I know I am suppose to test BEFORE I eat and gauge the amount of humolog by that reading. But I screwed up and tested later in the evening and gave myself insulin without food. Too much insulin.
I got up in the middle of the night to use the rest room and then it hit. I was having serious problems seeing and felt weakness hitting hard and very fast. I made another mistake and didn't tell Hal I was beginning a crisis so he could help me. I staggered to my monitor and tested and it was 40. I have been lower before but I know it was in the process of dropping and would have gotten worse. I overcompensated in treating it. I grabbed a large glass of juice, a bowl of cereal and ate a small container of yogurt. I always overcompensate all of fear with lows. So I have to be more careful and remember the consequences of being sloppy about the important things that I have to do.
What bothers me is what would have happen if I didn't wake up needing the bathroom. I never had a low in the middle of the night before.
Sally
Hello Sally - Don't worry about over treating it. I still have that nasty tendency, based on the fact that I'm shaking, can't see beyond the "flash bulb" white spot in front of me, and the irrational fear that I need to correct this sooner than later. Then I pay for the overcompensation with high numbers for the next few meals.
Any ways, I have often woken up with numbers around what you found, and think like you. What if I hadn't felt the need to make a trip to the outhouse? What I've discovered, and I hope it doesn't change, is that my numbers get lower once I stand up to do whatever it is I woke up to do. Being up makes the symptoms worse, but laying down makes them go away. So, I lay down, take a few tablets to up to the number and wait fifteen minutes. So long as I am laying down; the symptoms go away, and I feel relatively okay, which helps to keep me from overcompensating. You may want to try this.
SECONDLY, I came across this new diabetes liquid called LevelLIfe [you can buy them at WalMart and Target, in some yummy flavors - my favorite is Strawberry/Banana and Carmel]. These work quickly, and they raise my 45s to 80 or 90 in less than ten minutes.
What it comes down to is resting on your back while you wait for the countermeasure to work. Sitting or standing seems to compound the low's and that makes you prone to eat more than is really needed to correct the problem.
As for your worries about sleeping through bad low. Just make sure your spouse has the emergency glousoce injection device, and he knows how to take your numbers and give the shot in a muscle should he ever find you unresponsive?
Try not to worry about something you have no control over. Trust in God, and always have a back-up plan [your spouse and the Glucon Pen]
You're always in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith!
Pastor Paul
