Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with insulin

Diabetic cat care

Stacey — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:19:48 -0800

How do I best care for my cat after a hypoglycemic reaction until I can get him to the vet? My 10-year-old cat was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago and it is well-managed with twice-daily 4-unit doses of Humulin. His last fructosamine check was in early April and the vet said his blood sugar was still very well regulated and we should stay on the same dosage.

This morning he had what I'm fairly certain was his first hypoglycemic reaction, about two hours after his insulin dosage and breakfast. Yowling, staggering, poor hind leg control, panting. We rubbed some corn syrup on his gums and fed him some food and now he seems fine, if maybe a little subdued.

His regular vet can't see him today but he has an appointment first thing Monday. We will take him to the emergency vet if necessary, but right now he seems to be doing fine. But I realized after I made the vet appointment for Monday that I don't know what to do about his insulin dosage between now and then, and now his vet's office is closed for the weekend. I'm going to call the emergency vet and see if they'll dispense any advice over the phone, but am wondering if there are any vets out there who might have advice or be able to point me toward a reliable resource with information. Should I keep him on his usual schedule? Withhold the insulin until Monday? A reduced dosage? Anything else I should be doing to care for him and keep an eye on him until he's checked out

He's skipped doses a handful of times over the past year with no apparent incident, but never more than one.

Diabetes & low blood sugar?

peep — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:48:25 -0800

I have a question about diet & exercise-controlled Type II diabetes and low blood sugar. There’s something I hear occasionally that bugs me. Here are a few examples.

1. A friend was recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes. She is working with her doctors to get her numbers under control with diet and exercise. During this trial she is not on ANY oral meds or insulin. But the educator gave her a card for her wallet that says something like, “If I am unconscious it may be due to my diabetes. Give me juice or something with sugar.”

2. A co-worker mentioned that her friend has “really bad diabetes” but is able to control it solely with diet and exercise because he is a marathon runner (again, her words). She once said, “He just has to be careful and always carry M&Ms in case his sugar gets too low.”

3. Someone once told me she was “borderline gestational diabetic.” She claimed she would “almost pass out” every afternoon and have to chug a Dr Pepper in order to get her blood sugar back UP. Again, she was not on meds or insulin.

Are these people are mistaken (or in some cases, maybe liars)? My admittedly limited understanding of diabetes is that LOW blood sugar issues are a result of too much oral medication or too much insulin (possibly in combination with too little food, but the key being the meds, which lower the blood sugar).

It seems that many people believe diabetes causes blood sugar fluctuations in both directions. Is there any evidence that diabetics are more susceptible to blood sugar crashes than anyone else (in the absence of meds)? Any other explanations? Any thoughts on why my friend would have been given that card?

Help paying for insulin.

shipbreaker — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 10:50:50 -0800

How can we pay for insulin without insurance? Aside from getting a credit card, are there any other ways? Cheap short term insurance (yeah, but for diabetics?) Or should we write a letter to the State ombudsman to try and get welfare-type insurance?

Tips or tricks for lowering fasting morning glucose levels without resorting to insulin?

anastasiav — Mon, 15 May 2006 10:05:08 -0800

Tips or tricks for lowering fasting morning glucose levels without resorting to insulin? Yes, yes, I know ... see my doctor, etc. etc. etc. I'm getting quality medical care, I just want more opinions, and maybe some non-traditional approaches.

Short form: I may or may not have gestational diabetes. My 1 hour and 3 hour glucose tollerance tests were extremely high, but there is some debate as to whether the after effects of a recent severe illness may account for some of that.

My blood glucose levels are fine during the day (always below 120 tested 2 hours postprandial, provided I don't eat anything stupid) but when I test in the morning my levels are between 102 - 115 (most often 107). If I'm not able to drop those morning fasting levels down to about 95 in the next few days, I'm going to have to start taking insulin in the evenings, with the end result that I'll have to leave my current midwife's practice and get an OB and give birth at a hospital rather than at the birth center where I'm currently a client. I'm pretty desperate to avoid this if at all possible.

My diabetes councelor has advised me to try eating a snack directly before bed that is mainly protein (peanut butter or chicken, etc), and exercising right before bed. I'm going to do both of these, but was wondering if any diabetic or medical type metafilter folks had any other suggestions, either for diet suppliments or other diet-related approaches that have worked for them.

I am currently adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to my diet daily as seen in this study and it does seem to help...

Insulin pumps in the UK

TheManticore — Mon, 16 May 2005 06:47:09 -0800

My wife is an insulin dependent diabetic who's had great success in using an insulin pump. We live in the US but are originally from the UK. After conversations with various people in the UK knowledgeable of diabetes treatment, we've learned that insulin pumps seem to be almost non-existent there. Is this really the case and if so what are the reasons?