[dneal517]

Has anyone else experienced the fear of low blood sugars? One of reasons I haven't been able to keep good control of my sugar levels is because I worry of dropping too low especially in the middle of the night. I usually wake up if I have a low but I still worry. I tend to keep my blood sugar higher at night (above 200) so I don't drop. I fear of not waking up and something happening. I don't know how to keep my fears from getting in the way of being healthy. Any advice would help. Thank you.

[dano]

First of all an average blood sugar of 200 mg/dl equates to an A1c of 8.6%. You need to get over your fears and work for an average blood sugar of atleast 140 mg/dl, in order to eliminate complications at a later date. We all go low, that is part of having diabetes. Just utilize the 15-15 Rule (15 carbs and wait 15 minutes to test again). Over correction will give you the yo-yo effect on your blood sugars. It all takes practice and hard work, I try to keep my fasting blood sugars between 70 mg/dl and 99 mg/dl. So far I am doing pretty well.

[dneal517]

Thanks for your reply. I had my labs done a few days ago and my A1c is 8.9. I do tend to over correct lows and my glucose levels tend to be all over the place. I need to learn how to correct the right way and not panic and drink an entire can of Pepsi when I have a 90 reading. I need to start thinking that's a great number!! I found this app and I think it will help because after reading a lot of the posts, I know I'm not alone with my struggle. Congratulations on keeping control. I envy that and I hope I can get there myself. Thanks for the advice

[cjones14]

Dneal-

I am in the exact spot you are! I reallllly over correct for lows and my blood glucose runs high because I'm afraid of hypoglycemia. I've had several H episodes this past year and they were traumatic. It's comforting to know someone understands what I'm going through. It is so difficult for me to see a number below 200 and not assume I'm going to drop, therefore freaking out and consuming sugar. Mind games and fears are so hard to control!

[bettywin]

Dneal, I feel your pain! I tried explaining this to my doctor and he didn't quite understand. This is a major problem that you have to overcome yourself.
My dietician was a great help. Before my appointment one day, I wrote down my past readings for a week.one night I actually tested my blood sugar 16 times. It was effecting my sleep and making me stressed. I couldn't go to sleep unless my BS was over 10mmol/L, and then more often than not I'd wake up an be 14 or 15, then have to correct it, then wake up again to test in case I'd brought myself down too low.
My dietician said to me "what happens if you do go low?" and my response was "I wake up". She said "exactly!". She told me to always have some lucozade at the side of my bed, along with a cereal bar. Have a slow release carb before bed such as a banana or slice of brown bread, and believe in ur body's ability to wake you up. She also said something like if you don't wake up, ur body utilises glycogen stores from the liver to raise your BS any way!
So as hard as it may seem now, try and relax. Try eating low GI slow release carbs to stabilise your blood, and have a good nights sleep

[dneal517]

Thank you do much. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I was just put on the pump and I still set my alarm in the middle of the night to test but I'm getting better. Even though...for instance my blood sugar is 122 and I'm testing it frequently so I can catch it just in case it goes low. I guess it will take time to get used to but I hate the feeling of lows. The shakiness and that low feeling is awful.

[Ruthie0426]

Wow, I relate to this so much!! I am not so worried at night because I wake up, but I get worried about dropping in situations where it would be hard or almost embarrassing to test. Like during a test, or during a big lecture, at work when I am super busy, or with people I don't know. Orrrrr when I don't have tabs or anything to bring it up. So I just let it run higher than normal. If I never had to leave my house my numbers would be perfect! haha

[chobuddyuser]

Thats what happens 2 me m so scared of hypoglycemia n im in the exact situation of being reluctant 2 check out the sugar at public place,class n when im with those who do nt knw diabetic this iz the only reason of elevated sugar, i thought im the only 1 whoz goin through it 2 this extent
Bt its relaxin 2 knw m nt alone i dont knw how to overcome it can any tell me the way??

[tekietoys]

Great topic. Reviewing the app, found the forum and this topic and had to sign up. I have this same problem and it revolves around nights or periods of high activity. The fear is less now than in years past but it still keeps my A1C messed up. Lows may be a part of the diabetic life but it only takes hitting a blood sugar of 40 one time to bring reality to the fear. I HAD a specialist that gave me the same line of "I just need to get over it." I don't expect them to go against good health practices but how about some compassion? How about - let's work through this together as part of your treatment?

After that low I found the fear for me was based on knowing the insulin was in me and I so I had to deal with it. Injections are based on a predictable level of activity. Last I checked my life isn't that predictable. Yard work, house work, fixing the car, volunteer activity, activities with my son in Boy Scouts.

Got on a pump 3yrs ago and getting used to setting a temp basal before activities and checking more often so that helps. If you have a pump, the temp basal is a FANTASTIC feature to help with this problem. When I get in a serious low like 60 or below I lower the basal for 30 minutes and eat one carb. Probably not a recommended procedure but for me it removes some fear knowing that I'm not battling against new insulin that is already in me and I can't fight it. My blood sugar doesn't bounce quite as bad since I don't over-compensate so much with food.

I can also set the rate lower for a period of planned activity. Still trying to get dialed in on the right level per activity but I went backpacking 3 weeks ago and had one high of 235 and one low of 60 and I know what caused both. Personally I would not have done that same activity on injections.

Sorry for writing a book here but I guess I was ready to share something.

[usmarine1]

I have woke up the morning with low's in the 40's and 50's. I think it has to do with how much insulin you take at your last meal before bed. I will maybe have a small snack before bed, something 15 carbs or under as a little insurance policy, so I don't have an issue in the middle of the night or in the morning. I also think how late you eat dinner, and making sure you take your slow acting insulin at the same time every night helps as well.