Do you keep a low treatment close enough to your bed that you don’t have to get up at night when treating a low?

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- 13 hours, 14 minutes ago
  
  Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
  If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
  The hospital made me disengage my pump and promised to monitor my BG. After 10 hours with an incorrect basal my BG was high and going up. No nurse or doctor was available to administer insulin. I finally reinstalled my pump and forced the hospital to acknowledge that they could not monitor my BG. After appealing to the hospital Board, after my stay, they started using CGM's in all the wards for diabetic patients.
- 13 hours, 15 minutes ago
  
  Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
  If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
  During my hospitalizations for cardiac issues, my endocrinologist (who does not do hospitals) told the attending endo that I was capable of managing the diabetes. I was allowed to mange pump and CGM without any problems. For one stay, I had a pump-using T1D nurse. This was the premier cardiac hospital in the western part of my state, so their handing of diabetes may be more advanced. There are two rules for handing the type 1 diabetic in a hospital setting. 1) Never separate the Type 1 diabetic from his or her insulin. 2) Let the expert in the room handle the diabetes. And bring your own supplies, because the hospital will not have pump supplies, CGM replacements, or your insulin.
- 14 hours, 6 minutes ago
  
  Jan Masty likes your comment at
  Have you (or your loved one with T1D) been diagnosed with retinopathy?
  No retinopathy... But AMD both eyes last 2 years...No treatment available... Unable to wright... bareley able to read only large type... use the talking guy hideing in my computer to read for me... Almost 91 years OLD.... 70 years T1D...
- 14 hours, 33 minutes ago
  
  mojoseje likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I didn't have a stopwatch out, but it was about 12 to 15 minutes. There was a lot to go over (new devices, etc.). I probably got everything I needed, but, for some reason, I always feel rushed at this office.
- 14 hours, 46 minutes ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was so long ago, I don't remember...
- 15 hours, 38 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was over 20 minutes but since my Endo has me so well Regulated (A1c 5.4 - 5.6) even Medicare is allowing a Visit every 4 Months. Dex 6 and Tandem CIQ is my Cure!
- 15 hours, 45 minutes ago
  
  Judy Hampton likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  My A1C is normally in the 5 to 6 range also, but I am lucky to have an Endo who answers any questions I may have and discourse on new technologies. He also checks my feet and eyes. He spends up to 40 minutes with me. I have been T1D for 59 years and have been through a pregnancy (hellish) also. I still have many questions about this disease and it’s effects on the rest of my body as I am very active.
- 16 hours, 7 minutes ago
  
  Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
- 16 hours, 9 minutes ago
  
  cynthia jaworski likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
- 16 hours, 16 minutes ago
  
  Anneyun likes your comment at
  If you are an adult with T1D, how much has type 1 diabetes affected your thought-process and decision to have/not have children?
  I was diagnosed at age 12 and I don’t remember anyone talking to me about having or not having children. I married at 23, had an unplanned pregnancy that began when I was 24. I was not seeing an endocrinologist at the time (in 1979), but my OB doctor sent me to one. Both of the doctors made comments to me about maybe ending the pregnancy, but my answer was a definite NO!!! It was a hard pregnancy without the better insulin and technology that is available today. I went into labor approximately 6 weeks before my estimated due date. Since a Caesarian had been planned, no one had explained anything to me about going through labor, so that took longer and was harder on me than it should have been. Anyway I delivered a 7 pound, 11 ounce boy. He had jaundice and a slight heart murmur at first , but that cleared up after a short stay in the hospital. My son is 42 now and bloodwork has indicated he will not become a T1D. Same with his 2 children. That was my only pregnancy. I am now 67.
- 17 hours, 41 minutes ago
  
  Joan Fray likes your comment at
  During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
  It was so long ago, I don't remember...
- 1 day, 8 hours ago
  
  TS likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  jo likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  jo likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I tried to donate them to my healthcare system but was told they were not allowed to take them. I tried a couple of other places- same story so I now will have to put them in the garbage
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I'm still looking for someone to give them to.
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
- 1 day, 13 hours ago
  
  KarenM6 likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  My other was gave them to the Endocrinologist office to give to people who needed them
- 1 day, 14 hours ago
  
  Trina Blake likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 15 hours ago
  
  Amanda Barras likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
- 1 day, 15 hours ago
  
  Richard Wiener likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
- 1 day, 16 hours ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
- 1 day, 16 hours ago
  
  pru barry likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
- 1 day, 16 hours ago
  
  pru barry likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  I have given most to my doctor to give to someone in need. Some I gave to my chiropractor for his son.
- 1 day, 17 hours ago
  
  Sue Martin likes your comment at
  If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
  My unused diabetes supplies like meters, that I was given but don’t use, just sit in a drawer. I wish there was someplace to send them. Any ideas, folks?
Clear All

Do you keep a low treatment close enough to your bed that you don’t have to get up at night when treating a low?

Do you ever use alternative sweeteners instead of table sugar? If so, which do you prefer? Select all that apply!

Sarah Howard

Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

18 Comments

Sahran Holiday

Yes always. And the Omnipod remote so I can do a temporary basal.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Henry Renn

I am awakened by internal alert or CGM alarm. 65yrs T1 & have never been unconscious. I must get up to test or treat a low. Kitchen is short walk away.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
connie ker

I keep a jar of gumdrops because they have no fat content, only sugar. I also keep a bottle of water bedside to rinse my mouth or just to stay hydrated. I am usually up once at night anyway; so this can all be done with the Abbott Freestyle Libre, candy if needed, a drink of water and trip to the bathroom. Be sure you keep treatments bedside and your cgm reader if that’s your cgm.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
David Smith

I actually want to get up and walk around a little bit to make sure I’m awake enough to be thinking straight after my Dexcom alarms for trending low.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sarah Berry

I keep a roll of glucose tabs next to my bed, in the car, I my purse, next to my favorite reading chair. A roll of glucose is also in my pocket on work days. I frequently get up, but at times I wish to stay in bed, and only need the 4 carbs to the low.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Ken Raiche

Dex4 tube always on my night table or for that matter on my person never leave home without them. Admittedly ever since being on the Tandem pump and Dexcom G6 combo these two components and the basal IQ have proven extremely beneficial in all aspects of the word. 🤞 I haven’t had to resort to using any Dex4 in over 3 months I still keep them close by better safe then sorry.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Christina Trudo

Yes, glucose tabs are in my nightstand, but I usually get up for juice instead. Prefer the taste, and to be a bit awake to make sure I follow up if needed.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Patricia Dalrymple

I always test before taking anything. I am almost always correct that I need something but a couple of times I have mistaken feelings of a high for a low. I used to have a glucometer with a built in light but my insurance made me change. Don’t want to awaken my spouse. Never had incidents that have concerned me while sleeping. No CGM.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Trish Seidle

I bought a little tiny fridge that I can keep little bottles or boxes of juice cold in.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Anneyun

Yes. Juice boxes on my bedside table. They don’t need refrigeration. Years ago I knew a lady who got up in the night to treat her low blood sugar and she fell and broke her arm.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kristine Warmecke

I usually do. It’s about 80% of the time I do & 20% I don’t or I’ve run out of them and forgotten to replenish.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. Karen Brady
  
  Ditto. I have a hard time remembering to replace!
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
Ahh Life

Wow! After all these years, I answered no, since my current sleeping arrangements have no night stands nor tables near the bed. Plus, I have arthritis making the opening of anything (yes, anything!) a challenge of the most upright and dire importance. Glucose tablets nearby seem to be my best solution at this point, since most of those tubes are so old and worn that the lids barely stay on anyway. Any suggestions? ¯\_( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)_/¯

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. KarenM6
  
  Hi Ahh Life
  I don’t have personal experience, but creakyjoints.org has a number of suggestions, one of them being a:
  dycem cone gripper (Dycem 50-1651B 2″ Non-Slip Cone-Shaped Bottle Opener).
  They also recommended a rubber band. I _do_ have experience with using rubber bands to try and open jars and have never had good luck with them.
  Because I had hand surgery recently, I have a small understanding how troublesome this is… would holding the jar with your knees and then using a sort of “full body jar opening” work? (I know that’s not descriptive enough, but I don’t know how to describe the contortions I tried with only one working hand… you may not have enough functional use of either hand to make this work, though.)
  I wish you the best good luck for opening glucose tablet bottles!!! (or using juice boxes or whatever will work to keep you healthy!)
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
Nicholas Argento

juice boxes are a constant night companion. on the road, I make sure i have something, often Starburst because they are portable, or soda. I have had to go out to the soda machines in the middle of the night in the past, when that machine would not accept my bill.
Oh nooooo.
Sugar packs in coffee service also help….

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Cheryl Seibert

I have Welch’s Fruit Chews (2g/gummy) beside my bed. I just reach over and can easily get them. I also keep some in the attached bathroom just in case I’m very low and go there first to find carbs.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
KarenM6

My answer is “sometimes”… If my blood is on the edge when I go to sleep, I put the bottle of glucose tablets on my nightstand. Otherwise, it just stays in my bag

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kristen Clifford

I don’t keep anything *right* next to my bed, but my pantry is right outside my bedroom door, and it’s not that much further to the kitchen.

2 years ago Log in to Reply