Levemir Day 3-6, and the return to pumping

Well, if you can't tell from the title, and I'm hooked up to Grant (or Jeremiah Jr.) once again. I'm glad he's back. I didn't expect to have him back so soon, but once again, I surprised myself. Each day I was on Levemir I felt worse and worse. I do not like being high. Worse still is being high almost constantly. I felt like my organs were being eaten away from all the extra glucose in my blood stream. Okay, that's extreme, but the point is, I didn't feel good. I went up to 300+ ever day, and I spent a lot of time in the 200's. Now, if that was the only thing, I could have worked at it and gotten back into normal ranges. BUT, I woke up Sunday morning and I realized I didn't like the way my arms looked. (small bruises) I didn't like having to wait to eat my smoothie at the mall until I found a bathroom to inject. I had to carry a little notebook and pen with my so that I could remember how much insulin I gave. The pump didn't just tell me. I'm not quite sure how MDI-ers do it. I'm sure I would have adjusted with time, but I woke up Sunday, and instead of being happy about not having to look for my pump, I was sad. I have a habit of looking over the history screens before I go to sleep at night, and I sort of missed that ritual. So I slapped another site in, set a low temp basal to account for the levemir still in my system, and off I went. My blood sugars today have an average of 170. Ahh, success. Yes, I do think I love my pump. It bugs the (*&^*& out of me at times, but it is an awesome tool. I now have a huge stash of levemir and humalog pens. I like the thought that if I ever have major site change issues, I can take a shot and worry about it later. I am back to pumping, but I haven't solved all my problems by far. First of all, I shut off a number of alarms. Some day they will be put back on, but for now, I don't want to hear them. Second of all, I need to try a new site. I'm using quick-sets now. I've tried the insets, and I hate them. I tried the silhouette once at camp, and I hated it with a passion. I am getting to the point that I just might try them again. The only thing that worries me is that I have a fairly major reaction to IV300. Do those sets use that tape, or am I remembering wrong? I'm hoping to get my hands on a few Cleo's soon. With some work, I hope to find a solution to my set problem. Maybe some LMX4? Who knows, but I'm sure Grant will be happy when I do! I don't think he liked sitting in the drawer all alone.

Levemir and Humalog, Day 2

The second day on Levemir went a little better. I was 81 at lunch (wohoo!) and 129 at supper. The 81 at lunch have been much lower. I overbolused earlier in the day, and I didn't eat extra to cover it. I was high to begin with, and I decided to keep an eye on it and wait to see what would happen. It worked out well. I am still fighting a few highs though. I plan on faxing my records to my endo on Friday. I think I need more levemir, but I am not confident enough to just raise it. I've heard you need to wait a couple of days before making changes in Lantus doses, so I'm assuming it is the same for Levemir.
Now, for some information on Levemir. It is the Novo Nordisk version of Lantus. It was approved by in FDA in June 2005. It was available in the UK before now. It is very similar to Lantus. It is a 24 hour analog. It does not have the sting that Lantus has. I take in once, at night.
I've been trying really hard to inject a few minutes before I eat, but its hard. I certainly can't wait more than 15 minutes. My life is just way too hectic to handle that. I am used to bolusing while I eat, about half way through the meal. It's an adjustment to decide exactly what I am going to eat before I even taste it.
Thanks for all the tips on calculating insulin on board. I think I'm going to try Felix's version. When I was pumping, I always had my insulin on board duration set to 3.5 hours. I have a hard time believing that insulin is equally active for 5 hours, but it is possible.
As for my mom, I know she's my mom and will always be my mom. So I guess I should expect her to always act like it then too. It just gets a little annoying sometimes. After all, I am still a teenager, right? That entitles me to a little teenage behavior. Thanks for all of the support! I appreciate it!

Levemir and Humalog, Day 1

I've been pump free for close to 24 hours!
Doesn't that sound weird? It sounds like I'm at an AA meeting or something. Anyway. First, for some good news. My A1c was 7.0%!!!! I was SO happy to hear this. It's WAY down. It's the lowest its been in a while.
I talked to my endo about going back on shots and he didn't even blink. He just asked me if I wanted to use pens or syringes. Have I mentioned I LOVE my endo? He trusts me to know what is best for me. He is there to help me accomplish the best care possible. I dread the day when I have to grow up and use and an adult endo. I think he will let me stay during college though. He was going to put he on Lantus, but the pen with that, as he put it, is "an absolute failure." He said he didn't have many patients on Levemir, but if I was willing, he wanted to try it. It doesn't sting like Lantus can, because it works differently. He explained it, but I couldn't repeat it. Last night at 10.30pm, I gave me first dose. 32 units. It sure looked like a LOT of insulin to give at once. So far, it's going OK. I'm trying to stay positive. I have been higher than I would like, but I don't think the levemir has had a chance to build up in my system. I also don't know how to correct if its been less than 3hours, because I don't know how to calculate insulin on board. Does anyone know how to do this? The injections haven't bothered me so far. What has bothered me is my mother. She was the only one who hasn't been completely supportive of this. She doesn't seem to understand it. But I know she is trying. We talked about it, and she still vividly remembers trying to still a toddler with needles and forcing me to eat meals I didn't really want to. We talked about how the new insulins are different, and how I can still eat what I want whenever I want. I think she'll come around, but for now, she is driving me CRAZY!! She is looking over my shoulder to see what my blood sugar is, she's making sure I prime the needle, that I am injecting before I eat, etc. I know she wants me to keep control, but she hasn't treated me like this for years. I've been in complete control of my D care for years, and I've done very well with it. She seems to think that because I'm not using the pump, I won't take care of myself. *sigh* We'll get there. So other than the highs, and my mother, Levemir is going great! I got out of bed this morning and I didn't have to look for my pump and make sure it didn't fall, I took a shower and I didn't have to make sure my loofa (sp??) didn't get caught in my site. I chose an outfit that I only wear once in a while because the pump makes it bulge funny. It's great!

To stay pumping or not?

I am really struggling with my thoughts right now. As I told in my earlier posts, I am really frustrated with pumping right now. I am sick of the site changes and all that go with them. The skin irritations, the pain, the irritating bubbles, EVERYTHING! I am sick of all the BEEPING! Granted, the beeping is there to help me. I am the one making it beep. I set the alarms to remind me to check after a high, etc. etc. etc. But its the ones that I can't really control that I am getting sick of. I was sitting in church today when the low cartridge alarm went off. And off, and off, and off. It just kept beeping every few minutes or so. It was in a pocket that wasn't really accessible. Finally, after some looks from the woman sitting next to me, I finally got it out and shut the stupid thing up. Now, I could have put it on vibrate, but I hate that I have to think about it. I just want to GO. I am sick of the dealing with the tubing, the complicated procedure of changing clothes and the mechanical failures.
So tomorrow I am going to talk to my endo about going back on shots. I think. I just can't make up my mind. I am fully aware that they won't solve all of my problems, I'll just trade them for new ones. I don't think my meal times will be affected on Lantus, but I don't know. I went from NPH to the pump. Lantus wasn't out when I started pumping. Lantus is a whole new world for me. I will have to take a shot every time I eat. I know that, but I'm OK with that. For now. I also plan on talking to him about different sets, and any other suggestions he may have. Oh, and I get my A1c. I honestly have no idea what it will be, which is kind of frightening. Wish me luck. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will have some sort of solution, no matter what it may be.

*PS* I just found out that Cozmo just came out with their new clip. It's ABOUT TIME!!! Cozmo users just have to go to Cozmo's website, take a short survey, and they will send you a new clip, for FREE! Yahoo!

Very, very quick update. I promise I'll have a real post coming soon.
My dad went to the surgeon on Monday. No need for surgery!! Just some physical therapy, and a check up in a month. Praise God!
My roommate is in the hospital for surgery. She seems to be doing OK, but it's a hard road.
Thanks so much!!
Spring Break starts tomorrow! Hurray for sleep! ...And an endo appointment on Monday, but we won't talk about that....

There are good side and bad sides to returning back to normal after a horrible streak of highs. The good side: well, I am back to normal, so I feel better. The bad side: When I do go high now, I feel HORRIBLE. I am 286 now, I feel like I should be 400. I am super thirsty. I have a headache. I have "that feeling" in my legs. This is why I'd rather be low than high. A low, sure, it's really scary for about 20 minutes, but after that, it's over with. A high I have at least 2 hours invested before I feel better. A low, I can eat food, and I will feel better. A high, I can drink water. That helps for all of 30 seconds until I am thirsty again.
Oh well. At least I'm not high all the time.
Spring Break is in 10 days. :-)

PS Does anyone know a good way to get a blood stain off of a computer screen? I got mad at my meter, and shook my hand, that was full of blood (bad idea, i know) and it got on the screen. Now it won't come all the way off. I'm laughing pretty hard. I can't believe I did this.

Friends

I love my friends. Yesterday was a really rough day for me. It was insanely busy, and then I got some horrible news. I went to Winter Fantasia Friday night. It's like college prom. I managed to hide my pump. I've never worn it to a formal dance before. Pictures to come later. Saturday, I had to be up at 7am, after about 4 hours of sleep. I worked from 8 to noon on this big fundraiser for the local children's hospital. Then I went home and worked until 6pm with my parents. We got a lot done. On my way out from the dorm, I stopped and checked the mail. Big mistake. Inside was my rejection letter for the nursing program. I kept it together until I got home. I am really disappointed. Nursing is what I always dreamed of doing. I have no idea what my back up plan is. I am going to apply next semester, but after that, I don't know. Nursing is the only thing I want to do with my life. I am a lot less upset now than I was. But I am still devastated. I knew there was a pretty good chance I wouldn't get it, but I didn't really believe it. My friends pulled together to help me. When I got back to campus, they bought me ice cream. They listened to me cry about it. Then they took me to see the on campus movie. They have been so supportive of me. I don't know what I would do without them.
In other news, both my dad and roommate are making improvements. My roommate came back Friday. She does have an infection, but it can easily dealt with an oral antibiotic. My dad is also doing better. The pain is less, but he also has a stronger pain killer. He is sleeping much better. He goes to a neuro surgeon on Wednesday. Thanks for all the prayers!

I have a request. Will those of you who pray please pray for my Dad and my roommate?
My Dad has been having back problems. He has a lot of pain, and even sitting is painful. He goes for an MRI today,and goes to the neuro surgeon Wednesday to see what they can do. Pray they can help him, with out major surgery. If he has to have this surgery, he wouldn't be able to work for 3 months. We farm, so him not working for 3 months means crops don't get planted, which means we will have no income this year. We are all hoping and praying for this to be much less than it appears to be.
My roommate had to leave college yesterday and go back home for testing. She has Crohn's disease. She thinks she has an infection. This infection has put her in the hospital twice before. We are all hoping that she can just be put on oral antibiotics and sent home.
Thanks!
In other news, my numbers have been much more manageable lately. I have seeing a lot less peaks, and that makes me VERY happy.