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Serious problem with over treating a hypo...

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Hello, I have a major issue well wouldn't probably say it is a major issue, but I always seem to overtreat a hypo because I panic and get scared, last night I was a 3.0 but felt horrid, so I had 2 crackers and one of them sandwich things with jam woke up this morning on a 16.1 :( I know I am overtreating but how do I stop the feeling of being extremely scared!!??? x
 
I think we've all been there! For me, the rules about treating hypos don't really work - I find the usually recommended 15g glucose juice can shoot me from 3mmol to 8 or 9mmol, so I have worked out that half a shot brings me nicely back to 5-6 mmol. You just need to work out what works for you and then stick to it. Even thought it can be expensive, I use glucojuice because now it's predictable for me and I can feel comfortable about its effect. Once you know that a certain food or drink should bring you back to a decent level you should feel confident not to over treat - and remember that it can take a good 15-30 mins or so before you'll see your levels rising on your metre, so stay calm and be patient. Easier said than done, I realise. But the moral of the story is to try to treat consistently so that you have a method that works for you and can help your confidence.
 
pinewood said:
I think we've all been there! For me, the rules about treating hypos don't really work - I find the usually recommended 15g glucose juice can shoot me from 3mmol to 8 or 9mmol, so I have worked out that half a shot brings me nicely back to 5-6 mmol. You just need to work out what works for you and then stick to it. Even thought it can be expensive, I use glucojuice because now it's predictable for me and I can feel comfortable about its effect. Once you know that a certain food or drink should bring you back to a decent level you should feel confident not to over treat - and remember that it can take a good 15-30 mins or so before you'll see your levels rising on your metre, so stay calm and be patient. Easier said than done, I realise. But the moral of the story is to try to treat consistently so that you have a method that works for you and can help your confidence.
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I like the gluco juice they gave me them when I was in hospital with dka and I hypo'd and yes I agree they are expensive! Apparently we can get them on prescription?? I usually use the very small cans of coke but didn't have any!
 
  • I use Lucozade and count the swigs! You could, of course, measure it into a jug or whatever. Glucose tablets are also really good because you can have a controlled amount.
I know what you mean about overreacting through fear. I've done that sometimes when I've been dropping quickly. It's especially scary at night. Also, it does take a while for yoyr BS to rise, so it's very tempting to keep eating as you don't feel right. What I do is treat with initial glucose, wait 10 minutes to see how it's going, have some more glucose if necessary, then eat a longer lasting carb snack of between 10 and 20g depending on how quickly my BS is responding and what the reason was I went low.

I know sometimes there's no reason, but if I go low because I miscalculated carbs in a meal I tend to eat more carbs to make up for that, whereas if it just went a bit low because I'd been rushing about, I wouldn't have so many.

To avoid the fear of nighttime hypos, I set an alarm to get up and test again. It's a nuisance, but it gives me peace of mind and means I don't overeat to treat the hypo.
 
azure said:
  • I use Lucozade and count the swigs! You could, of course, measure it into a jug or whatever. Glucose tablets are also really good because you can have a controlled amount.
I know what you mean about overreacting through fear. I've done that sometimes when I've been dropping quickly. It's especially scary at night. Also, it does take a while for yoyr BS to rise, so it's very tempting to keep eating as you don't feel right. What I do is treat with initial glucose, wait 10 minutes to see how it's going, have some more glucose if necessary, then eat a longer lasting carb snack of between 10 and 20g depending on how quickly my BS is responding and what the reason was I went low.

I know sometimes there's no reason, but if I go low because I miscalculated carbs in a meal I tend to eat more carbs to make up for that, whereas if it just went a bit low because I'd been rushing about, I wouldn't have so many.

To avoid the fear of nighttime hypos, I set an alarm to get up and test again. It's a nuisance, but it gives me peace of mind and means I don't overeat to treat the hypo.
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That does make sense as well! I am a tad confused as to why I hypo'd though because before bed I was 4.8 had half a jam sandwich, and went to bed thinking I would be okay! hmmm!
 
ohitsnicola said:
Hello, I have a major issue well wouldn't probably say it is a major issue, but I always seem to overtreat a hypo because I panic and get scared, last night I was a 3.0 but felt horrid, so I had 2 crackers and one of them sandwich things with jam woke up this morning on a 16.1 :( I know I am overtreating but how do I stop the feeling of being extremely scared!!??? x
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Don't use crackers to treat a hypo Nicola as its too slow acting, this may explain why your over-treating your hypo's as the symptoms are not being dealt with quick enough, better to use fast-acting glucose every-time and follow up with a cracker if need be.
 
noblehead said:
Don't use crackers to treat a hypo Nicola as its too slow acting, this may explain why your over-treating your hypo's as the symptoms are not being dealt with quick enough, better to use fast-acting glucose every-time and follow up with a cracker if need be.
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It was all I had last night, ran out of sugar or I would have had milk and sugar!
 
ohitsnicola said:
It was all I had last night, ran out of sugar or I would have had milk and sugar!
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Better than nothing then :)

If you go to some of the bargain shops like B & M you can buy the large bags of JB's for around a £1 Nicola, sometimes the supermarkets have the party-size cans of Coke on offer too, seen them selling at 4 for a £1, a good time to stock up.
 
noblehead said:
Better than nothing then :)

If you go to some of the bargain shops like B & M you can buy the large bags of JB's for around a £1 Nicola, sometimes the supermarkets have the party-size cans of Coke on offer too, seen them selling at 4 for a £1, a good time to stock up.[/QUOTE

!
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that's what I usually use those coke's or dr peppers! :)
 
ohitsnicola said:
That does make sense as well! I am a tad confused as to why I hypo'd though because before bed I was 4.8 had half a jam sandwich, and went to bed thinking I would be okay! hmmm!
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Did you do the test just before you switched your bedroom light off? I've found that if I test too early before bed, I can be fine, but then it can drop before I actually switch the light off. So now I always do that last test to be sure.

I'm not sure why you had a hypo, but maybe your BS was dropping quickly so the half a jam sandwich didn't have as much effect as it would on a more steady blood sugar. I always try not to eat too late in the evening to reduce the risk of my bolus causing a hypo later. I don't know if that's something you already do?

I also meant to add earlier that glucose tablets are pretty boring so there's less temptation to overeat them!
 
azure said:
Did you do the test just before you switched your bedroom light off? I've found that if I test too early before bed, I can be fine, but then it can drop before I actually switch the light off. So now I always do that last test to be sure.

I'm not sure why you had a hypo, but maybe your BS was dropping quickly so the half a jam sandwich didn't have as much effect as it would on a more steady blood sugar. I always try not to eat too late in the evening to reduce the risk of my bolus causing a hypo later. I don't know if that's something you already do?

I also meant to add earlier that glucose tablets are pretty boring so there's less temptation to overeat them!
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No I didn't do that but I think i might start doing that now thank you! The latest I ever eat in the evening is 7pm and I go to bed between 10 & 11. I have only recently gone back to MDI so I think I have alot of work to do to find my right dosages again!
 
Ah, it could be that then, the going back to MDI. It must be a big change.

Your evening meal doesn't sound particularly late. Hopefully that last test before bed will help :) If nothing else, it means you feel more relaxed going to sleep knowing your BS is ok.

Good luck in sorting out the MDI :)
 
azure said:
Ah, it could be that then, the going back to MDI. It must be a big change.

Your evening meal doesn't sound particularly late. Hopefully that last test before bed will help :) If nothing else, it means you feel more relaxed going to sleep knowing your BS is ok.

Good luck in sorting out the MDI :)
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Big Change indeed but one that I am glad I have made because I am generally happier! I am seeing the nurse tonight so will hopefully get some help from her too! Thankyou :) x
 
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