So true, Nel! I don't understand the basal part but I guess some of it does start having an effect, so maybe I will give that a try in addition to the shot next time, since so many people mention it.
Thanks, Annabella. I normally don't either, but I'm in the middle of a complex negotiation with Medicare, CalPers and Caremark and am waiting for it to be resolved so I get my insulin with no charge instead of having to lay out $100+
The shots actually did bring me down (from 425 to 156!) but now I am creeping back up, so I suspect the site. I appreciate the reminder of the variable of the insulin, but in my experience insulin of three weeks old kept in the fridge has never been a problem. I'm far more suspicious of my site absorption. Yes, stubborn, I know!
Hmmm. Maybe 12/17 is a diabetic black hole? I went to bed at 128 and woke up at 259. Made the evening meal at home, knew the carbs...should have been a no brainer. Corrected with a syringe at 8:00, then switched out infusion set, insulin, etc. Got down...ta ta da....185 after 4 hours. Anyway, after struggles (a temp basal for a while) I have finally gotten to 130.
And, I have been baking Christmas cookies all day. I have not eaten anything, licked a finger, tasted a nibble of cookie all day and the smell is making me crazy. It is for a good cause, though, so I will survive.
Wow, whoever is getting those cookies better appreciate it; I haven't made sweets since I stopped eating sugar 19 years ago! (After that long, the smell would not be enticing to me, but way too sweet!)
Sorry if you "caught" my D troubles but glad you're back down to earth.
I zapped back up to 236 before lunch so took a shot and changed my set to a new body part. When I removed it I had a mini-gusher. I'll report back if my theory was right.
Last Spring when I was having highs that took for ever to beat down and would then go back up almost immediately, it turned out that I was having a leakage problem with my cartridges. The evidence was the faint smell of insulin on my pump.
Yeah, I wondered about that too as the cartridge kept not being filled all the way to the top even when I thought it had been. Not sure what that is about, but I changed the cartridge too, moved to my leg (which immediately popped out and had to be bandaged) and am finally able to go pick up new insulin so I'm covering all the bases.
Take care, Zoe. Let us know how it goes.
I'm glad you came down, that is great! hope you figure out if it is the site etc.
Unfortunately I've been spiking again today, and am still trying to figure it all out. I actually bought some ketone strips today as they weren't as expensive as I thought, though I'm still not sure what I'd do differently if it's positive! I'll let everyone know if I figure anything out!
Sigh. So after fighting to keep down highs all day yesterday, I woke up this morning to an "occulsion alarm" - I've actually never had one of those before! I tested and was 384. I rushed around getting my cappuccino so I could think straight, and checking lot numbers on boxes while the prime alarm kept going off. And you ask why I don't want a CGM? Those alarms really increase your stress level especially when you're not yet awake!
I've decided it must be a cartridge problem. I wondered about that before due to seeing a bit of insulin and someone's comment. I got another box of cartridges which, fortunately is another lot as well. I got another box of steel infusion sets for good measure but they are the same lot. If the cartridge change doesn't solve the problem next step is to call Animas. This is ridiculous. Oh yeah, good morning TuD'ers.
Good Morning! Well, I had better control when I used my MM pump, but I don't have any "mechanical" problems with MDI. (I do have problems with my vials of Apidra going bad too early, but hopefully that problem has been solved with my new prescription for Apidra pens.) Which brings me to the suggestion: if your problem of highs doesn't stop very soon, you might try going on MDI for a few days while your body gets used to normal blood sugars again. Good luck!
Oh dear! You must be exhausted. Even if the cartridge change does the trick I would call Animas both to report the problem and to see if they can send you a trainer to look at your technique. I found that a brush up after 5 years of pumping actually taught me some things.
Take care,
Maurie
Aw, just wanted to say you’re doing a great job. Highs are just awful. Glad you’re better!
Zoe, I took advantage of the incredible Lilly "get started" offer and bagged a set of 5 300ml humalog pens for free with their coupon as a backup. Expiration date is 2/2015 -- they just sit wrapped up in a ziplock at the back of the meat drawer in the fridge. As you recall, I'm an omnipod user, so my regular humalog comes in vials.
I'd recommend anyone using humalog go to the Lilly site, print out the coupon for free pens, and go fill it (you'll need a prescription). Keep them around as backup -- really great for peace of mind.
Thanks, Dave, I just use my Apidra in a syringe when I need to take a shot. I used to have a free coupon for Apidra as well but I can no longer use it now that I have Medicare.
Thanks, Trudy, that's not a bad idea but would entail getting a Levemir prescription and figuring out how much to take. I think I'll just hang in there, talk to Animas and supplement with fast acting shots as needed to get down.
Yeah, I think calling Animas is a good idea; I just need to wake up a bit more..lol. I doubt they would have a trainer to come out here, but perhaps to the next largest town over the mountain. It's something to consider.
Yeah, between this, the "Great Medicare supply battle" and end of the semester tasks, I'm feeling pretty beat. I keep retreating under the covers on the couch with my new Kindle.
you can use another short acting with a pen if needed. i've done humalog and novolog in same day. i too would suggest getting a Rx for pens as well as a vial, they're two different Rx's so insurance will cover both as medicare will cover insulin used with your pump and ALL pump supplies and your secondary would cover insulin pens, not pump related and you could carry a pen with you, just a thought? Geez Zoe, I hope your numbers come down. One should also probably know their MDI basal rate just for this reason, or at least that's what my Endo and CDE tell me, just in case we need to switch from pump to MDI.
I don't really have a need for pens. I'm within a short distance of home most of the time, and when I go away I take a vial of insulin in a frio.
I still have my old basal rate somewhere but it would be different now. I don't see any logic to going back to MDI when I'm unstable, and I have been doing corrections with syringe so I have the best of both.
thanks for the well wishes, Sarah.
To update, I've been correcting and am stuck in the high 300s today. My suspicion is it was a bad lot of cartridges and now I'm just resistant. But I spoke to Animas and the tech is having the nurse call me. I'll share the results.
Zoe, you seriously don't feel your highs, even in the 300's; no blurred vision, dry mouth, body aches, pains, excessive peeing? Maybe you're getting sick and don't know it yet??? I hope it turns around for you and soon!