Saturday, April 29, 2006

Logsheets (part 2)

I have a new goal: to master my overnight BG values. The first step towards this is that I write a decent logbook. Using this, I can analyze what goes wrong and then take actions. This is where my blocking point is today. I find it time consuming and awkward to keep logs.

This is how I do it now: I am using a Medtronic 512 pump (where all my insulin boluses are stored), and a Onetouch Ultra Smart meter (where my BG values are stored). I transfer the BG results to a Lifescan OneTouch software on my PC through an interface cable. Then I enter the insulin values, and carb values manually. Finally, I step through the PC programme and write everything on a paper logsheet, including exercise, meals, irregular events (most of my life seems to be irregular)

Needless to say the process is painfully slow, and with data in 4 places (pump, meter, my PC, my head, and on paper) , I sometimes forget to list events that might have affected my results.

So now I am looking for a new way to do this.

I’m thinking about going digital, carrying a pocket PC with a program for diabetic logbooks (there are several out there), and would appreciate any feedback from other diabetics on how they do this. Are you happy with your logging?

Friday, April 28, 2006

Logsheets (part 1)

My latest "tattler value" (HBA1c) just came in the mail: 7.0%. This value does not surprise me, rather it (slightly) disappoints me. My last one was 6.3%...

The good (great) news is that I have much less lows. The bad news is that I don't really know what causes the rise.

I suspect it is caused by a decline in overnight BG values. After all, if the night time BG's are high, it means 1/3 of the days values are bad. Assuming, off course, you sleep a decent 8 hours per night. And if the overnight basal rates are good, and the evening meals matches the evening boluses, it should be a relatively easy win to have stable overnight BG values. Night time, after all, provides a stable environment: no exercise, no food, no food... The only problem is I have no logsheets of what my BG does overnight.

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