More information
Okay…
First I am on humalog…have been since I started pumping 4 years
ago. It has made a huge difference, since my Regular insulin length
of action was different from day to day…and always lasted much
longer than the expected time. We never could get it so that it
didn’t complicate the NPH peaks! But even on the Regular I had to
wait until AFTER I ate a meal to dose because if I dosed even as
starting to eat I would have reactions.
Second, I have the book…not the most recent version but 2 copies of
the previous one(s). The information is hard to adjust to my
situation because of the erratic swings.
We have been trying to eliminate the lows for the most part…which
is why I treat anything 80 or below…and my goal is to try to stay
above 90 before meals. The hypos are less often, but still
happen…I woke up with a 59 this morning! AS soon as I have a 3 day
pattern of a consistent low I start cutting back on the basal.
Unfortunately, starting to exercise is causing unpredicted
lows…which complicates things even further.
Third, my low blood pressure is believed to be because of cardiac
autonomic neuropathy. The insurance is unwilling to accept this
diagnosis just yet…it was given by an out-of-network autonomic
specialist, and the only testing I have had so far is a Tilt Table
Test. I started off on Florinef, but have been changed to ProAmatine
due to the fact that many diabetics have elevated blood pressure when
lying down and Florinef can intensify that problem. Currently the
blood pressure is much better, at my normal inactive activity level.
Any kind of exertion tends to cause it to act up. I have used the
information I received from Dr. Joe, and am currently checking out
local cardiologists to find one with autonomic neuropathy experience
who hopefully use the Anscore system to test and diagnose.
Okay, now for another goofy question. I am on a "restricted" diet
due to my 6 month battle with hives. It is yeast and mold free. I
can have no aged or cultured foods. (A real pain!) Also I can have
no nutrasweet, and only Sweet n Low in very small amounts. For my
caffeine intake I have switched to regular sodas (Coke & Pepsi). I
am very careful about amounts (in order to track carbs), and
generally add water or a lot of ice. I had already worked most of
the sodas out of my diet on the 3 week trial period, so it only
amounts to 8 - 16 oz a day. The rest of the day I’m drinking water.
Of course I can not have any grape juice which also limits the
availability of juices (they use grape juice to sweeten
EVERYTHING!)…so I am using Sprite to treat reactions. Anyway in
the past 2.5 - 3 days on this diet, my blood sugars have come down
considerably. I took my bolus for lunch yesterday, then sipped on
water/sprite mixture for the afternoon without taking any insulin for
it (due to the extended intake period). When I got home I started
have hypoglycemic symptoms (I was still drinking the sprite/water
mixture). I didn’t believe it so I took my bg…it was 74! I drank
some straight Coke, and switched over to water. Snacked throughout
the evening (rather than an actual dinner, bolused accordingly) while
I caught up on chores around the house. My pre-bed 125. I then woke
up with the 59 this morning. How can this be? Shouldn’t my blood
sugars and insulin need have been gradually increasing instead of
decreasing?
I know this approach is very unorthodox! Unfortunately with all the
problems they are trying to balance out just now, my options are very
limited. I’m doing what seems to be the most appropriate right now.
Thank God(dess) for the pump! I would be in a major mess without it!
Waiting out all this insanity before starting the exercise program
really isn’t an option since it is being recommended to help improve
my blood circulation, blood pressure and stamina. Hopefully slowing
down the progression of autonomic neuropathy and preventing the
beginning of periphrel neuropathy.
Suzanna