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Hypo nightmare

Jonathan CB

Jonathan CB

Well-Known Member
Messages
46
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I've had Type 1 Diabetes for 3 years now and i've been having the same problem for a long time but only to realize that i was putting too much insulin in even though i was getting very high readings after having a big review with the doctor but all of a sudden for the past month I've developed a big fear of going hypo i can't keep my mind at rest it's the only thing i can think about, can anyone relate (and by the way i have bad anxiety and depression)
 
Understandable that you have a fear of hypo's if you've experienced a lot of them over the last 3 years, having problems with anxiety and depression won't help matters, but hypo's can be controlled somewhat by getting the balance right.

I would suggest you go on a carb counting course such as DAFNE, they will guide you on getting your insulin levels right which will result in a reduction in hypo's, to get an idea of what the course entails have a look at the following which is an on=line version of the DAFNE course:

http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/
 
Hi Jonathon

I too over corrected using guess work of what I thought I should use to get my bg levels down a bit. It was only when I looked at the 100 Rule and used a target bg that I could correct to, that I got my bg levels to be a lot better. Look at the BDEC website and then you'll get the hang of how to use bolus/basal. Also, theres a lot to be gained from testing bg levels frequently like 6 times a day and not 4.

Hypos aren't nice especially when they overcome you and are not mild but using target bg levels to calculate your insulin to does help, so good luck and just ask if you're not sure about something.
 
Jonathan CB said:
I've had Type 1 Diabetes for 3 years now and i've been having the same problem for a long time but only to realize that i was putting too much insulin in even though i was getting very high readings after having a big review with the doctor but all of a sudden for the past month I've developed a big fear of going hypo i can't keep my mind at rest it's the only thing i can think about, can anyone relate (and by the way i have bad anxiety and depression)
Click to expand...

hiya,
I've sorta experienced the same as you recently too!
back in the summer whilst I was on holiday I thought I accidentally took 30 units of fast acting novorapid instead of my usual levemir dose! I had one of the worst hypo’s I’ve ever had and it wouldn’t come up for a good hour, which is why I panicked and assumed I had taken the wrong insulin. Ever since then I’ve been terrified of injecting my insulins due to experiencing even more hypo’s after injecting levemir. It’s got to the point where I’m always on edge about my blood sugars and was testing about 15-20 times a day, whilst also massively reducing my doses to keep myself running high. I developed such awful anxiety and panic that I have started taking pictures of every injection I take just to reassure myself that I’ve taken the right one! This only helped for so long as I’ve got to the point where I have at times had to check these pictures around 50 times over the following hours (sounds like OCD ***).
So yes so answer you’re question I can easily relate to the fear of hypo’s with insulin dosages! I'm happy to talk if you ever need to! You’re not alone trust me! :)
 
One thing to consider as well is whether you are particularly insulin sensitive which can affect the ability to effectivel correct high levels, especially on MDI. I've got some half unit pens but even though rarely gave myself corrections on MDI because I knew even half a unit could drop me from over target to hypo territory.

Partly because of that and partly becasue of frequent exercise related hypos I got pump funding and I can say that that makes me much more likely to give correction doses because I can give fractions of a unit. DAFNE was a requirement to get pump funding in my area.
 
Rivermyles said:
hiya,
I've sorta experienced the same as you recently too!
back in the summer whilst I was on holiday I thought I accidentally took 30 units of fast acting novorapid instead of my usual levemir dose! I had one of the worst hypo’s I’ve ever had and it wouldn’t come up for a good hour, which is why I panicked and assumed I had taken the wrong insulin. Ever since then I’ve been terrified of injecting my insulins due to experiencing even more hypo’s after injecting levemir. It’s got to the point where I’m always on edge about my blood sugars and was testing about 15-20 times a day, whilst also massively reducing my doses to keep myself running high. I developed such awful anxiety and panic that I have started taking pictures of every injection I take just to reassure myself that I’ve taken the right one! This only helped for so long as I’ve got to the point where I have at times had to check these pictures around 50 times over the following hours (sounds like OCD ***).
So yes so answer you’re question I can easily relate to the fear of hypo’s with insulin dosages! I'm happy to talk if you ever need to! You’re not alone trust me! :)
Click to expand...

Wow i was like testing that much it was the only thing on my mind and whenever i did go hypo i would just freak out thinking what if it doesn't come up as it happened once for no apparent reason where it took about half an hour to get back into the normal zone (that's where it all started) i'm not as bad as i was but i'm still testing more than i should and knowing i'm not alone does really does bring ease to me though
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