he starts off in the morning anywhere between 90-120. they lowered the Lantus at night to 4 units. his unit to carb ratios are: 1:45g in the a.m., 2:45g at lunch, and 3:45g at dinner. his sliding scale was 'corrected' for school to 200-249 = +1, 250-299 = +2, and anything over 300 = +3. i may have to ask that he bring his meter home with him daily...but he is 8 so i can see hiccups in THAT plan. my husband has created a data server base for his input that automatically formats 7 day reports, determines current A1C's, and emails with a click to the endocrinologist. Now he is establishing it's own secured website to allow access to the nurse and the specialist. finger's crossed it works. so far, it is easy enough for zach to use. The endo keeps saying "when Zach transitions to a pump, of course it's FAR too soon to consider that, it will be different." Now Zach will tell me he doesn't want one because it's 'too early, mom. i'm scared!' one step at a time, right?
Hi Christina, By looking at his ratio's for bolues it looks like his levels go higher in the afternoon and evening, is that right? It also looks like his correction is 1unit for 50 points. I would need to see his BGs and what times he is testing to really see how this is working for him, But, this is what we did: test him before breakfast and then again 2 1/2 hours later. We have found that that is how long the novalog is in his system. His level after 2 1/2 hours should be close to what it was before breakfast. The unit to carb ratio is correct if that is the case. If he is either lower or higher than the before breakfast you need to adjust the insulin. But I know that is hard when you are giving injections..so you may have to either increase or decrease his carb intake. Do the same thing for lunch and dinner - making sure you test around 2 1/2 hours later. You can figure out pretty quick if those ratio's are working for him. How are his levels at night? He is starting off at a great level in the morning. Wow! that is very cool that your husband is creating a spreadsheet. You guys would be great with a pump! Perhaps Zach can see what Nick Jonas wears...that breaks my heart that he is scared. It is an adjustment at first to have a pump, but so much easier in the long run. Here is my email: eldredge@charter.net Also on the corrections, the same method works....say he is 250 and you give him a correction of 1 1/2 units - 2 1/2 hours later he would be 150 meaning that correction ratio is close. Course he can't have anything to eat during that time. If this all sounds too confusing - tell me. I do yoga. :) and take it one day at a time. All we can do is learn and try to do our best right?
um, you sound like a genius. reviewing his readings, he needs more insulin in the a.m. and a little less for lunch since he always seems to bottom when he arrives home. it should be 2:45grams in the morning, and 1: 45grams for lunch. i don' know...ugh. there is sooooo much to learn! it IS absolutely confusing. whatever helps alleviate the anxiety and stress, i am all for trying! at this point, i am strongly considering a substance abuse option....NOT! i tend to turn to humor to deflate the bubble of babble that runs through my head! fingers crossed no one get's eaten throughout this ordeal. i've been watching an awful lot of National Geographic lately, and i'm feeling inclined to devour one of my offspring. hmmm....i wonder which one of my monkey boys would taste best? heehee!
You're a crack up Christina. Humor is so much better than going into the fetal postion and crying! (joking)
You guys will get it. For some wierd reason, I became a master in diabetes in a short time. Wasn't my goal in life or even on my radar, but here I am - a panacreas brain. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Hi. How are you doing? We are getting ready and meeting school nurses, etc. - Ashton is starting kindergarden next week. The clinical aid wants him to calculate and administer his own insulin. Geez - he is only five years old - I don't think so. I hope Zack is doing better. I think you of and your family and having been sending good thoughts your way!!!!
Fingers crossed for you and Ashton!! this is our second week of school and i got a phone call to pick up Zachary...he is sick. AHHHHHH! we have not had a sick day since his diagnosis. i am sitting here reading every manual and book about it. i cannot believe they want a 5 year-old to deliver his own insulin! i have to monitor the boys with brushing their teeth and they are 10, 8, and almost 4 !!! it's not that you don't appreciate people's help, it's just that their stupidity sure does inspire my 'angry eyes' to come out! LOL well, thank you for your well-wishes and we are sending Ashton tons of hugs to help keep him happy throughout his big-boy day, and a few for mom to keep her sane!
Sick Days...Uggggh. Ketones?
Check out childrenwithdiabetes.com - they have a wonderful forum for parents with type 1 children. You can find some great advice there.( I have learned more there than anywhere else!)
You should really start a blog Christina - you are a natural writer! I read your blog - made me laugh and cry.
If you need any advice on sick day care- give me a holler!