Re: Diabetes-Donna--Heidi Griffith

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna,

It takes a while to get the hang of it all, and before your levels get

where they're supposed to be. Best thing you can do is study

and research all you can about diabetes. One thing you need to

watch out for is carbs, they raise one's blood glucose higher and

for a longer duration than anything else.

The ADA diet recommendations are quite high on carbs, as

many as 250-300 a day, which I have found is much too much for

me to eat and still maintain good control. I eat about 90-120

carbs a day, what is called a " moderate " carb diet. I tried to

follow the ADA diet for two weeks and never once was able to get

my blood glucose where it needed to be. They have since

learned that their pyramid diet is too high on carbs, and plan to

change these recommendations sometime in the future, but it's

a large organization and things don't happen overnight.

My endo also wants me to stay around 100, which I have been

able to do, as long as I count my carb intake. I don't let my BG's

get over 140, is they go over I correct with fast acting insulin, and

I will take some glucose if they go below 60.

Because I am britle, I do have to test much more often than many

other diabetics, but it's necessary so that I can keep good

control. Sometimes the brittleness causes me to have crazy,

wild swings, totally out of control from low to high very fast, or vice

versa, but I've learned to not let it stress me out too much and

over react. Paying all this attention has brought rewards though,

my last A1c was 5.5%, and that is very good. I'm going to be put

on an insulin pump within a few months, and once I start that it

will be even easier for me to take care of. The complications of

high blood glucose levels can be devastating, neuropathy,

blindness, amputation, etc...so I am very strict with myself.

What insulins are you using? I'm on 12 units of Lantus for my

baseline insulin, and then use fast-acting Humalog before

meals, with the units based on the amount of carbs in each

meal. Then I have to dose again 2 1/2 hours after my meals to

cover my protein digestion, which occurs later. I love the Lantus,

because it allows me to have a very flexible schedule. I don't

have to eat at pre-scheduled times of day, and can even skip

meals and have my BG remain stable. If you're not using this,

you might talk to your doctor about it and see what she says

about it.

If you have any questions, or need any help after you see your

doctor on Saturday, please don't hesitate to email me, or post on

the board. I'd love to help you out with anything I can.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

> My diabetes is still kinda ona roller coaster.

She wants my level to be between 90-100, told me nothing about

diet. I have an appointment with her this Saturday, hopefully I will

get some answers.

Donna Goodine