I’m not speaking for @Timothy, but I can relate to you my experience when I started using the DIY Loop system.
The version of Loop that I use changes the basal pump rate based on BG levels it senses. When I first considered this, I was skeptical that any system could effect BG outcomes within the onset time of the insulin. My system delivers insulin via a pump in a basal and bolus fashion.
Maybe it’s an allusion, but Loop adroitly modulates the basal rate every five minutes and does an effective job maintaining BG levels. I don’t completely understand the dynamics of the interaction between basal and bolus insulin delivery.
My best guess is that a well-adjusted basal rate is like a perfectly balanced teeter-totter on the play-ground. Then, when a weight or force is added to either side, it responds immediately. Or it seems to.
I appreciate what you’re saying, @Mike3, about the published onset, peak, and duration of an insulin. But I’m also aware of certain observable insulin dynamics that appear to act contrary to those specifications.
I’ve been using a DIY Loop basal modulated system for about 8 years now. My last A1c was 5.0% and my total daily insulin dose is about 27 units, 0.42 units/kg of body weight.
Having said all that, you still have to carefully watch your BG levels when you stack corrective doses. I don’t avoid all stacking and I’m not afraid of doing it when needed.
In these situations, I love to use Afrezza since it’s fast-on fast-off nature works well.
Happens to me all the time. Thankfully my blood work came back with a 6.9 A1C but if I had to base it on my day to day blood sugar I should be much higher. I am a brittle diabetic so what you are describing is a normal day for me. Up and down, a crazy ordeal. It is tiring, exhausting, exasperating. My blood sugar is in control of my life. Not me in control of it. As an example, last night I went low to 48. A scary low. I gobbled a slice bread with 15 carbs a slice and in two hours I was 325. Yep. Insanity.
But you deal with because you have to. Just remember that as involved as diabetes can be, you are not diabetes. You are a person who has lived a long life. In your mind you have history that is all your own. The memories of happy times, sad times, times of burden, times darkness. You have lived and have yet some more time allotted for you. Don’t give up. You still have value to bring to your loved ones, and your friends. Life is short enough. Take the days one at a time. Don’t give in to that voice that says you’ve done enough. While there is breath there is life. It reminds me of the song ‘you are enough’ by Citizen Soldier. So don’t give up
Sometimes, it just happens. Sometimes it is the infusion site that stops working well. Last time it happened to me it was because I was coming down with a resp. illness - symptoms started the next day. I will give myself a few units of insulin via a syringe to bring it down and then monitor closely to make sure that I don’t go low.
Yes and I’ve learned to take less bolus for correction or give more time for impact. Sometimes I’ll do 1 unit per dose and if the floor seems to drop out I’ll eat a bit if it’s dropping at between 105-115 with a substantial drop still occurring. I judge by the amount of inflection or apparent curve change in the pattern. I started out with glucose tabs, but prefer some actual food source. It’s definitely been a learn by doing exercise. I’m currently using Trio, Dash, and G7. I sure there’s a more automated approach but haven’t figured it out yet.
Yup, as an MDI practitioner this happens to me too occasionally, so I share your pain. I’ve gotten so I’ll only do a couple of 2u corrections SC and if it’s still rising after that I’ll use a small dose via a more direct route and then watch my return to normal glycemia with snacks at the ready as needed.Thankfully I’ve never had to stack as many as 10u!
I use Affrezza to correct lingering highs if the Omnipod 5 post-meal algorithm does not seem to be working. This happens sometimes with a carb+fat+protein heavy meal (think pasta with meatballs) that outlasts my meal bolus. The reason I use Affrezza rather than a conventional injection of insulin is the short action time. Within about 60-90 minutes I will know if I need another correction dose or carbs if I over corrected.
I will take a shot in my arm (5-7 units) when my blood sugar does not seem to be moving down using the pump. I also take Farxiga and Metformin ER as I feel these help control my blood sugar spikes.
