breezeonby

For the past week I have been waking up around 4am. I immediately take my blood sugar. The readings are high 30's to low 40's. I am not shaking, sweating, hungry or other hypo symptoms. I have to take at least 8 glucuse tablets to bring my blood sugar up to 60. I have not been feeling well and have skipped dinner several nights in a row. I still take the same amount of Lantus at bedtime regardless of eating or not eating dinner. Should I be adjusting my basal dose of insulin if I do not eat dinner? Lately my sugar readings have been lower due to my dose of Actos is now working. Do I need to adjust my daily dose of Lantus? I have been having great blood sugar readings and I do not want to undo whatever is responsible for them.

Shanny

This sounds awful, Becky, and scary. I don't know beans about using insulin, but I just want you to know I'm thinking about you & there will be others coming along who DO know what you're dealing with, and can offer better help than I. ((((Becky))))

Richard157

When you are not eating you should not take any bolus insuin and you should also adjust your basal insulin to avoid overnight lows. I would reduce the Lantus and try to eat a high protein snack at bed time. The protein digests more slowly and will provide you with carbs while you sleep. I hope you will get advice from your doctor about your situation, soon. Keep us posted on your condition.

__________________
I have been Type 1 for 64 years. I have no complications. My A1c is 5.4. I pump with the MM 522 and use a Dexcom CGM.

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breezeonby

I will reduce my Lantus if the night time lows continue. I will start by reducing 2 units per every 3 nights and go from there. My doctor has given me the freedom to adjust my insulin as needed. I do not take any Novolog if I do not consume any carbs. What type of protein snack would you suggest I have? I don't drink milk because of lactose problems. I can eat cheese with no problems. Also, what do you consider a low blood sugar? I asked my doctor and he really never came up with a number.

Richard157

A low is whatever gives you those hypo symptoms. A person who is rarely below 100 will have symptoms at 100 and below. That is called a "false hypo" but it seems real. After better control is established, that individual migh not have the symptoms until they are in the 80's, and with still better control, the 70's. I do not feel low unless I am below 75. Most well controlled diabetics say they do not feel low until they are in the low 70's. My target is 90 and when I am in the 70's I eat enough fast acting carbs to raise my BG to 90.

Many people have a few peanut butter and crackers as a bed time snack. Cheese is just as good. Go kindly heavy on the peanut butter though. I used to eat 2 saltines with about 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. Trial and error will determine how much of a snack you need. (Don't bolus for the snack or you will defeat the purpose of the snack.)

__________________
I have been Type 1 for 64 years. I have no complications. My A1c is 5.4. I pump with the MM 522 and use a Dexcom CGM.

Details about my book are in my profile.
My ISBN number for placing orders for my book at bookstores is: 1450515967

breezeonby

Thank you for your advice. You are wealth of information! You know, the American Diabetes Association has guidelines for what ideal blood sugar readings should be. I try to stay under 85. I have to work really hard for that to happen. I feel better when my blood sugar is about 110. I usually don't have hypo symptoms until my blood sugar falls below 60 and then my hands shake pretty bad. I do not usually have any other symptoms. About your snack suggestion, cheese peanut butter crackers are good. I usually buy a multi pack about once a month. For six crackers there are 23 carbs and 1/2 of that makes a decent snack. I also buy low fat string cheese. I have much more control when my snacks are bought already pre-packaged. This way I don't sit down with a sleeve of crackers and a jar of peanut butter and overeat.

Shanny

I certainly relate to sitting down with that sleeve of crackers & going a little bit nuts! Oh my! Yep - thumbs up for separately wrapped snacks. I get lotsa mileage out of cheese sticks, and beef sticks too. The beef sticks can be bought individually wrapped in 16-count canisters. Store brands are cheaper than Slim Jims & just as good, IMO. The other thing I keep handy is hard-cooked eggs. I cook/peel six or eight at once & keep them covered with water in a jar in the fridge. They keep about a week and are great to dice up with some mayo/mustard for a quick egg salad (again with the sleeve of crackers! lol!), or just to slice wedges on a chef salad.

breezeonby

I love hard boiled eggs too! I did have a slight problem with them at one time. I ate 4 one day and my esophagus needed to be stretched and they all came back up. You probably didn't want to know that, but for some reason I will never forget that day! Buy the way I had my esophagus stretched in August of 09 and no more problems. I have to have my esophagus stretched about once every 3 years. (not the most pleasant thing to have done). I also keep a bag of turkey pepperoni on hand for a quick snack or add it to a salad or a sandwich. I think a serving is about 16 slices and no carbs.

Shanny

One of my aunts had that esophagus condition too - I remember her going in every so often for the stretching. Not one of those things that ever gets any easier.

I keep pepperoni or genoa salami around too, & make little rollups by stuffing it with cream cheese. Seems I always think I'll use it for sandwiches or salads, but it somehow disappears along with the cream cheese!