Diabetes Talking

Question:

Hi! I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. Is it possible? I mean, is there really some uncontrollable diabetes?? I feel helpless. I’m having 4 or 6 units of humalog in the morning, 6 or more before lunch, and the same in the evening plus 20 units of humuline zinc Is it possible that sensitivity (and anguish) could be the problem ?? What can I do?* Thanks (and sorry if there are some mistakes: I’m french…)

Response:

Hi! I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. Is it possible? I mean, is there really some uncontrollable diabetes?? I feel helpless. I’m having 4 or 6 units of humalog in the morning, 6 or more before lunch, and the same in the evening plus 20 units of humuline zinc Is it possible that sensitivity (and anguish) could be the problem ?? What can I do?* Thanks (and sorry if there are some mistakes: I’m french…)

There is such a thing as brittle diabetes, which is very hard to control, but emotional state does have a big effect on how things work.  You may need some more intensive medical treatment, but the words "when I was weighing…" jump out at me.  I cannot imagine acheiving control without always weighing all food (or at least keeping really good track of _exactly_ what you are eating.)  Personally, I’m T2, and I only eat stuff that comes in packages, and read the labels with a bit of skepticism until I see exactly what happens after eating a particular item. There are all kinds of tests and treatments that can be varied, including pumps and suchlike, but only a doctor can give you advice on what you need to do.  If you pester your doc and don’t see any improvement, it’s time to get a new doc.  Some are better than others, and some just are better for a particular individual. Speaking only for myself, Joe Durusau

Response:

Hi! I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. Is it possible? I mean, is there really some uncontrollable diabetes?? I feel helpless. I’m having 4 or 6 units of humalog in the morning, 6 or more before lunch, and the same in the evening plus 20 units of humuline zinc Is it possible that sensitivity (and anguish) could be the problem ?? What can I do?* Thanks (and sorry if there are some mistakes: I’m french…)

     That is almost exactly the same total daily dose of insulins that I use.    I use Lilly Humuline Ultralong  (the same as Novo Ultratard)     However,   I must split my humuline zinc into at least three shots per day to make it work properly.     If one does not split the humuline zinc into at least two doses per day, one’s blood sugar will rise very rapidly when the single dose starts to wear off!   A blood sugar over 16 mmol/L  (300 mg/dL) is common when the single dose is consumed. This effect is strong if one uses Long Humuline.  It is  less strong if one uses Humuline Ultralong. Anguish is one cause.   Shooting all one’s daily humuline zinc as a single dose is another cause. I also test my blood sugar at two hours after I eat.  If it is too high, I inject extra Humalog. If my sugar is 8.3 mmol/L, I shoot 1 unit.    If my blood sugar is 11,  I shoot 2 units.  If my blood sugar is 13, I shoot 4 units. (Your english sentences were excellent) Regards   Old Al

Response:

I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. Is it possible? I mean, is there really some uncontrollable diabetes?? I feel helpless. I’m having 4 or 6 units of humalog in the morning, 6 or more before lunch, and the same in the evening plus 20 units of humuline zinc Is it possible that sensitivity (and anguish) could be the problem ?? What can I do?*

You don’t mention what your BG readings are.  What are your fasting levels, before-meal levels, after-meal (2-hour) levels, and bedtime levels?   Knowing those would help point to the problem area. You also don’t mention whether you get frequent hypos.

Response:

I am wondering how often you test your blood sugars.  My daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes, probably tests nine to ten times per day.  Her favorite long acting insulin is Lantus.  When she was on NPH she had to inject it twice per day. She rarely weighs her food, but she does give herself extra shots of humalog when her blood sugar spikes. BL

Response:

I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating.

I have had T1 diabetes since I was 12 y.o – I’m 25 now as well.  I am what is called a "brittle" diabetic, wherein my blood sugar is very hard to control, even with constant monitoring of my food intake, etc. At one point I started seeing my endocrinologist once a week or more, and we worked out an insulin schedule that is more disciplined and dependant on my BG levels.  I now test my BG 5 or more times per day, and I take 5 injections per day.  2 before breakfast, 1 before lunch, 1 before dinner and 1 before bedtime.  I add or subtract 2, 4 or six units per injection, depending on whether my BG reading is higher or lower when I test. my blood glucose levels are also highly variant on my emotional state, so that is something you may want to look into if it is a problem for you. Don’t forget that anything is possible, though… with a little extra care you can get your diabetes under control.  I managed (with two or more doctor visits per week) to give birth to two very healthy kids. Lemony

Response:

Hi I have the same problem.  i have diabetes 38 years, why don’t you e mail me? ilene

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. Is it possible? I mean, is there really some uncontrollable diabetes?? I feel helpless. I’m having 4 or 6 units of humalog in the morning, 6 or more before lunch, and the same in the evening plus 20 units of humuline zinc Is it possible that sensitivity (and anguish) could be the problem ?? What can I do?* Thanks (and sorry if there are some mistakes: I’m french…)      That is almost exactly the same total daily dose of insulins that I use.    I use Lilly Humuline Ultralong  (the same as Novo Ultratard)     However,   I must split my humuline zinc into at least three shots per day to make it work properly.     If one does not split the humuline zinc into at least two doses per day, one’s blood sugar will rise very rapidly when the single dose starts to wear off!   A blood sugar over 16 mmol/L  (300 mg/dL) is common when the single dose is consumed. This effect is strong if one uses Long Humuline.  It is  less strong if one uses Humuline Ultralong. Anguish is one cause.   Shooting all one’s daily humuline zinc as a single dose is another cause. I also test my blood sugar at two hours after I eat.  If it is too high, I inject extra Humalog. If my sugar is 8.3 mmol/L, I shoot 1 unit.    If my blood sugar is 11,  I shoot 2 units.  If my blood sugar is 13, I shoot 4 units. (Your english sentences were excellent) Regards   Old Al

Thanks for that! I’m sure it’s definately a good advice (I’m often very higth in the end of the day) Thanks a lot, D

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have type 1 diabetes since i’m 10 y.o. (I’m 25 now)my glycohemoglobin levels is been about 11.5 to 13 % these last 24 months (or maybe even longer) I never managed to get good results, even when I was weighing carbohydrates and any fruit I was eating. I have had T1 diabetes since I was 12 y.o – I’m 25 now as well.  I am what is called a "brittle" diabetic, wherein my blood sugar is very hard to control, even with constant monitoring of my food intake, etc. At one point I started seeing my endocrinologist once a week or more, and we worked out an insulin schedule that is more disciplined and dependant on my BG levels.  I now test my BG 5 or more times per day, and I take 5 injections per day.  2 before breakfast, 1 before lunch, 1 before dinner and 1 before bedtime.  I add or subtract 2, 4 or six units per injection, depending on whether my BG reading is higher or lower when I test. my blood glucose levels are also highly variant on my emotional state, so that is something you may want to look into if it is a problem for you. Don’t forget that anything is possible, though… with a little extra care you can get your diabetes under control.  I managed (with two or more doctor visits per week) to give birth to two very healthy kids. Lemony

Thanks for your answer : it gives confidence! Can I ask you what is the kind of insulin you are using ? Regards, Gytte

Response:

Thanks for your answer : it gives confidence! Can I ask you what is the kind of insulin you are using ? Regards,

Humulin R (rapid acting), 3 times a day – or more, depending.  And Humulin NPH twice a day. Lemony

Response: