• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Low Blood Sugar Correction

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
J

James12

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Please ,can anybody advise?
Like all good practising diabetics I carry something to take should I have a low blood sugar when mobile and on the move.Its normally a packet of dectrosols in my trouser pockets, usually been in my pocket months which has either gone rock hard or over time the packet has slowly come apart!
Being also Celiac I've also on occasions had the odd Whisper bar (its gluten free) on me that can help if the low is not too low but in summertime that has usually melted.
Is there something in a flat type sachet holder that can go in my pocket that is suitable for low blood sugars and gluten free. Im thinking there must be something apart from chunky bottles of Lucozade that are not going to fit into trouser pockets that would be more suitable.
Trust someone has some good alternatives that will fit and stay in normal trouser pockets, that are good at dealing with emergency low blood sugars.
Many Thanks
Minefield 68
 
I have used lift dextrose tablets before can buy them in supermarkets in the UK, they come in a small round plastic pot.
 
I was just about to suggest Lift too. Obviously not a flat pack but they come in a 4 inch long plastic tube and they don't go solid or break down like the Dextrose tablets you mentioned and I have checked and they are also Gluten Free. Where do you carry your testing kit etc? Can you not keep you hypo remedy with that. I have a small backpack handbag to carry all my gear with me wherever I go, but there are man bags or brief case options for men.
 
Glucoboost tubes are quite good, too. And small enough for a pocket. They contain very thick liquid made up off glucose syrup. Useful for making ice cream too, which you can’t say about glucose tablets.
 
rebrascora said:
I was just about to suggest Lift too. Obviously not a flat pack but they come in a 4 inch long plastic tube and they don't go solid or break down like the Dextrose tablets you mentioned and I have checked and they are also Gluten Free. Where do you carry your testing kit etc? Can you not keep you hypo remedy with that. I have a small backpack handbag to carry all my gear with me wherever I go, but there are man bags or brief case options for men.
Click to expand...
I'm using a libre 2 meter for testing, it's always on me but not in any holder, I ideally want something that is going to fit and stay in a standard trouser pocket, I will have a look at the product and perhaps see if it's not too long.
Thank you and much appreciated.
Stay safe.
 
@James12 are you also carrying finger pricker and test strips?
I ask because Libre is notoriously less accurate when low (or high) and not testing a low with a finger prick risks over treating.
I think when you add the reader, the pricker, the hypo treatment (unless you are on a pump, the advice is some slow acting carbs as well as the fast acting ones) and insulin pens/syringes (if you are on a pump, you need a back up because they can fail), the idea of keeping everything in a trouser pocket becomes a bit of a pipe dream.
For a short trip, I take my phone (I run the Libre app rather than the reader) and a tube of Lift in my jacket pocket but usually need something bigger to carry the paraphernalia.
I know this is annoying because before my diagnosis, I rarely carried a handbag and now I need to traipse one around with me most of the time.
 
mikeyB said:
Glucoboost tubes are quite good, too. And small enough for a pocket. They contain very thick liquid made up off glucose syrup. Useful for making ice cream too, which you can’t say about glucose tablets.
Click to expand...
Thank you will look at that,
Cheers
 
helli said:
@James12 are you also carrying finger pricker and test strips?
I ask because Libre is notoriously less accurate when low (or high) and not testing a low with a finger prick risks over treating.
I think when you add the reader, the pricker, the hypo treatment (unless you are on a pump, the advice is some slow acting carbs as well as the fast acting ones) and insulin pens/syringes (if you are on a pump, you need a back up because they can fail), the idea of keeping everything in a trouser pocket becomes a bit of a pipe dream.
For a short trip, I take my phone (I run the Libre app rather than the reader) and a tube of Lift in my jacket pocket but usually need something bigger to carry the paraphernalia.
I know this is annoying because before my diagnosis, I rarely carried a handbag and now I need to traipse one around with me most of the time.
Click to expand...
I'm in the zone but just cant bend.
I've currently got tester on phone and libre meter, hear what your saying, just want to have reliable low blood sugar correction, when mobile but if we ever get back to normality in the near future, many thanks
 
You know the pots that test strips come in - could always decant a few Lift into an empty one, but that might cause a pocket bulge if you wear close fitting jeans. Never had that problem here as husband always carries money, hanky, comb (and used to also carry penknife) in his trouser side pocket. In his skinny leather motorbike trs he just transferred all this into his jacket pockets.
 
trophywench said:
You know the pots that test strips come in - could always decant a few Lift into an empty one, but that might cause a pocket bulge if you wear close fitting jeans. Never had that problem here as husband always carries money, hanky, comb (and used to also carry penknife) in his trouser side pocket. In his skinny leather motorbike trs he just transferred all this into his jacket pockets.
Click to expand...
I use empty test strip pots for that but wasn't going to suggest it to others because they are not food grade plastic apparently! You could always wrap them in cling film and then put them in an empty test strip pot if you are concerned.
 
In the summertime I really like those little mini-packs of skittles, which are pretty pocket-proof. Approx 16-17g per bag.

Alternatively Drumstick Squashie mini-bags are 10-12g of carbs.

Jelly babies are quite a favourite for people that don’t like glucotabs, but you need more of a jacket pocket for those.
 
Simple solution is find a small container that your glucose fits in if that's what you want to use.
Other option is high glucose sweets that are gluten free.
 
rebrascora said:
I use empty test strip pots for that but wasn't going to suggest it to others because they are not food grade plastic apparently! You could always wrap them in cling film and then put them in an empty test strip pot if you are concerned.
Click to expand...
When I'm hypo frankly I wouldn't give a 5h!T whether it's food grade plastic or not as long as my BG increases. I don't actually care all that much when I ain't hypo either.
 
I was just doing some shopping on Ocado and they have a "buy 2 save £2 offer" on Dextro Energy. They sell them as two-packs, so it is £1.20 two orange ones (or £1.27 for blackcurrant) or you can get four packs for 40p. Or 47p for two of each flavour they sell.

How to carry them is then the same problem as with anything else, the paper wrappers are a problem with protecting them, but they can fit more easily into a glucometer's pouch than a Lift tube. I suppose a small tube of gel is the best for carrying in a pocket.
 
Tubes of glucose gel are great - until you use them. And there's no litter bin around. So you stick the "empty" tube in your pocket. And 3 days later you realise why there is a sticky mess in your pocket!
 
Ah! I was about to say "use a coat" and then I realised I was only diagnosed in September and was too ill to go out until winter so I haven't experienced a summer as a diabetic.

Other than the horrifying thought of a bum bag around my waist, I can only think of a small rucksack (which I have thankfully). I don't know how else I can be diabetic and also retain my raunchy sexiness when walking around town. 😛
 
trophywench said:
When I'm hypo frankly I wouldn't give a 5h!T whether it's food grade plastic or not as long as my BG increases. I don't actually care all that much when I ain't hypo either.
Click to expand...
You sound very much like a child of the 60s. 🙂
I'm very much of the same mindset to be fair.
Younger though....
 
pm133 said:
Ah! I was about to say "use a coat" and then I realised I was only diagnosed in September and was too ill to go out until winter so I haven't experienced a summer as a diabetic.

Other than the horrifying thought of a bum bag around my waist, I can only think of a small rucksack (which I have thankfully). I don't know how else I can be diabetic and also retain my raunchy sexiness when walking around town. 😛
Click to expand...

Sling the bumbag from shoulder to hip for that trendy cross-body vibe :D It’s a thing apparently.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top