Using gels as hypo treatment?

[heasandford]

I used to love Lucozade as my hypo treatment, for me it acted fast, possibly due to the bubbles? (- and I liked the taste!)
Since they have reduced the glucose content I have to carry more than one bottle when on a long walk, so am looking for possible replacements to carry when out. I wondered whether the SIS Go Isotonic gel was a light weight alternative with 20g of carbs per gel pack, has anyone tried these?
All of these replacements are more expensive than the old Lucozade (especially when it was on offer!) but sweets definitely don't work as fast for me.

 

[SB2015]

I haev opted for jelly babies as they are compact, high in CHO, quick acting and so easy to pack enough for emergencies on a long walk. I then also take a bottle of diluted fruit juice to sip as necessary, checking glucose levels with my Libre to head off any problems before they get hold.

 

[mikeyB]

I use Dextro tabs when out and about. Very fast acting. I prefer Jelly babies at home, which are almost as fast. Out and about with jelly babies, they can fairly quickly become a jellybabyberg, specially in warm weather.

I agree with SB, the Libre showing 5.0 with a downward arrow is a sign for action.

 

[DaveB]

Yes, what's wrong with Dextro tabs - small, cheap and effective.

 

[khskel]

Yep Dextro tabs for me too

 

[heasandford]

Yes, I do carry them, but Lucozade was definitely faster which is why I am still investigating other liquids, assuming gels are liquids too

 

[Radders]

I used to use Ribena. Not sure whether they’ve got round to reducing the sugar in that too!

 

[trophywench]

The difficulty is when you need to chew things - like Dextro tabs - some of us lack the ability to chew when we're hypo so my method has been 'get whatever down my neck PDQ' before BG sinks that far. Hence - in my case - orange Lucozade.

 

[Robin]

The difficulty is when you need to chew things - like Dextro tabs - some of us lack the ability to chew when we're hypo so my method has been 'get whatever down my neck PDQ' before BG sinks that far. Hence - in my case - orange Lucozade.

I found out the hard way that fruit pastilles aren't always the best thing when out for winter walks, I've bitten my tongue really badly, because they've got really chewy in the cold, and my jaw action gets really jerky when I'm hypo.

 

[trophywench]

Well yeah Robin - so liquid eliminates all that jazz. However I am thinking that a gel would be easier to cart round so providing it's resealable and has a decent lifespan out of the fridge and once I've used it once to correct a 3.8 or something I'm not going to have to bin it - and tastes nice - is there such a thing currently available though?

 

[mikeyB]

I’ve never lost the ability to chew when I’m hypo - far from it

 

[CosmicHedgehog]

look on amazon, loads of liquid/ gel glucose treatments. i like transcend, little gel sachets, taste like jam tbh lol, or glucose tabs(the company) do a liquid comes in little bottles gluco juice or something like that.

 

[SB2015]

I was given hypostop when diagnosed, but once open you have no way of putting the cap back on, and there was no way I wanted to use a full tube for a mild hypo.
I did leave a bag of jelly babies in the car on a hot day and it changed to a jellyblob, but they usually behave well and are pretty quick acting. If I have gone below 3.0 I do use juice as I know it will be even quicker, I just don’t want to have to carry bottles of juice around. I do have a juice left at Pilates, in badminton bag, ... where I am giong Otto be more active.

 

[C&E Guy]

Even though proprietary soft drinks are all reducing their sugar contents, there are still lots of fitness/energy drinks available. There must be something with a decent flavour out there.

I've tried Hypostop but found it a bit slowish (and a bit fiddly).

I was lowish this morning and Jelly Babies did the trick. Problem is that other family members keep helping themselves. Going to buy a new pack on my way home tonight. Family are not so keen on the tropical flavours so I will try to get those!

 

[mikeyB]

With me, it used to be my daughter who nicked my jelly babies. Now, it’s the flipping dog. He loves ‘em.😡

 

[heasandford]

Useful thoughts from you all, it's just that liquid is my target

It is the SIS Isotonic gel sachets I was thinking about. It has 22g carbs but no idea how quickly it works, is it designed for slow release? I can get Lemon & Lime flavour! (Although they do a multitude of other flavours too)

 

[mikeyB]

If it’s isotonic as claimed, then it it should work quickly.

Do they do a gin and tonic flavour?

 

[Matt Cycle]

I use dextrosol tablets as they are not really nice enough to just eat but palatable enough when hypo. Glucogel/Hypostop is unpleasant but does the job if needed. In terms of gels they do work quickly - they were designed for a quick energy boost when exercising. I always take them when on the bike. I use the the High5 ones but have had both SIS and Wiggle's own brand. The isotonic ones are supposed to be more easily digested without water but I've found the normal ones fine. Check out the offers on Wiggle and other sports sites as they always have deals of one sort or another. For the High5 packets I pay around 35-40p a gel (£7-8 for a box of 20).

Do they do a gin and tonic flavour?

Not seen gin and tonic but I do have the mojito flavour ones. Conjures up sunny Cuban beaches in the freezing snow and rain of the Peak District.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-energygel-mojito-20-x-38g-wiggle-exclusive/

 

[trophywench]

Not having the slightest idea about gels, they don't hang round in the mouth do they? - cos saliva lack thereof is obviously a problem in my case when low, hence the lack of easy chewing.

 

[heasandford]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/high5-energygel-mojito-20-x-38g-wiggle-exclusive/

This was just what I was looking for, forum comes up with the goods as always! Plus the advantage of what everyone thinks - love you all!