Fear of Change
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 8:02AM I fear change.
This is a pretty common thing, the fear of change. We get into what works, what we are comfortable with and doing anything differently is a little scary. The same goes with diabetes.
Let me rewind a little. So last year I finally got approved for the Minimed CGM system that works with my pump. I have been using it and after many ups and downs I believe that I like it and am going to stick with it for a while.
The CGM has caught several highs and not so many lows but I see more and more the benefit of having it around and the fact that I feel a little anxious if I don’t have a sensor on. But after months and months of CGMing I have yet to do anything with any of my basal rates on my pump.
Bolus amounts have been adjusted but still I have not touched the basal rates. Why? I am not sure. There are clearly trends and patterns that I can see on the reports my CGM gives me so why have I done nothing with all this info? Fear I guess. Fear of screwing up or over doing it and running into a scary low.
Anyhow, I got over it and finally sat down to change some things. I adjusted some basal rates that I could tell were a problem and sure enough, for the past few days I have had solid flat numbers all through the night (a problem spot for me) and have been waking up in range!
There are some other spots that I have been working on and I can see a big difference already. My numbers have been much better which on one hand makes me very happy but on the other makes me mad because I waited so long.
Why do I fear change so much when it comes to diabetes?
I guess the fact is that with this disease, a miscalculation can be fatal.
Reader Comments (6)
Indeed. Because change is the constant and to add to it can send things in a tailspin that can be tough to get out of.
I'm glad the basal changes are working. Hope it continues!
You're not the only one! I do this too!!! Especially with the overnight basals. There's that saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it... But I guess that doesn't apply all the time with diabetes- just 'cause you're not flailing into extreme lows or highs doesn't mean you can't tweak! Glad it worked out for you :)
Completely with you there. One thing I've come to learn through the years that helps: Go Slow. When making any type of change, do it in small incriments rather than hitting change with full unit amounts. Though it takes longer and can go more slowly in finding that right spot, it allows an approach that's more safe without overduing anything. Good luck on tweaking the basals, if you decide to.
I'm the same way. Always figure there must be something ELSE I should change, so I hesitate to change the basals upwards. But I made a good change to my overnights recently too, and have generally been much more steady overnight. Good going for both of us!
Nice!
And I totally understand you about the change thing. It is scary changing pump settings, because you don't know if it is going to help things, or completely blow up in your face.
G-
Not changing is safe, not changing is familiar, and change can be scary.
BUT, change can be fantastic and surprising , and enlightening.
Change can be downright wonderful!
I keep telling myself to focus on the wonder and the wonderful whenever I'm staring change in the face.
I'm so proud of you for continuing to change and evolve!
BACON
Kelly K