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    • 7 hours, 7 minutes ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      Since starting on a CGM, has your healthcare provider’s frequency of ordering A1C testing changed?
      Still twice a year. It carries much less weight than time in range and the GMI.
    • 18 hours, 15 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Almost every night, my sleep is interrupted, at least 9 times out of 10 nights. My BG drops and the T:slim pumps insulin on the down slide until I get to 70 before it stops. It is, in my opinion, a flaw in the algorithm. I don't understand why the algorithm can see the continuous drop in BG. I have numerous screen captures of this situation. I have gotten into the habit of checking my BG right at bed time. Even taking some carbs at bedtime doesn't prohibit lows at night. It is literally exhausting.
    • 18 hours, 55 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Lows wake me up. The CGM alarm system kicks in if my body doesn’t. I will shut the alarm system off after I’ve treated the low because gastroparesis slows absorption and that alarm can continue needlessly for another hour until the is sufficiently corrected.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Lows wake me up. The CGM alarm system kicks in if my body doesn’t. I will shut the alarm system off after I’ve treated the low because gastroparesis slows absorption and that alarm can continue needlessly for another hour until the is sufficiently corrected.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Diabetes doesn't necessarily interrupt my sleep per se. Its always the darn dexcom G7 losing signal at random waking me up.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Occasionally from lows - the biggest disruption is the every 3 day reminder to change my pump that goes off at 2am
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Lows wake me up. The CGM alarm system kicks in if my body doesn’t. I will shut the alarm system off after I’ve treated the low because gastroparesis slows absorption and that alarm can continue needlessly for another hour until the is sufficiently corrected.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Occasionally from lows - the biggest disruption is the every 3 day reminder to change my pump that goes off at 2am
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Almost every night, my sleep is interrupted, at least 9 times out of 10 nights. My BG drops and the T:slim pumps insulin on the down slide until I get to 70 before it stops. It is, in my opinion, a flaw in the algorithm. I don't understand why the algorithm can see the continuous drop in BG. I have numerous screen captures of this situation. I have gotten into the habit of checking my BG right at bed time. Even taking some carbs at bedtime doesn't prohibit lows at night. It is literally exhausting.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Diabetes doesn't necessarily interrupt my sleep per se. Its always the darn dexcom G7 losing signal at random waking me up.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      D-connect likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Almost every night, my sleep is interrupted, at least 9 times out of 10 nights. My BG drops and the T:slim pumps insulin on the down slide until I get to 70 before it stops. It is, in my opinion, a flaw in the algorithm. I don't understand why the algorithm can see the continuous drop in BG. I have numerous screen captures of this situation. I have gotten into the habit of checking my BG right at bed time. Even taking some carbs at bedtime doesn't prohibit lows at night. It is literally exhausting.
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often does diabetes disrupt your sleep?
      Almost every night, my sleep is interrupted, at least 9 times out of 10 nights. My BG drops and the T:slim pumps insulin on the down slide until I get to 70 before it stops. It is, in my opinion, a flaw in the algorithm. I don't understand why the algorithm can see the continuous drop in BG. I have numerous screen captures of this situation. I have gotten into the habit of checking my BG right at bed time. Even taking some carbs at bedtime doesn't prohibit lows at night. It is literally exhausting.
    • 2 days, 14 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Since starting on a CGM, has your healthcare provider’s frequency of ordering A1C testing changed?
      T1D comes with more than its fair share of dystopian grace notes. However, the indefatigable frequency of A1c testing seems to go on forever. I started with the Medtronic CGM dubbed "The Harpoon" in 2006. Tests and frequencies have not changed an inch in 20 years. (¬////¬)
    • 2 days, 18 hours ago
      Natalie Daley likes your comment at
      Since starting on a CGM, has your healthcare provider’s frequency of ordering A1C testing changed?
      T1D comes with more than its fair share of dystopian grace notes. However, the indefatigable frequency of A1c testing seems to go on forever. I started with the Medtronic CGM dubbed "The Harpoon" in 2006. Tests and frequencies have not changed an inch in 20 years. (¬////¬)
    • 2 days, 19 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      Often? Try Always! I only see my doc 1x a year to legally fill Rx. Otherwise I manage 100% on my own and make all my own dosing adjustments.
    • 2 days, 19 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      My pump and I use the data to make adjustments at every meal, and even during the day, e.g. corrections. But I also use the data to track longer term trends and usage so that I can make adjustments to my pump regimen, bolus rates, correction rates, basal rates etc.
    • 3 days, 15 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      My pump and I use the data to make adjustments at every meal, and even during the day, e.g. corrections. But I also use the data to track longer term trends and usage so that I can make adjustments to my pump regimen, bolus rates, correction rates, basal rates etc.
    • 3 days, 17 hours ago
      kristina blake likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      As noted by Lawrence, isn’t that what CGM’s are for? I’m on MDI’s and a SmartPen. Data is what determines my doses.
    • 3 days, 18 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      My pump and I use the data to make adjustments at every meal, and even during the day, e.g. corrections. But I also use the data to track longer term trends and usage so that I can make adjustments to my pump regimen, bolus rates, correction rates, basal rates etc.
    • 3 days, 19 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      This is one of those times when I want to ask T1DExchange “what is the motivation behind this question”? What are you trying to learn from it?
    • 3 days, 19 hours ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you use your CGM data to help make adjustments in your diabetes management plan?
      As noted by Lawrence, isn’t that what CGM’s are for? I’m on MDI’s and a SmartPen. Data is what determines my doses.
    • 4 days, 6 hours ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      If you use a CGM, is it accurate on day 1?
      It takes a few hours to get close.
    • 4 days, 6 hours ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      When I have a temporary signal loss with my CGM, it’s usually when I’m:
      Usually when it's about to expire.
    • 4 days, 14 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How often do you adjust a planned physical activity because of how your glucose is trending?
      If I am above 150mg/dl don't need to carb up. If I am around 100mg/dl I definitely need to carb up. Aren't we always evaluating where we are and anticipating where we might land. That is part of active management.
    • 4 days, 18 hours ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      When I have a temporary signal loss with my CGM, it’s usually when I’m:
      For me it's compression lows - and that's it. I see that most complaints are about connection to phones. I don't (won't) use my phone. I have to have a work phone with me at least 60 hours a week, and I'm not interested in carrying (or wearing) two phones. I rarely lose connection between my Tandem X2 pump and the sensor/transmitter. Sometimes I will walk away while it's charging and take myself out of range, but that's on me.
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    How often do you pre-bolus at least 5 minutes before eating?

    Home > LC Polls > How often do you pre-bolus at least 5 minutes before eating?
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    In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?

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    How often do you pre-bolus (a bolus you complete BEFORE you eat)?

    Samantha Walsh

    Samantha Walsh has lived with type 1 diabetes for over five years since 2017. After her T1D diagnosis, she was eager to give back to the diabetes community. She is the Community and Partner Manager for T1D Exchange and helps to manage the Online Community and recruit for the T1D Exchange Registry. Prior to T1D Exchange, Samantha fundraised at Joslin Diabetes Center. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors degree in sociology and early childhood education.

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    23 Comments

    1. Amanda Barras

      Sometimes would be more accurate than rarely, but it’ll do.

      4
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Megan S

        I thought the same. Sometimes it will be 5 mins or more but I wouldn’t call it rare. Just not as often as I bolus and then immediately start eating 😉

        2
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Jim Andrews

      It’s about the only way avoid after meal spikes.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Dave Akers

        The other way to avoid those spikes is with insulin indicated to bolus at mealtime… inhaled

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Paul Hanson

      With inhaled insulin, there is not the need to pre-bolus, luckily.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Gary Taylor

      It actually somewhere between “rarely” and “almost always”. Probably 1/2 of the time.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Dave Akers

      No need to prebolus with inhaled insulin. I’m curious of those folks taking FIASP and Luymjev. Do they find they need to prebolus?

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ConnieT1D62

        When off pump and taking Fiasp or Lyumjev I bolus right before, during, or right after once I determine the carb content and release time of what I am eating.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Sherolyn Newell

      I only pre-bolus when I’m splurging on something like cake. Sugary stuff hits me quick, normal food takes a while. If I pre-bolus, I go low waiting for the meal carbs to kick in.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Lawrence S.

      Same response as yesterday’s question. I almost always pre-bolus before meals, except when I forget, or when my blood glucose is very low.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Ernie Richmann

      Usually bolus 20 minutes or longer before eating unless I am already low.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. KIMBERELY SMITH

      Almost all

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Alyne Branson

      Need a “sometimes” as a choice. Between almost always and rarely. 😄

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Pauline M Reynolds

      “Rarely” because frequently, my BG is below 100, at which time I wait a bit before bolusing.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Mike S

      As others commented, need a sometimes or depends option. Every food/day hits different. There is no one size fits all for T1 (no matter how hard the doctors try to tell us otherwise)

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Carol Meares

      [A little less than almost always.] And, yet, I sometimes prebolus as much as 15-30 minutes with a faster acting insulin(Lyumjev).

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Jen Farley

      I try to when I can, about 50/50. Did not see an option for half the time.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Clairemcdonnell4

      I do 10-15 minutes depending on the meal but if my bg is low or dropping I will do no prebolus

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Mike Plante

      Depends on my glucose and trend and what I’m eating.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Bret Itskowitch

      I was going to say almost always, but not 5 minutes before. I take my insulin at the same time I eat.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Steven Gill

      On injections found it I dose 30-35 minutes before eating there’s a minimal glucose rise, and if there is it drops close to the original point more quickly (thus my 5.2 and 5.3 a1Cs). Ironically pumping I now dose 20-25 minutes or risk going low before eating (the Medtronic 780G controls the basal dose, great at preventing lows not as aggressive with highs but my a1C was 5.8 last time). The exception is if I plan on a fast acting or food high on the glycemic scale would try to dose maybe 45 minutes (milkshake or other sweetened treat!) or earlier but tough to plan on a treat and just wait I guess so I do enjoy in less time than plan to correct.
      (NOTE: found most physicians prescribe a higher basal dose so levels drop slowly between meals making the need to eat or snack on a schedule of some kind necessary. The relieves the need for such accurate meal dosing (that generic 50/50 thought for basal/bolus?) although I have a ratio about 25-30% basal and have gone 7-8 hours through the day not eating. My meal dose and timing is kind of important?

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Joindy23

      I’m on MDI rather than a pump, so whether I pre-bolus depends on what my current glucose number is and whether it’s steady, going up or going down. If it’s low & steady (around 90), I don’t pre-bolus because if I did I would go into a hypo. It’s a constant balancing act.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Tanya Wolfe

      About 50% of the time.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

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