Diabetes: A Quick Question

dmohalloran

Hi

Please excuse me if I am asking silly questions or if I get some facts wrong. My Mum (56) has just very recently been diagnosed with Type II. She is trying chart the fluctuations in blood sugar levels and so on to get a gauge on what foods or activities affect her, in order to change her lifestyle to manage the type II.

I have seen on the internet a number of computer programs/Excel spreadsheets that chart changes and activities very well. Does anybody use these, and can you recommend any software or methods of monitoring?


Thanks

David

Johnny Meagher

Hi dmohalloran, some glucometers come with software and connection for computers but you have to buy them and of course you don't really get to annotate. I've just been to the consultant for my slap on the wrist and am using a spread sheet, it's very wide but gives me all the spaces I need to keep an eye on things, see attachment. Don't mind the number of spaces, I don't fill them all each day, I average 4 tests but I have to test to eat. I've left in one line to show you what I do.

Any clinic will give a hard copy booklet for keeping note and your mother might prefer something like this. I've attached a scan so you can see what it's like. What you need to record is: date,time,blood glucose,what you take (insulin in my case) and what you eat and any comments, particularly if you can explain an unusual reading, if she is not taking insulin it is unlikely she will get "lows" "hypos" (very low blood sugars) but she should take a note of these if she does. even if you don't measure the glucose she will have to note what she eats, even if it's just a biscuit. this is what makes doing this such a pain. good luck to you and you mother. I'm sure a quick search of the net will turn up loads of resources and the people on here are deadly and will help lots. Really and truly though your mother should be educated by a trained specialist like a Diabetic Nurse, Dietician etc this should be your first port of call. Rgds.

SeaSide

Hi David,

I download from my meter to the PC. The software was free - the cable was between 5 and 10 euro. The programme allows a bit of playing around with results but no additional information that you are looking to for can be added.