New tips I've learned

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I picked up Pumping Insulin recently after reading in several places that it's a Must Read for any pumper. Being the OCD person I am, I decided to read every single page. I have to admit, the first few chapters seemed kind of dry and I was anxious to get into the chapters that cover pump operation. But even in those "dry chapters" I'm learning tips and info I didn't know. I plan to hope to share a few new discoveries with you each week.

So far I've learned this:

• Fast acting insulin is not as fast as I've been lead to believe. I'm now bolusing even earlier before eating, and as a result my 2 hours blood sugars have shown real improvement. (Almost always 140 or below).


• Using the bg reminder is great! When I went for my pump training, the CDE was quick to notice my OCD tenancies. She told me I wouldn't need to use the reminder, since she was sure I'd remember to test two hours after eating. Which is true. It's also true that the alarm bugs many (most?) people. However, after reading about it in the book, I turned my pump's Reminder Feature on for at try. And I love it!! While I CAN remember what time I ate and what time I need to test again, it's nice not to HAVE TO remember. When I'm distracted and busy (okay, reading blogs *ahem*), the little BEEP BOOP BEEP will tear me away from the computer for my next test. After all the keeping track I do both diabetes-wise and in general, it's nice to have something do the keeping track for me.

There is also great info on carb counting and the glycemic index. I've been carb counting for years and recently read a couple of books on GI eating though, so most of it was just a refresher for me.

I highly recommend adding this book to your library, and I know I'll turn to it in the years to come for reference. I'll try to keep you posted on the other useful info I find as I finish reading it.