When to take fast acting insulin

[Ali11782]

Yes

Sorry @Inka pressed reply too soon.
So yes going to the same breakfast and lunches.
I've always had food issues and think this just makes things worse for me. Prob now at 38 I feel like I don't want to be controlling food but that choice has been taken away from me.

 

[Ali11782]

@Inka I'm having a hard time accepting I am type 1 diabetic and there is no way round it except to take my insulin. But the other day I did an experiment. I had been for for a cup of tea with a friend. Neither of us had eaten breakfast, we both walked to the coffee shop. My blood sugar was 6 when we arrived. We both had a lemon and elderflower scone (I asked them to way the scone), I knew I would need about 4.5 as it was over 100g carbs but I was scared to take it so took 3 units. We walked home together, she did a pin prick test and got 6.6, I got 12.3 two hours after having it. So think that was my evidence that I am type 1 diabetic.

 

[Inka]

Think of it not so much as controlling food, just as a kind of matching exercise - matching up your insulin and your food. I know what you mean and it does get to me sometimes too. I just try to eat pretty much what I would have eaten without the diabetes - that is, relatively healthy foods with the occasional treats. Depriving yourself of foods isn’t necessary, and can backfire sometimes too. I do watch my portion size but I eat normally eg I had some chocolate cheesecake last night. Ok, I had to work out the carbs, then carefully cut myself 1/8 of the cheesecake, but apart from that added thing I ate it and enjoyed it as I would have done without the diabetes.

 

[Inka]

@Inka I'm having a hard time accepting I am type 1 diabetic and there is no way round it except to take my insulin. But the other day I did an experiment. I had been for for a cup of tea with a friend. Neither of us had eaten breakfast, we both walked to the coffee shop. My blood sugar was 6 when we arrived. We both had a lemon and elderflower scone (I asked them to way the scone), I knew I would need about 4.5 as it was over 100g carbs but I was scared to take it so took 3 units. We walked home together, she did a pin prick test and got 6.6, I got 12.3 two hours after having it. So think that was my evidence that I am type 1 diabetic.

Ah, I know that feeling so well! Soon after diagnosis, I got quite obsessed with thinking they’d made a mistake and I didn’t really have Type 1. I was going through the honeymoon period so was on small doses of insulin and that made things worse in a way because I kept thinking that perhaps I didn’t have it and that I had some weird thing mimicking Type 1. I also felt a lot of upset and anger about the whole thing.

What helped me was intense questioning of my consultant, poor woman! Once I understood that Type 1 was an auto-immune condition and that I hadn’t done anything to cause it or bring it on myself that helped. It also helped me feel less resentful of my friends who didn’t have it. I realised it was just random.

I still think we’re getting closer and closer to a cure, or at least some kind of artificial pancreas system that will help enormously. Take one day at a time and do your best. We just have to keep going until the cure gets here - and it will one day.

 

[Ali11782]

Think of it not so much as controlling food, just as a kind of matching exercise - matching up your insulin and your food. I know what you mean and it does get to me sometimes too. I just try to eat pretty much what I would have eaten without the diabetes - that is, relatively healthy foods with the occasional treats. Depriving yourself of foods isn’t necessary, and can backfire sometimes too. I do watch my portion size but I eat normally eg I had some chocolate cheesecake last night. Ok, I had to work out the carbs, then carefully cut myself 1/8 of the cheesecake, but apart from that added thing I ate it and enjoyed it as I would have done without the diabetes.

Yes that's what I need to get into my head. Just have to change my attitude which I am good at for a few days but then lose it because emotionally I struggle like so many of us in this world. But this is day 1. And I will do my best fo succeed.
So after two hours after breakfast my blood sugar was 3.3, had two satsumas and 10 raspberries and thst worked, went up to 5. Went out a walk for an hour (love to walk), half way through I was dropping so had a carton of apple juice. Got back it was 6.2, time for lunch, had four oatcakes, brie and grapes and some walnuts, 35g carbs, took a unit and two hours later I'm 5.2. Any thoughts on that @Inka x

 

[trophywench]

Don't be daft!! (to be blunt ...) Nobody can say ooh that's a lot - because every human body is different and needs what it needs, full stop. Plus in any case as it happens - on Levemir I took 14u when I got up and 4u at night ! (or 15/4 or sometimes 14/5) and before that, 18u of Lantus. 😉

I mean if you take more insulin than you need you'll keep going hypo, so you'll need to grab fast acting carb to counteract that, so if this happens A Lot one assumes the constant consumption of excess carbs will absolutely cause weight gain - so which came first, the chicken or the flippin egg! It is 100% true that I am heavier than I was in 1972 when diagnosed, when I weighed 7st 12, half a stone having dropped off me pre diagnosis. Went back up to normal weight and clothes fitted me again after though - and I now weigh (literally just weighed myself) 9st 12.
Is a 1.5 stone weight gain too much in 49 years? 🙄

 

[Ali11782]

Ah, I know that feeling so well! Soon after diagnosis, I got quite obsessed with thinking they’d made a mistake and I didn’t really have Type 1. I was going through the honeymoon period so was on small doses of insulin and that made things worse in a way because I kept thinking that perhaps I didn’t have it and that I had some weird thing mimicking Type 1. I also felt a lot of upset and anger about the whole thing.

What helped me was intense questioning of my consultant, poor woman! Once I understood that Type 1 was an auto-immune condition and that I hadn’t done anything to cause it or bring it on myself that helped. It also helped me feel less resentful of my friends who didn’t have it. I realised it was just random.

I still think we’re getting closer and closer to a cure, or at least some kind of artificial pancreas system that will help enormously. Take one day at a time and do your best. We just have to keep going until the cure gets here - and it will one day.

Don't be daft!! (to be blunt ...) Nobody can say ooh that's a lot - because every human body is different and needs what it needs, full stop. Plus in any case as it happens - on Levemir I took 14u when I got up and 4u at night ! (or 15/4 or sometimes 14/5) and before that, 18u of Lantus. 😉

I mean if you take more insulin than you need you'll keep going hypo, so you'll need to grab fast acting carb to counteract that, so if this happens A Lot one assumes the constant consumption of excess carbs will absolutely cause weight gain - so which came first, the chicken or the flippin egg! It is 100% true that I am heavier than I was in 1972 when diagnosed, when I weighed 7st 12, half a stone having dropped off me pre diagnosis. Went back up to normal weight and clothes fitted me again after though - and I now weigh (literally just weighed myself) 9st 12.
Is a 1.5 stone weight gain too much in 49 years? 🙄

Thank you. This is the reassurance I'm needing just now. I've never managed to eat 'normally', due to emotional reasons. But it is mad looking back because I think I was type 1 for a long time before being diagnosed. I used to go through periods of not eating and I'd feel heaps better physically, which was crazy but it prob stabilised my blood sugar.

 

[trophywench]

Go back to 5 yo mode when you first discovered that 1 plus 1 equalled 2.

 

[Ali11782]

Go back to 5 yo mode when you first discovered that 1 plus 1 equalled 2.

Yep back to basics that's my plan.

 

[trophywench]

Then buy a book of crosswords or Sudoku or get some embroidery or anything, whatever you fancy - Open University - potter's wheel - that can keep your mind busy with other things and relaxed !

 

[Ali11782]

Then buy a book of crosswords or Sudoku or get some embroidery or anything, whatever you fancy - Open University - potter's wheel - that can keep your mind busy with other things and relaxed !

Very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Ali11782]

Can ask everyone thoughts on bananas. I would love to have a banana once a day but it really does spike my blood sugar. Can make up my mind whether to just never have them again or what to do.

 

[trophywench]

Terry Pratchett Discworld novels - approx 35 of em - and all bloody hilarious in parts if you're able to enjoy his sense of humour, but still with proper stories anyway, or even Harry Potter or the Brentford Trilogy (comprising 5 books) whatever. Still haven't read ANY Jane Austen yet here. (and only one George Eliot, mea culpa as I now live quite near where she did)

 

[trophywench]

I gave em up a long time ago for that very reason. But - since my husband loves em - I sometimes have about 2 inches of his and thoroughly enjoy my bit!

 

[Pat91]

Don’t be afraid of your insulin. It’s a lifesaver. Type 1 was a terminal illness before insulin was discovered and manufactured for use. I remind myself of that fact every time I get fed up with the whole thing. Although it’s a nuisance, we are privileged to have a way to treat our condition and stay alive. Sounds trite, but it’s true.

Insulin doesn’t make you put on weight. I’ve been taking it for almost 30 years and I’m still slim. I really hate that myth because it causes so much stress and hassle for people. Put it out of your head. All you’re doing is providing your body with the insulin it can no longer make.

It’s brilliant you’re determined to get on top of things 🙂 You’ll get lots of help and support here - and understanding too. None of us are perfect and we all have rubbish days. Type 1 is hard work. One thing I’ve found that helps is to stick to the same breakfasts and lunches most days. That way I don’t have to think or count the carbs. Also, when I have, say, pasta, I tend to have the same cooked weight 95% of the time simply for ease. Those sound little things to do, but I find they help.

I also worried at first that taking insulin would lead to weight gain, 6 months down the line and I have lost 7st and now sitting comfortable about just under 13st which for my height of 6,2 apparently is quite good. Think it just comes down to food choice as you say.

 

[Ali11782]

I also worried at first that taking insulin would lead to weight gain, 6 months down the line and I have lost 7st and now sitting comfortable about just under 13st which for my height of 6,2 apparently is quite good. Think it just comes down to food choice as you say.

Thanks.
Well done you.
Wow you are tall compared to by 5,2 lol x

 

[Inka]

Yes that's what I need to get into my head. Just have to change my attitude which I am good at for a few days but then lose it because emotionally I struggle like so many of us in this world. But this is day 1. And I will do my best fo succeed.
So after two hours after breakfast my blood sugar was 3.3, had two satsumas and 10 raspberries and thst worked, went up to 5. Went out a walk for an hour (love to walk), half way through I was dropping so had a carton of apple juice. Got back it was 6.2, time for lunch, had four oatcakes, brie and grapes and some walnuts, 35g carbs, took a unit and two hours later I'm 5.2. Any thoughts on that @Inka x

I love walking too, and I top up with carbs before and during my walk if needed. I use Dextro tablets or jelly babies or those little can of Coke sometimes. All good 🙂

With that 3.3 after your breakfast, I’d have treated that as a hypo (which it was) and have had Dextro or jelly babies. Then I’d have had some longer-lasting carbs eg a digestive biscuit or slice of bread or similar. Your after-lunch result looks good. You might want to aim to be slightly higher so you don’t drop too low eg somewhere in the 6s. Sometimes it’s easiest to just add a few grams of carbs if you can’t lower your insulin eg you could try an extra oatcake.

I just saw your banana question - nothing wrong with bananas at all, but what caught me out was that the carbs they give for a “medium banana” is actually what I’d call a blooming tiny banana So I now tend to weigh my banana and work out the carbs that way. For other fruit like apples and oranges, I find the average size works fine. We must just have enormous bananas here! But yes, you can eat them. Nothing is off-limits. The only thing I was told to avoid was full sugar drinks except if treating a hypo. I eat bread, cereal, pasta, rice, cakes, desserts, etc etc. I just watch my portions and choose wisely - as well as ‘being my own pancreas’ and working out the carbs and insulin.

Don’t let Type 1 spoil your enjoyment of food. I found the early days hard because it did affect the way I looked at food and my decisions about what to eat, but once you get your head round things, you can enjoy your food just like anyone else. Type 1 is an irritating passenger in our car - it’s not the driver. It does need thought but it shouldn’t restrict us.

 

[Ali11782]

I love walking too, and I top up with carbs before and during my walk if needed. I use Dextro tablets or jelly babies or those little can of Coke sometimes. All good 🙂

With that 3.3 after your breakfast, I’d have treated that as a hypo (which it was) and have had Dextro or jelly babies. Then I’d have had some longer-lasting carbs eg a digestive biscuit or slice of bread or similar. Your after-lunch result looks good. You might want to aim to be slightly higher so you don’t drop too low eg somewhere in the 6s. Sometimes it’s easiest to just add a few grams of carbs if you can’t lower your insulin eg you could try an extra oatcake.

I just saw your banana question - nothing wrong with bananas at all, but what caught me out was that the carbs they give for a “medium banana” is actually what I’d call a blooming tiny banana So I now tend to weigh my baby a a and work out the carbs that way. For other fruit like apples and oranges, I find the average size works fine. We must just have enormous bananas here! But yes, you can eat them. Nothing is off-limits. The only thing I was told to avoid was full sugar drinks except if treating a hypo. I eat bread, cereal, pasta, rice, cakes, desserts, etc etc. I just watch my portions and choose wisely - as well as ‘being my own pancreas’ and working out the carbs and insulin.

Don’t let Type 1 spoil your enjoyment of food. I found the early days hard because it did affect the way I looked at food and my decisions about what to eat, but once you get your head round things, you can enjoy your food just like anyone else. Type 1 is an irritating passenger in our car - it’s not the driver. It does need thought but it shouldn’t restrict us.

Oh you don't realise how much I've needed this chat today. Thank you.
I think it really is about Portions. I usually about a banana that is about 100g, how many carbs would say is in a banana?
Yes prob if I had treated that hypo I wouldn't have had another whilst on walk.

 

[helli]

Can ask everyone thoughts on bananas. I would love to have a banana once a day but it really does spike my blood sugar. Can make up my mind whether to just never have them again or what to do.

Love my 'nanas.
My view is a proper spike is a short term up and down and not likely to have a long term impact if I dose the correct amount of insulin.
I often have creme fraiche in the fridge as I use it a lot of cooking. If I have some going spare, I add it to the 'nanas as the fat in the creme flattens the spike form the sugars in the fruit.
A banana is usually about 20g carbs.

Don't be afraid of carbs or insulin - learn how to use them and enjoy your food.

 

[Ali11782]

Ok

Love my 'nanas.
My view is a proper spike is a short term up and down and not likely to have a long term impact if I dose the correct amount of insulin.
I often have creme fraiche in the fridge as I use it a lot of cooking. If I have some going spare, I add it to the 'nanas as the fat in the creme flattens the spike form the sugars in the fruit.
A banana is usually about 20g carbs.

Don't be afraid of carbs or insulin - learn how to use them and enjoy your food.

OK so i prob need a unit for my banana.