pear shaped

[rhys's dad]

hi guys my son(rhys dando)type 1 since may on multi injection Humalog fast lantus background.
he went to the flicks yesterday evening fancied a subway 30 carbs and for a treat packet of skittles,he did 3 units for sub 5 for skittles blood was 9.6 8 units in total there was around a hour gap before he had his skittles,must admit I panicked it being 8 units plus I wasn't there so I told him to hav a lucozade tablet thingy to tie him over.
had his skittles and WAM hypo down to 2.9 tried to get it back up with 2 more lucozade tabs no good wasn't budging red bull came next maybe wasn't best idear don't know got it back up but 2 hours later bloods were 19 OUCH gave 2 units started dropping down to 12 which was cool,this morning was 8.9 much better
what did we do wrong,still new to multi injection,any advice would be great I know I shouldn't panic,he dealt with I well though very proud top kid😉

 

[Northerner]

Sorry to hear this Timing can be very important and it sounds like he left it a bit too long before eating the skittles so the insulin was peaking well before the skittles could contribute to his blood glucose. Subsequent rise to 19 probably due to insulin having gone past its peak by the time all the sugar kicked in.

It's very tricky, and does improve lots with experience, although it can mean much less sponteneity about when and what you eat.

 

[rhys's dad]

Sorry to hear this Timing can be very important and it sounds like he left it a bit too long before eating the skittles so the insulin was peaking well before the skittles could contribute to his blood glucose. Subsequent rise to 19 probably due to insulin having gone past its peak by the time all the sugar kicked in.

It's very tricky, and does improve lots with experience, although it can mean much less sponteneity about when and what you eat.

hi and thanks would of he been better to of done enough for his subway then adjusted for the skittles?

 

[Northerner]

hi and thanks would of he been better to of done enough for his subway then adjusted for the skittles?

I think so, given the facts that the majority of the injection was for the Skittles, but an hour elapsed before eating them. Probably would have been OK if he had eaten the Skittles within 15 mins of eating the Sub. Much easier on a pump, I imagine, where separate bolus can be given for each when required, but annoying when having to give an extra injection!

 

[rhys's dad]

I think so, given the facts that the majority of the injection was for the Skittles, but an hour elapsed before eating them. Probably would have been OK if he had eaten the Skittles within 15 mins of eating the Sub. Much easier on a pump, I imagine, where separate bolus can be given for each when required, but annoying when having to give an extra injection!

true especially in a cinema with no lights 🙂tried it once went ok so maybe the answer thanks for reply havnt used this site much but is proving to be a god sent thanks😉

 

[Cleo]

hello Rhys's dad
I was in a similar situation yesterday when I went out for dinner with my family. I had lamb and potatoes for my main so I took some insulin to cover the carbs in the potatoes, about 30 - 45 mins later we decided to order dessert. I had a scoop of ice cream so I bolused for that when the ice cream arrived. As Alan said, matching the timing of administering the insulin with the timing of the food is key, otherwise you'll end of crashing. Its really not a big deal once you get used to it!.

Also, I noticed that you said that he took something for this hypo and there was no effect so your son had some red bull. Do you remember how long he waited before having the red bull?. I always get anxious when I have a hypo but its important to be patient (if at all possible!) and wait 5- 10 mins before making the decision to have more carbs. You usually only need 15gr - 20gr of fast acting carbs to treat a hypo.

 

[rhys's dad]

hello Rhys's dad
I was in a similar situation yesterday when I went out for dinner with my family. I had lamb and potatoes for my main so I took some insulin to cover the carbs in the potatoes, about 30 - 45 mins later we decided to order dessert. I had a scoop of ice cream so I bolused for that when the ice cream arrived. As Alan said, matching the timing of administering the insulin with the timing of the food is key, otherwise you'll end of crashing. Its really not a big deal once you get used to it!.

Also, I noticed that you said that he took something for this hypo and there was no effect so your son had some red bull. Do you remember how long he waited before having the red bull?. I always get anxious when I have a hypo but its important to be patient (if at all possible!) and wait 5- 10 mins before making the decision to have more carbs. You usually only need 15gr - 20gr of fast acting carbs to treat a hypo.

hi he had 2 lucazade tabs waited around 10 mins then had some red bull so probably 30 ish

 

[trophywench]

Trouble is when your tummy's already full, whatever is already in it, slows down the absorption of the hypo remedy.

Glucose actually starts to be absorbed through the inside of your cheeks so either drinks or something you need to chew properly are by far the best hypo cures.

Now - when I am as low as that, I have mega difficulty chewing so stuff like Lucozade tablets are NBG to me at all. But, several good swigs of Lucozade (you need between 60 and 100ml, and it's surprising how many swigs that actually is!) which if I remember at the time, I swirl round my mouth and sort of round my teeth before swallowing.

I'm right off actual Lucozade, so I use the orange flavour, I've always loved orange pop! and permanently cart a small bottle of it round in my capacious handbag. But you don't want the 'Sport' variety, it's got all sorts of other carp in it - as has Red Bull.

Also, full sugar Coke is as good if he likes Coke - personally - though I will drink it, it ain't my fave. You need 150ml of Coke to provide the same as 100ml Lucozade - ie. 15g carbs.

Have you bought a book called "Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Teenagers and Young Adults" by Ragnar Hanas? If not, get it - it's written specifically for parents and the young uns when they are old enough - it's in my DSN's 'library' at the hospital, though more often it's on her desk with Post It notes at various places with people's names on them. It's exceedingly well-thumbed !

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Rhys dad,
if you have a look on amazon there's a couple of books which will help no end.
Think like a pancreas and using insulin. These books will give both you and Rhys a good insight on how to juggle food and insulin.
You almost end up being a mad professor experimenting with dosages and carb counts then trying to beat your meter.

 

[rhys's dad]

Trouble is when your tummy's already full, whatever is already in it, slows down the absorption of the hypo remedy.

Glucose actually starts to be absorbed through the inside of your cheeks so either drinks or something you need to chew properly are by far the best hypo cures.

Now - when I am as low as that, I have mega difficulty chewing so stuff like Lucozade tablets are NBG to me at all. But, several good swigs of Lucozade (you need between 60 and 100ml, and it's surprising how many swigs that actually is!) which if I remember at the time, I swirl round my mouth and sort of round my teeth before swallowing.

I'm right off actual Lucozade, so I use the orange flavour, I've always loved orange pop! and permanently cart a small bottle of it round in my capacious handbag. But you don't want the 'Sport' variety, it's got all sorts of other carp in it - as has Red Bull.

Also, full sugar Coke is as good if he likes Coke - personally - though I will drink it, it ain't my fave. You need 150ml of Coke to provide the same as 100ml Lucozade - ie. 15g carbs.

Have you bought a book called "Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Teenagers and Young Adults" by Ragnar Hanas? If not, get it - it's written specifically for parents and the young uns when they are old enough - it's in my DSN's 'library' at the hospital, though more often it's on her desk with Post It notes at various places with people's names on them. It's exceedingly well-thumbed !

havnt bought that but I will get it thanks🙂

 

[rhys's dad]

Hi Rhys dad,
if you have a look on amazon there's a couple of books which will help no end.
Think like a pancreas and using insulin. These books will give both you and Rhys a good insight on how to juggle food and insulin.
You almost end up being a mad professor experimenting with dosages and carb counts then trying to beat your meter.

hehe feel like one now drivin people mad with DID YOU KNOW learning a lot though will get there eventually its a challenge,thanks😉

 

[delb t]

Just a thought Rhys's dad - next time you have an appt with the dietician- I presume you see one- ask them for a list of eating out places - we have carb lists for greggs/ pizza express/ subway /kfc big help when out with mates.Oh and I think you can bring the lists up on My fitness pal on iphone/android etc.He will soon remember the carbs for his fav things!

 

[rhys's dad]

Just a thought Rhys's dad - next time you have an appt with the dietician- I presume you see one- ask them for a list of eating out places - we have carb lists for greggs/ pizza express/ subway /kfc big help when out with mates.Oh and I think you can bring the lists up on My fitness pal on iphone/android etc.He will soon remember the carbs for his fav things!

hi thanks ill get that subway seems to be the tricky one to get hold of also trying to get hold of pasta kings they have this at his school just need to know whats in the sauce thanks again🙂

 

[delb t]

Hi Rhys dad if you PM Your email address to me I can get OH to scan our subway one and email to you- if thats a help

 

[Emma B]

Hi they're on the subway website, if you put subway and carbohydrate in google it comes up.
We also have to watch how much fast acting carb we give Sam, because he's only 2 he needs only 30ml of lucozade which is a tiny amount, any more and he just shoots up again.

 

[bev]

Hi Rhy's dad,

Was the subway white bread? Lots of people find white bread is really difficult to get right and often causes a spike as seen with your son - that and the skittles together are not a great combo and not surprised levels went so high. Are you working on ratio's? Perhaps you also need to tweak these too. Its all trial and error and unfortunately what works for one person might not work for another so you and your son need to get to know his body well and understand what works for him.🙂Bev