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DILEMMA

S

stoney

Well-Known Member
Messages
321
Location
South Wales
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Pump
Here is our dilemma. For the past two weeks James’ BG’s have been all over the place mainly dropping too quickly. He has been in and out of the school nurse’s office most days in the last two weeks which he has NEVER done before. He has been going through exams but he tells me he is not stressed about them. Last evening after finishing his meal at 5.30 and taking insulin accordingly, he did not feel well around 7pm. He tested his BG’s and was 4.9 so he took lucozade and a biscuit. All the time saying he was not feeling right. He tested again in an hour and was still 4.9. He again took lucozade and a biscuit and still complained of feeling unwell. He tested again at 8.30 and was up to 6.9. He usually then takes insulin to cover his 70g carbs for supper but did not want to have any insulin to cover this in case of a hypo in the night but took his 18 Lantus before bed.

This morning on waking and testing at 7.15 his BG’s were 16.8. He did his carb ratio 1:10 for his 70g carbs plus correction dose and had his breakfast . Again not well and feeling shaky, did his BG’s at 8am his reading was 14.9. Again at 8.15 = 10.9. Again at 8.40 = 6.7. Decided to take him to school rather than catch the bus. Before leaving to take him to school did his reading again at 8.50 dropped to 4.9 again feeling shaky.. Had a biscuit and lucozade . Decided not for him to go to school first lesson, even though he had a biology test first lesson and also had a French assessment last lesson of the day. Tested again at 9.20 still only 4.9. Waited till 9.50 and tested again gone up to 6.8 all the while feeling very tired and lifeless. We then decided not for him to go to school to day and rang the school nurse and she said she would speak to the two teachers concerned and this would be sorted out for him to do the work when he feels right. I also contacted out DSN who has suggested now to alter his carb ratio to 1:12 for breakfast, lunch and tea but leave his carb ratio to 1:20 for supper and leave lantus at 18.

Has anyone come across this sort of situation as we have never experienced this before in all the 12 years James has been diabetic. The only thing I can think of is it could be his hormones as he will be 15 in April.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Yvonne
 
Hia Yvonne - you've described almost exactly what happend to me last year after being t1 diabetic for 12 years. Unfortunately after several tests and tweaking of insulin / carb ratios they never got to the bottom of why it was happening but did hint at stress (Id been through a bad time before my mother passed away). Because it knocked my confidence (extreme fear of these rapid BS drops and hypo) I was off work for a length of time. Gradually over 6 months things stated to improve and since I've been on a pump last November my BSs are far more stable. So sorry - no explanation but just confirmation that it does happen to others. Hope things improve for James soon - it may be those exams.
 
Yvonne,

Sounds like James is having an awful time with his bg the last few weeks, it might be worth having a word with his dsn/consultant to ask for advice.
 
Hi Yvonne,

When I was a teenager my hormones played havoc with my diabetes. I would have random highs and lows and it became a bit of a nightmare to manage. The diabetes team were forever adjusting my insulin. I found that I would have a crazy period (anything from a couple of weeks to a few months) and then things would settle down again. This continued from the age of 14 to around 17. The only thing that I can think of is teenage hormones. In the end my doctor suggested the contraceptive pill as a way of controlling some of these hormones. I didn't believe for a second that it would work but my control did seem to improve shortly after starting. Contraceptive pill is possibly not the best option for your son though!

If his blood sugars are all over the place then it will make him feel a bit lousy and tired. I hope he gets things sorted soon. In the meantime it's probably going to be a case of testing regularly and adjusting his insulin as and when needed.
 
Thanks for the feedback folks. James seems to be getting back on track (til the next time I suppose) it is inevitable that we still have to keep tweaking those **** carb ratios. Onwards and upwards :wink:

Yvonne
 
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