Hypo at night

[everydayupsanddowns]

My son was diagnosed in December, hes 10 and my biggest fear also was a hypo over night. But as a few people have said, I wont ever give a correction before bed. I've always told him it's better to be slightly higher because he always has normal levels again in the morning. He has been as high as 14 for his night time check but always back down to 5 the next morning.. its amazing how much they burn off! Good luck and hope the middle of the night time checks end soon, I stopped a month ago xx

Welcome to the forum @Sweeney 🙂

I suspect it might be different for kids, but I would be a little concerned if my BG dropped from 14 to 5 overnight without a correction dose to push it downwards (depending on the difference in timing between evening meal and bedtime, and how much eve meal might still be active)

It would make me worry what would happen if I went to bed at 6 or 7 😱

Are you tempted to reduce basal insulin when you see that sort of drop? Or is bedtime within 4 hours of teatime?

 

[Sweeney]

Welcome to the forum @Sweeney 🙂

I suspect it might be different for kids, but I would be a little concerned if my BG dropped from 14 to 5 overnight without a correction dose to push it downwards (depending on the difference in timing between evening meal and bedtime, and how much eve meal might still be active)

It would make me worry what would happen if I went to bed at 6 or 7 😱

Are you tempted to reduce basal insulin when you see that sort of drop? Or is bedtime within 4 hours of teatime?

Its bedtime within 2 hours after tea! It being that high was a real rare moment, hes normally around 5-6 and wakes up around 4-5 so his night times for now are doing ok on his basal level. Was just saying for that occasion I didnt want to correct as I knew it would come down a lot after another few hours.

 

[EmilyCox76]

Hey, we’ve stopped nighttime checks now unless she’s under 6 at bedtime, think we’re getting the hang of it all now, fingers crossed!! How’s your son handling it all? Xx

 

[Sweeney]

It's been almost 2 months since finding out. Hes doing really well and does all his own injections. Levels wise he has been good but on the lower side, this week though he has had some anxiety over being without me (I'm not planning on going anywhere!) But he doesnt want to be in school or play like he normally did. Luckily I work in the school so I can see him at lunch but I'm thinking he maybe feels safer with me because he knows he doesnt need to worry about his level as I'll sort it. I'm slowly getting him back into school clubs and hoping hes just having a low feelings week. Hows your daughter coping with hers? How are you doing as well? X

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Its bedtime within 2 hours after tea! It being that high was a real rare moment, hes normally around 5-6 and wakes up around 4-5 so his night times for now are doing ok on his basal level. Was just saying for that occasion I didnt want to correct as I knew it would come down a lot after another few hours.

Ah OK. Yes you are right to be cautious about corrections at bedtime then. The duration of insulin action for most rapid insulins is between 4-6 hours, so at bedtime there is likely to be quite a lot, possibly more than half, of the meal dose still active and reducing BG, alongside some of the carbs in the meal itself continuing to be digested.

 

[EmilyCox76]

Hello, he sounds like he’s doing very well, it is a lot for them to understand and us too! With time, I’m sure he’ll be doing all of his usual things and anxiety will become less as he gets more use to it, it’s still really early days and he’s bound to be up and down, Maisie is the same she is doing really well, sometimes she gets annoyed with it all and if I fuss over her too much she doesn’t respond well, if I’m chilled out about it she’s much more compliant, her main struggle is how much she loves chocolate, she’s freaking out over Easter already I said it’ll be fine she can just have a high insullin day, as for me I was in shock at first I think and obsessed about everything and every minute of every day was diabetes, I then got really upset and down and reality hit and I felt really bad for her and now it’s gradually becoming normal for us, how about you? Xx

 

[Sweeney]

Hello, he sounds like he’s doing very well, it is a lot for them to understand and us too! With time, I’m sure he’ll be doing all of his usual things and anxiety will become less as he gets more use to it, it’s still really early days and he’s bound to be up and down, Maisie is the same she is doing really well, sometimes she gets annoyed with it all and if I fuss over her too much she doesn’t respond well, if I’m chilled out about it she’s much more compliant, her main struggle is how much she loves chocolate, she’s freaking out over Easter already I said it’ll be fine she can just have a high insullin day, as for me I was in shock at first I think and obsessed about everything and every minute of every day was diabetes, I then got really upset and down and reality hit and I felt really bad for her and now it’s gradually becoming normal for us, how about you? Xx

I was devastated when we found out. I cried loads lol and even this week I've felt so emotional about it.. its exhausting crying at random moments and for most part I'm really at ease with it and rationalise in my head that it's not a death sentence and his life can still be relatively normal. I'm just gutted for him that he cant have a random snack or treat without planning.
We have a holiday to florida booked for april so I've decided not to explore a pump until after as it will restrict swimming etc. I think hes excited for a pump so it takes some off the working out away. Have you considered a pump for Maisie?
It does get easier every day, we did Christmas well and as long as I dont restrict his too much he copes better.
I'm really pleased your daughter is doing well with it, I think they are stronger than we think sometimes. How did you find out she had it? Xx

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Re the pump here it’s quite a long process to get one so if you want to go down that route mention it next time you have clinic so that you get in the system.

 

[EmilyCox76]

She was constipated and in a lot of pain and hadn’t been to the toilet for 3 days despite giving her movicol so went to the doctors and they sent us straight to the hospital, we didn’t realise at the time but she was thirsty a lot , I just thought she loved her squash and tired and groggy in the mornings, I felt the same I kept randomly bursting into tears, tiredness didn’t help with this. How did u find out ? I didn’t catch your sons name sorry! Yes she’s really interested in a pump as someone in her year group has one but the hospital don’t seem too keen yet and said it will take time, Maisie’s friend had an insullin leak from the pump so her levels went really high but some people have said it’s the best thing they’ve done and never looked back, bet he’s excited for Florida that will be amazing and something to look forward to. You are exactly right and I kept thinking the same thing, we could have had worse news, this isn’t the worst thing that could happen. They are definitely stronger than we give them credit for and she amazes me every day but it still breaks my heart but it is so much easier now xx

 

[Sweeney]

She was constipated and in a lot of pain and hadn’t been to the toilet for 3 days despite giving her movicol so went to the doctors and they sent us straight to the hospital, we didn’t realise at the time but she was thirsty a lot , I just thought she loved her squash and tired and groggy in the mornings, I felt the same I kept randomly bursting into tears, tiredness didn’t help with this. How did u find out ? I didn’t catch your sons name sorry! Yes she’s really interested in a pump as someone in her year group has one but the hospital don’t seem too keen yet and said it will take time, Maisie’s friend had an insullin leak from the pump so her levels went really high but some people have said it’s the best thing they’ve done and never looked back, bet he’s excited for Florida that will be amazing and something to look forward to. You are exactly right and I kept thinking the same thing, we could have had worse news, this isn’t the worst thing that could happen. They are definitely stronger than we give them credit for and she amazes me every day but it still breaks my heart but it is so much easier now xx

My son is called zach. It was a build up really, the week before he kept saying his legs were aching and he was tired.. I put it down to growing pains, then that weekend he looked really drawn in his face and pale with dark eyes.. I thought he was really dehydrated and he said his tummy was burning
so took him to the doctors on the monday and she looked in his throat and ears.. said he was highly dehydrated and was suffering with ear and throat infection. Gave us antibiotics and said he will perk right up that night.. he didnt and was sick that evening on his meds which I thought hes going to be more dehydrated. That night he slept in my bed and I noticed his breathing was getting fast and he was more tired than ever. First thing the next morning I took him straight to a and e cause he could barely talk or walk from tiredness.. turning out his ketones were sky high, they knew within 3 minutes of being seen how poorly he was. It was mad, we got blue lighted to another hospital and he had lost nearly a stone without me realising.. I felt terrible.
Since then he has plumped out beautiful Haha but I couldnt believe how poorly he had got so quickly!
We have one other child in the school with diabetes and she has a pump already (was diagnosed 6 weeks before zach) so I'm hopeful it wont take too long but I do like the control we have with carb counting and manually injecting. Does she do her own yet? Any siblings to also think about?
Your clearly doing an amazing job and should be really proud of yourself, were lucky they are sensible about it all xx

 

[EmilyCox76]

See just reading that makes me emotional , blimey that must have been terrifying, at least he’s doing well now, yes I’ve got 2 boys and stepson and step daughter all living here so it’s a pretty crazy household, my boys are 16 and 13 step son is 13 and step daughter is 10, they have been amazing and all know everything there is to know too because they’ve all done so well and I have felt like they have had diabetes constantly we are taking them on a shopping spree so they’re really excited, I work at Homebase and they have been an excellent support. Is Zach going to high school this september? He’ll be used to it all by then, what does he find the hardest about it all? You’re clearly doing an amazing job too and we take the worry and stress so they don’t have to do make sure you talk about it when u need to, I know what you’re going through. Don’t feel bad for not realising how could you possibly have known there’s no way you could have. Xx

 

[Sweeney]

See just reading that makes me emotional , blimey that must have been terrifying, at least he’s doing well now, yes I’ve got 2 boys and stepson and step daughter all living here so it’s a pretty crazy household, my boys are 16 and 13 step son is 13 and step daughter is 10, they have been amazing and all know everything there is to know too because they’ve all done so well and I have felt like they have had diabetes constantly we are taking them on a shopping spree so they’re really excited, I work at Homebase and they have been an excellent support. Is Zach going to high school this september? He’ll be used to it all by then, what does he find the hardest about it all? You’re clearly doing an amazing job too and we take the worry and stress so they don’t have to do make sure you talk about it when u need to, I know what you’re going through. Don’t feel bad for not realising how could you possibly have known there’s no way you could have. Xx

Wow you certainly have your hands full bless you! I'm sure they will love the shopping spree, I did the same yesterday lol zach has a brother 2 years younger and has been so good about it all.
Zach will be going into year 6 next year and then senior school. I'm pleased he has another year with me in lower school to be extra confident about it all. I think he finds the injections hardest, do you find the night time one hurts them more.. I can only guess it's the amount going in ‍♀️?
Just chatting and finding out someone else's story (yours) has actually been a really great help already.
Have you also applied for the disability allowance thing..I've heard you need a degree just to fill the forms out but worth it I suppose if only to cover the extra foods.. who knew gluten free sausages were so low in carbs lol I've never in my life read so many labels! Xx

 

[stephknits]

Hi, regarding nighttime injections - what insulin are they on? lantus is notorious for stinging. You can try changing the basal insulin.
Regarding pumps - you can get pumps which are fine in the water. I have an omnipod which was fantastic on holiday as I was in and out of the pool and sea and never had to worry/take it off. I guess you can explore all the options and what is best for you when the time is right.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Just what I thought @stephknits - if it’s Lantus you are in it could well just the the sting related to its acidity. Some people feel it more than others... might be worth asking your DSN about options?

And yes, many of the pumps these days are rated as waterproof for swimming for short durations.

 

[Sweeney]

Hi, regarding nighttime injections - what insulin are they on? lantus is notorious for stinging. You can try changing the basal insulin.
Regarding pumps - you can get pumps which are fine in the water. I have an omnipod which was fantastic on holiday as I was in and out of the pool and sea and never had to worry/take it off. I guess you can explore all the options and what is best for you when the time is right.

Hiya, yes hes on lantus.. I've not even thought to read up on it so it's good to know it's the insulin rather than amount. I will look into it thank you.
I have only had a brief look at pumps and none of then said he could be in the water for long periods or unplug it for longer than an hour. We have a information afternoon later this month to go through different pumps and what they all do, were really looking forward to it as it seems like a mine field at the moment! Thank you for the insulin info

 

[Thebearcametoo]

We switched from Lantus to tresiba and we moved it to mornings as by the end of the day she was too tired and grumpy and it was all too much. She does all her own injections so the basal goes in her thigh rather than her bum. So if you’re having trouble with the basal chat the DSN about options.

 

[EmilyCox76]

Hey, yeah Maisie’s on levermere and sometimes this hurts but then sometimes the Novarapid does her nurse said it could be getting a nerve when it hurts but maisie thinks it’s the amount going in as to why it hurts, not applied for disability yet that’s on the to do list, that’s good Zach’s with you another year in that time it’ll seem so much easier for him and normal part of life, gluten free sausages I’ll give them a look also Morrison’s the best chipolatas are only 0.2 carbs each and really yummy, I’ve been giving her a warburtons thin in her packed lunch and she’s getting really bored of this what does Zach have for lunch I don’t want to give her a sarnie really, hope you both having a good week Maisie is on hypo no 3 so far this week she loves it coz she gets jelly babies take care xx