Finger pricking people or bgl testing people who don't use a libre

[Paulbreen]

All good Kay, glad to see you around again I hope all is well with you too

 

[Kaylz]

All good Kay, glad to see you around again I hope all is well with you too

Well as can be my lovely xx

 

[Robin]

Hi Gill,
That's quite a tight range.
Who advised you to set those values?
Was it your DSN?

I may be wrong, but I think from previous discussions that that’s Gill's waking and pre-meal target, so it’s slightly looser than the usual 4-7 waking and pre-meal.
(I think Gill's Libre was set at the usual 3.9-10.0 and 75% time in range as a general overall target.)

 

[pm133]

I may be wrong, but I think from previous discussions that that’s Gill's waking and pre-meal target, so it’s slightly looser than the usual 4-7 waking and pre-meal.
(I think Gill's Libre was set at the usual 3.9-10.0 and 75% time in range as a general overall target.)

Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't sure.

I actually deleted the post because I don't really want to be saying anything which sows any doubt in Gill's mind.
I think we all mean well but as @rebrascora says on another thread, sometimes we're just inadvertently adding to Gill's confusion and I didn't want to do that, hence the delete.
I'm trying to be extra careful for once. 🙂

 

[pm133]

How often do you test?

I test on waking, before meals and bedtime or if I don't feel right the latter which isn't too often at the moment because I seem to have lost some of my hypo awareness.

My DSN has said not to bother testing 2 hours after food to keep things simple for myself

Hi Gill, like you say, your DSN is trying to make this as simple for you as she possibly can until you get a handle on things and become more confident in what you are doing.

I guess the reason she is telling you not to test 2 hours after eating is because it causes you a lot of worry about what those levels would be telling you and what you'd then need to do in response?

If so, it might be a good idea to talk to her about any changes you make to your routine. From your traces and numbers it still appears that you are doing very well so don't overly worry at this stage.

 

[mum2westiesGill]

Hi Gill, like you say, your DSN is trying to make this as simple for you as she possibly can until you get a handle on things and become more confident in what you are doing.

I guess the reason she is telling you not to test 2 hours after eating is because it causes you a lot of worry about what those levels would be telling you and what you'd then need to do in response?

If so, it might be a good idea to talk to her about any changes you make to your routine. From your traces and numbers it still appears that you are doing very well so don't overly worry at this stage.

Thanks @pm133 the levels 2 hours after I eat will just be telling me that my levels have gone up

 

[Becka]

I wonder what your qualifications are for such a long condemnation… My consultant is one of the most well known endocrinologists in Germany and said in our first meeting that I will know more about my personal condition than he ever would.

I would guess then the same as yours, none at all. Because we both know less than Gill or or nurse, which is why it is dangerous for either of us to make such definitive statements about what is best for her.

Dismissing a nurse's ability, when you have not even heard what she is trying to achieve or why, is irresponsible. There is a difference between questioning something and advising someone to ask for clarification, and flat out telling them they should effectively ignore professional advice tailored specifically to them.

It well may be bad advice, but you only know what Gill described. But you do no know what the nurse actually said, or why, nor are you qualified to speak to all the different aspects that lead to that advice.

I never offered any advice to Gill because I am not qualified to do so. Which is why I only addressed my post to you and not Gill.

But I have various long term conditions and plenty of experience with health issues. Which includes over two decades online of knowing from experience how dangerous it is when people diagnose others from posts or emails, especially when with no qualification other than their own subjective experience. Or they make definitive statements about what is right or wrong for someone's care, casting doubt on professional advice, and causing confusion on who to trust. And in particular with regards to the mental health implications of doing so.

I apologized to Gill in case the impression I got from her threads is wrong, because I freely admit I do not and am not qualified to know. But I have enough experience of seeing such things to base that impression of, and to try and understand what the nurse was aiming to achieve. Which could also be wrong, and I have had some very bad experiences to not blindly trust anyone. But before making any judgements about anyone I try to make sense of things from their perspective. And it seems to me there is a valid meaning to what the nurse is trying to achieve.

But playing doctor on the internet is dangerous, so I will not offer advice beyond sharing and relating my experiences and being clear that is what I am doing. But I will always call out those who contradict professionals without the qualifications, experience, and knowledge of a patient to justify their claim to know better. Because it is dangerous and I have seen the damage it does. And the length of my condemnation is because I do not just make statements without justifying them.

 

[pm133]

Thanks @pm133 the levels 2 hours after I eat will just be telling me that my levels have gone up

Correct and of course, one of the next steps is to move onto looking at those numbers and working out what they actually mean and what you can do about them.

That's a discussion for another day though when you have got yourself secure on the rest of it. It's not something to worry about at this stage. I'm sure your DSN will help you through that when you both feel the time is right.

Of course if you have any questions in the meantime, I'm sure everyone will be glad to try to help you out.

 

[mum2westiesGill]

Correct and of course, one of the next steps is to move onto looking at those numbers and working out what they actually mean and what you can do about them.

That's a discussion for another day though when you have got yourself secure on the rest of it. It's not something to worry about at this stage. I'm sure your DSN will help you through that when you both feel the time is right.

Of course if you have any questions in the meantime, I'm sure everyone will be glad to try to help you out.

I've been type 1 diabetic since 1992 but seem to have lost my confidence and need a lot of reassurance - thank you for your kind reply 🙂

 

[pm133]

I've been type 1 diabetic since 1992 but seem to have lost my confidence and need a lot of reassurance - thank you for your kind reply 🙂

Oh it'll come back soon enough I'm sure.

 

[mum2westiesGill]

Oh it'll come back soon enough I'm sure.

Thank you