From: s (SMACRAETOD) [#1]
26 Apr 17:31
To: ALL
hi, just joined so i am not really sure how this works...
basically, my older brother is diabetic, type 1, and recently he has been having far more lows than usual. Not only this but he is no longer able to detect them like during previous lows. I was wondering if anyone was or is experiencing the same problem as he is because my family are really worried about him, including myself! anyone there?
From: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#3]
27 Apr 8:58
To: s (SMACRAETOD) [#1] 27 Apr 12:47
Hi and welcome. I wish I could be of help, but most of us know more about type 2 than type 1. I understand why you are worried since lows can be dangerous. I just wonder if a continual monitor might be one idea? One of our posters, Geri, has one, and she can set it to ring an alarm if she goes high or low. Hopefully, Geri will post more when she sees this--check back, ok?
What does the doctor say? Is your brother's doctor aware of the problem? If not, it seems like a good idea to tell him/her what's going on.
I'd also suggest this site: Children with Diabetes (http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/). I know it says "children", but it has active forums that include lots of adults with diabetes, too.
From: Geri in Co:Byetta(3-06) (GERI) [#5]
27 Apr 9:16
To: s (SMACRAETOD) [#1] 27 Apr 12:47
Welcome.
As Toney says I have a CGM(continous glucose meter) and it will buzz me when I go too high or too low. At night I sleep with it in bed with me, under the pillow, and I've been awakened when I was going too low at night. Altho I'm a type 2 diabetic I was able to get one. The CGM helps me keep myself more level which is better for all of us.
I would have your brother contact his dr right away and start the process. Have him keep records of his numbers starting today if he doesn't keep them already. A CGM can also be combined with an insulin pump. I have a Dexcom 7+ but there is another company but I can't remember the name.
Good luck and I know the CGM will help your brother too.
From: s (SMACRAETOD) [#7]
27 Apr 12:52
To: ALL
Thank you very much. This is really helpful advice. He has heard about them and they were in discussion within the family but it's just better to know what other diabetics are doing.
Well, he is having a meeting with a diabetes consultant soon to assess the situation so i think he/she is vaigly aware but not the particulars.
I have heard about them. Are they expensive or are they available on the NHS?
From: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#9]
27 Apr 17:01
To: s (SMACRAETOD) [#7] 28 Apr 9:25
From: s (SMACRAETOD) [#11]
28 Apr 16:56
To: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#9] 29 Apr 8:58
Which country are you from? Because if you are not from england then health insurance is slightly more complicated... i think so. But apparently, these bleepers are not available in the UK yet so not sure but thanks for you help anyway :-)
just to update you, he took his blood sugar level last night at 2:30am, after not having injected for 18hrs, and he was 7 which is basically normal. So we have so idea what is going on with him physically. He is 19 so he thinks that it could perhaps be that he has now finally stopped growing so his 1/4 of a pancreas is not so pressurised... any thoughts?
From: Geri in Co:Byetta(3-06) (GERI) [#13]
28 Apr 20:44
To: s (SMACRAETOD) [#11] 29 Apr 8:00
Toney and I are from the US. Most of us are from the US so we automatically think everyone is from here unless they tell us they are Canadian, British, or whatever. Your medical system is different but I'd check and see if he can get a CGM anyway.
Good to hear he is getting some normal numbers. Hope it keeps up.