Does it start with logging?
When coming to a point where I realize my management needs a complete overhaul, where do I start? Just with logging things as they are today?
I haven't done any logging for a long time, and a pattern has to really jump up and smack me in the face before I'll notice it.
I've got a suspicion that my post meal readings spike up during the first couple hours, but sneak back down around three or four hours. I can't prove that.
I think that I have a harder time managing my BG the first morning after I change out my infusion set every third day. I can't prove that.
I think that those post meal spikes could be smoothed out with better food choices. I can't prove that.
My point here is that I have a lot of areas for which I suspect I need changes or adjustments, but I have no data to back it up. I wonder why my A1C is so high, when I am probably averaging near 200 most of the time. I'm wondering why my weight is what it is, when I'm sure I'm eating more than I need to.
I'm going to go buy a rugged notebook. I want to have space to record not only the data points, but the reasons I behind the decisions made around those data points. I'm not happy with any of the computer or PDA software out there, and I'm not happy with any of the commercial log books that I've seen. Sure, I could adapt to any of them, but I don't want to. I'm thinking just a regular notebook that is rugged enough to survive the daily trials of traveling with me. That will give me enough space to do what I want to do. Maybe I can also journal some thoughts there as well. The biggest obstical I can see is the simple fact of having it with me all the time.
But - I've learned to have my cell phone/PDA with me, and other things like that, so I'm sure I can train myself to do so with my notebook.
I haven't done any logging for a long time, and a pattern has to really jump up and smack me in the face before I'll notice it.
I've got a suspicion that my post meal readings spike up during the first couple hours, but sneak back down around three or four hours. I can't prove that.
I think that I have a harder time managing my BG the first morning after I change out my infusion set every third day. I can't prove that.
I think that those post meal spikes could be smoothed out with better food choices. I can't prove that.
My point here is that I have a lot of areas for which I suspect I need changes or adjustments, but I have no data to back it up. I wonder why my A1C is so high, when I am probably averaging near 200 most of the time. I'm wondering why my weight is what it is, when I'm sure I'm eating more than I need to.
I'm going to go buy a rugged notebook. I want to have space to record not only the data points, but the reasons I behind the decisions made around those data points. I'm not happy with any of the computer or PDA software out there, and I'm not happy with any of the commercial log books that I've seen. Sure, I could adapt to any of them, but I don't want to. I'm thinking just a regular notebook that is rugged enough to survive the daily trials of traveling with me. That will give me enough space to do what I want to do. Maybe I can also journal some thoughts there as well. The biggest obstical I can see is the simple fact of having it with me all the time.
But - I've learned to have my cell phone/PDA with me, and other things like that, so I'm sure I can train myself to do so with my notebook.
posted by Scott K. Johnson | 8:25 AM
2 Comments:
Sounds like a good plan. I was in the same place you were a couple of months ago. I made a pact with my wife: I'll record all my blood sugars, carbs, insulin doses, excercise, etc. if she'll join me and just write down all her meals. I'm pretty sure she's stopped logging, but I'm still going (though logging on the weekends has been terribly difficult for me).
The notebook that I have been using is made by moleskine (http://www.moleskine.com/eng/default.htm).
They're stylish, but rugged. I like the blank reporters notebook with the flip top. I use one sheet per day, and go pretty free-style within it.
I also use the OneTouch UltraSmart meter and download my readings regularly to basically have the data analysis done for me, but to match the "real world" with my numbers, I use my log book.
Good luck with logging!
Hi Scott,
I've come over here following the comment you left on my blog, Diabetes Wise. I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
In answer to the question you left there, I use a program called SiDiary - see www.sidiary.com
I like the flexibility this program gives me, including free form notes in addition to a blood glucose grid and room for carbs and insulin doses. It works on PC, Pocket PC and on Smartphones.
The data analysis provided is great, with pie charts, line graphs and dot graphs between any time periods you choose. One of the features I really like is a predicted A1c value, which I find more useful for tracking the trend of my control than a straight average, even if the end result isn't quite accurate. (The last two have actually been dead on with the two month predicted A1c though.)
I have to admit I'm still using a much older version of the software, so can't give you good comments on the newer versions. The enterprise was started by one man, and it used to be entirely freeware. The project became too big for him to handle, so he joined up with Sinovo, creating a pretty professional outfit.
You can currently download an unsupported freeware version (which I'm guessing is the one I still use) or get a free trial of the most up-to-date release before purchase, to see if it suits you.
There are also cables available to allow you to download a wide variety of meters straight into SiDiary. I personally prefer to transfer results across manually, every other day, so I can make comments on why I was high/low etc while I remember.
It is European based (Germany) but they do ship to the US, and both mmol/l and mg/dL are supported.
Before I discovered this program, I did much as you describe in this post - notes made in a notebook. I was never much motivated by that, as I couldn't see patterns at a glance. I'm much more motivated by checking out a pie chart telling me what percentage of results have been 'in range' in the last month than looking at a book full of figures, but lets face it, record keeping is as personal as every other aspect of diabetes.
Hope that helps though,
Caro
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