T1 diabetics thread

Author
Discussion

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

Down from 64 in Jan to 53 mmol/mol now.

Yeh. biggrin

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"
Great work! How does your actual HbA1C match with what Libre predicts?

I have been on Libre for two weeks now, with predicted HbA1C of 52. My last actual Hb1AC was 58 in May - just interested in the correlation....

Chilly for June

323 posts

77 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

Down from 64 in Jan to 53 mmol/mol now.

Yeh. biggrin

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"
Great work! How does your actual HbA1C match with what Libre predicts?

I have been on Libre for two weeks now, with predicted HbA1C of 52. My last actual Hb1AC was 58 in May - just interested in the correlation....
When I got my first blood test 3 months or so after having the libre the doctor called to say the results were amazing so much lower than j have ever had. I can't remember the exact numbers but the libre was predicting low and the doctor seemed to back that up.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

Down from 64 in Jan to 53 mmol/mol now.

Yeh. biggrin

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"
Great work! How does your actual HbA1C match with what Libre predicts?

I have been on Libre for two weeks now, with predicted HbA1C of 52. My last actual Hb1AC was 58 in May - just interested in the correlation....
The estimated value correlated well with the actual. I've a telephone appointment with my consultant on Friday. Keen to discuss a pump.

I'm also interested in this https://miaomiao.cool/ self funding though. The watch with a warning would be great while working in the Forest, and a display on the phone for long distance driving. I'm kinda surprised Abbot haven't developed a similar thing.

I'm going to dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st C.

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

Down from 64 in Jan to 53 mmol/mol now.

Yeh. biggrin

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"
Great work! How does your actual HbA1C match with what Libre predicts?

I have been on Libre for two weeks now, with predicted HbA1C of 52. My last actual Hb1AC was 58 in May - just interested in the correlation....
The estimated value correlated well with the actual. I've a telephone appointment with my consultant on Friday. Keen to discuss a pump.

I'm also interested in this https://miaomiao.cool/ self funding though. The watch with a warning would be great while working in the Forest, and a display on the phone for long distance driving. I'm kinda surprised Abbot haven't developed a similar thing.

I'm going to dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st C.
Ah that's good. I suspect whilst on Libre my inter-meal snacking has reduced, I am using far less insulin, weight dropping (unquantified) and blood sugar's reduced.

I wonder why? I suspect I was concerned about 'big brother' watching me, which seems ludicrous.

It is the first time in forty years I feel in control, despite going out of control every now and again still! smile

That link looks interesting - not sure I would permanently want even more gubbins strapped to me when I only need to swipe my phone though????

Thanks to Chilly for June too. wavey

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Saturday 25th July 2020
quotequote all
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Saturday 25th July 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.

Chilly for June

323 posts

77 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.
What is the reason for the change in insulin?

When I was in America last year I ended up running out of insulin just before we came home. Long story short ended up getting one pen to tide me over. I think it was a Lily brand. Anyway ate a massive meal carbs etc and took this new pen, it had my blood well under 7 two hours after. It was almost as if my body liked having the change from Novo rapid.

Went straight back to Novo when I got home so no further details but it did make me think what are these drugs we constantly pump into our body capable of and does the body get used to them and stop reacting well to them?


PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
quotequote all
Chilly for June said:
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.
What is the reason for the change in insulin?

When I was in America last year I ended up running out of insulin just before we came home. Long story short ended up getting one pen to tide me over. I think it was a Lily brand. Anyway ate a massive meal carbs etc and took this new pen, it had my blood well under 7 two hours after. It was almost as if my body liked having the change from Novo rapid.

Went straight back to Novo when I got home so no further details but it did make me think what are these drugs we constantly pump into our body capable of and does the body get used to them and stop reacting well to them?
I wanted a faster insulin, high spikes then low BS before meals with nova rapid.

I'm preferring that it's in, does the job and out again.

Chilly for June

323 posts

77 months

Sunday 26th July 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Chilly for June said:
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.
What is the reason for the change in insulin?

When I was in America last year I ended up running out of insulin just before we came home. Long story short ended up getting one pen to tide me over. I think it was a Lily brand. Anyway ate a massive meal carbs etc and took this new pen, it had my blood well under 7 two hours after. It was almost as if my body liked having the change from Novo rapid.

Went straight back to Novo when I got home so no further details but it did make me think what are these drugs we constantly pump into our body capable of and does the body get used to them and stop reacting well to them?
I wanted a faster insulin, high spikes then low BS before meals with nova rapid.

I'm preferring that it's in, does the job and out again.
Be really interested to hear your thoughts in a week or so when you have gotten used to it. Always looking for better ways to control.

Do you guys still only inject in your arms, thighs and stomach?

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Monday 27th July 2020
quotequote all
Chilly for June said:
Be really interested to hear your thoughts in a week or so when you have gotten used to it. Always looking for better ways to control.

Do you guys still only inject in your arms, thighs and stomach?
I only inject in my thighs, rotating region on a daily basis. When I was a kid I was encouraged to inject in my stomach, arm and calves. Injecting in my calf and stomach gave me a cramp-like pains.

Very occasionally I will inject in my stomach, which I have read will help absorb the insulin more quickly. No about you??

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Monday 27th July 2020
quotequote all
Chilly for June said:
PositronicRay said:
Chilly for June said:
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.
What is the reason for the change in insulin?

When I was in America last year I ended up running out of insulin just before we came home. Long story short ended up getting one pen to tide me over. I think it was a Lily brand. Anyway ate a massive meal carbs etc and took this new pen, it had my blood well under 7 two hours after. It was almost as if my body liked having the change from Novo rapid.

Went straight back to Novo when I got home so no further details but it did make me think what are these drugs we constantly pump into our body capable of and does the body get used to them and stop reacting well to them?
I wanted a faster insulin, high spikes then low BS before meals with nova rapid.

I'm preferring that it's in, does the job and out again.
Be really interested to hear your thoughts in a week or so when you have gotten used to it. Always looking for better ways to control.

Do you guys still only inject in your arms, thighs and stomach?
I'm about a week in.

Nova rapid was active for so long it was difficult to correct between meals. Also I think it was in my system for so long it was masking a low bolus dose. I've increased that to 14u.

To maintain a decent level with with nova rapid I was injecting, waiting until BS dropped to 5 then chomping fruit pastilles to maintain sub 10 until the next meal. Or huge spike 15-18 then slowly dropping to around 4-5 before the next meal.

Now after a couple of hours it's back in range, sub 10 and (by and large) flat lines. Less variability.

I'm a little paranoid when it starts going high, and take a correction dose between meals. With novarapid I'd just wait and correct at my next meal time.

Stomach and 1/2u pens.

I'm still campaigning for a pump.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Friday 31st July 2020
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
Chilly for June said:
Be really interested to hear your thoughts in a week or so when you have gotten used to it. Always looking for better ways to control.

Do you guys still only inject in your arms, thighs and stomach?
I only inject in my thighs, rotating region on a daily basis. When I was a kid I was encouraged to inject in my stomach, arm and calves. Injecting in my calf and stomach gave me a cramp-like pains.

Very occasionally I will inject in my stomach, which I have read will help absorb the insulin more quickly. No about you??
Sorry for the late reply.

I found fatty lumps forming on my thighs, arms and buttocks. So gave those up. I only use my midriff now, even around the sides, anywhere I can find some spare flab.

I haven't noticed any absorpstion problems, but maybe sometimes I just put it down to one of those days! I have been warned about injecting into muscle, apparently insulin gets into the system much more quickly.

2 weeks into humalog and I'm getting a handle on it, more time in target (up to 74%) lower sugars and lower variability so pretty pleased. Hypos have increased so I'm going to peg back the basal again.


ETA

It was so much simpler 40yrs ago! I was hypo aware, no testing, glass syringes with 12 needles (like horse needles they were) per month. 2 injections per day, mixing cloudy and clear insulin in the syringe as you went.

Edited by PositronicRay on Friday 31st July 12:11

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Friday 31st July 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Sorry for the late reply.

I found fatty lumps forming on my thighs, arms and buttocks. So gave those up. I only use my midriff now, even around the sides, anywhere I can find some spare flab.

I haven't noticed any absorpstion problems, but maybe sometimes I just put it down to one of those days! I have been warned about injecting into muscle, apparently insulin gets into the system much more quickly.

2 weeks into humalog and I'm getting a handle on it, more time in target (up to 74%) lower sugars and lower variability so pretty pleased. Hypos have increased so I'm going to peg back the basal again.


ETA

It was so much simpler 40yrs ago! I was hypo aware, no testing, glass syringes with 12 needles (like horse needles they were) per month. 2 injections per day, mixing cloudy and clear insulin in the syringe as you went.

Edited by PositronicRay on Friday 31st July 12:11
I remember endlessly tapping the syringe to get rid of air bubbles (or else I could die - and at 7 years old that was scary). I only remember the plastic disposable syringes though.... Blood sugar's took about five minutes to 'develop' an accurate reading with endless colour blindness tests to make sure I was reading it correctly.

I remember my Dad spending ages cutting the test strips in half to save money. And the finger pricker was like a mini trebuchet.

Luckily I am still hypo aware, getting tell tale feelings at 4.5 when it is going downwards. I also feel hypo when my blood sugar is rapidly declining sometimes, not sure if that is a function of the Humalog??

Glad you are getting used to the Humalog, I sometimes find it a little slow acting but put that down to my impatience smile


mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Friday 31st July 2020
quotequote all
Chilly for June said:
mike9009 said:
PositronicRay said:
Well it's been a funny old week.

I've moved from novarapid to humalog. Faster acting so still working things out, running too high, but overcompensating so also hypos.

I've increased my basal, a couple of units, hoping to have the balance cracked in the next few days.
I am on Humalog and have been for years (prior to that Actrapid). Humalog feels quite controllable, but I need to inject about 20 minutes before eating which is not what the 'sales' blurb says and not always possible with my lifestyle....

I have recently moved from Humilin I to Tresiba which feels much better. Libre is putting my HBA1C at about 6.7 which is unheard of for me.
What is the reason for the change in insulin?
I had 'coped' with Humilin I for years. I was under the care of my GP and I suspect their knowledge was not as in-depth as the local specialists. I was also very nervous of change having suffered from early morning fits and comas many years ago.

Humilin I is like a basal/ bolus mix, so it would peak after six hours and fade to nothing after 12 hours. It was supposed to be taken twice daily, but I only ever took it before bed. Tresiba is flatter in profile and lasts 24 hours. Now I have Libre I can clearly see the benefits of the Tresiba against the Humilin I. My blood sugar almost flat lines through the night (dependent on any late evening shenanigans).

However, I think it has highlighted the dawn phenomena to me. I suspect Humilin I just helped cope with the rising blood sugars. Now I am needing another 4 units of Humalog on waking each morning to control the dawn phenomena. However, it does feel a bit random about how strong it is each morning.

So, having been using Humilin I for almost 30 years, the change is really positive.



PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
I've just been approved for an omnipod. I won't miss 6 injections per day!

Looking forward to a time when pumps link properly to CGM.

Feirny

2,534 posts

149 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
I've just been approved for an omnipod. I won't miss 6 injections per day!

Looking forward to a time when pumps link properly to CGM.
I’m waiting for my appointment for one! Can you keep up updated with how you get on with it?

Arun_D

2,302 posts

197 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
Having been started on Libre in November, I was realy happy to see my HbA1C drop from 68 to 54 after 3 months usage.

Expecting I've throttle back a little over lockdown, and seeing a slight rise in the estimated level in the app, I was pleasantly surprised to be told I've dropped down further in my latest blood test, now 53. The lowest I've been in about 12years, since just after my diagnosis.

Not a big drop, granted ,but I'll happily take it since I was expecting a worse result than before!

Now looking at tighter control with faster acting insulin or one of the systems to turn the Libre into a proper CGM.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,135 posts

185 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
Arun_D said:
Having been started on Libre in November, I was realy happy to see my HbA1C drop from 68 to 54 after 3 months usage.

Expecting I've throttle back a little over lockdown, and seeing a slight rise in the estimated level in the app, I was pleasantly surprised to be told I've dropped down further in my latest blood test, now 53. The lowest I've been in about 12years, since just after my diagnosis.

Not a big drop, granted ,but I'll happily take it since I was expecting a worse result than before!

Now looking at tighter control with faster acting insulin or one of the systems to turn the Libre into a proper CGM.
Yes similar hb1ac, getting obsessed by time in target. Around 66%.

mike9009

7,078 posts

245 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Arun_D said:
Having been started on Libre in November, I was realy happy to see my HbA1C drop from 68 to 54 after 3 months usage.

Expecting I've throttle back a little over lockdown, and seeing a slight rise in the estimated level in the app, I was pleasantly surprised to be told I've dropped down further in my latest blood test, now 53. The lowest I've been in about 12years, since just after my diagnosis.

Not a big drop, granted ,but I'll happily take it since I was expecting a worse result than before!

Now looking at tighter control with faster acting insulin or one of the systems to turn the Libre into a proper CGM.
Nice work! I have been on Libre for almost three months. How close was the Libre HbA1C figure compare against the actual.
HbA1C?

My Libre is showing 49 at the moment (which is amazing for me having been around 62 at best before) I am just slightly worried that the Libre seems to consistently be below an actual blood sugar test.

Chilly for June

323 posts

77 months

Sunday 13th September 2020
quotequote all
Had my worst hypo experience ever last night. Luckily the wife spotted it due to the amount of sweat coming off me and apparently I was convulsing.

I have no memory of anything except not wanting to wake up when she was shouting at me and then me physically unable to wake up (if that makes sense)

All good this morning but scary at the times.