Update on hypos and lack of signs

[irishrichard]

Hi folks,

From previous posts, i've been having lots of problems with hypo's as I seemed to have lost the warning signs, so finally got to see my Consultant.

Explained everything that was happening etc, and asked him if it could be something with the insulin I take as I use LANTUS!
He reset my doses to just 10 units of lantus in morning and night and max of 18 apidra per day, explaining that although my bloods will run a bit more than usual, it'll would'nt do any harm.
He wanted me to go back next week to see him but explained that I'm off on holidays to South of France so booked an appointment for when I come back

He explained that I have extreme reactions/signs to my diabetes and he was really interested in everything I was querying, eg changing lantus etc. He even put in my chart that he is the only doctor that is to see me, not his under studies

He even said if the problem was the lantus, maybe I should consider pump but would speak to me when I'd be back from holidays

I left the appointment with him actually feeling great although nothing has really been done to stop the hypos as its amazing when you are dealt with like you have knowledge of diabetes, unlike some doctors who talk down to you!

Here's looking forward to the holidays

Richard

 

[noblehead]

Irishrichard,

Sounds like you had a positive consultation!

Its good advice to try running bg's a little higher to see if this brings back hypo awareness signs, that seems to be the mainstream advice, and certainly worth a try anyway.

Good luck and enjoy your trip to France! :mrgreen:

Nigel

 

[hanadr]

A consultant who listens to you and is flexible, but is still setting the Insulin levels and letting you eat up to the dose. I sugest you ask him about a DAFNE course and learn to adjust your insulin to your eating.ratheer than the other way around. Then, especially if you keep your eating under control, you shouldn't end up on the weight gain spiral.
Hana

 

[moonstone]

I disagree with you there Hana. If Richard felt able to sort the problem out himself he would have done, so what he did was go and ask for expert advice, which he got. I'm DAFNE trained but still had to sit with two specialist nurses for an hour and go through some problems I've been having this year. They, too, suggested doses for me and an action plan, which I'm following and tweaking 5 weeks later - they spotted something I hadn't even considered. There's absolutely nothing wrong with expert advice, especially from someone who takes your concerns 100% seriously and builds them into their response to you. Yesterday I had dinner with someone from my DAFNE course who is also having hypo problems, and I was able to spot (we think) something in her diary that she hadn't noticed - so I suggested a potential solution, she tried it last night and has texted me this morning, thrilled that it worked, she said she feels amazing. Sometimes, trained or not, we can't see the wood for the trees when we're in the forest and we need someone else to point out a potential path to follow to the clear air. It doesn't matter who they are, as long as they know what they're talking about.

Managing Type 1 diabetes is extremely complicated at times with a million variables to consider, and sometimes our needs change, and we need a nudge in the right direction.