[Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic pump and Dexcom low blood sugars

Mon Feb 22 23:40:10 UTC 2021

Jamie,

Where do you find the 4 oz. juice bottles? When I was a kid, we always kept these 4 oz. cans of apple juice on hand for my lows. They had a silver sticky tab on top. I've not see these in years. I buy the Mott's 8 oz. juice bottles and keep them on hand. I usually drink half the bottle and wait to see if I need more, but having a smaller size would be nice.

When I was a kid, I had severe insulin reactions a couple of times a week, usually in my sleep. Oh, what my parent's would have done for a device like Dexcom back then. They had to use Glucogon on a super regular basis. So, it was always in stock.

By my teens though, I developed a hyper sensitivity to lows, and to this day, often wake myself when low when sleeping. For a time, after my husband and I got married, we kept Glucogon on hand, and he had to use it just twice in the 15 years we've been married. But we have not kept it on hand for years now. I'm frequently low, but sensitive enough to when I drop, and lucid enough to treat before I would need Glucogon. And like I've said, I'm still able to sense lows even in my sleep. Even when super low, like 40 or 30, I'm lucid enough to treat.

I always have a bottle of juice in my purse when I leave the house. When traveling, depending on long I will be gone, I bring plenty of bottles. I also keep at least 2 bottles in my nightstand so, when I'm low in the middle of the night, I don't have to get out of bed; I just reach across to my nightstand drawer and get a juice.

Personally, glucose tabs have never really worked for me. Remember the awful, chalky, white BD ones back in the day? Yuck. At least these days they have flavors. But they don't dissolve that quickly for me, and don't bring my BGs up quick enough. I'm not a big snacker, so, I hate snacking when I'm low. I usually just treat with juice unless it's really bad.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 4:54 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: jamielgurganus at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic pump and Dexcom low blood sugars

Melanie,

I don't have the glucagon kit, since it costs a fortune with my insurance.  In the 50 years that I have been a diabetic, I have never used or had anyone use it on me.  I was not going to spend over $200 on something that might not ever be used before it expired in one year.  I keep juice boxes, glucose tablets and a carb like graham crackers in my nightstand, in the cubby by the couch, in my purse, etc.  I don't need to drink cold juice!  I have these little 4 ounce juice boxes that have orange juice, apple juice, berry and fruit punch in them.  They are the perfect size, since more than 4 ounces for me causes a very high rebound high.

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Melanie Torrance via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 3:58 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Melanie Torrance <melanietorrance at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic pump and Dexcom low blood sugars

I use the G6 as well. I have a history of dangerous lows, so I have my low alert set at 85. I keep the volume on the phone at Max and drink juice or have a snack at 85 because my BG drops very rapidly.
Has anyone ever given themselves a Glucagon injection? I have once when I was out of juice, and it wasn’t easy. I now have the GVoke hypo pen.
Melanie

Sent from Melanie's i phone

> On Feb 22, 2021, at 4:46 PM, Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good catch, Katie. I also make use of the urgent low soon alert on the G6.
> That really gives me time to react early. 
> Veronica
> 
> 
> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now 
> available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
> To learn more, visit:
> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>                 Veronica Elsea, Owner
> Laurel Creek Music Designs
> Santa Cruz, California
> Phone: 831-429-6407
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Katie Keim via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 1:03 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Katie Keim
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic pump and Dexcom low blood sugars
> 
> Hi Joyce,
> 
> 
> 
> I apologize if this recommendation has been submitted already.
> 
> 
> 
> Yu may want to consider adjusting the alert alarm blood sugar level on 
> your Dexcom so  you get alerts sooner than the default low level of 55 preset.
> This will give you more time to take care of your glucose needs.
> 
> 
> 
> From your Dexcom app on your smart device, go to settings; alerts and 
> there are options to set your low and high levels. The default is set 
> to 55 and is quite low if you are dropping rapidly and becoming 
> unconscious before you can take care of yourself. The Dexcom G5 and G6 
> have this option through your smart phone. I have used both Dexcom's 
> and my iPhone to monitor and manage my high and low sugars successfully.
> 
> 
> 
> Someone recommended keeping your glucose tabs in a zip lock in your 
> pocket, I would agree. I don't go anywhere without them on me.
> 
> 
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 
> 
> Aloha, Katie
> 
> 
> 
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> laurel
> creekmusic.com
> 
> 
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