What do you use to treat low blood sugars?

[susansilver 0]

Lately I have been having a number of lows - usually once a day. My challenge right now is that my band is very tight because I recently had dental surgery and cannot chew very well. I had started to gain weight eating stuff like mashed potatoes and ice cream so I had my band tightened. I have been doing very well with it tight with the exception of when I have lows. Because I can't chew well, glucose tablets are a bit difficult and being so tight, even juice takes a while to get down. At work just now, I took 3 packets of sugar in hot Water because I don't usually keep juice since I never really drink it.

So what do you guys do?

[oreokitty 0]

WOW I was going to say the sugar tabs that is what I do .... But if you can not handle them.

Are you on the pump/ insulin may have to be lowered.

There is also a glucose gel

When I start getting to many lows I lower my insulin intake it may take me a few days to get it right . It normally happens when my weight goes down.

How much do you have in your band?

Are you able to eat enough to stay out of ketones I get ketones so easy I have to eat 1000cal a day or I get sick with ketones.

Good luck you may want to talk t othe doc about what other options you have.

[susansilver 0]

I had not thought about the gel - thanks, but when I went to the pharmacy today they told me they did not think the drug company was making it anymore. I bought the tabs anyways, because it is better than nothing.

I have been lowering my basal insulin in the last couple of weeks. I have gone from 50 units of Levimir to 42 taken last night, but worke up this morning with a 3.4 (or 62 in U.S. measurements). I will try 40 units tonight to see how it goes. I take a fast acting for my carbs when I eat, so that is not really a problem unless I don't eat what I planned. I have gotten into trouble with that, but now take my insulin right after I finish eating to avoid that.

[Ariel 1]

juice. If you are having problems getting juice down, you need an slight unfill. liquids should go down with no problems.

[susansilver 0]

juice. If you are having problems getting juice down, you need an slight unfill. Liquids should go down with no problems.

Thanks Ariel,

I know you are right, but I am deliberately keeping my band tight right now because on top of everything else - I also had dental surgery and cannot chew very well!:biggrin:

Keeping my band tight reminds me not to eat too much of pureed food. I can now eat the equivalent of real food, which is allowing me to lose weight. Yes sometimes liquids are tough, especially throughout the day but I sip slowly and manage to get quite a couple of litres of Water in every day regardless.

[oreokitty 0]

tryu this site for the gel

CVS Online Pharmacy Store

[susansilver 0]

tryu this site for the gel

CVS Online Pharmacy Store

Thanks! I will look into it.

[Freetofly 0]

I keep little cans of pineapple juice. 6 oz of juice has 22g of sugar. I drink it however slowly I need to, then sit down for 15 minutes to let it work. I've tried apple and orange, but the pineapple works the quickest and most effectively for me.

You're definitely going to have to have your meds adjusted, Susan. I've cut my gluco-whatever-I'm-taking down to 1/4 what it was. Yay! One day I hope to be off them altogether, since none of my meds are on the $4 list.

Hugs!

Donna

[susansilver 0]

I keep little cans of pineapple juice. 6 oz of juice has 22g of sugar. I drink it however slowly I need to, then sit down for 15 minutes to let it work. I've tried apple and orange, but the pineapple works the quickest and most effectively for me.

You're definitely going to have to have your meds adjusted, Susan. I've cut my gluco-whatever-I'm-taking down to 1/4 what it was. Yay! One day I hope to be off them altogether, since none of my meds are on the $4 list.

Hugs!

Donna

Wow! That's great Donna! It is so encouraging to hear.

[bama_belle 0]

You might also try keeping a small tube of cake icing on hand if you can't find the gel. It works quick and you can store it in the fridge at work, or wherever you need to.

[wilbe 0]

I am Type I and got my lapband about 7 weeks ago. I now carry a small bottle of liquid glucose called "Dex Glucose 4 - Liquiblast" which I have found at both Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart in Ontario (in the diabetic section of the pharmacy). It is available in berry burst and lemon-lime flavours (both of which I find pleasant). The bottle is small (59 mL or 2 oz) and nice for purse or pocket and contains 15 g of dextrose. I like this solution a lot! Each bottle is about $2 - $2.50, sometimes on sale... The amount of liquid is about 2 medium swallows and I find I can get this small amount down well enough and no chewing needed!

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Wil

[suzahhn 19]

I add sugar to juice when I've just had a fill and go low. That way I don't have to drink as much and it's just concentrated.