Severe overnight low blood sugar help!?

Question

Has anyone used or known someone who has used the Paradigm Real-Time system or glucowatch? I am a 40 year old single mother who has been diabetic since 19 and over the last year I have had 2 very severe low blood sugar incidents overnight where my son has ended up calling 911 for as I was unresponsive.

Sorry, I am on an insulin pump, have been for 10 years.....I am a mess right now, depressed, overweight and tired of this "crap"...worse part is its just me and my son and he's only 10 so I don't think he can handle a glucogon shot....I need a whole new outlook...thanks for all your ideas! I have lowered my nighttime basals because I don't want this to happen again....trying hard to eat a snack before I go to bed even though I have to choke it down....

Answer 1

I have not. And I don't know anyone that has.

If I were you, I would find out why you are having hypo episodes. There must be a reason. The first two that come to mind are taking too much insulin or having insulinoma. There apparently are other factors that come into play. Like your current condition... are you overweight? How well are you managing your sugar? Are you exercising? Does you diet include the proper nutrients? Etc., etc.

I'm particularly interested in this subject, because I've communicated with others who have had similar inexplicable experiences. While I have never had a hypo episode (that I'm aware of), I'm very curious to know all I can find out about type 2s who are not on insulin and who are experiencing hypo episodes. Perhaps by sharing this information, we can figure out what's going on and prevent it. Maybe something in my routine is preventing it. If you would like to know more about what I'm doing, visit my diabetes info page:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html

Answer 2

There's actually a specific syndrome (I forget what it's called) that explains how some people can go low overnight. What happens is that your body is still working when you sleep and produces hormones and everything. This activity can affect your sugar and cause you to go low. What is really dangerous is that your body tries to compensate for it so that by the time you wake up you are high and may change your overnight basal rates to accomodate for the high! It sounds like you have a pump, just set an alarm to check you sugar every couple hours and keep track of that for a few days. Based on those numbers, adjust your overnight rates accordingly.

Answer 3

Theres alot of variables that you didnt include. type of insulins diet execise ect.
I had simialr problems when I was first put on Lantus. My doc at that time wanted me to inject lantus in the AM. and even though lantus is supposed to not surge it seamed to. I switched to Pm dose and have had better luck. I also alway try and eat some thing before bed even when I dont feel the need. I think everyone's a little differnt but if I'm 150 or lower before bed and dont eat a few carbs I'm going to be in trouble.
Hope you find you solution. Best of luck

Answer 4

I am sorry, I don't know anything about the Paradigm Real-Time system or glucowatch. As far as low glocose at night, I prevented this by adjusting my insulin and by eating a small snack before I went to bed. It has helped me greatly.
Best wishes.

Answer 5

You didn't mention what medication you are using. You need to either lower your meds or raise your carb intake. I'll take a guess here and say that lowering your medication would be the best answer ? Talk to your doctor about what changes to make.Until then, just up your carbs a bit. Have the bun with the burger .Better yet, have a piece of fruit with your lunch . 70 is low .Anything under 100 and I get shakey.

Answer 6

Have you tried eating a snack at bedtime? I hope you keep a glucagon shot around and someone in the house knows how to use it. Something I do is set a timer and check my sugar when it goes off. Maybe you could call the company and ask for a brochure.