Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by HPNpilot on October 30, 2011 at 4:26pm

Oh yeah, one more thing...the PDM's food database contains the carbs for a particular quantity of food...like
1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of potatoes, etc. You will have to do the arithmetic yourself for the number of carbs in the portion you eat.

A nice enhancement for the PDM would be to let you enter the quantity, sum up the whole meal, and then transfer the sum to the bolus wizard. As far as I can tell, it doesn't do that now.

Permalink Reply by Mary Beth Smith on October 30, 2011 at 4:45pm

Ellie, I'm new with the pod, also, after using shots for about 10 years. I find that the diabetes educator is my best friend right now, and if you don't have one, try to find SOME kind of resource to help you develop a feel for the carb monitoring. If you don't have an endo, try your local hospital for some kind of program. They do a great job of helping you know what an appropriate serving looks like so you can develop a food plan that works for you. Some people like to count, some like a visual aid - just find what helps YOU - maybe a picture book!

I would do this NOW, so that you're not having to juggle so many new things at once. If there is simply no program in your area, troll the internet and find something that will help you - it really will help you get your diabetes under better control.

Glad you survived the heart attack - you are one lucky girl!! Now...keep that lucky streak going by attacking this thing that wants to hurt you!

;)mb

Permalink Reply by Hockey Mom on October 31, 2011 at 10:07am

You can do it. My 17 year old does great and had to learn at 15 when he was diagnosed.

Just watch your portion sizes! When we switched to Carb Counting we could not figure out why he was always had high BG at lunch. Then we discovered that a "Cup" or milk to a teenage boy is a "Tumbler" and definately not a 8 oz. "Cup" of Milk. It actually when measured was 3 (1 Cup) servings of milk. One Cup of Milk is about 12 carbs depending on fat content (1%, 2%, Skim, etc) so we were missing insulin for (2 Cups) or 24 Carbs. He now has a "Cup" that holds 16 oz. of milk and he knows where the fill line is and the number of carbs.

Yes, you need to either eat all of the food or substitute a different carb. If my son is not as hungry for breakfast and only eats part, then he will our an equivalent (estimated) amount of milk. For other meals, he likes to substitute a cookie or chocolate. If you are not sure how hungry you are or if it is a large carb meal which may hit your system too fast, bolus for half and then when you have eaten half, bolus for the second half or what you plan to eat. With the pump, it is not another shot - just a push of a few buttons, so it is easier.

We do estimate some but most restaurants and fast food places list their carb counts. Some have "Nutritional" phamplets and brochures and McDonalds even has the carb counts, calories, etc printed on the wrappers now. My son tends to have the same thing at the same place, so I plan to make him a small booklet of his "favorite" meals and their carbs before he goes off to college.

Good luck, Ellie!

Permalink Reply by bballmom on October 31, 2011 at 10:16am

My son does the same thing when eating out. He has the same meal almost every time. I actually took the time to go in and put his favorite meals in the PDM. That way he has it all at his fingertips. When he was on MDI, I made some business cards with all of his favorites on them, laminated them and gave them to him and everybody he travelled with so he would always have the carb counts handy. I know McDonalds isn't the healthiest food, but I sure do appreciate those carb counts on the boxes/wrappers!

Permalink Reply by Ellie on October 31, 2011 at 10:46am

Sounds good. Thanks for your reply. I am getting more excited.

Permalink Reply by woodfairy2001@yahoo.com on November 1, 2011 at 8:06pm

I Think you're plenty smart enough to do the carb counting-You sure had sense enough to come right here and ask. I've been Type 1 for 36 years and still do MDI--I don't know why---But your comment about running laps reminded me of the olden days-when that is exactly what you did if you over did it with food. Glad that has changed-maybe I'll look into a pump too-Old dog-new trick.

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