Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
Zero! I’m on a run! It may go up this morning because I’m getting ready to go for a run. But, it may not go that high. I’m drinking a protein drink before I run. Seems that I average 1 or 2 above 180’s a day. But, maybe less.
I just re-read what I wrote. It may be confusing. The first reference to the word “run” is figurative, not actually running. The remaining references to “run” are about running. Sorry for the confusion.
I answered twice which is true, but it was only briefly and barely above 180 thankfully.
I answered 4 , I had steroid in my infusion yesterday.
Yesterday I walked 30 miles. At about 10 miles I went 200 something. I took 20g of carbs at about 120 to prevent going low and ended up at 200 even though I continued to walk. Took a correction and my bg dropped more than I wanted. It is a trick to manage bg during long endurance events. My endocrinologist suggested a profile for me which I was trying for the first time. I will be walking for 24 continuous hours hoping for about 70 miles. The event is outrun 24 at Chapin Forest in Kirtland Ohio.
Wow, that’s awesome. I’m training for a 40 mile hike in April.
My infusion site stopped working well. Most of my problems going high are due to problems with infusion set. Another problem is my slow processing of my dinner. If I bolus too fast I go low, if I wait a bit I go high. It’s a nightmare
Good question for the community! I responded “2” but it would be interesting to see who uses a CGM and who does not. Years ago this number would have likely been higher, but without the CGM I was probably unaware of the high BG.
I had 3 highs yesterday. One a delayed high overnight after a late dinner. One after I had the audacity to eat carbs for lunch and dosed late. The 3rd after dinner. Dinner was preceded by a low so I purposely delayed my bolus. Unfortunately all we’re blood sugars way over 180 (225-350). Boo to my time in range yesterday!
Jneticdiabetic:
I tried clicking on your thumbs up button, and it would not work. So, I’m sending you a verbal thumbs up.
But, since we’re on the subject, I extend my lunch boluses one hour, and my supper boluses two hours, because my digestive system is so slow. I often get late night high blood glucoses also.
Hi Lawrence S,
Thanks for your message and tips! I’ve had good luck with extended boluses when eating high carb high fat foods. Maybe my gut is slowing down a bit and I should try it for other meals.
My biggest challenge at this point is I often get busy with work and fail to pre-meal bolus. Or, I think I’ve dosed, but didn’t hit that final ✅ to deliver. Very tricky to accurately dose once I see my blood sugars going up after meal, control IQ has already started to ramp up to correct, and I know I still have carbs yet to digest. Each time, results is hours above range, then sometimes a crash.
My “high” alarm is 130. When I hit that I consider: when I ate; could I have screwed up the bolus; what am I doing or will be doing; when I’ll eat next. Rarely go over 150-160, by reacting and preventing highs found I actually use less insulin than just correct when it peaks….could never do this without a CGM I’m comfortable with, although with pens and an unmoving basel more fun (can’t make fast adjustments for food, stress, heat, or activity). So the past several days zero over 180, just a few over 150.
I use a CGM and my BG went over 180 seven times. Not unusual for BG go to 200+ after eating, then comes down. Yesterday and today my average BG was 150.
I am a brittle diabetic and pump therapy cannot adjust fast enough to head off rapid rise post-meal. As long as I never sit down my BG std dev is much better. Endo says it is due to my VERY Type A personality! LOL!
Zero for me on multiple daily injections. I must eat within 15 minutes of injecting lispro (Humalog) To avoid low bgs. I prepare my own meals, seldom eat at restaurants.