insulin

[liz davidson]

hi my partner is type1 diagnosed few weeks and at the moment on the mixed insulin

he is after thoughts on basal-bolus what people think about it as he is seeing nurse again this week and is thinking of having this one

thanks

 

[stephknits]

Hi Liz. Welcome to the forum. I for one would recommend basal bolus. It makes for a much more flexible way of managing your insulin and means you can adjust your fast acting doses to the carbs you eat, instead of eating to your insulin. It does take a bit of time to get used to working out your carbs and your insulin ratio, but is well worth it

 

[trophywench]

...... and is thinking of having this one

Hi Liz - and LOL !

The basal bolus system consists of two insulins, not just the one - and is a FAR better option for all of us. One type covers all our background needs (the Basal insulin - usually Levemir or Lantus) and the other covers whatever we eat (the Bolus insulin - usually Humalog or Novorapid sometimes Apidra) This is because our bodies can't actually function at all without using insulin - heart can't beat, brain can't work, not your lungs, liver, kidneys - nowt - so that one acts slowly, whereas the bolus one acts quicker but only lasts roughly 4 hours.

However rather than give you chapter and verse I would far rather recommend a really good book, which is aimed at the newly diagnosed or their parents if they are too young to read it themselves, but actually explains things so well you can read it at whatever age you are diagnosed and find real help.

It's called Type I diabetes in children, teenagers and young adults by Ragnar Hanas.

 

[Cofito]

Hi Liz.

My son was diagnosed last Thursday so have been reading anything and everything.

I ordered that book of Amazon Friday came Saturday.

Been reading on and off since it arrived. Although as I am finding there is a huge amount of information concerning diabetes that if delved into may allow your to pass many science degrees, the book explains things simply and you can delve into the parts that you need to at the time you need to.

Im using it to ask questions to the medical teams as still in hospital but there is a lot in there to help you make decisions you need to.

My son is on the lantus and nova rapid and seems fine at the moment. We are collating data and patterns of his bloods. And I guess this will help us as months roll on to make decisions on future/other methods etc.

I am still learning so don't want to say too much but hope you get what you need info wise and everyone on here has been a great help.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

I'd definitely ask to be put onto basal and bolus insulin if I were your partner, Liz - it's much more flexible, he will be able to eat what he wants when he wants, as Steph says, rather than having to eat to match the insulin he's had.

 

[Northerner]

hi my partner is type1 diagnosed few weeks and at the moment on the mixed insulin

he is after thoughts on basal-bolus what people think about it as he is seeing nurse again this week and is thinking of having this one

thanks

Another vote for basal/bolus 🙂 I think I was fortunate to go straight on to basal/bolus at diagnosis, I think I would have struggled and felt very constrained by mixed insulin, although they can work well for some people 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Well constraining they indeed were and are - but at least these days - we have a choice! In 1972, we had to adjust our lives - but that was a choice too - live or die! LOL (Prime example of Hobson's Choice, methinks! LOL)

 

[liz davidson]

thank you all x think he has now decided xxxx most prob be back soon with more questions

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Great! Let us know how you get on. As with any change - expect a few teething troubles... but stick at it. The long-term flexibility and benefits are worth the effort and faff to begin with.