How do you all treat low blood sugars?

Hi all,

I am still pre-op and had pretty much made up my mind to go with the GB, but after an insulin reaction last night, I have had some other thoughts. I am a type 1 diabetic now for 40 years and am insulin dependent. Because I am blind, I am on disability and have Medicare/Medicaid for my insurance. I am told they cover GB but not LB here in GA. Therefore, I may have to go for the GB unless I can convince them otherwise.

My main question is this: If any of you are Type 1 diabetics, how do you treat low blood sugars? I know I am not supposed to use sugars or drink OJ so I'm not sure how I will treat it. I don't know if glucose tabs are OK with the bypass or not or barring that, the glucose in liquid form that goes under the tongue (UGH!).

Have any of you figured out a solution to this yet?
\\Thanks for any help.
Lynn W.

Hello. I am a Type II diabetic and am insulin dependent too.  I had surgery four months ago.  I have been told by my surgeon to treat low blood sugar with the protein shakes now.  I have tried it out and they work.  I am just more cautious to check my blood sugars more frequently so my numbers don't go to low. Hillary

hi  I had GB 3 months ago I am type 2, I have only had a low 2x and i use just OJ followed by protein, you cannot take the glucose tablets they may make you dump Susan

 I have never had any problems eating Glucose Tabs to treat low blood sugar. I am 3 1/2 yrs PO and have never dumped though. You have to see what works for you, whether is a little OJ, apple juice or milk.  A protein drink with a carb is the best. Not just protein, there is usually not enough carb/sugar to raise your blood sugar.  Good luck! Wendy

I am almost 2 years out and try and stay in pretty tight control.  I use Glucose tabs to treat low sugar readings.  This happens mostly at night to me. It's scary but the glucose tabs do work. I chew 4 at a time.  My surgeon is on board with this plan.

Dear Ronna, I've seen several of your replies & I must say, they're really good!  I was told that anything but lapband surgery is too risky for a Type I diabetic due to the slow metabolism of carbs/sugars.  I have not had my surgery yet & want more information.  I am on an insulin pump.  I was looking for anyone else who uses an insulin pump who's had any of these surgeries so that I could ask these questions.  What have you read or heard about people in my situation?  If I can qualify for gastric by-pass...

Hi DeSharon, I really can't answer your question.  I am a type II at least they think I am type II. There is a Diabetes forum on OH and you might be able to connect with other type I's there. I would ask your endrocrinologist or your PCP for their opinion. I had RNY and while it didn't put my diabetes into remission I am in so much better control now and have to use over 100U less insulin a day.  It continues to amaze me. I hope you find the answers you're looking for and make the decision that is the best for you. Good luck!

Thank you, Ronna!  Reduction in the amt of insulin I take is a really important factor to me no matter which type of surgery they do on me.  How I figure it is the less food I consume, the less insulin required, the less of that awful growth hormone (insulin)...you get the picture.  I am working so incredibly hard to get healthy.  2008 is the year for me!  I actually started in Oct 2007, so now I have lots of practice!  Unlike a lot of people, I don't have a real weight goal...just that I'm down to a healthy weight so that I can control my diabetes better, as well as my other co-morbidity issues: heart disease, high BP, high cholesterol.  I will definitely be discussing my questions with both my own endocrinologist & with the endocrinologist on my surgical team.  I know that whatever procedure I have done will be successful.  I'm not being overconfident...I have deep knowledge about nutrition & I have a strong self-awareness about my body.  It was just easier pre-October to say, "Hey, forget about it.  I'll just eat what everyone else is & worry about my weight & blood sugars afterwards."  I knew 2 dinner plates of spaghetti w/meat sauce was way too much.  I couldn't even imagine how to calculate the amt of insulin to take!  I just guessed.  And although I tested my blood sugars pretty regularly, that was only part of the issue.  I can tell you with almost any "plain" food, how many carbs per serving & how much a serving size is!  I learned most of it as a small child of 9 1/2 y.o.!!  I believe in the statement that the surgery is a tool.  I say, the more tools, the better!! (Or did many others say that before me?)  Again, Ronna, thank you for your response.     Sharon in DE 

I had my surgery 6 months ago.  I was on 3 injections and 9 pills a day for my diabetes.  I havent' had to have anything since the day before my surgery.  There is something about RNY that is "curing" diabetes.  My doctor wouldn't do lapband because he said it wouldn't help my diabetes the way RNY would.  I needed something lifelong.  I did the research myself just to varify what I was being told.  My brother also did the research and once he saw the result of what RNY was doing for diabetes he became my biggest supporter of this surgery.  I have adult onset diabetes so I dont' know if that makes a difference or not.  I was told they are even considering this surgery for thin people with diabetes.   Good luck in your research of this surgery.  I hope it works for you like it has for me.

Dear Teena, Congratulations on your cure!  There is however a big difference between your diabetes & mine.  My pancreas is completely "broken."  I've had it tested & I produce 0 insulin on my own.  Your pancreas was/is producing insulin, but with your extra weight, it caused extreme insulin resistance in your case, requiring outside insulin & medication.  Once I have my surgery, my diabetes won't go away...what will happen is that I will become healthier & my diabetes will be easier to control since my insulin resistance to my outside insulin will all but disappear.  So, in some ways, I am similiar to what you were in that I am carrying extra weight which is contributing to my co-morbidity factors: high BP, high Cholesterol, heart disease & harder to control diabetes.   I have found a few others on this OH site that, like me, do not produce any insulin on their own.  It's very unusual for a Type I diabetic like myself to be overweight.  Typically, Type I diabetics are thin & even may have problems gaining weight!!  Not me!  So, I'm a Type I with Type 2 tendancies.  I'm very hopeful that the lapband surgery that I'm contemplating will help me to lose those Type 2 issues.  I will remain diabetic though, unless when I lose the weight, I embark on another mission: a pancreas transplant.  Right now, I'm just focusing on working with my nutritionist & finding out if I am a good candidate for lapband surgery.  I'll find out on Valentines' Day.  Wish me luck! Sharon in DE