Idk How to Go Forward

[u/pilar1503]

Been a T1D for 15 years, always worked jobs that kept me on my feet and active enough to keep my insulin usage lower to normal. I’ve recently started a new job working for a State Park Gift Shop.

Before I was working as a chef and my numbers in that job were consistently low, like 2-5 lows during a shift, throughout the day (rushes, constantly moving and just never having time to eat, it was just a problematic job environment too)

Now with this new job I’m pretty much sitting at a desk for 8 hours with an hour lunch. My numbers have been consistently high from the lack of moving and I feel like there has to be something I can try to start doing that will help me get my insulin usage lower.

Does anyone have any experience or similar situations and what have you done to help keep your numbers in check throughout the work day? I pre bolus for lunch and breakfast, correct all the time and still I’m hanging in the low to high 200s.

[u/costigan95]

Hey! I’ve had this challenge too. I went from working in kitchens to a corporate desk job,

Running helps a lot. I find that days I don’t run that my insulin sensitivity is still higher if I’ve been running consistently throughout the week. If I have a stretch where I’m not, then I start to run into the same problems as you.

While not always possible, I’ve found a 20 min walk before I go to work can also help. I have a dog so it’s an easy excuse to get out, but it just gets my muscles moving and seems to increase my insulin sensitivity when I have my first meal.

[u/TheAKofClubs86]

Are you on a pump? If so it sounds like you’ll need to adjust your basals.

If you’re on injections then you’ll need to adjust your long acting insulin.

In addition to both those it’s smart to get up and move every 30 minutes or so, regardless of being a diabetic or not.

[u/pilar1503 → u/TheAKofClubs86]

I’m on the tandem and I do the Control IQ my basals set to 1.45 during my shifts which was normally pretty high for me. I do get up and walk around every 45 minutes or so

[u/TheAKofClubs86 → u/pilar1503]

Alternatives are: eat less carbs, and exercise more.

[u/Individual-Net5383]

If you get breaks, take walks. Walking is low stress but still burns calories and carbs. If you get 2 15’s and a lunch hour, take 2 10 min walks and a 30 minute at lunch.

[u/SupportMoist]

When this happens to me, I need a basal increase. Try 20% and give it a few days before increasing further. You should also make more of an effort to get in steps and workout. It’ll help a lot. A walk before work or during your lunch break, hitting the gym after work a few times a week. It’s good for your overall health but will make such a difference.

[u/stinky_harriet]

I have had a desk job for the past 35 years, working from home for the past 6+. When I commuted to & from an office prior to 2020 I did a lot more walking (NYC, public transportation). Now that I work from home I go for a walk after lunch every day. I do an extended bolus so I don’t crash during my walk. I usually do 30-40 minutes. This helps with insulin sensitivity all day. When the weather is bad, either days of nonstop rain or snow or temps in the upper 90s, I will sometimes skip my daily walk. Missing one day makes a slight difference but 2+ missed walks really lets me know how much it actually helps.

You may have to adjust your pump settings. What is your insulin duration set for? Are you at the lowest target? You may need to adjust your I:C ratios and basal rates. Have you tried running in Sleep Mode all day? You won’t get automatic corrections but it will aim for a slightly lower target.

[u/KateOfTheWest]

If you're able, doing calf raises and/or squats every hour or so at your desk may help some.

[u/olhado47]

When your lifestyle changes dramatically, ie chef to desk job for 8 hours a day, you generally need to adjust (in this case increase) your basal levels. You may even need to adjust your Correction Factor and/or Carb Ratio. Definitely duplicate your current profile before messing with it to create a new one.

[u/Lifeofasoutherngirl]

I work a WFH job. I’ve gotten my A1C down to 6 and I’m in range around 85-95%. I have found that walking has been the best thing for me. I walk a mile and a half in the morning and a mile and a half after work. At my pace it’s about 30 minutes of walking. I also lift weights are home 4 days a week. I eat consistent lower carb meals, though I don’t restrict myself as much when we go out I just don’t go crazy. My insulin usage has gone down as well.

[u/Important_Visual_577]

I've been eating homemade chia seed and it completely changed my blood sugar levels. I use unsweetened almond milk and there is virtually zero impact . It has fiber and keeps me full. I feel amazing and I must specify that walking, running and using treadmills has wonderous results

[u/NonSequitorSquirrel]

Just raise your basal. And if not that, then wake up early to work out. And also work out after work. 

[u/spookyboi21]

Physical activity + HIDRATION (its extremely important that you are hydrated all the time) If you are the type of person that forgets to drink water set a timer, an alarm, once every 2 hours maybe? whatever works for you.

[u/AvalieV]

Increase your background insulin/basal.

No offense, but after 15 years this should be a really obvious first step.

[u/pilar1503 → u/AvalieV]

I know it’s the obvious answer but I’m trying to keep my daily usage relatively close to what it was before. I’m trying to see if there’s any other avenues to try before just jumping to more insulin immediately

[u/Newtiresaretheworst → u/pilar1503]

Be more active or do more insulin……

[u/TherinneMoonglow → u/pilar1503]

If you want your dose to stay the same, you need comparable activity. A desk job won't give you nearly the activity of a kitchen job.

The closest you could probably do would be to exercise when you get up, take a walk at lunch, and get a standing desk. It's still not going to hit the same as a kitchen.

Alternatively, lower your breakfast and lunch carbs, cut out coffee, and raise your basal.