A strange low

mg_2204 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Doesn't happen often. Thank goodness! But very annoying and frustrating nonetheless.

Woke up with a splitting headache. Fasting BG was 5.5 mmol (99 mg/dL) woohoo!! But later BG went down to 4.1 (73 mg/dL), after meds and breakfast. Breakfast consisted of too much coffee, lots of milk in it, 2 peanut butter toasts and yep! White bread.

Couldn't get it back up to more comfortable numbers either. And I was also afraid I would end up too high later. I have very limited means to get it down once BG climbs up the curtains you see. I'm on oral meds. 4.1 mmoL (73 mg/dL) doesn't feel comfortable to me.

Oddly enough... everything went back to normal. Didn't go high either. Headache disappeared.

Conclusion : A strange inexplicable low! Or perhaps my pancreas did a little summersault to welcome the new year??!

If we were to start a thread about all the strange things happening to us because of diabetes that thread would take the entire forum.

Isometric · #2 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 11:37 PM

Does seem a little odd - I take it you're not on insulin? Also, what steps did you take to correct the low, specifically? I know what you mean by not feeling right when your blood sugar is a certain level. Unfortunately for me, at least while I'm still figuring out my ratios and basal dose, I've been down in the 50's and felt just fine. I'd much rather feel that uncomfortable sensation you're talking about in the 70's as well, but the more often you go low, the less you feel it.

Glad things returned to normal, though! If something like that happens again, keep track of all the different variables that may have contributed to it - change of meal time, sleeping in, forgot to take meds, stress, etc. Never know where you might spot a pattern.

mg_2204 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isometric

I take it you're not on insulin? Also, what steps did you take to correct the low, specifically?

Not on insulin. I'm on Glumetza (Metformin Extended Release).

What I did to correct : I had a few sips of orange juice first. Had a few grapes after. Then when it didn't work I took a glucose tablet. I was getting ready for work, didn't have time to lose.

Unfortunately, I have to stay between 4.5 and 7.5 mmolL (81 and 135 mg/dL) to feel good. Below and above those numbers I get headaches. They tend to be more severe when I'm above 8 mmolL (144 mg/dL), with nausea, etc.

Everything's back to normal. I'm glad!

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:32 AM

4.1 should be an acceptable number for you. I guess you just aren't used to it.

mg_2204 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

4.1 should be an acceptable number for you. I guess you just aren't used to it.

If I don't drop suddenly let's say from 9 to 4 in about 10 minutes (happens!) I don't get shaky or anything. I feel fine. But it's the BOOM BOOM BOOM in my head that is really bothering me. I never had headaches before taking meds. I do feel BG shifting, even slightly, I am aware of it more than ever. Funny isn't it? Don't know if it's because I test and know my body more, I don't have a clue. But I do feel it when it's shifting. It's a really weird feeling. Or maybe I'm just weird

mg_2204 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:52 AM

5 is my golden number. If I could stay at 5 mmolL all the time that would be great!

patricia52 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 12:47 PM

I have found myself trembling at 84 and 85. I know it is just because I have only been diagnoised and on meds for 3 months and my body has not adjusted to normal number.

Wyndy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 11:28 PM

Hi Marie:

I'm here in BC... and I suffer from almost identically from the little things as you do.

My "safe" range for me is the same as yours, as prescribed by my doctor and Diabetic Nurse/Educator.

My "magic" number is also "5". I've found that if i get below 4.1 or 4.2 I get quite shaky and have vision difficulties. If I go above 5.4 or 5.5 I get a whopping headache.

I've had "lows" wake me up from a sound sleep and when I've tried to sit up, turn around and put my feet on the floor, I nearly pass out and have to lie right back down again until I've taken a glucose tablet. I keep them in a little bottle in my bedside table so I don't have to crawl around on the floor trying to find them... if I can remember in that state...

Once I'm up I will take a couple or three small sips of my "emergency" orange juice as well.

With in about a half an hour to forty five minutes I'm able to eat my regular breakfast. My "lows" happen most often overnight, although not always.

I've had the rare "low" in the daytime that's scared the dickens out of me, though.

I'm diet and exercise controlled at the present time, but chasing these "lows" and rare "highs" is becoming a royal pain. My next visit with my PCP (Primary Care Physician) is in late February, but I think I'm going to try to get that appointment moved up.

I do record everything I eat. I also record my exercise time... I really have sat on myself and and made major changes to my lifestyle since I was Dx'd back in May 2007. I've also lost 46.5 of the 51.5 lbs that my doctor wanted me to lose and managed, miracle of miracles to lose 1.5 lbs over the holidays! LOL! I guess I was a good girl or something. I weighed 186.5 lbs way back when... Yikes! Not good on a 5 ft. 6 in fine-boned frame...

I hope that some of what I've shared with you has helped you in some small way... Take good care of you... and if you drive, please be careful... I've had a "low" while driving, and it was a frightening experience. It came out of nowhere and took me a few seconds to realize what was happening... Where I live, you don't want to go off the road... You might not be found for days!

Anyway, enough of my rambling. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Again, take good care of you.

Wyndy in BC

mg_2204 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 12:28 PM

Thank you so much for your post Wyndy!

Someone like me!!

I am not aware if I go low or high at night. I sleep like a log. You could move furniture around, I wouldn't wake up. At all.

It's interesting to learn that you seem to be sensitive to your levels and you are not on oral meds. I was under the impression oral meds had made me sensitive to BG fluctuations. Maybe not after all??! Or maybe I'm just more educated on the matter, I test more, etc?

Today fasting sugars : 6.1 mmolL and just before lunch it was 6.1 mmolL. Didn't have to test, I knew it hadn't move. Sheesh!

Here's to our golden number then! The magical but very elusive 5 mmolL

The very best to you!

drsanjaynayak · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 11:45 PM

folks
i tested the moment i got up today and it was 112 and after an hour of my daily walk it was 86 and then about one hour later it was 94 and all this was on empty stomach . i want to know whether
1)the high BS in the resting state is normal .....
2) Fasting blood sugar can be done after exercise?? ( Thats what my Med told me)
3) C peptide levels testing should be done at fating or postprandial ?? or with Oral GTT. Can it be done independently??
4) every time i test after a walk its in the range of 85 to 90 and postprandial varies like 124 to 145 . Am i prediabetic ?? can i reverse this condition?? can i delay the onset of the BIG ' D' by a few years . i have a small daughter and it scares me to death of my family losing me . i am depressed sometimes too and stress also raises the BS . i am not on any medications at the moment and i do not want my pancreas to get into sleep mode

please help