Carb Counting Mama

Life with kids and diabetes

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15+ Ways to make Injection Time Smoother for You and Your Child

Everyone who has type 1 diabetes has to take insulin multiple times a day. Many people use an insulin pump, but for people who do daily insulin injections, it can be difficult to psyche yourself up to inject yourself each time. And when it’s a parent trying to give insulin to their child, it can become even more challenging.

Often, children will fight their injections. From trying to hide at injection time, to refusing to eat in the hopes of avoiding a shot, to outright kicking, biting, and screaming… some children will do anything to avoid getting poked.

When you have to convince, argue with, or physically hold down your child multiple times a day to give them an injection, it can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Of course, you don’t want to do this, but if they don’t get their insulin they will die.

While we don’t have a choice about giving our children insulin injections, we do have some options regarding how we go about it. Let’s talk about some techniques and gadgets that will make your child’s injection time smoother. You can successfully get through insulin shots without fighting and tears.

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ISF and T1D: Are you using your Insulin Sensitivity Factor Correctly?

ISF (insulin sensitivity factor) is an unusual and widely misunderstood part of T1D management. It’s very rare that we should be using an ISF with no other adjustments. But most people use their ISF automatically every time they need to correct high blood sugar numbers. Then we wonder why we’re experiencing stubborn high blood sugars for hours and hours. So, let’s break it down. What is ISF? How is it calculated? And most importantly, when should you use it?

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How to Remove T1D Devices without the Ouch!

My son Jordan doesn’t have a problem when it’s time to remove his devices. Some people have a hard time getting them to stay on, others have a hard time getting them to come off. Some people don’t have either of those problems. Jordan is in the third group.

When I asked him if he had any advice for people who have a hard time removing their devices, he said, “Tell them to just scream while they think of butterflies.”

On a more serious note, he says it hurts less if you put pressure on one side of the site, and quickly rip it from the other end.

But, if you’re looking for something a little more substantial than “just rip off the bandaid”, here are some tips on reducing the pain and anxiety when you remove your diabetes devices.

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How to Make Your CGM and Insulin Pump Sites Stick

Goodbyes are so hard. Especially when your diabetes device decides to say “sayonara” earlier than expected. Your CGM and insulin pump are expensive. Replacing sensors and adding site changes can get pricey. Besides, who wants an extra poke for no reason? Whether you’re in camp Libre, Guardian, or Dexcom, regardless of which insulin pump you use, here are 10 tried and true ways to get your CGM and insulin pump to stick around.

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Basal Testing: The Beginner’s Guide

Adjusting insulin levels can be confusing and overwhelming. Often, you can see that something needs to be changed, but it’s hard to tell what needs to be adjusted. And there’s no shortage of conflicting information out there to add to the confusion.

In this easy to follow guide, I’ll explain the role basal plays in T1D management, how to test its accuracy, and go over exactly how to determine whether or not you need to make basal rate adjustments. Here’s everything you need to know about basal testing.

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What’s in your D-bag? The Complete list of Supplies for your Pancreas in a Bag

No, not that d-bag. In the world of T1D, a “d-bag” is your diabetes supply bag. It’s kind of like a go-bag for diabetes. Because, well, your pancreas isn’t pulling its weight. You need to bring supplies with you everywhere to make up for it. But, which things should you pack? Are you packing too much? Too little? Are you missing something important? Do you really need all that stuff whenever you go anywhere? And what the heck are you supposed to use to carry it all?

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What is a Bolus? The What, Why, and How of Insulin Dosing

Bolus. It’s a simple term. I had never heard the word bolus before my son was diagnosed with T1D. It wasn’t long after that I learned what it meant. But for such a simple term, it can be a very complex action. It’s been over 6 years since my son was diagnosed and, to tell you the truth, I have come across yet another way to bolus (that I had never heard of before) just a few days ago.  [Read more…]