Hi Nancy,

Thanks for posting this extremely important topic.

I've been using mealtime (bolus) and Lantus basal insulins.

I too am currently experiencing the same issues you describe as a result of my weight loss in addition to making healthier eating choices, and it can be frightening.

As you note, it's important not to over-correct during these situations, but to also bring your glucose up to safe levels effectively.
Not sure where you are but, I found "glucotabs" available at any local pharmacy to be effective when I find myself in these
situations. They come in tubes of 10; each tab is; 15 calories, 4 carbs.

I've found for me, taking 5 tabs (20 carbs) will bring my glucose up approx 35-40 points rather quickly. They come in a couple
different flavors, Orange and Raspberry.

Also, working for me is Dannon's non-fat greek yogurt (80cal) along w/ 1/2 c of fresh blueberries yeilds the same 40 point rise
for me rather quickly too.

I test, every 15 min following a hypo to find out how many body's reacting to my correction to ensure to prevent an over correction.

This book below has been, and still is a very good guide to good glucose control for those using insulins.

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Insulin-Completely/dp/0738215147

Finally, congrats on your excersing and better control.

Feel free to add me if you like.

Good luck!

Bob

Hi Nancy, KDIpiazz as usual has most bases covered. Using the glucose tablets 4-6 will give a measured glucose dose which is important. The only thing I would add to her excellent post would be to also have glucogel handy. This a glucose gel which can be used for a quick response or in situations where it is difficult for the patient to ingest tablets. The gel can be rubbed on the gums. It would also be important for friends and relatives to know how to administer glucose since a hypo can be scary for them as well. I carry both tablets and gel both in my car and my pocket.

HI Nancy - My name is also Nancy C and have been experiencing the same things. In fact, this morning, I woke up at 1:30 feeling "shaky" and tested. My blood sugar was 57. I ate peanut butter on some bread thins and felt better soon. I should have thought to grab the glucose tabs I bought over the weekend, but didn't have the right frame of mind to do that. I like the advise given by people. I will need to print out and give to my husband for when this happens in the future and he is awake to help me. Thanks for posting the question!

HI Nancy - My name is also Nancy C and have been experiencing the same things. In fact, this morning, I woke up at 1:30 feeling "shaky" and tested. My blood sugar was 57. I ate peanut butter on some bread thins and felt better soon. I should have thought to grab the glucose tabs I bought over the weekend, but didn't have the right frame of mind to do that. I like the advise given by people. I will need to print out and give to my husband for when this happens in the future and he is awake to help me. Thanks for posting the question!

Peanut butter is absolutely the wrong thing to eat to correct a low. It has no carbs, a little protein and is mostly fat which slows the absorption of any carbohydrates you do eat. You need an easily absorbed source of simple sugar in a controlled portion. Having a low is like getting the munchies when you smoke weed. It makes you uncontrollably hungry and if you're not careful you can eat or drink anything in sight

My go to response is: One small juice box of unsweetened apple juice followed up by a protein plus carb snack (peanut butter or cheese on a slice of toast) if its more than an hour to a meal. The juice box is portable, readily available and gets me out of the hypo within minutes. Not to mention, its kind of a treat because I love juice and this is the only time I allow myself to drink it.

This is about a 200 calorie fix. Since starting my weight loss efforts I have had quite a few lows - no dangerous ones as I get very symptomatic long before I am in real trouble - so I have gradually reduced my Levemir from 50 to 16 units daily and have halved my gluconorm. This seems to be working. Now all I have to do is break the news to my doctor......

I must disagree with you, jaygreen55.

I have been diabetic for over 20 years and have, throughout that period, educated myself (and in some cases my family doctors!) on my condition and on the treatments, medications, effects of various medications, nutrition and latest medical findings that relate all of these. I stay on top of my blood sugar by testing frequently and regularly (generally 7 times a day, but more often if I am making changes to my meds).

Years ago, as a result of this, my endocrinologist put me on the combination of Levemir (an insulin analogue,) and gluconorm with the instructions to adjust amounts as necessary in keeping with food intake and activity levels. I have been doing this ever since. In that time I have had no dangerous low blood sugars and rarely any other issues.

Since then I have moved and it has taken me a bit of time to bring my new family doctor up to speed, but she is now heartily in agreement with my process (at the beginning I advised her of changes I had made and explained in metabolic terms why I had made them and how they worked - demonstrating I know what I am doing.)

That being said I agree that if one is not very well informed and is not vigilant about keeping track of what their blood sugar is doing - specifically in resonse to meds - messing with your meds is a bad idea.

I believe, however, that we should make every effort to ensure that we are the "experts" on our own condition and to take responisbility for our own health and care. I now work with a "diabetic care team" that agrees with me on this.

By the way, I figure that if I had sought pre-approval for every adjustment I have made since my weight loss began in November, I would have to have seen my doctor 19 times!! ( I might have had a low blood sugar crisis in that time too!)

PS> My doctor is very pleased with my results and cheerfully recorded my current dosages along with my drastically improved HgAic, blood pressure, cholesterol and micro albument numbers.

Cheers.