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Going into denial

Lucie75

Lucie75

Well-Known Member
Messages
302
Location
Bristol
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I have virtually no hypo warnings any more, haven't done for years despite doing everything I can to get them back. One thing I do get a lot of is complete hypo denial (which at the time to me is perfectly justified of course!) It seems that those close to me know that I'm going hypo (usually through moodiness and aggressiveness). But can they persuade me? I don't think so! By the way at this point I am usually running around 1.2 or 1.4 (yes I know this is extremely dangerous but lack of warnings = very low readings) I've always referred to this as hypo denial, where I have gone so low I wouldn't even recognise the warnings if I had them.

Do others experience this?
 
Hi Lucie,

I have experienced similar symptoms but I have always thought of the denial as being a symptom, it's linked to the confusion you sometimes get? It's happened to me twice I think, I was at my hairdressers with my sister once and my right eye was twitching and I wasn't answering questions, so just appeared rude I think, but I managed to pay and went and sat in the car (I know, I know, INCREDIBLY dangerous!) but I didn't start the car, instead I ate some sweets which I kept in the glove compartment? so even though I was unable to tell anyone, I still treated the hypo?! Does that made sense?
 
PS - I'm sure you have tried this but thought I would say it anyway, have you tried running your BG levels a bit higher than usual for a week or so (under supervision from your Doc/nurse if needed) as that is a good way to get your warning symptoms back?
 
Yes, I've run myself higher (in fact I'm running higher now than I have ever done - trying to stay around 8mmol at the moment) and it has had little impact. My DSN is fully aware of the problems I've having and it stems from years of running myself too low. I still get no warnings, other than the above. Although you could say that denial is a warning (from confusion), at the time I'm convinced I'm not hypo so it doesn't really help.

I too have got so low I can't speak, it's alarming for sure. Just can't figure out which order the words have to go in...

I only get reduced warnings when I'm in under 2.0 mmols which of course is far too low, although I'm able to function okay. I've been known to wander around the supermarket at 1.4 (wander being the right word!!) and was amazed when I tested back in the car. Can't be sure I got everything I needed that day!
 
Here is a link to the NHS Tayside site about Hypoglycaemia.
http://taysidedn.dundee.ac.uk/HandBook/ ... aemia.aspx

A small extract.
All documented blood glucose values of less than 4.0 mmol/L can be considered a hypoglycaemic event and should not be tolerated in any patient on a regular basis. REMEMBER: FOUR IS THE FLOOR.

Here is a link to how to reverse hypoglycaemia unawareness.
http://www.diabetes1.org/news/Reversing ... nawareness

A short extract.
Methods for Reducing Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Raise blood sugar targets for two to three weeks in order to avoid low blood sugar.

Test blood sugar more often, providing more data to make more rapid adjustments.

Increase protein intake and reduce carbohydrate intake, reducing insulin requirements.

Use the data from additional blood sugar tests to note the different symptoms experienced at specific blood sugar levels.
 
Hi Lucie

One of the best ways to sort out hypo problems is to test frequently. If you test before you eat yr br, lunch, eve meal, bd and also mid morning and mid afternoon, you should be able to pick up on the hypo before it starts to come on. It's an education in itself as you will start to see how you are balancing up the amount of food that you are eating with the insulin you are injecting :wink: You are looking at being somewhere ideally between 4 - 6 before you eat and then 2hrs later being somewhere between 6 - 8. If your bg is on 6 or below, you probably need to eat a small snack like a biscuit to prevent you going low further on.

Has a consultant or DSN helped you calculate a rough total daily dose of insulin to use at all?
 
This is a problem that has been ongoing since being pregnant with my first child. It is common to have reduced hypo awareness whilst pregnant, and for it to return post-natal, but although some awareness returned, I find I don't have the obvious warnings that leaves you in no doubt. I have very subtle warnings that I often don't even notice until after the event and then I think back and realise I missed them completely (like the confusion).

I am being assessed for pump therapy so have started carb counting with the aim of running between 7-9 in order to get warnings back, but as yet it hasn't improved. DSN sees no harm in running higher in order to improve awareness and then to gradually lower my bg back to the 'ideal' range if and when I start using a pump.
 
What is a typical meal for you carb wise and how much Novo are you injecting?

Are you eating 3 meals a day or are you eating little and often?
 
I'm on a ins/carb ratio of 1.5/10g during the day and 1/10g in the evening so the amount of insulin I'm having should be consistent with the carbs.

Before, at my worst I would be hypo all day with maybe 1 reading out of 6 higher than 3.5. I was like this for years because I 'enjoyed' the slightly detached feeling of being hypo. My DSN said I was one of the few diabetics that are addicted to being hypo, because of the feel-good hormones that are released. Unfortunately this has obviously had knock-on effects and I'm struggling getting warnings back. Apparently with each hypo you lose a little more warning each time and I ran at low levels for years, even before I had children.

I'm sorry, I must sound bonkers.
 
How many times a day though are you testing yr bg levels?

I've had thousands of hypos - some like yourself. What sorted me, was to test 6 times a day. Im fairly addicted to bg testing now lol but for good reasons.

A pump may help you but you have definately got to do lots of bg tests that's for sure.
 
On a bad day for bg testing I might only do 3 but on average it's 4 or 5. I used to be an avid tester but kind of lost the plot a bit over recent years. I will go back to testing before and after meals and have gradually been testing more over the last couple of weeks.

My problem was that I only tested at certain times and was always being told off for not testing at other times of the day!

I think too that I have drained my fingers of blood!! :lol: 8)
 
A fairly good carb counting book was produced by Lifescan and DUK last year.

Not sure if DUK have got any more copies to spare. If not, you could phone Lifescan and ask them.

Lucie, you wont get yrself on a pump unless you test a lot more frequently. The pump is only going to be as good as the buttons that are pressed on it, its not magic unfortunately.
 
Have you tried different types of insulin? Years ago I was on a type that disagreed with me big time and some of the symptoms were reduced hypo awareness coupled with violent mood swings. I developed a violent temper and wouldn't accept I was hypo even if I did have symptoms. DSNs wouldn't listen when I mentioned these and other symptoms, they even blocked me discussing it with the consultant. Eventually my rages got too much for hubby and when the GP spoke to the consultant he advised switching to pork insulin, whereupon everything settled down.
 
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