Guest guest Posted June 17, 2000 Report Share Posted June 17, 2000 Wow, Tottie, that's scary. I don't know what to advise you...wish Susie were here. Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2000 Report Share Posted June 17, 2000 Tottie, Thanks for sharing... boy! but I don't think I would have bothered with that second insulin shot when you were at 140.. that's nothing really to be overly concerned with after that ordeal. vegasbilly 117 degrees her now.. I'd like to get that down to 80 Scary Hypo Episode! > I had the most frightening hypo episode last night. I had taken my > usual > dosage of Humalog and eaten dinner. This is the same dinner and the > same > dosage I have taken many times before with great success. I tested > before > eating and was at 80 mg/dl. I injected my usual units of Humalog. > Immediately after finishing eating (about 15 minutes after I'd > started), I > went to brush my teeth and while I was bent over the sink, started to > get > the strangest feeling. My vision went all " blotty " for want of a > better > word. It was as if there were big areas of my vision that were all > blotted > out. I was weak and started to sweat profusely. I somehow made it > to the > bed and dragged my monitor and testing stuff in with me. While > laying down > I tested and it came out at 44 mg/dl! A drop from 80 to 44, in 15 > minutes, > even though I had just consumed my regular dinner with my normal > amount of > carbos. I have never had anything like this happen before. Sure, I > might > go down to the 60's once in awhile, but that's all. I felt > absolutely no > hypo symptoms until I hit 44. I was so scared, I started taking > glucose > tablets (4 grams carbs) and tested again in a couple of minutes, > hoping > things had started to reverse. No luck, I was still at 44. In a > panic, I > took more glucose tabs, and then more. I knew I was probably over > treating, > but I was so scared, I just didn't want the paramedics to have to > come to my > house. I kept testing every couple of minutes until the bed was > littered > with used testing strips. I couldn't sit up or move. I had to > perform all > these test laying on my side. Well, the tide finally started to > turn, I > stopped sweating, and within an hour I was up to 141. Then I had to > take > more insulin to get back it down. An hour after that, I was at a > comfortable (for me) 91 mg/dl and I went to bed after shooting my > customary > bedtime NPH. No more problems through the night and this morning I > was at > 85 mg/dl. What could possibly have caused an after dinner hypo such > as > this? I can see having a hypo if I haven't eaten in a long time, but > not > one right after eating a whole bunch of carbs for dinner. Could I > have > injected into a vein by mistake? If I had, wouldn't it have affected > me > sooner than 15 minutes? There was a drop of blood at the injection > site, > but I often have these, and have never had this problem. I'm pretty > nervous > about dinner time tonight! > Tottie > Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Find out your risk for Diabetes and win one of 40 cash prizes. > For every test taken, we'll donate a $1 for research. > http://click./1/5604/1/_/529507/_/961261271/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Public website for Diabetes International: > http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2000 Report Share Posted June 17, 2000 Yes, I had to think twice about taking that 2nd shot, but my FBG's had been so good, mostly in the 80's, that I wanted to bring it down so I didn't mess up the next mornings reading. Probably wasn't such a good idea, but it worked out. It's kind of hot and muggy here in N.E. PA, but I'm staying in the air conditioned bedroom all day! Regards, Tottie Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH Re: Scary Hypo Episode! > Tottie, Thanks for sharing... boy! but I don't think I would have bothered > with that second insulin shot when you were at 140.. that's nothing really > to be overly concerned with after that ordeal. vegasbilly 117 degrees her > now.. I'd like to get that down to 80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2000 Report Share Posted June 17, 2000 Vickie, thanks. Is Susie away on vacation? Tottie Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH Re: Scary Hypo Episode! > Wow, Tottie, that's scary. I don't know what to advise you...wish Susie were > here. Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2000 Report Share Posted June 17, 2000 In a message dated 00-06-17 16:16:39 EDT, you write: << Vickie, thanks. Is Susie away on vacation? Tottie >> Yes, she and Rob went to N'Orleans for a conference. You must've missed her post. I think she said she'd be gone for two weeks. Oughta be back soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2000 Report Share Posted June 18, 2000 Hi , The weather has been hot but I spend all my time in the air conditioned bedroom. I injected in the belly, so that couldn't have had any bad effect. That's where I always inject. By the way, I had another one last night under completely different circumstances. I'll post the details of that today. Thanks for your thoughts. Tottie Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH Scary Hypo Episode! > > > I had the most frightening hypo episode last night. I had taken my > usual > dosage of Humalog and eaten dinner. This is the same dinner and the > same > dosage I have taken many times before with great success. I tested > before > eating and was at 80 mg/dl. I injected my usual units of Humalog. > Immediately after finishing eating (about 15 minutes after I'd > started), I > went to brush my teeth and while I was bent over the sink, started to > get > the strangest feeling. My vision went all " blotty " for want of a > better > word. It was as if there were big areas of my vision that were all > blotted > out. I was weak and started to sweat profusely. I somehow made it > to the > bed and dragged my monitor and testing stuff in with me. While > laying down > I tested and it came out at 44 mg/dl! A drop from 80 to 44, in 15 > minutes, > even though I had just consumed my regular dinner with my normal > amount of > carbos. I have never had anything like this happen before. Sure, I > might > go down to the 60's once in awhile, but that's all. I felt > absolutely no > hypo symptoms until I hit 44. I was so scared, I started taking > glucose > tablets (4 grams carbs) and tested again in a couple of minutes, > hoping > things had started to reverse. No luck, I was still at 44. In a > panic, I > took more glucose tabs, and then more. I knew I was probably over > treating, > but I was so scared, I just didn't want the paramedics to have to > come to my > house. I kept testing every couple of minutes until the bed was > littered > with used testing strips. I couldn't sit up or move. I had to > perform all > these test laying on my side. Well, the tide finally started to > turn, I > stopped sweating, and within an hour I was up to 141. Then I had to > take > more insulin to get back it down. An hour after that, I was at a > comfortable (for me) 91 mg/dl and I went to bed after shooting my > customary > bedtime NPH. No more problems through the night and this morning I > was at > 85 mg/dl. What could possibly have caused an after dinner hypo such > as > this? I can see having a hypo if I haven't eaten in a long time, but > not > one right after eating a whole bunch of carbs for dinner. Could I > have > injected into a vein by mistake? If I had, wouldn't it have affected > me > sooner than 15 minutes? There was a drop of blood at the injection > site, > but I often have these, and have never had this problem. I'm pretty > nervous > about dinner time tonight! > Tottie > Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Find out your risk for Diabetes and win one of 40 cash prizes. > For every test taken, we'll donate a $1 for research. > http://click./1/5604/1/_/529507/_/961261271/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Public website for Diabetes International: > http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > 1 out of 3 have it and they don't know it. > ARE YOU AT RISK? > Find out and win $1500! > http://click./1/5606/1/_/529507/_/961331649/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Public website for Diabetes International: > http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2000 Report Share Posted June 18, 2000 Tottie > A drop from 80 to 44, in 15 minutes, > even though I had just consumed my > regular dinner with my normal amount > of carbos. I have never had anything > like this happen before. Sounds to me like a bout of gastroparesis (late stomach emptying). Your 'regular meal' was still right there in your stomach and had not yet contributed anything to your blood glucose concentration. The insulin, of course, gets into your blood without going through your stomach. > I was so scared, I started taking glucose > tablets (4 grams carbs) and tested again > in a couple of minutes, hoping things had > started to reverse. No luck, I was still at > 44. In a panic, I took more glucose tabs, > and then more. Yeah, and those glucose tablets probably stayed right there in your stomach along with the rest of the stuff! It is quite acceptable to panic the first time it happens but you won't have an excuse if you panic the next time. The right things to do are described in Dr. Bernstein's book on pages 290-299 (abdominal exercises, sugar-free chewing gum, MCP syrup, etc.). > Well, the tide finally started to turn, > I stopped sweating, and within an hour I > was up to 141. Then I had to take more > insulin to get back it down. Your stomach (the pyloric valve) had finally opened up and the whole lot, including the glucose left for your duodenum in one big rush. You didn't HAVE to take more insulin, however. The whole system reacts slowly so it would not have hurt you just to wait it out, taking readings every 15-20 minutes would be often enough if you really need that much reassurance. > I can see having a hypo if I haven't eaten > in a long time, but not one right after > eating a whole bunch of carbs for dinner. By 'eating' your dinner, you mean getting it down into your stomach. Your meal is then first sorted out in your stomach as it churns it backwards and forwards. Under the control of the pylorus valve, the carbohydrates in the meal are normally released into your duodenum without further processing while your stomach continues to process the fat and proteins. The glucose from the carbohydrates enters your blood stream in your duodenum which is the other side of your stomach. If the vagus nerve controlling the pylorus valve is damaged by diabetes (or for a number of other reasons) then it will not open on time and the entire meal, including the carbohydrates, will be retained by your stomach. > I'm pretty nervous about dinner time tonight! There is really no need to be nervous. Why not wait with the insulin until after you have eaten something and seen the result? Take a reading 30-60 minutes after you start to eat and if all is normal you should see that your BG has risen. If it hasn't, do the exercises, chew the gum, take the MCP. Take readings every hour (in bad cases, the meal can take 5-12 hours to leave the stomach!). When you see that your BG has risen, take the insulin. I understand that in really bad cases it may be necessary to give yourself (or, if you are unconscious, have somebody you trust give you) intramuscular or subcutaneous injections of Glucagon. It is worth reading Chapters 19 and 21 of Dr. Bernstein's book for more details. Gastroparesis can be caused by disorders other than diabetes (e.g. gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastritis, hernia) and there are quite a number of diagnostic measures available. This is a case for your physician to look into without unnecessary delay. It is a common mistake, possibly a fatal one, for diabetics to believe that everything that goes wrong with them must be attributable to their diabetes. Regards Thornton Pforzheim, Germany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2000 Report Share Posted June 18, 2000 Hi, Tottie, I know you must have been scared. I think perhaps you may have partially injected a vein in order to see such an episode. As has mentioned, gastroparesis may be another cause, but I'm not really sure about that. > Immediately after finishing eating (about 15 minutes after I'd started) Perhaps you should let your sugars ride a little high for the next couple of weeks, especially considering the fact that you've had two spells in less than a week. 120 - 140 may sound bad to those of us that believe in tight control, but for now it will give you an extra cushion while you and your doctor figure out what happened. Another thing you may want to consider is the use of a log to keep exact tabs on what you eat, what quantity, when, and with how much insulin or medication. It sounds hard, and stifles some of the enjoyment of eating, but otherwise you really have to rely on memory--which may or may not serve you well when you try to recall exactly what went wrong with your food/medication schedule. Go with God, Esther t2, diet, exercise, insulin, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2000 Report Share Posted June 19, 2000 Hi Esther, Yes, I think I must have injected into a vein or large capillary to have such a severe hypo 15 minutes after taking the shot. I appreciate your suggestions. I know it would probably help prevent hypos if I could let my BG go somewhat higher, but I have been striving for tight control for so long, it's hard to see it go up. I do think that I may have to do that. For now, I'm experimenting with the H dosage. Got my HbA1c back today and it's 5.5%. That's down from the 8.2% it was last time, and the 12%+ it was many months ago. My next one should be even better as I've only been in tight control for almost 2 months. Thanks for your thoughts. Tottie Type 2, Dx Oct 98, Avandia, Glucophage, Lopid, Prinivil, MDI H & NPH Re: Scary Hypo Episode! > Hi, Tottie, > > I know you must have been scared. I think perhaps you may have partially > injected a vein in order to see such an episode. As has mentioned, > gastroparesis may be another cause, but I'm not really sure about that. > > > Immediately after finishing eating (about 15 minutes after I'd started) > > Perhaps you should let your sugars ride a little high for the next couple of > weeks, especially considering the fact that you've had two spells in less > than a week. 120 - 140 may sound bad to those of us that believe in tight > control, but for now it will give you an extra cushion while you and your > doctor figure out what happened. Another thing you may want to consider is > the use of a log to keep exact tabs on what you eat, what quantity, when, > and with how much insulin or medication. It sounds hard, and stifles some > of the enjoyment of eating, but otherwise you really have to rely on > memory--which may or may not serve you well when you try to recall exactly > what went wrong with your food/medication schedule. > > Go with God, Esther > t2, diet, exercise, insulin, etc. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > 1 out of 3 have it and they don't know it. > ARE YOU AT RISK? > Find out and win $1500! > http://click./1/5606/1/_/529507/_/961359323/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Public website for Diabetes International: > http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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