Type 1 Diabetic - Afraid of Low Blood Sugars!!!

[moonrock1967]

I am a type one diabetic and I am starting my pre-op diet today. I am so afraid of low blood sugars that I am worried that I won;t be able to stick with the diet. I feel really out of control and get shaky and cry when my sugar goes too low. I am worried that the shakes and the protein bars won't be enough. I am pretty experienced with adjusting my insulin but I am scared that I will have a lot of lows and will end up eating more than I should. Ideas anyone?

 

[Dcepello]

I am a type two diabetic but my pancreas produces very little insulin so I almost qualify as type one. I did have troubles with low blood sugars especially at night. I at first compensated with orange juice but then started to change my insulin dose to take into account the reduced calorie intake. My advice is to test, adjust then test again . If you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, you should consult with your GP or Diabetes specialist and come up with a plan you can deal with. It is always wise to consult with your doctor before making changes on your own.

 

[Javajoy]

Hello moonrock,

How long is your presurgery diet? My cousin has diabetes and she wore this little machine for about a week that sounds perfect for you. It would beep if her blood sugar went too low or too high and she would go get a snack or take some regular insulin if needed. I believe that is what she told me, I never got to see it. That is how they determined how much insulin she was to take every day. Before they did this she was always having problems especially at night. I think she wore it for one week. I know you don't need it for that reason but it might help you during the pre surgery phase and even after surgery for a while. After surgery your insulin needs will be decreased and the weight loss will also decrease your need as well. Low blood sugars are just as dangerous as high blood sugars in my experience. Good luck

 

[Alicia A]

I'm was a type II diabetic before surgery. During the liquid pre-op stage, I lost weight and had severe night sweats that ended up being related to low night time blood sugars. My solution....monitor, monitor, monitor...then we reduced my meds accordingly.

Talk with your doc about an option of getting a continuous glucose monitoring device. You may qualify under your medical plan if it has a durable equipment clause. In some areas there are also rental devices.

Good Luck!!

 

[Liz61]

I am also worried but decided that before I started diet to have my endocrinologist see the diet. I will see him the week before I start it. It is important you have a good relationship with your doctors and should be able to call for help without always having to be seen. Don't try to regulate insulin on your own.check your level at bedtime and at least twice a month around 3am when cortisol levels change in your body.keep night time and wee morning hour levels for your doctor. Hopefully you can get off all meds soon. My endocrinologist told me about a man that lost 40lbs pre-op that was off all insulin and oral meds just had sliding scale for afew additional months before off of all of it. Good luck! Just know you are not alone in the worry