T1 diabetics thread

[mike9009]

Feirny said:

i4got said:

Feirny said:

So we’re on the list of people to self isolate for 12 weeks then. I’ll 100% be doing it as my immune system isn’t great as it is.

Have you see a definitive list of those impacted? Is it available online? TIA

I don't know if it's online yet, I've been informed by my mother who works for the NHS in a senior capacity.

When the guidance was first announced it was clear that diabetics should isolate for 12 weeks. I clearly remember discussing with two T1 colleagues and my T2 boss about this.

Now, there seems to be no mention of diabetics being at risk anymore in government guidance. I presume/ assume the initial guidance was incorrect. Anyone have any more info on this? Are the stats for diabetics much the same as the general population in terms of susceptibility to complications of COVID-19?

TIA

[PositronicRay]

mike9009 said:

Feirny said:

i4got said:

Feirny said:

So we’re on the list of people to self isolate for 12 weeks then. I’ll 100% be doing it as my immune system isn’t great as it is.

Have you see a definitive list of those impacted? Is it available online? TIA

I don't know if it's online yet, I've been informed by my mother who works for the NHS in a senior capacity.

When the guidance was first announced it was clear that diabetics should isolate for 12 weeks. I clearly remember discussing with two T1 colleagues and my T2 boss about this.

Now, there seems to be no mention of diabetics being at risk anymore in government guidance. I presume/ assume the initial guidance was incorrect. Anyone have any more info on this? Are the stats for diabetics much the same as the general population in terms of susceptibility to complications of COVID-19?

TIA

We're not on the official vulnerability list. But no doubt diabetics have a reduced immune system. I was surprised to learn that statically T2, suffered more, perhaps due to other underlying health issues.

I'm keeping my head down, even if I catch something minor it can really knock me about. Often unexplained high blood sugars are my 1st symptom.

I feel a little guilty, fit and healthy but using the volunteer group to fetch meds, rather than helping. The way I look at it better one person goes for 6 scripts, than 6 people collecting one each.

Our local volunteers are brilliant. I'm sure they get satisfaction from helping, but also like the opportunity to get out and about.

[Brainpox]

Diabetics aren't in the super high risk group that have been told to isolate for 12 weeks. That applies to specific conditions where covid is essentially fatal.

I'm NHS frontline and haven't been told to make any adjustments as we are supplied with the PPE we need anyway (! - but that's another discussion)

If you make a venn diagram of traits that put you at risk of type 2 diabetes against highest risk patients vs coronavirus, you will have a lot of overlap, which hopefully means just being diabetic doesn't necessarily put you at greater risk, other than trickier blood sugar control, and that it's the other complications that are the cause of the correlation.

[PositronicRay]

I've been using the freestyle libre since mid March. Apart from one dodgy sensor (replaced quickly by Abbot) all is good.

It gives me a much greater understanding of what's going on, tighter control, and less "yoyoing" over correction.

Average glucose reading down from 10.1 to 8.8 mmol/l, est hb1c down to 54 mmol/mol, for yrs it's hovered around 62-64.
I had a call from the diabetic nurse, she was monitoring my results remotely, spooky but fantastic too.

I'm fairly insulin sensitive around 1/20 (insulin to carbs) daytime, 1/15 evenings. Typically 100-120g carbs per day, so some meals I find myself having to make a call between 1 or 2 units, sometimes skipping insulin completely. Invariably a difficult one, often resulting in correction a few hrs later.

I think the solution would be a pump or 1/2 unit insulin pen.

[mike9009]

I have just been given Freestyle Libre, I will pick it up on Friday.

I did not push for the Libre, in fact it was 'almost' pushed on me. During lockdown, I have been having more frequent hypos. I get very good signals, even at night. However I have yoyo'ed a bit after each hypo. Oddly, my HBa1C is the best it has ever been.... (Equiv to 7.4).

I am also changing my 'basal' insulin from Humilin I at the same time - so it might be quite an interesting time having been using the same insulin and control for 25years. The specialist I spoke to, said he was amazed my control was so good with the 'whacky' insulin doses I am using. My current Humilin I is about 25% of my total daily insulin intake - typically he says it ought to be around 50%.....

Time will tell....

Just sharing, so I can get some advice in a couple of weeks

[PositronicRay]

mike9009 said:

I have just been given Freestyle Libre, I will pick it up on Friday.

I did not push for the Libre, in fact it was 'almost' pushed on me. During lockdown, I have been having more frequent hypos. I get very good signals, even at night. However I have yoyo'ed a bit after each hypo. Oddly, my HBa1C is the best it has ever been.... (Equiv to 7.4).

I am also changing my 'basal' insulin from Humilin I at the same time - so it might be quite an interesting time having been using the same insulin and control for 25years. The specialist I spoke to, said he was amazed my control was so good with the 'whacky' insulin doses I am using. My current Humilin I is about 25% of my total daily insulin intake - typically he says it ought to be around 50%.....

Time will tell....

Just sharing, so I can get some advice in a couple of weeks

I hope you get on with it. Its given me greater confidence, so I'm not over correcting whilst out walking. My hypo awareness has dropped right off in recent yrs.

I've now dropped my basal from 18 to 12 units in stages. Certainly feels more stable, equates to just under 50%.

I love the stats and targets produced, not sure of my interpretation though. The really cool thing is remote monitoring from the DN. Call them, and they'll make recommendations based on accurate information on the screen in front of them.

ETA I now have a 1/2 unit pen. Good for making minor adjustments.

Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 18th June 08:31

[mike9009]

PositronicRay said:

I hope you get on with it. Its given me greater confidence, so I'm not over correcting whilst out walking. My hypo awareness has dropped right off in recent yrs.

I've now dropped my basal from 18 to 12 units in stages. Certainly feels more stable, equates to just under 50%.

I love the stats and targets produced, not sure of my interpretation though. The really cool thing is remote monitoring from the DN. Call them, and they'll make recommendations based on accurate information on the screen in front of them.

ETA I now have a 1/2 unit pen. Good for making minor adjustments.

Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 18th June 08:31

I cannot believe how little insulin you take. Do you have a physically active job or low carb diet?

I am taking about 18 units for my basal insulin and approx 40 units short acting. I think my 'goal' is to get them roughly equalling each other, but will do this gradually......

I did all the Libre on line training last night, feels quite exciting. Maybe a bit overwhelming the amount of information it through a at you, but I like stats so will be quite interesting. Can you download the raw data into a CSV file?

[PositronicRay]

The thing is everyone's different, no formulas, even day to day my regime varies. Typically 150g of carbs per day.

A couple of really cool things re the libre. If I wear it on my left arm, my wife can check my BS whilst on the road.

Some winter days invariably finds me soaking wet, togged up in gloves and waterproofs, on an exposed site, blowing a hoolie, horizontal rain and sleet, head to toe in mud.

This season I'll be able to pop the libre reader in a sandwich bag, glucose reading taken still gloved up.

[mike9009]

Well, I have had the Libre on for about 24 hours. It is scary!

Occasionally, before Libre, I had been going low during the night, waking up, having a boost and then fine in the morning.

Last night, first time with Libre, I was running between 5 and 6 most the night. At about 5:30AM, I went hypo, didn't wake and by the time I awoke my blood sugar had recovered to normal. Then through this morning my blood sugar just kept climbing (upto 15), it looks like the same trajectory from the hypo at 530AM. By lunchtime back to normal, with no insulin, other than normal breakfast dose. I wonder whether this has been happening far more frequently than I realise....

Tonight will be interesting. I am desperately trying to do things 'normally' and resisting what Libre is telling me......

Appreciate any insights, but I know I will be talking to my specialist about this....

[PositronicRay]

mike9009 said:

Well, I have had the Libre on for about 24 hours. It is scary!

Occasionally, before Libre, I had been going low during the night, waking up, having a boost and then fine in the morning.

Last night, first time with Libre, I was running between 5 and 6 most the night. At about 5:30AM, I went hypo, didn't wake and by the time I awoke my blood sugar had recovered to normal. Then through this morning my blood sugar just kept climbing (upto 15), it looks like the same trajectory from the hypo at 530AM. By lunchtime back to normal, with no insulin, other than normal breakfast dose. I wonder whether this has been happening far more frequently than I realise....

Tonight will be interesting. I am desperately trying to do things 'normally' and resisting what Libre is telling me......

Appreciate any insights, but I know I will be talking to my specialist about this....

Before libre I didn't realise what my night time glucose levels were like. Before bed 10 breakfast 4-5 stable I thought, except it'd been soaring to 15+ in the small hours before plummeting.

3 months on I'm starting to get the basal/bolus ratio right. The danger is getting obsessed and trying to micro manage.

A 1/2 unit pen helps, I'm sure an insulin pump would too.

[Chilly for June]

Wasn't aware of 1/2 shot pen, who manufacturer them?

I have been using libre for 6 months now. Really does help with staying in top of levels. My A1c has never been lower sinve being diagnosed.

I find that my blood sugar can stay steady all night then if I get up at say 6am for the toilet and go back to bed my sugar can go from 6 up to 14 very by 8:30 when I get up. Tend to get this most mornings haven't ate anything so can't quite understand it.

Have started taking insulin at 6 to cancel out the rise but annoying none the less

[mike9009]

Chilly for June said:

Wasn't aware of 1/2 shot pen, who manufacturer them?

I have been using libre for 6 months now. Really does help with staying in top of levels. My A1c has never been lower sinve being diagnosed.

I find that my blood sugar can stay steady all night then if I get up at say 6am for the toilet and go back to bed my sugar can go from 6 up to 14 very by 8:30 when I get up. Tend to get this most mornings haven't ate anything so can't quite understand it.

Have started taking insulin at 6 to cancel out the rise but annoying none the less

I have been on Libre for three days now. I have noticed exactly the same thing happening - bloods drop slowly through the night then dipmrapidly at about 6am, then suddenly start rising. By mid morning I am up to 14 - 17. I never noticed this happening with single point blood tests.

Spoke to the hospital about it today and they said it is 'normal' and can be related to all manner of things (hormones). My current basal insulin is quite short acting, peaking after 6hours and then tailing off. I am changing this week to something much more gentle whichnthey say should halp even things out a little for me.

[PositronicRay]

Chilly for June said:

Wasn't aware of 1/2 shot pen, who manufacturer them?

I have been using libre for 6 months now. Really does help with staying in top of levels. My A1c has never been lower sinve being diagnosed.

I find that my blood sugar can stay steady all night then if I get up at say 6am for the toilet and go back to bed my sugar can go from 6 up to 14 very by 8:30 when I get up. Tend to get this most mornings haven't ate anything so can't quite understand it.

Have started taking insulin at 6 to cancel out the rise but annoying none the less

Manufactured by novo nordisk, probably developed for children but really helps me fine tune.

Google Dawn phenomenon.

I find that when I'm adjusting my basal, it takes a week for it to settle. (clinics reckon a couple of days)

Now on 12u basal (Lantus) down from 18u a couple of months ago.

[Chilly for June]

PositronicRay said:

Chilly for June said:

Wasn't aware of 1/2 shot pen, who manufacturer them?

I have been using libre for 6 months now. Really does help with staying in top of levels. My A1c has never been lower sinve being diagnosed.

I find that my blood sugar can stay steady all night then if I get up at say 6am for the toilet and go back to bed my sugar can go from 6 up to 14 very by 8:30 when I get up. Tend to get this most mornings haven't ate anything so can't quite understand it.

Have started taking insulin at 6 to cancel out the rise but annoying none the less

Manufactured by novo nordisk, probably developed for children but really helps me fine tune.

Google Dawn phenomenon.

I find that when I'm adjusting my basal, it takes a week for it to settle. (clinics reckon a couple of days)

Now on 12u basal (Lantus) down from 18u a couple of months ago.

Thanks for that information on the dawn phenomenon. That really does sound like what I experience. Basically when I wake up in the morning my blood sugar starts to climb even though I have ate nothing the previous night.

With regards to long lasting insulin I currently take this around 11pm each night before bed to try and keep my levels under control through the night, do you feel I should split the dosage in half and take the other half at say midday the following day?

[PositronicRay]

Some basal is designed for a split dose, I take Lantus once a day at bedtime.

I tried splitting the dose but it didn't help with control, I was relying too much on the basal and not Bolusing enough. I found I was playing catch up all day. I'm still taking the same total units, (basal v bolus) but a more sensible split.

40yrs since diagnosis, everyday is still a school day, you'd have thought I'd have it cracked by now!

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 23 June 12:55

[mike9009]

PositronicRay said:

Some basal is designed for a split dose, I take Lantus once a day at bedtime.

I tried splitting the dose but it didn't help with control, I was relying too much on the basal and not Bolusing enough. I found I was playing catch up all day. I'm still taking the same total units, (basal v bolus) but a more sensible split.

40yrs since diagnosis, everyday is still a school day, you'd have thought I'd have it cracked by now!

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 23 June 12:55

Thanks for posting about Dawn Phenomen, really useful as I had not read about that before.

I think my Basal is designed for split dose (Humilin I) but I am changing to a flatter longer term insulin within the next week. I only use the Humilin I once a day. I have been T1 for nearly forty years too and I have started learning again after 25 years of stagnation.....

[Feirny]

Another sufferer of dawn phenomenon, had it for years. 3am spike from a straight line during the night. Can go from 5 to 14 for no reason whatsoever.

[Chilly for June]

Feirny said:

Another sufferer of dawn phenomenon, had it for years. 3am spike from a straight line during the night. Can go from 5 to 14 for no reason whatsoever.

Great to hear I'm not the only one with this. It has really frustrated me for a few years. Essentially taking insulin for waking up instead of eating food!

Some guys on here saying they have lived with the condition for 20-40 years which gives me some hope, I have had it for 11 years now but need to get my control better.

[PositronicRay]

Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

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

Yeh.

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"

[Chilly for June]

PositronicRay said:

Just had my first HbA1c level since libre

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

Yeh.

As the man said "you can't manage what you can't measure"

Great result. Keep at it Freestyle Libre brought mine down dramatically when I started using it to around 45 mmol/mol I can keep it around that but then the bad habits set back in and it starts to go up.