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Please help constant hypos

N

Nathan Thomas

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
My background: Im 34 and was diagnosed with type 1 Jan 2013, I'm using Novorapid and Lantus, maintained steady bg and eat regularly and consistently. However 3 months ago my bg has gone crazy for example I currently had to reduce my Lantus to just 1 unit in the evening, with taking between 1-2 units of novorapid between meals. Without this my bg goes into 15+, however my issue is that it can drop suddenly and without warning (latest 1.9 - scary). Daily chores are a nightmare, my usual walk to work would take 15 minutes, yet it takes double this now as I need to keep checking my bg ensuring that I have glucose ( lucosade) to hand, even if I have a snack before hand. As mentioned if I don't take insulin my bg rockets. It's taking over my life please could anyone help. My specialist says I'm in the honeymoon period and advises to keep taking the Lantus? I'm unsure, another example my bg went to 25 last week and dropped to 4 within 15 minutes before I took any insulin, thankfully
 
It may just be that you need to adjust your background insulin levels as constant hypo's are an indication that your current level is too high. The honeymoon phase can be very frustrating and your insulin requirements may go up and down. Remember, diabetes does not cause hypo's, diabetes elevates BG levels. Hypo's are caused by miscalculation of insulin or over exertion. Keep a diary of your BG levels, insulin and food for a week and either post here or speak to your DSN.
 
Thank you for your reply mo1905, it's definitely frustrating. My problem is that should I remain static (in work, at home) my sugar remains steady all day, yet the moment I start to move, even a slow short distance my bg drops dramatically. For example To prepare for my walk to the train station tonight (15 min walk) I checked my blood 30 min before (7.8) although 7.8 I then took 50g of carb on top without taking any insulin (last insulin at 12:00 being 2 units rapid at meal). I left work at 17:00 with a bg of 15, 5 minutes into my walk my bg dropped to 4? And so I had to drink some lucozade. As you mention the honeymoon period along with my metabolism must be kicking in. My specialist advised to keep using Lantus although just 1 unit, however I feel even this amount may be to much and she goes onto say it's better to stop using rapid and keep using Lantus rather than the other way around, but I cannot do this as my bg will shoot through the roof at mealtimes
 
You need to get your background insulin sorted first before even looking at your QA. The idea of the basal is it should keep you relatively stable all day, even if you skip a meal. If your BG levels are dropping throughout the day, your basal is too high, even if it's just 1 unit. You can do a balsa test to confirm this. You can either test 1st thing in the morning, then, skip breakfast and test every hour for 4-5 hrs. If at any time you drop too low, abandon test and snack. As for results, if your levels slowly creep up, your basal is too low. If, however, your BG steadily drops, too much basal. Diabetes is very frustrating but it's dynamic, especially in the honeymoon phase. Remember, you're still probably producing your own insulin as well as the injected insulin. Good luck, Mo
 
I will try that, thank you again Mo
 
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