I have only been diagnosed for 4 months with type 1. I am doing quite well but I know its early days yet. My problem is with keeping my levels balanced at work. I work for an animal rescue charity so my job revolves around cleaning kennels, walking dogs, mucking out horses, cleaning cat and rabbit pens and working in reception. The office part of the job is vastly different to the animal care side and I often do not know what I will be doing until I arrive at work. By then I can have eaten and injected to do a physical job only to discover I am in the office, or vice versa. This can make it difficult to keep balanced. Does anyone else out there have any advice on this. The other problem is I only need to inject 1-4 units depending on what I am eating so there is not much to play with.
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- Thread starter dcpearce
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi, and welcome to the forum 🙂 It can be difficult when your days are unpredictable like this. What insulin regime are you on? I know that one of our members favours a meium-duration insulin over the more common long-acting ones like levemir and lantus because this gives more opportunity to adjust requirements at shorter notice, so it might be worth discussing this with your team.
The other alternative that would be particularly suitable for you would be an insulin pump, which lends itself to quick alterations in dose very readily, and would also allow very small doses. They are pretty difficult to come by though, but it's always worth discussing as a possible option.
The other alternative that would be particularly suitable for you would be an insulin pump, which lends itself to quick alterations in dose very readily, and would also allow very small doses. They are pretty difficult to come by though, but it's always worth discussing as a possible option.
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi dcpearce and welcome 🙂
I've always cited those sorts of problems as the worst part of any insulin regime (bar pumping perhaps) and there isn't an easy solution.
The best I can suggest is to inject for an office day and eat enough to cover the physical side if it's sprung on you. Obviously this can mean a lot of extra food but it's easier to shovel in food than remove insulin once injected.🙂
The only other option is to ensure that you can plan your day at least down to mornings and afternoons, with co operation from others but I know from experience how unpredictable volunteer work with animals can be.
Rob
I've always cited those sorts of problems as the worst part of any insulin regime (bar pumping perhaps) and there isn't an easy solution.
The best I can suggest is to inject for an office day and eat enough to cover the physical side if it's sprung on you. Obviously this can mean a lot of extra food but it's easier to shovel in food than remove insulin once injected.🙂
The only other option is to ensure that you can plan your day at least down to mornings and afternoons, with co operation from others but I know from experience how unpredictable volunteer work with animals can be.
Rob
teapot8910
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum 🙂 Definately agree with what's already been said, work like that will be very unpredictable despite the best laid plans! Carry insulin and hypo treats, hopefully it should help things 🙂
imtrying
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
welcome to the forum.
Do you think your work would be able to make an exception and maybe be able to tell you where you'll be working the following day, given your reasons for needing to know?
If others have the flexibility to move, then it won't affect them so much. Hope that they can help support you.
Do you think your work would be able to make an exception and maybe be able to tell you where you'll be working the following day, given your reasons for needing to know?
If others have the flexibility to move, then it won't affect them so much. Hope that they can help support you.
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome dcpearce
My job also involves very different physical requirements each day, usually without prior knowledge - although, for example, if there have been strong winds through the night, I know there's a good chance I'll be chopping up fallen trees / branches and loading onto trailer to remove from tracks. The answer then is to have packets of sweets and muesli bars in my pockets, to I can eat before / during / after activity. Then, I will reduce the next couple of doses of my medium acting insulin (Humalin I) which I take at bedtime and when getting up.
Basically, you need to explain your situation to your diabetes team and get their advice about how best to deal with life. The way I do it might suit you, but it might not.
My job also involves very different physical requirements each day, usually without prior knowledge - although, for example, if there have been strong winds through the night, I know there's a good chance I'll be chopping up fallen trees / branches and loading onto trailer to remove from tracks. The answer then is to have packets of sweets and muesli bars in my pockets, to I can eat before / during / after activity. Then, I will reduce the next couple of doses of my medium acting insulin (Humalin I) which I take at bedtime and when getting up.
Basically, you need to explain your situation to your diabetes team and get their advice about how best to deal with life. The way I do it might suit you, but it might not.
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