bit of a luddite and don't use an app at all, unless you count Libreoffice Calc, which is an open source version of excel where I've set up a spreadsheet and have googled each food item one by one, or scoured the back of the food packet for the nutrition information and recorded it on the spreadsheet.

 

[Lucyr]

I find nutracheck the best, app only with annual payment is cheapest. Myfitnesspal is free but more American whereas nutracheck is uk based. You can do a free trial to try it.

 

[Inka]

As a total newbie, this would be my guess, too. Don't feel comfortable adjusting my own doses 5 days in, guessing I should be okay for the rest of today and tomorrow before I can call a nurse on Monday. (Hoping so, anyway!)

A good guess INO. This is why I think it’s daft to give a Type 1 only basal insulin. You either get ok blood sugar but spike too high when you eat, or youre given too much basal because it’s having to cover your food due to lack of bolus/fast insulin. It’s better to have a small amount of basal plus small amounts of bolus rather than just basal alone. They have different jobs.

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Hi Mrs Mimoo, I'm afraid I'm a bit of a luddite and don't use an app at all, unless you count Libreoffice Calc, which is an open source version of excel where I've set up a spreadsheet and have googled each food item one by one, or scoured the back of the food packet for the nutrition information and recorded it on the spreadsheet.

That's exactly what I've done!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Is this like the secret handshake that the Masons have, but for T1s?

Haha! Exactly that

 

[pawprint91]

A good guess INO. This is why I think it’s daft to give a Type 1 only basal insulin. You either get ok blood sugar but spike too high when you eat, or youre given too much basal because it’s having to cover your food due to lack of bolus/fast insulin. It’s better to have a small amount of basal plus small amounts of bolus rather than just basal alone. They have different jobs.

Hopefully I'll be evened out somehow soon!

 

[pawprint91]

Hello all,

A week in, and I am feeling overall positive, but still overwhelmed and with a different question every day ... so I'm now just treating this thread as my newbie question thread, thank you so much to everyone who's helped me already on my new journey over this past week! 🙂

Today's question ... should injectoins 'hurt', or does this mean I've done it wrong? The first few times I honestly didn't feel a thing, but the past coupke of nights it has stung a little when I've put the needle in and then been a bit tender for a while afterwards. I'm wondering why this is. I can only inject into my thigh at the moment due to weightloss pre-diagnosis. Does it mean I'm hitting a muscle or something and therefore making a mistake, or have I just got a bit more confident and started jabbing harder? As ever, any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Today's question ... should injectoins 'hurt', or does this mean I've done it wrong? The first few times I honestly didn't feel a thing, but the past coupke of nights it has stung a little when I've put the needle in and then been a bit tender for a while afterwards. I'm wondering why this is. I can only inject into my thigh at the moment due to weightloss pre-diagnosis. Does it mean I'm hitting a muscle or something and therefore making a mistake, or have I just got a bit more confident and started jabbing harder? As ever, any advice greatly appreciated!

Over the years I think I got used to various different levels of sensation from injections. Some barely noticeable, and others really quite sore!

Quite a lot of it (rightly or wrongly!) I used to put down to different points on the skin - eg if I just happened to put the needle right on a hair follicle, or it nicked through a nerve or capillary I figured there would be more for my body to complain about? I have read some forum members suggesting that they gently touch the needle on the skin in a couple of places and choose the one where they feel it less.

Some areas or zones did seem to have thinner coverage than others. What needle length are you using? I used to use 8mm back in the day, but I think 4mm are more common these days, which should be easier to avoid muscle layers even where areas are quite lean?

So e needles also just seemed worse than others. I was a naughty re-user of needles, and could certainly tell the difference between 2 supposedly identical ones. But no good after a coulple of goes when blunt either! (and you really shouldn’t reuse them etc etc).

Your suggestion about increased confidence is a good one too!

 

[pawprint91]

Some areas or zones did seem to have thinner coverage than others. What needle length are you using? I used to use 8mm back in the day, but I think 4mm are more common these days, which should be easier to avoid muscle layers even where areas are quite lean?

So e needles also just seemed worse than others. I was a naughty re-user of needles, and could certainly tell the difference between 2 supposedly identical ones. But no good after a coulple of goes when blunt either! (and you really shouldn’t reuse them etc etc).

Your suggestion about increased confidence is a good one too!

Thank you for your reply 🙂 I am indeed using 4mm needles. Is it normal to bruise? Have just noticed my thighs are covered in them

Also, whuch angle should you/were you taught to inject at? The nurse I saw on the day of my diagnosis told me a 45 degree angle, but the tutorial on the diabetes uk website says a 90 degree one. (My dad is a retired nurse, and he also says 90 degrees), what are your thoughts? Edit: I've just googled this, I think she told me 45 degrees because of my weightloss issue!

 

[Inka]

@pawprint91 I get lots of bruises when I inject. I think some people just do. I’ve had Type 1 almost 30 years and I inject carefully, but I still get bruises. It’s possibly to do with people’s build as well.

If I hit a painful spot, I don’t inject there, I move on. Some places do seem ultra-sensitive. Usually moving a few millimetres sorts it. And yes, I inject at 90 degrees and usually pinch up.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I’m not sure there’s enough length on a 4mm to go in at an angle?! 😱