I've been type 1 for about 3 weeks now, the doc has me now taking 30units of Lantus
in the morning, and Novolog before every meal and right before bed, according to a sliding scale
One question I definately had was how do I figure out how much Insulin to inject if I'm really low,
my scale's lowest number is 110-140 -2units
Another question was is there any good programs or diabetes educational classes in/around
the Sacramento, CA area?
Basically I'd just like to talk to someone that can answer questions and give me advice, so If you're from the Sacramento Area and you know/are type1, please get at me, I'd love to get in contact
You don’t inject insulin when you are low, you take 15 grams of fast acting carbohydrates like 1/2c of juice, 3-4 glucose tabs, 4-6 life savers. Your target range for bloodsugars should be between 70mg/dL - 140mg/dL. If your blood sugar is below 70, DO NOT inject insulin, take the 15grams of fast acting carbs and wait 15 minutes, and check your blood sugar again. If it is still below 70, take another 15grams of fast acting carbs and wait another 15 minutes. If you take insulin when you re low, you could seriously injure yourself. Insulin brings your bloodsugar down. The Lantus is a slow acting insulin to keep you level throughout the day. The Novolog is a fast acting insulin you take when you eat or have a HIGH blood sugar.
I hope I understood your question properly because I am really worried for you. If I did, I would make a phone call to your doctor tomorrow so you can have someone sit and go over this with you to keep you in a safe blood glucose range. Sometimes your insurance company has a nurse that you can speak to on the phone if you ever had questions too and I think they are sometimes available 24 hours.
Oh, no insult taken, thanks for the advice too, but thats what I mean, should I take insulin if my blood sugar is below 70 and I’m about to eat a meal? for example, today before lunch my blood sugar was 54, and I took 2 units, and then ate lunch.
my question would be, should I continue to take the insulin before a meal, even if my sugars are below 70?
How low are you talking about? I’m guessing that you mean low before meals.
The 15-15 rule about correcting lows is just a general guideline. It depends on how sensitive you are & learning how much 1 gram of fast acting glucose effects you & how fast. Everyone is dfferent. For example, 1 gram glucose raised my BG 10 pts. If I took 15 grams, I’d increase my BG by 150 pts. Also the full effect can take up to an hour. Taking 15 grams after 15 minutes could send you quite high.
Experiment by eating 5 grams of glucose & test at 15 minutes, 30 minutes & 60 minutes to see how much this raises you.
Since you’re on a sliding scale, you should raise a low to your target BG before injecting before a meal. That’s the safest thing to do at the beginning.
Unusual to be taking Novolog before bed.
As soon as you can, get a referral to see an endo. Insist that you be taught to count carbs & to dose Novolog according to how many carbs you’re eating. Sliding scale is outdated & not the way to good control.
An endo will help by setting your doses, teaching you your insulin:carb ratio (I:C ratio) & how to correct highs (your ISF–insulin sensitivity factor). Sounds daunting, I know, but it’s not hard at all & will soon be second nature.
Not to confuse you further, but many people have greater success taking Lantus in two doses.
Please check out www.bloodsugar101.com. Great site! Also, invaluable books are Using Insulin by John Walsh, Think Like A Pancreas by Gary Scheiner & Diabetes Solution by Dr. Richard Bernstein.
You run the risk of going really dangerously low or having to treat a low soon after eating. 54 is too too low to take insulin. Treat your low, wait 15 minutes and check again. If it is above 70, then go ahead and take your insulin and eat your meal. When my bloodsugar is below 80, I start eating a little and take my insulin about 10 minutes in that way I have a little food working in me.
I never take insulin when my blood sugar is below 70. You don’t know how fast your bloodsugar is dropping.
How were you feeling at 54? I don’t know if your doc told you the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, but it’s very important that you not delay getting yourself checked if you start feeling them and if you are low get some fast acting sugar in you. If you already feel like your dizzy and shaky, the get something and as you sit and drink or eat your snack check your blood sugar. Better to be safe than sorry.
I have to say, I was a little scared for you there.
well how do I go about seeing an endocrinologist?? all I could get on was some cheap county free primary care…
its pretty much a free clinic, and mostly they are just supplying me with my Insulin and supplies. they never
gave me an actual physician. basically, I make an appointment and go see whatever doc is there that day.
the doc did say they were gunna check the blood they took and refer me to a specialist…but its the county specialist
thats 'not always there that day’
but so far this county doc wants me to continue the novolog before each meal and right before bed
and then the 30 units of lantus every morning.
if there is anyone in california, near sacramento, that knows of some coverage or a good doc I could see, lemme know please
cause one thing I really want to do is get on an actual diet plan and seen by a professional.
I’m for the most part on my own at the moment…
Sorry, John. I’d be a total PIA & call every day until you get a referral to an endo, or until they can steer you to an endo at another clinic who will treat you. Diabetes is all about self-management, but you’ve got to be given the tools to start with.
I learned more from the site & books I mentioned than from my doctors. Encourage you to read them. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all disease. I also learned tons here.
Do you have insurance? I go to a clinic similar to this, in Reno,NV. I’ve had diabetes though for 22 years so I can adjust insulin etc until I get insurance to see an Endo. You may want to check around your area like at the local hospital and see if they have education classes .If you have financial issues or no insurance and explain it to them sometimes they are willing to work something out with you. Also see if there are any diabetes support groups,etc in your area.Maybe if you can find diabetics in your area they can help you as well. I cant imagine having been newly diagnosed and not having an educator or endo. I would’ve been so scared.I hope you can get the help you need.
Hi. It seems to me that taking the fast acting Novalog at bedtime without food could be really dangerous. After about three hours, while asleep, you could go low. Splitting your long acting Lantus into two doses, one in the morning and one at bedtime, should give you basal coverage for 24 hours without unexpected lows. Many libraries have the Walsh and Scheiner books, so that you can start understanding how insulin works in your own body immediately.
