Is it normal for a diabetic to have a hypoglycemia episode every day?
Posted by admin on Nov 11, 2009
My grandma recently began taking insulin shots for diabetes. Every day between breakfast and lunch, however, she’s been having a hypoglycemia episode with shakiness, sweating, and weakness. This doesn’t seem right. Today she even had 2 breakfasts, but still had an attack at lunchtime. She is the first one in our family to have diabetes and be on insulin, so we’re all new at this. Is this normal?
Thank you so, so much for your answers!!!
It’s not right… diabetics WILL have hypos – sometimes it’s unpredictable and catches us out. But if a diabetic is having too many hypos, or a hypo at the same time every day, it means it’s time to adjust the insulin.
Has the doctor put her on set amounts of insulin, or is she matching it to what she eats? Set doses are trouble, because every meal has a different carb load which needs to be calculated before you inject.
Perhaps your Gran needs a little less insulin with breakfast? Or perhaps her background insulin is too strong, but that would probably lead to hypos at other times of the day too.
How many times does Gran test her blood sugar a day? It’s a good idea to do lots of extra tests when you’re having a problem like this. Then you can see the trend and catch the low BEFORE it happens 
It’s actually a good idea to test lots *any* day, even if there’s no trouble. Then you know you’re safe and able to make minor adjustments.
Time to talk to the doctor! A hypo can leave us feeling pretty icky for a time afterwards and often makes the rest of the day feel grotty, so it’s worth working this out.
Ah! One last thing! Is Gran on NPH? (Otherwise known as Protophane, lovingly nick-named ‘Not Particularly Helpful’). NPH is known to peak a few hours after taking it – usually between 4 and 5 hours after injecting. This could be what’s catching her out. NPH is famous for being a pain in the butt. If she’s on this, see if she can change to one of the 24 hour insulins which give a much better flat line and offer so much more freedom.
Lastly, organs aren’t damaged by lows as bonsyler said – only highs. Lows are a pain, and can be dangerous if left, but there’s no long term damage involved.
Good luck!
Can I use a home fingerstick blood test to test for hypoglycemia?
Posted by admin on Oct 24, 2009
I have been looking at the little machines for testing blood sugar and also the visual test strips like betachek visual. Can I use either of these for testing or hypoglycemia as I keep getting symptoms of it?
I have had blood sugar tested before at the docs and it was normal, but my symptoms seem to come on with exercise. I especially notice it in the city walking around a lot. So I was thinking I need to test blood suger then rather than in a doctor’s surgery. Thanks
sure you can! be sure to journal all the results: time, foods eaten or drank, activities at the time and glucose number.
here is a handy chart you might want to print up as the geocities service is going away:
http://www.geocities.com/diabeteschart/bloodsugarchart.html
Possible gestational diabetes?
Posted by admin on Oct 21, 2009
I just received a call from my OB today and they want me to do the 3 hours testing because my glucose test came back and they said my sugar level was very high. Anyone here have had experience with getting gestational diabetes during pregnancy? How was your experience? What did you do to control it? What was the outcome of the pregnancy? Thanks everyone, I am just really worried now about my baby 
Yes, I had it with my 2nd baby. I am also at high risk for having it now with my 3rd baby. I will be going for my 3 hour test later this week.
I was able to control it with diet changes. My baby was born 10 days early but normal 7.5 pounds and all was fine.
I cut out white breads, pasta and potatoes. I cut out sugar. My doctor told me to eat low carb foods and to use splenda sweetener.
This time, I am doing the same thing already. I am eating whole grain bread from time to time. I am drinking Chrystal Light and found some great sugar free cookies.
What do you do about night time non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
Posted by admin on Oct 9, 2009
I have heard that non-diabetic hypoglycemia can be a problem at night while I am sleeping. What can I do to prevent this from happening?
Treating hypoglycemia is pretty much the same as treating type two diabetes. In other words, eat lots of healthy, natural foods with plenty of fiber and get plenty of daily exercise. The more refined foods you avoid, the better your chances of avoiding hypoglycemia (and diabetes, for that matter). Give your body the nourishment it needs, and it will serve you well for many, many years.
What do you do about night time non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
Posted by admin on Oct 9, 2009
I have heard that non-diabetic hypoglycemia can be a problem at night while I am sleeping. What can I do to prevent this from happening?
Treating hypoglycemia is pretty much the same as treating type two diabetes. In other words, eat lots of healthy, natural foods with plenty of fiber and get plenty of daily exercise. The more refined foods you avoid, the better your chances of avoiding hypoglycemia (and diabetes, for that matter). Give your body the nourishment it needs, and it will serve you well for many, many years.
Any tips re diet for Gestational Diabetes?
Posted by admin on Sep 24, 2009
Just been diagnosed and now on 3 tablets per day – you build up over 6 days. Sugar levels are all over the place it seems no matter what I eat and feel wierd most of the time – like I need sugar and can’t have it! Any tips? I know what I should be eating as my dad was Type 2!
Your sugars should get better as you get more medication, but they start you slowly (metformin, right?) because if you get it all at once you have gastrointestinal distress.
For now, concentrate on switching over to 5-6 small meals a day, always with whole grains or other low-glycemic carbohydrates. Never have a carb without a protein. Get plenty of protein and veggies.
It helps to get away from sugars and sweet stuff because then you stop craving it. However, there are a few tricks. One trick I’ve used that really gives you a rich chocolate flavor is to take unsweetened cocoa powder (I like the dark chocolate variety) and mix it up with light cool whip. If you only have like a 1/4 cup at a time it’s about 30 calories and it’s not enough to raise your blood sugars. Eat it really slowly and it tastes like chocolate mousse.
Also, SF ice creams and all the products with splenda taste a LOT better than they used to! The danger is not to have too much, and as gross as it sounds, if you can have some protein at the same time as some SF ice cream it will keep your blood sugar from spiking as much. So I always make myself have like a piece of cheese first, then I have my little mug or bowl of SF ice cream.
Good luck, I know the metformin can make your stomach hurt, so hang in there. And there is always insulin! Insulin works very well in pregnancy, but I think they figure they are more likely to get women to take their medicine if they don’t have to inject it.
28 Weeks Pregnant
Posted by admin on Sep 5, 2009
My first actual “vlog”. Excuse all the “likes” and “what-evers” I totally didn’t realize I sound 14 until I watched this! I’ll work on it haha!
Duration : 0:6:22
