[lennon]

im 19, about ten months ago an unusual reading in some bloodwork sent me to the endocrinologist, there i was told i was "pre-diabetic". this was shocking because j have always been overly active throughout my life. this january it became obvious that i needed some help, and was finally insulin dependent in april, after having to work around college and being 4 hours away from the doctor.... i take 4 shots a day and seem to have a lot of pain with them, i also am now just starting to adjust my insulin and am working towards a pump. nobody in my family nor anyone im close with has diabetes, and i guess im just wondering if this emotional drain is normal? and how long it takes before it really starts becoming a routine? i know all the information and nutritional facts that the doctors have given me i understand all the science behind it, can anyone help me with the actual experience? just little helpful hints or tricks would be appreciated.

[dano]

Welcome to the Forum!

You didn't say whether you are using syringes or flex pens, but look for the short and smaller gauge needle. I use syringes; 1ml (100u) BD Ultra Fine 31g 8mm (5/16') and flex pen needles; BD Ultra-Fine Mini (Purple) Pen Needle 5 mm (3/16") x 31 G or BD Ultra-Fine Short (Blue) Pen Needle 8 mm (5/16") x 31 G. I have found that by using the needles with the 31 gauge I can hardly feel the needle going in.

On blood sugar testing, I don't use alcohol for the finger stick, as it burns too much. I find it works best if I just wash my hands well with soap & water and dry them very well. Be sure to mix the sample locations up, remember you do have ten fingers.

You also may want consider mixing up your shot locations, as well. I use upper arms one day, thighs the next and stomach after that.

I hope the information helps. Good Luck!

[bgjohnson]

You shouldn't use alcohol prep when checking your blood glucose it can make the test inaccurate. Just wash your hands

[dtm84]

Originally Posted by lennon

im 19, about ten months ago an unusual reading in some bloodwork sent me to the endocrinologist, there i was told i was "pre-diabetic". this was shocking because j have always been overly active throughout my life. this january it became obvious that i needed some help, and was finally insulin dependent in april, after having to work around college and being 4 hours away from the doctor.... i take 4 shots a day and seem to have a lot of pain with them, i also am now just starting to adjust my insulin and am working towards a pump. nobody in my family nor anyone im close with has diabetes, and i guess im just wondering if this emotional drain is normal? and how long it takes before it really starts becoming a routine? i know all the information and nutritional facts that the doctors have given me i understand all the science behind it, can anyone help me with the actual experience? just little helpful hints or tricks would be appreciated.

I was diagnosed last year and it took a couple months for the emotional turmoil to pass. The best advice I can give is to take control of your disease and don't become a slave to it. When you are in total control, you can do anything you want. If you have poor control you will always be frustrated. So you need to find a system that works for you, not for anyone else - all that matters is that it works for you.

I started on disposable pens and they were really poor quality however I managed to nail my carb ratio and long term insulin amounts. I switched to the cartridge based apidra and lantus insulin pens and they are excellent in terms of precision and accuracy (important since I am very insulin sensitive so pen error is important when I'm only taking 2-3 units for a meal). Novorapid cartridge pens are terrible.

I used to have pain with injections and bleeding since I don't have much body fat. The trick is to find the fattiest area on the region of your body where you're delivering injections. I take a wide and gentle pinch and then just tap the surface of the skin in that area until I find a place that doesn't really register the prick. That's the location that I choose for the injection. I find that if just tapping the head of the needle on a piece of skin hurts then I will be guaranteed to get an intense burn on injection or end up with bleeding (often both).

For checking my sugars I use the sides of the tips of my fingers. I find using the pads of my fingers results in scarring and residual tenderness whereas using the sides doesn't give me those problems.

Good luck.

My best advice is to first work on your long-term insulin. Change it by one or two units until you're waking up around the same point as when you went to bed. For me taking 7 units dropped me slightly while 6 units raises me slightly, so for me the ideal amount is 6.5.

Next focus on your short acting insulin. I like Apidra because it's fast acting, I take it right before I eat. I keep the pen in my skin for 60 seconds to reduce dribbling in case there is any resistance. Try to eat low carb meals with an exact carb count and take your sugar levels right before and two hours after. I eat the same breakfast every day and check my sugars before and after every meal. If you do this for a couple weeks it will allow you to figure out your exact ratio. For instance, I know that I am 18g per unit since 54g and 3 units will leave me exactly where I started but 50g will cause me to drop slightly and 60g will cause me to rise slightly.

I use my iPhone and glucose buddy to record everything and to stay on top of what's going on. If you take control and put in the effort to nail down exactly how your body responds to insulin you will be way happier. Because I know exactly how my body will respond in all situations I am not afraid to do anything.

Remember that as a type 1 diabetic your best friend is consistency and routine. Try to eat around the same times each day, try to eat the same amount of carbs for each meal and try not to binge. Always check your sugars before and after meals and always perform your injections in the same manner. I'd really recommend eating the same breakfast every day as that will allow you to start your day off on the right foot.

p.s. Avoid exercise while in your 2 hour insulin window as exercise will increase your insulin sensitivity. If you're going to exercise then reduce your insulin or just eat a carb free meal. Last night I didn't feel like dealing with insulin so I just ate a mostly carb free dinner. Remember that meat, eggs, leafy grains, cheese, diet soda, are all carb free foods.

Finally, by removing terrible carb heavy foods from your diet you can reduce your insulin needs and if you reduce the amount of insulin you take per meal then you reduce the potential spikes and lows from miscalculations. I generally avoid bread and pasta and never drink sugar drinks like juice or soda. Milk is my best friend.

Most important thing: GET A KITCHEN SCALE. I use mine for every meal and it makes carb counting easy and precise. If you stick to a routine panel of foods you will get to know their carb weight ratios well and be able to eye ball them.

[wardmw]

In terms of tips and tricks, when doing a blood test use the side of your fingers and thumbs as a) it hurts less because there are less nerves there and b) you have twice as many places to get blood from!

Stick with it, you can live a very long time with type 1 and it doesn't have to rule your life.

|/|artin