Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Type 2 Diabetic Patient. Had Repeated Hypoglycemic Episodes After Starting Insulin. Need Advice
Question: I have been on 10 units of Novalog for 3 weeks for type 2 diabetes. I am 78 yo. I take it immediately before breakfast. also occasionally 10 -325mgs of Narco for severe stenosis. I have had 4 bouts of hypoglycemia since starting the insulin even though I am aware of the onset and try to eat 6 small meals daily. This morning however, I ate a balanced breakfast immediately after the insulin injection and about 2 hours after taking the Hydrocodone. I did very little physical activity when I had an acute attack of hypoglycemia.. My blood sugar level was at 60 so I drank 2 glasses of OJ and laid down. It has taken at least 5 hours for me to begin feeling normal. My glucose level is now at 176. I would appreciate your analysis on this since my primary doc is out of town, XXXXXXX
XXXX XXXX XX
XXXX XXXX XX
Brief Answer:
Adjust the insulin dosage.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these repeated hypoglycemic episodes though happy that you know how to quickly identify and correct them. May you always be on the watch. I am also sorry about this stenosis and the pains.
From the information you have provided, I am particularly concerned about the dose of insulin you are taking. There is enough information to suggest that you try using a lower dosage to see what the blood sugars look like. Persistent and repeated low blood sugars always suggest excess insulin administration. Give this a strong consideration.
Given your age, the goal of diabetes management should not be to get very tight and neatly controlled blood sugars. Values around 200mg/dl should be acceptable because in elderly people, they are more likely to die from acute complications like hypoglycemia in an attempt to tightly control blood sugar levels than long term complications resulting from diabetes like kidney failure. This should be strongly considered by your treating physician.
In all, consider dropping the dosage by 2units and monitor glycemia. XXXXXXX and discuss the problem and any changes with your doctor as soon as he return for follow up and adjustments.
I hope this answers your query and provides ample information for you to act on. i wish you well and do feel free to ask for further clarifications if need be.
Thanks for using our services once more.
Dr. Ditah, MD/
Adjust the insulin dosage.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these repeated hypoglycemic episodes though happy that you know how to quickly identify and correct them. May you always be on the watch. I am also sorry about this stenosis and the pains.
From the information you have provided, I am particularly concerned about the dose of insulin you are taking. There is enough information to suggest that you try using a lower dosage to see what the blood sugars look like. Persistent and repeated low blood sugars always suggest excess insulin administration. Give this a strong consideration.
Given your age, the goal of diabetes management should not be to get very tight and neatly controlled blood sugars. Values around 200mg/dl should be acceptable because in elderly people, they are more likely to die from acute complications like hypoglycemia in an attempt to tightly control blood sugar levels than long term complications resulting from diabetes like kidney failure. This should be strongly considered by your treating physician.
In all, consider dropping the dosage by 2units and monitor glycemia. XXXXXXX and discuss the problem and any changes with your doctor as soon as he return for follow up and adjustments.
I hope this answers your query and provides ample information for you to act on. i wish you well and do feel free to ask for further clarifications if need be.
Thanks for using our services once more.
Dr. Ditah, MD/
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick and comprehensive reply Dr. Ditah. Dr. Ganta is primarily concerned about my morning fasting BS which is usually about 150 or so. In addition to the insulin I also take 1.8mgs of Victoza and Glipizide twice daily so he has me on a pretty heavy schedule of meds. It's very encouraging that you feel 200 is acceptable. I hardly ever reach that level because of diet and exercise. What about the Vicodene interaction? Is that a factor in the BS levels?
Brief Answer:
NO
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for following up with me.
Vicodin has no effect on blood sugar. Maybe the pain free interval it offers yo permits you to do some exercise which may explain the hypoglycemic episodes but not directly linked to the drug.
Your drugs need to be revisited fully. There is no one dose that fits every diabetic patient. Let your doctor adjust the dosages and schedules based on your glycemic readings to achieve the best possible blood sugar levels while preventing treatment related complications like hypoglycemia.
Having a tighter control is good but not at the expense of treatment related complications that could be even more fataland damaging than the benefits of this strict control.
I hope that this helps. I am happy having you on our platform and feel free to ask for more advice if need be. I wish you well.
Thanks.
Dr. Ditah, MD
NO
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for following up with me.
Vicodin has no effect on blood sugar. Maybe the pain free interval it offers yo permits you to do some exercise which may explain the hypoglycemic episodes but not directly linked to the drug.
Your drugs need to be revisited fully. There is no one dose that fits every diabetic patient. Let your doctor adjust the dosages and schedules based on your glycemic readings to achieve the best possible blood sugar levels while preventing treatment related complications like hypoglycemia.
Having a tighter control is good but not at the expense of treatment related complications that could be even more fataland damaging than the benefits of this strict control.
I hope that this helps. I am happy having you on our platform and feel free to ask for more advice if need be. I wish you well.
Thanks.
Dr. Ditah, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. I lowered my Insulin this AM to 8units. I will monitor how that works. Again thank you very much for your advice and information.
Brief Answer:
Thank you, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for using our services.
I feel humbled that we had the opportunity to address your query. I honestly hope our contributions make a positive contribution to your over all health. Like I mentioned before, monitoring and adjustment is the key to attaining good glycemic goals.
At this tie, if you have no further related questions, may I kindly suggest that you consider closing the discussion. Please, do take some time and write a short review to help us improve on our service to better serve you next time.
I wish you well and above all, good health.
Thanks once more the opportunity to exchange with you on this.
Dr. Ditah, MD
Thank you, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for using our services.
I feel humbled that we had the opportunity to address your query. I honestly hope our contributions make a positive contribution to your over all health. Like I mentioned before, monitoring and adjustment is the key to attaining good glycemic goals.
At this tie, if you have no further related questions, may I kindly suggest that you consider closing the discussion. Please, do take some time and write a short review to help us improve on our service to better serve you next time.
I wish you well and above all, good health.
Thanks once more the opportunity to exchange with you on this.
Dr. Ditah, MD
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
