weaver said:
hi mate
thanks for the reply,my glucose is high hence the doctor wanting to put me on insulin,does insulin make it more likely to go hypo?
Yes it does, I was put on insulin when I was diagnosed and found it very useful in controlling my bg levels but I did suffer a few hypos but realised what was happening and treated them with lucozade, orange juice or other fast acting carbs, I always carried a packet of glucotabs with me where ever I went along with my testing kit.
weaver said:
As for testing before/during a long drive I take it this is for your own info only and you dont need to report it anywhere?
thanks
It is important to keep bg levels well above hypo levels, anything under 4mmol/L is considered a hypo, as the symptoms as well as shaking, sweating etc will tend to cause confusion too, obviously best avoided when driving, as long as you test regularly you will be fine, it didnt take me long to get to know how to adjust my insulin to my diet and exercise. I found I had to take meals regularly, something I had not been used to before as if you delay a meal you are more likely to suffer a hypo, well thats what I found anyway. But that may be different if you are on a different insulin routine than I was, ie 4 injections a day
Yes the testing is just for your own benefit, so that you know you are going to be OK to drive.
Before starting insulin treatment you should have an appointment with a specialist from your local diabetes clinic, not your GP, they will know their stuff and talk you through it all, it seemed a lot to take in to begin with but it soon became second nature to me.
Good luck
You both have similar questions and there is an active and comprehensive thread concerning the DVLA where I think you will find your answers:
