Diabetes Type 2 Support Group

ive just starting on a insiln pen can some one give me info about counting carbs and this new inslin pen its all new to me

Hi Redneck. First you need a starting point of how many carbs to one unit of insulin. Your Doctor should have mentioned it in your discussion of using the pen. Did the Doc provide any written instuctions? Call the Doc back and ask him to reaffirm the instructions. Did the Doc refer you to a Diabete Nurse or Specialist to instuct you on its use? If Not ask for a referal. It is worth its weight in Gold!

My Doctor did all these things. Basicly you start looking at the back of packages for the carbs listed per serving. You also have to get a book (usually provided by the Diabetic instructor) for carbs in raw products and etc.. Bye the way certain carbs are not counted because they do not contain the elements that elevate your blood sugar. You then take and add up all the carbs divide that by your base number and you will have the number of insulin units needed for that meal. Example Total carbs is seventy five. Base unit is 15 carbs per insulin unit. Divide 75/15= 5 units. You also have another base number when you take your Blood sugar count just before your meal. You then add those given numbers to to get the total number of insulin units needed.

One of our goals as diabetics is to reduce the amount of unnecessary carbs in order to reduce our insulin intake. This also helps with our weight and health. YES it is Hard and difficult at times Especially when you are out and want to eat on the Spur!

BUT YOU Can Do IT and Eventually Succeed!

I hope this helps but certainly I only covered some of the basics. You Need to get INFORMED! We are responciable to be sure WE receive ALL the the proper training!

Post edited by: sherwoodluv, at: 04/30/2012 10:22 AM

Post edited by: sherwoodluv, at: 04/30/2012 10:23 AM

That is really good advice you have been given. My daughter was to have been placed on Novalog after her cardiac ICU stay two mths ago but instead the doctor and diabetic educator wanted her to try Victoza injections (non-insullin). The educator said some of the patients who switched off insulin onto Victoza were having great results. So...my daughter is trying it and has had amazing results in weight loss and improved blood pressures. She had been on five + oral meds (which ICU doc said were not working. Now she is down to Janumet(AM)and one blood pressure med plus one Victoza injection in evening. She is feeling so much better. The pharmacist said Victoza is giving good results as long as the pancreas is working. The special blessing is that the Victoza injections are not felt.

The diabetic educator sent us to www.myfitnesspal.com and here we have learned how to count our daily food intake with ease...including the sodium and "carbs." I have lost 30 lbs on this so far. It is a FREE online program!

Hope I have added some information to help you. People have been so good to help us that I want to pass it on. Smiles...

Dear Redneck,

You probably know more about counting carbs than any nurse or doctor!

My best advice is for you to go back to your doctor and get a referral to a diabetes class or an appointment with a dietician. Like our other friend said...it's worth it's weight in gold.

A dietician can help you learn how to read food labels, how to plan menus, how to use your flex pen as well as share some low impact exercises to help keep your blood sugar at a good level.

I can't believe your doctor just gave you the equipment without the instructions. It never ceases to amaze me.

Best of luck to you my friend! Keep us posted.

Hugs,

Kathleen

MOST DOCTORS AND NURSES HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE A HARD TIME WITH COUNTING CARBS AND SUCH.

DID YOU GET TO A DIABETES CLASS OR SEE A DIETICIAN YET?

HUGS,

KATHLEEN