What should I do?

[KENNAJACKSON]

Hello!

Newly diagnosed last week - has been a bit of a rollercoaster week finding out but I have a few questions:

1- I take Tresiba in conjunction with Novarapid and the week since I’ve been taking it my blood sugars have been good but today my blood sugars seem to have been consistently high - is it normal to have a day of high blood sugars and any advice on bringing it down?

2 - also new to blood sugar testing and boy do I struggle. My fingers just don’t seem to like giving up the blood enough and im finding myself wasting so many testing strips as it doesn’t produce enough or causing pain as having to jab my fingers lots of times. Again any advice or tips for this would be so appreciated

Thank you!

 

[notmez]

Welcome. Can't help with #1 but for #2. I struggle to get any blood out of my finger when I'm cold or when my hands are cold. I've been washing my hands in warm or hot water before I test. In the mornings I'll hold my hot drink for a few minutes before I stab myself. At lunch I'll hold my soup bowl or drink or whatever.

If you can get moving even just for a minute, try 10 star jumps? I find the warm hands work for me.

 

[Eternal422]

Hello and welcome! I would echo @notmez advice in having warm hands, running under warm water for a while would help get the blood flowing.

As for your first question, yes, things will fluctuate. You can eat and do the same every day and some days you will have perfect BG, other days it will be high, or low! There are loads of factors that affect BG, and you’re trying to estimate how many carbs and dosing Novorapid on perhaps the same insulin to carb ratio throughout the day. You could be under or over estimating carbs, your body may be more or less sensitive to insulin at different times in the day, stress can cause high BGs, etc., etc. However, don’t worry as the overall control you can get with a mix of long acting and short acting insulin will give you good control and flexibility overall.

As you are T1 you should be offered the Libre flash CGM which will give you so much insight into how your body responds to different carbs and insulin timings and amounts - plus it will save the pain of finger stick testing!

Good luck and reach out on here to ask questions or just vent, we will all get it and can offer support and understanding!

 

[KENNAJACKSON]

Thank you both so so much.
This is very reassuring and appreciate your responses very much.

Thank you! Will definitely give the warming up a go beforehand

 

[Dave W]

As has already been stated, insulin:carb ratios can vary considerably during the day and from day to day. I need considerably more insulin:carbs for breakfast than I do for my evening meal. It can be useful to keep a log or diary to remind you about how many carbs you consumed and how much insulin you injected.
Do pursue getting a CGM on prescription as they make managing carbs and insulin vastly easier. Meanwhile while you are still finger stabbing - as well as heating your paws, keep your hand below heart level in your lap and use the side of the finger rather than the tip as the skin is thinner.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Possibly also worth trying a different lancing device if you are struggling to get a reliable sample without causing pain?

Many members here choose the Accuchek Fastclix over the finger pricker that comes with their meter. Very fine lancets in a drum of 6. Unofficially they can be reused several times. Good depth adjustment, and well built.

There are more hints and tips on virtually pain-free finger pricking here too:
Painless Pricks, by Alan S