I used to – all the time – I found a whole stack of books up in a cupboard with years of records. I don’t bother now, because I don’t find that anyone really looks at them. After I passed the 25 year mark, I visited a different specialist and he told me that he doubted if I would get any serious complications as regarding feet/kidney/eyes (taking my age into account presumably) but I was at high risk because of age and diabetes of heart problems, which would apply to most of my age group probably. I have had loads of friends, younger and slimmer than me without diabetes who have had quite major heart surgery! So I box along making my adjustments as I go.
I enjoyed Rotorua – thanks Nic for your great input.

Hi
That’s an interesting result, so many people are so good with recording etc!. How do you good people record and analyze – in a special diary? I found those diabetic books (that you get from the clinic) hopeless as there’s no room for any notes or explanations. Any ideas would be readily received. Cherie

I tend to go through phases where I record everything and times when I don’t bother. Usually when I’m recording it’s because I’m finding things a bit unstable at that time and I find writing down my results helps me pay attention to what’s going on. I used to use the free booklets but more recently I developed my own spreedsheet system – it’s very very basic but for me it really is more about paying attention rather than indepth analysis.

My endo has the fancy accu-check software (Compass?) so downloads all my results straight from my meter complete with fancy graphs. Very pretty Helpful? Jury’s still out on that one.

Hi Cherie B. Have you looked for a free programme online which would give you the expansion you seek, if you are interested in doing this online, look here, MySugarLevel.com

Ali, you know can buy that equipment, can’t give you the price and it will work with the Optium machine as well, but don’t know if it needs separate software for these.

I find the books okay, kind of quick and convenient and I can’t see me changing.

Thanks Roy – I actually do have the old version of Compass. To be honest I didn’t really use it much so didn’t bother upgrading when the new meters and new software came out.

I just find it too much of a hassle to write or type all my results so I only do it when I am not feeling well (sometimes not even then as I don’t feel to good most of the time). Am looking at getting something like compass though as I am on the computer so often that it not funny

I suppose it depends on how you work. I’m a busy mum and also a nurse so documentation for me is a biggy in my line of work. I find it difficult to analyse and adjust when I don’t document my recordings.

I use the Novo Nordisk record books and have for years, these are the only ones that I do like. Like you Cherie I do find it difficult to write down why my BG have dropped or risen as there isn’t much space to write.

I go through phases of testing. If I can I try to record all the time if possible as it truly does help. I use http://www.logforlife.com as it is the most convenient for me.

I haven’t recorded my blood sugars for years, but write everything down in an exercise book now I’m pregnant – and I think I’ll keep this up after the pregnancy (that’s the intention, whether I can be bothered or not is another story!). I’m finding it really helpful – especially recording things that effect my sugars like exercise, having takeaways etc and seeing patterns.

I love logforlife although my nurse complains the PDF reports are too small.

I agree with Aaron, records help and having come from the days of urine testing where the result showing was the BG sometime earlier and quite a bit earlier. A result that is right now, is something that is worth doing just for that, not to mention doing something about it right now.
I have to admit, I get a tad grumpy with the comment “You Should have done THIS! To avoid that result.”
Yeah sure and I can see that now just like you do, with the wonders of hindsight.

I have recently got an iPad and have been using the spreadsheet in this to keep a more detailed view of everything. It also use it to keep track of CHO insulin and other such ratios. Seems to be working well so far. I can also share the spreadsheet online with the dietitian/ dr / nurse people.

I also take records from the meter directly using the awful provided software so that I can keep my food stuff to just food / sugars and hypos. I find that compass etc are all a little icky to use and getting data out of it other than emailing a pre-cooked pdf is a pain.

I have tried other things like log4life but it does not really play nice on the phone or ipad and bant which is an iphone app is nice, but does not handle the carbs and stuff.

One day when work is not so busy i may write my own applications.

john