I’m Flynn and a type 1 diabetic for 36 years. From the outside I’m physically fit and considered by many as very muscular at 5’7 and 170 lbs. On the inside I’m not inspirational and disappointing to say the least. A time bomb ready to explode.
My problem is high blood sugars on a low carb diet. Yes I follow the recommendations from Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution and Gary Schneider the “Thinking Pancreas.”
For the last several months after reading these books I thought the world opened up to me. H1c of 6.5 and great blood sugars that stayed consistent. For no apparent reason, and no change in diet, I cant seem to adjust my insulin correctly to compensate for meals. I use to take 1 unit for 15g of carbs to make a correction which is more like 4 or 5 units plus hours of dosing. I compensate for protein which is more like black magic adding a little extra each time. I have also tried basal adjustments. I’ve switched sites, insulin etc. It is to the point where It does not matter what I do or how much I read. I have a Dexcom and use my meter up to 15 times / day.
The only thing I did not try is Vitamin D which I was deficient a few months. Thinking of going away from the pump and trying regular shots as I know things are not good as I have to use the bathroom consistently. I take humalog. The only thing that lowers my blood sugar is SCOTCH it seems!!! When I do manage to get my blood sugars down, all it take is one meal for it to come back up. So a typical meal might be a caesar salad with chicken. Maybe 10g of carb and 6oz protein. I’ve eliminated coffee.
I’m at a loss. My Endo says take more insulin until it comes down. I feel like our disease has too many unknowns. One day you know the routine and the next is a set hurdles.
Any thoughts and or suggestions would be appreciated…
If you are simply high all the time, then it sounds to me like you need more insulin, either basal or bolus or both.
It does seem to me that after your body gets used to a low-carb diet that you need to take more insulin. But overall, it’s still less than what you take eating a higher-carb diet (at least for me). I know some people bolus for protein in addition to carbohydrates. Maybe you need to start doing this if you don’t already do so.
I started taking Vitamin D about a week ago and haven’t noticed any difference. I’m not sure that Vitamin D affects blood sugar at all. But it’s probably still good to take if you’re deficient (which is why I started taking it).
If you have an infection or illness of some sort, or are on some types of medication, these things can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.
I so relate! I’ve been well controlled on a pump for several years. I have been diabetic since 1969. I had a vitrectomy and expected increased insulin while healing. But my blood sugars continued to sky rocket, despite increasing carb ratios, increasing basil rates by 50% and more. I was depressed and frustrated and my AIC elevated to over 7% for the first time since I started on a pump. Of course, doctors have no idea either. Finally numbers are settling with my increased settings, even dropping small amounts. This has been going on for a year. If you have not had any recent surgeries, perhaps some hidden infection? This disease is exhausting, mentally and physically. All I can say is increase the insulin in all directions, no matter how excessive it seems at times . Physics will finally win, sugars will have to fall. And eventually it will behave, albeit with way more insulin.
I’m guessing you’re aware of this and the answer is no, but just to clear the suspect as they say on CSI, you haven’t by any chance had any sort of cortisone injection in the last few weeks, right? Not sure what the time frame is for the effect you’re seeing but a c-shot can keep you up in high bg land for a few weeks–three for me, the one time I unknowingly ran across it.
I’m sorry you’re having this trouble. I’m having a lot of trouble too. With lows and then highs and lately high all the time, waking up high. Nothing seems to work for very long. I tried the B diet at first then had to go higher carb. Now I can only eat 10-5 per meal or I will crash, but I still need more insulin for it. I can’t figure out how to bolus properly for what I am eating for my stomach/digestive issues. Do you have any digestive issues going on? Maybe that could be affecting things too.
Sounds to me like you are doing everything within your power to manage your BG levels. I’ll just add that diabetes does not play fair or follow the rules and you need as much insulin as you need, regardless of why. If I were you, I’d consult the fantastic folks at Integrated Diabetes for one-on-one assistance:
Flynn, 2 things strike me here…the first being that you say that the only way you can get your blood sugars down is by drinking Scotch…have you had any recent oral infections? The alcohol from scotch would temporarily kill any infection you may have in your teeth, Have a dental exam and have the dentist tap on your teeth…both the chewing surface and the buckle surface, (the outside of the tooth), this will tell the dentist if you have a root infrction…X-rays will NOT show an infection…
The second thing is have you had a complete Thyroid work up. Not just a TSH level but a T3, Free T3, and a T4 level done…T1Ds are very prone to Thyroid issues…have your doctor run the tests for HYPOTHYROID and HYPERTHYROID and act accordingly…Hope this helps.
