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Constant hypo's

T

Tj1

Member
Messages
9
Location
Luton
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hi, I posted a few days ago about my newly diagnosed son having a hypo during the night. Since then he is constantly going hypo. His levels had started to come into normal range, but if this happens he will hypo within hours. It constantly feels like we are chasing the insulin, trying to get as many carbs in him as possible to keep his levels above 5. He shows symptoms of a hypo from 4.5 down. I have spoke with his team, who are reducing his insulin, but if anything it's getting worse. His last sugar before lunch was 6.7, he ate 2 slices of bread, scrambled egg, a yougart, a plum and a small piece chocolate. He had 2 units of Novorapid before lunch. 2 hours later the sugar was 5.2. I am so confused. Also as we keep trying to get him to eat, as he is getting low, he is not wanting to eat. If anything his normal appetite has decreased since starting on insulin. I understand the honeymoon period, is that what this is? Thanks.
 
It could be the honeymoon, but his team will be able to give a better guess about that. The fact you say it's "getting worse" could be the honeymoon. It may be his own insulin production has increased a little with the 'break' given by having insulin by injection.

Does his blood sugar come down two hours after a meal eg to 5.2 but then continue to drop?

I think I'm correct in saying you're not counting carbs yet?
 
No not officially carb counting yet, but I am starting to look at the carb content of what he eats.

This the first time the reading 2 hours after eating has been lower than before, since Christmas Eve the reading goes up after eating, but then drops dramatically before the next meal, normally leading to hypo symptoms from Oliver, sweaty, shaking, very rude and abusive. Even if the reading is say 4.2 or 4.4. On the occasions we have missed it like Christmas Eve night and the reading goes below 4, the lowest 3.3. Oliver becomes confused and will not eat/drink so hypostop used. The consultant says he has not had a serious hypo as the numbers have not been below 3, but is it not about the symptoms and how it effects a person. Even from the beginning when Oliver ran really high for a few days, he could be 19-22 after eating but within 2-3 hours before the next meal be 4-5, even with a snack. 2 days after starting insulin he was 20 after dinner a reading taken at 8pm, by 10pm it was 3.4. If we do not feed him a good amount of carbs at every meal and then a snack between of at least 10g of carbs he will hypo. In hospital they were forever giving him toast.

Thank you for responding to me.
 
@Tj1, there's a UK support group called Children with Diabetes, it offers support and advise to people like yourself and may be worth getting in touch with:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org/

I'd get in touch with his hospital diabetes team tomorrow and explain what is happening with his bg levels, they'll advise you on adjusting his insulin doses. Best wishes.
 
noblehead said:
@Tj1, there's a UK support group called Children with Diabetes, it offers support and advise to people like yourself and may be worth getting in touch with:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org/

I'd get in touch with his hospital diabetes team tomorrow and explain what is happening with his bg levels, they'll advise you on adjusting his insulin doses. Best wishes.
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Hi, thank you. The consultant has just advised us to change the Levemir, so it is given in the morning rather than night, as the majority of hypo's are happening then and to reduce this by 1 unit. Hopefully this will all help.
 
Incidentally... If you add up the qty of bolus he has in 24hours and the qty of basal is this about equal amounts?

Keep in touch with your consultant and watch levels closely. Many people find they have to have some levemir mirning and night- not just once. Your consultant should consider this if hypo's continue.

Also have they recommended any books on carb counting just to help you in the interim period?
 
I'm only a child but I know what your son is going through I used to have hypos all he time and they said I was in the honeymoon period and he's probably very active as well try to get him to calm down and maybe have a few snacks now and then I used to get them all the time in school because I couldn't eat anything in between my lessons also to try and get him to calm down get him something that he has to sit down with or put on a TVs show also try and get him some some different carry cases there not cheap but it will be worth it if you see a smile on his face when he does blood glucose tests I recommend funky pumpers if he does not want to eat go to a shop and go around to see what he wants that he will have during hypos I recommend caprisons and haribos hope this helped
 
Little_Lucy said:
I'm only a child but I know what your son is going through I used to have hypos all he time and they said I was in the honeymoon period and he's probably very active as well try to get him to calm down and maybe have a few snacks now and then I used to get them all the time in school because I couldn't eat anything in between my lessons also to try and get him to calm down get him something that he has to sit down with or put on a TVs show also try and get him some some different carry cases there not cheap but it will be worth it if you see a smile on his face when he does blood glucose tests I recommend funky pumpers if he does not want to eat go to a shop and go around to see what he wants that he will have during hypos I recommend caprisons and haribos hope this helped
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Thank you, very helpful advice.
 
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