In need of some massive diabetic lifestyle changes

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
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Hi There Guys!

This is a bit of a long one so please be warned!

Instead of complaining today about Depression & Anxiety. I come to you for help with actually managing my Diabetes. I have couple of questions to ask!
I’ve been on the Animas IR 2020 pump for the majority of my diabetic life. But through being on the pump I’ve actually lost more control than gained. Mostly because the pump is so easy to used and so flexible, I actually just casually bolus through any meal (2.00-3.00units) without testing. But now I feel I’m ready to manage my diabetes properly and would like to know:

  1. Besides EzBG, Normal and EzCarb (which I’m assuming are the only if not majority of the options) Are there any other options to get better control? Or if not, how can I completely utilize the options I have. I know it is a very broad question – but I’m really just looking for some tips some well-managed people have used to gain better management of their diabetes through their Animas pump. I feel privileged to have one, & feel as if I should really use it more effectively. I’m mocking its abilities…

  2. What is the best way I can observe the fluctuations in my BGS. I know some things are out of my control. But I do know that even when I think I may be doing things correctly, my blood ends up around 9.5-10. Which thank goodness is the highest in 3 days. It’s a massive improvement. What I’m really asking is if someone can suggest a plan I can use to properly observe my blood and therefore adjust my basal rate to suit the rising BG’s after my meals.

  3. I’ve been going through the forums trying to figure out how my insulin interacts with my body in terms of a diet. I’ve read many, “there is no difference…really…” and plenty of “I’ve gained weight through my insulin use”. SO I would love to know how to reduce my weight and my insulin intake. Or one or the other… Are they related? Also currently I am quite house bound in Thailand and would like to know if anyone can suggest some exercises I can do in a tiny room? I weigh 60-62Kg, which is BMI-wise very healthy according to my height. But I’m hoping to lose a couple of KG’s purely to feel better and more active, as well as maintain healthy blood sugars. I’m assuming it goes hand in hand?

  4. Lastly – Females only, ha-ha. How do most of you feel about how our Hormones change our BG’s. I’m currently on the Pill “YAZ”, and would like to know if it has any major effect on how my insulin is absorbed or just in general if it affects my BG. If so – how can I control that? Are there any practical solutions or is it just up to chance?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I’m really finding such peace through this site and it’s even more exciting that I can ask this to a bunch of nice people who truly understand. I’d much rather Type 1 Diabetics opinions rather than my doctors ones sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I just believe that experience can assist me more in this instance.

Hope you are all having a better day than me. The heat here is seriously provoking my irritation. But I will soldier on!
Kathleen: D

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Honestly, in regards to the pill, I feel it has changed things for me. It’s caused me to gain about 10lbs (much of it in my chest, but some elsewhere). This weight increase has made me somewhat insulin resistant and I’ve noticed that since going on the pill I’ve been continually cranking up my basal doses to compensate :confused:

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  1. Can you upgrade to the ping? I don’t know if it’s available where you are, but I have found that being able to test and then bolus right from the meter makes me more compliant… both in terms of testing before meals, and bolusing correctly for said meals :slight_smile: If you can’t do that, simply making yourself a rule that you “can’t” eat until you’ve tested and properly calculated your meal bolus is where I’d start… make it become a habit again. They say it takes 30 days to form a new habit, so don’t expect it to happen overnight - you’ll need to work at it.

  2. Have you ever read Pumping Insulin? Basal testing can be a huge help in that department, as well as making sure that your I:C’s are accurate - most of us find that our ratios vary throughout the day… avoiding the “rollercoaster” of BG’s - meaning lows from too much insulin, and rebound highs, is what really gives me the best control. I don’t expect perfect #'s 100% of the time… but I do hope to avoid the extremes.

  3. Eat too much, gain weight… insulin is definitely a component of that, but it’s not the cause. Overeating is the main cause of weight gain… too little activity doesn’t help, but if you are less active, and you eat less, you can still lose weight, it’s just harder. Find more ways to be active… if you can. I know that the more active I am, the more stable my BG’s are, and the less insulin I use overall, even if what I am eating doesn’t change.

  4. The hormones in BCP’s make you insulin resistant (specifically, the progesterone)… how much varies from person to person… some people notice very little change, and others notice a bigger difference. It has a HUGE effect on me… it’s one of the many reasons I don’t use hormonal BC (it also makes me somewhat psychotic, which is the main reason).

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I’m on YAZ and there is no effect to my BS … I wouldn’t take it if there was. I am very anti meds or extra insulin if not needed. Unless I am used to the dose but I only take 15 units a day it can’t be much.

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I’ll address Question 4. I have heard that hormonal BC can affect insulin resistance, but I’m not sure exactly how. I think it might be different for each person. I do know that most women experience blood sugar fluctuations with their monthly cycle. My diabetes educator told me that usually the week before your period your blood sugars will run higher, and then during your period if will return to normal. For me personally, my blood sugars run higher the week before, and then during the week of my period they actually tend to run a little lower than normal. I think it’s one of those things where you just have to record what happens until you start noticing patterns.

Oh, and I highly suggest reading the book Pumping Insulin, too! That book helped me out a lot!

Good luck with turning over a new leaf!