Type 1 diabetes

Good Morning,

Ok the situation you describe is one… many (sic. most in my opinion) diabetics have encountered in their experience, provided they have any of course…

How long has he had diabetes? It SOUNDS like he’s a relative beginner… but there could be lots of different issues going on. First and last, you will be able to ~reach~ him; you are his lover, his wife, the mother of his children. How are you approaching the conversations? And what does he say, assuming he doesn’t clam-up that is…? You love him.. (as many of you ladies do) despite the fact we can be a royal P.I.T.A. often….

As for killing himself, it is a possibility, but he could be run over by an Acme truck in the parking lot too… you cannot focus on the bad.

Being low, is a reality of this disease period. Those of us who LIVE with it, know that ~control~ is… a kind illusion; mostly for the benefit of ~spectators~ to/of the disease. Sure, you, I… we all do our best, with ourselves and those we love who are the diabetics respectively. Bottom line, you do the best you can… Lows are the direct and sole result of the reality that insulin, injected or pumped in ANY form is 100% guess work. Educated guesses at times, but the reality; our best guesses based on the best information & patterns we can detect. The reason we go low is because we misread or misfactored something.

Now… sure he could be bottoming out in foreign cities when you are not around. Again, you cannot think that way and remain sane! I have lots of different thoughts, but lets see how you flesh this situation out a bit more. My initial impression is that somebody sold him on the IDIOTIC DCCT (Diabetes Complications & Control Trials) so called “necessity” and failed to warn him (as they ALL do) of the serious risks of too much micro-management…

It’s damend spooky to have someone going so low that the paramedics are needed. Other members may disagree with me on this point, however MY basic rule of thumb is that you use the glutose gel if you cannot wake him. Pop the top off, squeeze it between his cheek and gum, SLOWLY… then gently massage the cheek. It takes a few minutes but is far less terrifying and dramatic than going straight to the red lights and siren folks.

The watch you describe is an expensive toy, but it will do nothing about the cause(s) of the lows which is the source of your terror.
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Sorry, I said “I believe it’s at 3 - hour duration.”
I meant to say “I believe it’s at 3-5 hour duration. It’s onset is
rapid, just a few minutes.
Carol

HI,
I wanted to tell you that I asked him about the insulin, and lows
tonite. He said that the problem is: he snacks too much and then
takes too much insulin. He said in the past, it seemed to work, but
in the last couple years, he may snack, check his blood and it might
be 173, then take insulin and a couple hours later his BS might
still be 142– so, guess what? Yep, he takes more and then it
doesn’t drop until during the night. I wonder what causes it to
take so long to drop down???
I checked out that Sentry watch web site and I’m going to see if our
insurance will cover it– it looks like that could help. Have you
seen it?
Randy

I like knowing when that peak time will heat so I know that I am
covered.
I meant to write “I like knowing when the peak time will hit so I know
that I am covered.
Was typing too fast! Carol

My husband has TOO tight control of his diabetes– as a result, he
has frequent “lows.” All the talking and begging makes no
difference- at least for any length of time. It is not uncommon for
him to get home from work and his reading is below 60. I’m scared
to death for him and for others around him. He minimizes all of
this. In the last 6 months he has had extreme lows during the night-
- as in totally unresponsive- and I had to call 911. It is
terrifying to watch (and for our children who wake up to it). Yes,
I know about the injection I can give him- but I want to prevent
this so he doesn’t do himself in. I fear one night I may not wake
up in time or what if he is away on business- alone in the hotel???
I read about this watch that does not detect low blood sugar, but it
does detect perspiration and skin temp. which is associated with
lows. I would like to know if anyone has used this and the
results?
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Hi all:
Just dropping by to say I like this group and read posts every day.
Happy Canada Day (July 1st) and Happy Independance Day(July 4th) to
my American neighbors and friends south of the border. It is so hard
watching what I eat on holidays. This day people will be eating
strawberry shortcake with whip cream. Yummy. Will enjoy a small
piece. Yummmm. Take care. Linda M
Ontario, Canada

Hello to all, Thanks for the replies. I don’t feel so alone now.
In response , I am 39yrs old and am currently on a regimen of 5 units
of R before each meal and 10 units of N at bed-time. Since our
condition revolves around the processing of carbohydrates, I am
curious to discover whether there are any foods or minerals that
naturally inhibit or reduce the amounts of carbs that are
metabolised. I realize that I will probably be on insulin or some
other therapy from here on out, however I would like to reduce the
meds as much as possible.
In mid July I go back to the doctor for my first check up. I am
curious about some of the different insulins. My friend for example
orders 70/30 (is that right?) from Canada. He has been able to
regulate his illness with only 2 injections per day! That would be
great. I guess that it will take time. I am still trying to re-
stabilize my system. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi im new here.
I looked at a diabetic website and realised I have most symptoms of
diabetes apart from weight loss. I urinate and drink a lot, always
tired, sometimes go all shakey and white and have a craving for
sugary things, and now my feet are hurting all the time. sometimes
I get a shock type pain in a foot, then it vanishes. I also have
problems with my stomach, with a suspected ulcer. I did a boots
home test kit today for glucose in the urine and it was negative. So
do I not have diabetes then? Im a bit confused. Ill probably go
see the doc anyway but cant get an apointment for a few weeks. any
info appreciated!
Nic

I’ve had type 1 for 23 years…and it’s starting to take its toll,
I’m afraid. But that’s not the Q.
I have lost a lot of weight, not to Ally McBeal proportion, but I
was once a size 9, now I’m a 3. Most of my weight, unfortunately, is
in the stomach area. Nevertheless, my blood sugars are usually
between 100 and 250…Once in a great while, after eating too much,
it’s higher. I do have a lot of lows in the morning. I’m on Lantus
at night and then Humalog when I do eat. Which isn’t that often. I’m
always snacking, but no substantial meals.
I work at JC Penney and I’ve talked to my boss about this before,
but she keeps reverting to the same horrible schedules so I miss
meals. I work 3:30 to 9 or 10 to 3:30, no lunch. I don’t even get a
15-minute break because no one will cover for me. (I work in shoes
and the other associates know nothing about it so they won’t even
try). I know that’s one reason my blood sugar is always so messed
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I spent Tuesday night in the hospital. I went to the doctor thinking I was in dka….I just couldn’t get my sugars under 300. At the hospital I ended up bottoming out and needing sugar. I was also dehydrated, but no one could get an iv into me so I left in the same condition. I feel like I am chronically dehydrated. I am really upset with my doc, cuz she was supposed to order a picc line (special iv) and didn’t do it.

I am at the end of my rope with this disease. Whatever I do, my numbers always seem to be off. I just don’t want to do it anymore. I know I probably sound whiny, but I am really stressed with school and my health, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know how to handle the daily ups and downs. Part of me wants to go back into the hospital and let someone else worry about it.

Just needed to vent.

Jenny

–
All who see me jeer at me; they
toss their heads and sneer…
Oh God, my God, why have you
abandonded me?
–Psalm 22