HbA1C

[TemptressOfTheSea]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I was diagnosed with CFRD when I was 11 and started off with shots for like 2 or 3 years. But having CF and having to eat so much, I was taking upwards of 6-7 shots a day and my blood sugars were still wacky.

Having switched to the pump has made managing the diabetes a lot easier, but it's still a pain. I find the most difficult part to be the food thing...no matter how hard i try...carb counting and what not...I can never seem to get it right. I think the fact that my digestive tract/process is so messed up and inconsistent is what makes it somewhat more difficult to keep on top of the diabetes.

It's an ongoing battle....<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0">

 

[coltsfan715]

I wanted to throw this out there for you Haley.

One you may be able to ask your doc for a booklet that gives the carb count of the most popular fast foods and other common household food items.

Also I don't know if you have had diabetes education recently but that may be beneficial also. I know I had the education when I was first diagnosed at 17 and then my adult doc recommended that I have the education again - I was kind of thinking -Why? I have had this for 5 years and now I have to go through education AGAIN, but I am glad I did.

I learned some helpful hints for regulating my blood sugar - along with getting the booklet with the carb breakdown. I always had a hard time determining exactly how much I was eating - I do not eat "regular" portions - MY portions are ALWAYS like twice the size of the measured portions on food boxes. The lady told me that typically 1 portion is the equivalent of the size of your fist - like how you would hold your hand if you were going to punch someone.

That has helped me SOOO much. I can visualize the size of my fist and then compare it to the amount of food I have eaten and it helps me to better estimate how much insulin to give. Just wanted to put that info out there in case it would help anyone.

Lindsey

As for the question of whether or not blood sugars are hard to control. It depends on the situation. If I am doing good they are easy to get a handle on. If I am on steroids it normally takes a few weeks - depending on the dosage of the steroids to get everything under control and get to where I am administering the proper amount of insulin. If I am sick it varies and I tend to get highs for no apparent reason when I am sick. I have also noticed that I will start to get highs more often jsut before an infection hits .. even before I am displaying any other symptoms.

 

[coltsfan715]

I wanted to throw this out there for you Haley.

One you may be able to ask your doc for a booklet that gives the carb count of the most popular fast foods and other common household food items.

Also I don't know if you have had diabetes education recently but that may be beneficial also. I know I had the education when I was first diagnosed at 17 and then my adult doc recommended that I have the education again - I was kind of thinking -Why? I have had this for 5 years and now I have to go through education AGAIN, but I am glad I did.

I learned some helpful hints for regulating my blood sugar - along with getting the booklet with the carb breakdown. I always had a hard time determining exactly how much I was eating - I do not eat "regular" portions - MY portions are ALWAYS like twice the size of the measured portions on food boxes. The lady told me that typically 1 portion is the equivalent of the size of your fist - like how you would hold your hand if you were going to punch someone.

That has helped me SOOO much. I can visualize the size of my fist and then compare it to the amount of food I have eaten and it helps me to better estimate how much insulin to give. Just wanted to put that info out there in case it would help anyone.

Lindsey

As for the question of whether or not blood sugars are hard to control. It depends on the situation. If I am doing good they are easy to get a handle on. If I am on steroids it normally takes a few weeks - depending on the dosage of the steroids to get everything under control and get to where I am administering the proper amount of insulin. If I am sick it varies and I tend to get highs for no apparent reason when I am sick. I have also noticed that I will start to get highs more often jsut before an infection hits .. even before I am displaying any other symptoms.

 

[coltsfan715]

I wanted to throw this out there for you Haley.

One you may be able to ask your doc for a booklet that gives the carb count of the most popular fast foods and other common household food items.

Also I don't know if you have had diabetes education recently but that may be beneficial also. I know I had the education when I was first diagnosed at 17 and then my adult doc recommended that I have the education again - I was kind of thinking -Why? I have had this for 5 years and now I have to go through education AGAIN, but I am glad I did.

I learned some helpful hints for regulating my blood sugar - along with getting the booklet with the carb breakdown. I always had a hard time determining exactly how much I was eating - I do not eat "regular" portions - MY portions are ALWAYS like twice the size of the measured portions on food boxes. The lady told me that typically 1 portion is the equivalent of the size of your fist - like how you would hold your hand if you were going to punch someone.

That has helped me SOOO much. I can visualize the size of my fist and then compare it to the amount of food I have eaten and it helps me to better estimate how much insulin to give. Just wanted to put that info out there in case it would help anyone.

Lindsey

As for the question of whether or not blood sugars are hard to control. It depends on the situation. If I am doing good they are easy to get a handle on. If I am on steroids it normally takes a few weeks - depending on the dosage of the steroids to get everything under control and get to where I am administering the proper amount of insulin. If I am sick it varies and I tend to get highs for no apparent reason when I am sick. I have also noticed that I will start to get highs more often jsut before an infection hits .. even before I am displaying any other symptoms.