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How dangerous are nocturnal hypos?

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K

KleboldKlan

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Type 1
I just want to find out how dangerous they are. I know it can cause death, seizures or a coma, but how likely are these going to happen? I have been having them for a month now, so I need to know. I can't sleep because im scared about it. So I just want to know how likely it is and how dangerous it is, especially when you can't get up at 3 am just to check them?
 
Unfortunately you've answered your own question. A nocturnal hypo can cause any of those problems. It doesn't matter what the odds are if one of those happens to you then it happens. Why are you not running your BG levels higher if you're getting nocturnal hypos and/or having an extra snack before bed? Why can't you test at 3am?
 
I've tried getting them higher but then I get really depressed, in a low mood and want to start hurting myself again, which I don't want to do. I have snacks before bed, carb snacks did work for a while but then didn't. I have a sleeping tablet that doesn't wake me up until morning 8-9 o'clock. Tried contacting DSN, doctors surgery, diabetes nurse at the doctors surgery, no one wants to help. I am trying to get into the doctors tomorrow, if not then I don't actually know.

They wouldn't let me loan a CGM meter just to see what was actually happening overnight, (spoke to a friend about it and they got a loan one from their diabetes clinic, so don't know what their problem is with me.) Feel hated and rejected from the NHS because they are doing nothing to help.
 
KleboldKlan said:
I just want to find out how dangerous they are. I know it can cause death, seizures or a coma, but how likely are these going to happen? I have been having them for a month now, so I need to know. I can't sleep because im scared about it. So I just want to know how likely it is and how dangerous it is, especially when you can't get up at 3 am just to check them?
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Sorry to hear Kleboldklan. If you where on a pump you could adjust the insulin for a period at night. Really good luck sorting 🙂 & welcome
 
KleboldKlan said:
I've tried getting them higher but then I get really depressed, in a low mood and want to start hurting myself again, which I don't want to do. I have snacks before bed, carb snacks did work for a while but then didn't. I have a sleeping tablet that doesn't wake me up until morning 8-9 o'clock. Tried contacting DSN, doctors surgery, diabetes nurse at the doctors surgery, no one wants to help. I am trying to get into the doctors tomorrow, if not then I don't actually know.

They wouldn't let me loan a CGM meter just to see what was actually happening overnight, (spoke to a friend about it and they got a loan one from their diabetes clinic, so don't know what their problem is with me.) Feel hated and rejected from the NHS because they are doing nothing to help.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you need someone to go with you to your surgery and support and advocate on your behalf KK. Do you have a mental health support professional assisting you or even a family member who could explain how difficult you’re finding things? Best wishes for tomorrow.
 
Obviously I can't give medical advice but personally however badly I slept I would never take sleeping tablets because of the risk of not knowing that I was hypo. If you are sleeping how do you know that you're having nocturnal hypos?
 
If you could get hold of a Libre that would show the Drs exactly what is going on 24hrs a day for 2 weeks.
 
Bad headaches in the morning, shaking, drenched in sweat in the mornings. Luckily I woke up one morning about 6 am to go to the loo and i had a reading of 3.8. As I said this was lucky because I don't normally wake up. If I don't have my sleeping tablets (which are prescribed to me by doctors, not over the counter ones), I don't sleep at all which is also going to not make things better for me. So I have no choice, either I go to sleep and have a hypo or I don't go to sleep and make matters worse for myself.

I just want to know how serious they can be, like i've been having back pain and pains in my sides, I'm trying to figure out if its just me or if thats part of the hypos.

I've been having these for a month, I have been trying to get in the doctors for a month, I have tried contacting my DSN, no response or that I can't get into the doctors. What I want to know is when will it start getting really really serious?

I had counselling a month ago, but that finished and can no longer go back, my doctor doesn't really care for my mental wellbeing, so I don't talk about it with her, or anyone for that matter, I usually take it out on myself before I talk to anyone about whats bothering me.
 
I really hope that you get the help that you need tomorrow. the fact is that if blood sugar goes too low and isn't treated the results can be catastrophic. I've said my views about sleeping tablets/running levels higher/testing/bedtime snacks you need to do something to prevent nocturnal hypos if they are happening. My only other suggestion is setting alarms for midnight and 3am so that you can test and take appropriate action if needed.
 
As well as the excellent hypo advice from AJ, you really need a referral to the community mental health team if you are wanting to self harm. Hope you get the help you need.
 
Amigo is completely right. It would be a good idea to take a written list of everything you've told us to discuss at your appointment tomorrow.
 
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