Slightly scary hypo

Giil · Apr 20, 2017

I was discharged from hospital a few days ago having had ischaemic colitis. Since being home, I've felt very weak and a couple of days ago had a very scary hypo. I was cold, shivering, shaking from head to foot and in my insides. I ate something - can't quite remember what but no improvement. Probably biscuits.

Worrying, my BS wasn't particularly (in the 9's after the biscuit.) could it be possible that because my unchecked BS must often run high that my body was rebelling and wanting more 'high'?

Also, since the colitis, my diet should avoid high residue food. Any suggestions for a quick, standby fix in the event of hypo?

dogslife · Apr 20, 2017

Giil said:
I was discharged from hospital a few days ago having had ischaemic colitis. Since being home, I've felt very weak and a couple of days ago had a very scary hypo. I was cold, shivering, shaking from head to foot and in my insides. I ate something - can't quite remember what but no improvement. Probably biscuits.

Worrying, my BS wasn't particularly (in the 9's after the biscuit.) could it be possible that because my unchecked BS must often run high that my body was rebelling and wanting more 'high'?

Also, since the colitis, my diet should avoid high residue food. Any suggestions for a quick, standby fix in the event of hypo?

I always carry jelly babies with me. They act very quickly as soon as I start with the shakes. Then I retest and if sugar levels are still low after 15 mins. eat a small snack such as a sandwich. Sympathies re the collitis. I only have IBS and diverticulitis but also have to avoid seeds etc which further limits what I can eat. Hope you feel better soon.

Giil · Apr 20, 2017

dogslife said:
I always carry jelly babies with me. They act very quickly as soon as I start with the shakes. Then I retest and if sugar levels are still low after 15 mins. eat a small snack such as a sandwich. Sympathies re the collitis. I only have IBS and diverticulitis but also have to avoid seeds etc which further limits what I can eat. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Dogslife. I like the jelly babies suggestion - love 'em!

Keep well.

Deleted Account · Apr 20, 2017

Hi @Giil, it is true that your body gets used to a BS range. This is why people losing hypo awareness are sometimes advised to run their BS a little higher for a few weeks. From experience, I can confirm this helps. However, I think the advice is to change the target BS from 5 to 6.
You do not mention your BS at the time of the hypo. I know how it is: sometimes it feels so bad that you can't wait to get some sugars in you. However, occasionally, the sweaty, shaky feelings are caused by something else.
I do not know anything about ischaemic colitis (and don't want to become a "Google Doctor") so not sure what hypo treatments are not suitable. However, in general, the best treatments are something that are very fast to get sugar into your blood stream: something sweet (without artificial sweeteners), something easy to digest and something non-fatty (for example, the butter in biscuits or fat in chocolates make them bad hypo treatments). I use dextrose or Glucotabs. Others use sugary drinks but be aware, with the upcoming sugar tax, some manufacturers are replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners in their drinks.

Giil · Apr 20, 2017

helensaramay said:
Hi @Giil, it is true that your body gets used to a BS range. This is why people losing hypo awareness are sometimes advised to run their BS a little higher for a few weeks. From experience, I can confirm this helps. However, I think the advice is to change the target BS from 5 to 6.
You do not mention your BS at the time of the hypo. I know how it is: sometimes it feels so bad that you can't wait to get some sugars in you. However, occasionally, the sweaty, shaky feelings are caused by something else.
I do not know anything about ischaemic colitis (and don't want to become a "Google Doctor") so not sure what hypo treatments are not suitable. However, in general, the best treatments are something that are very fast to get sugar into your blood stream: something sweet (without artificial sweeteners), something easy to digest and something non-fatty (for example, the butter in biscuits or fat in chocolates make them bad hypo treatments). I use dextrose or Glucotabs. Others use sugary drinks but be aware, with the upcoming sugar tax, some manufacturers are replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners in their drinks.

Thanks, Helen for your very clear and comprehensive advice - and for taking interest.

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Slightly scary hypo

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