Type 1 Diabetics

I am also a Type 1. Just started this site on Saturday. That has been a big complaint of mine for years: Having to eat sugary carbs to bring up my bgl, and making me feel like I blew my diet for the day, or night after I worked so hard. I am also on a pump and a CGM. I find the CGM helps out a great deal. Even though I have been a Type 1 for many years, and even though I have a pump and CGM, I would find myself guessing about the carbs, or over-eating the Carbs after I had Bolused, only later to over correct, then later have a low. I've always had plenty of excuses: lazy, tired, forgetfulness, don't care, or embarrassed to use my pump in front of other people. But I realized yesterday that I no longer have any excuse. The food diary gives you the exact carbs. I filled out my diary before my meals and put in the carbs exactly in my pump. Yesterday was the first day in a long time that I did not have an extreme high or an extreme low. It stayed steady. I think that this food diary is AMAZING and that it will help people like us out for more reason than just the weight loss. By the way, I also have Thyroid disease and Multiple Sclerosis (all auto-immune diseases). I wish all of my Type 1 buddies the very best of luck! All of you can add me as friends.

I just starting using this site yesterday. I too am Type 1. Although right now I take insulin injections, I recently seen my doctor and we are beginning the process of trying to get the insurance to approve an insulin pump for me. I was diagnosed about 11 years ago. I have struggles everyday with blood sugars. I have struggled with weight issues my whole life also. Considering I'm only 29, I have a lot of health issues besides the diabetes. May 2nd of this year I had to have a below the knee amputation. I fought different infections, including Osteomyelitis (bone infection) for over a year before I had to have the amputation. There were times over the last year that I truly spent more time in the hospitals and clinics then I did in my own home. I am not completely 100% healed. I have a small ways to go yet. So as you can imagine I have very limited options on any excercises I can do, so my diet has recently become extremely important. You can feel free to add me if you want to, because when it comes struggles and frustrations, I can completely understand!

I agree this food log makes it so easy to figure your carbs. I have to admit I get lazy and "guess" sometimes...then am high or low *sigh* Since starting on this site I have been much more stable. For those that dont use a pump...it sure does make life easier. I resisted getting one for years because I didnt like the idea of being "attached" to something. My pump is just a natural part of me now and what I got in freedom with it more than makes up for any inconvenience. I can eat when I want to now...not on a schedule. Liberating!

Yep Type 1 here to, had for 26 years now. It is an extra challenge when losing weight yep that is for sure! I used to be on a pump then went back to injections, Lantus and Novorapid. Works well for me, minimum 5 injections per day. Be nice to have others to bounce ideas off and CJMQ I totally get ya re starting over again when working out in the evenings. Gaaaahhhh!!!! :happy:

Hi again everyone! I have been thinking about how we are all have to face the added calories when we have lows and need to snack. I just created a new meal in my log called "Blood Sugar Correction" so I can see how often I'm actually having to pile on the sugar. It might help to see what I did and ate the days I had to fee the lows. I also have to eat 15-30 carbs before I work out. I wish MFP would allow me more categories! Anyone else track these calories separately?

I've been Type I since I was 8 (22 years, almost 23). One of the things I think alot of people on this site don't realize is that one of the major contributing factors to how much insulin you need is how much you weigh--you don't need as much at 150 as you do at 250 (obviously everyone is different, but this is true relative to the person, not the weight). Alot of people, myself included, struggle with this when then begin to lose because alot of people keep their same insulin levels while losing weight, resulting in low blood sugars. As you lose weight (and with the advice of your endocrinologist, obvi), you should theoretically reduce the amount of insulin you are taking. Also, factoring in exercise, etc, which can screw with it. It's a hard tightrope to walk, but hopefully this helps

Thanks for the advice! I actually haven't been having many lows, which suprised me, but when I started working out in the evenings I lowered my nightime Lantus a few units, based on prior experience. I know you pumpers have the disconnect option, which is maybe the only reason I'd like a pump!

I'm curious though- when people say with the pump they now don't have to eat on a schedule, is that because you were on an older insulin regime, like Regular or something? I started out right away with humalog, and eat or don't eat whenever I want, because it's fast-acting. Is the change to a pump that dramtic if you are already on a flexible routine with fast-acting insulin and carb-counting? I feel like I might be missing something!

DisneyFreak, I wonder why the group leader didn't count what she ate for lows? I think it would give a more accurate picture of calorie intake to count it. It's unfair, cause that eating is mandatory and not fun, but it's still eating. Avoiding the lows definitely helps me, cause if I have a bad one, I will eat everything in sight!

38 years with Type 1. Sent you a request!