What a Night!

Last night Brent had to work late and Claire is still going to be early trying to get completely well. So of course I sat on the couch eating a pile of pretzels watching the Biggest Looser. Now pretzels aren’t such a bad snack as far snacks go, but they are also very starchy and high in carbs. And I paid the price, big time.

9:00 Brent came in about and we watched 24 from last night.

10:00 Even though he wasn’t ready for bed , I got ready and I tested my blood glucose level before my lantus shot. It was 248. Trying to be proactive, I gave a small dose of the fast acting humalog.

12:00 Brent crawled into bed and woke me up just enough for me to realize that I felt like shit. I sat up and had Brent go get my meter – 44. Brent followed me into the kitchen and poured me a tall glass of cranberry juice.

12:20- I tested again, 37. I went back to the kitchen and ate half a banana and a small orange. At this point, Brent looks worried and says I am acting really weird, lethargic. I just knew I felt like crap, was sweating buckets and wanted to take a shower. I took a shower, sitting on the floor, trying not to melt into tears the whole time.

12:40 Tested again – 80 yeah! Starting to feel like I can sleep without passing out.

And just for an added bonus:

1:20 Claire comes in, “Mommy, can you turn on the light, I need to go potty.” I am up again, exhausted, but not feeling like death, crawl back in bed. The girl needs to learn to pee in the dark!

6:30 Tested before breakfast – 95! Totally normal, normal is so good!

I am waiting for Kerri at the diabetes education center to call me back. I need to ask her what I should have done differently. I know my first mistake was eating the mound of pretzels without adjusting my insulin before hand, but then I guess at ten, I over compensated. I am not sure if the snacks I choose were the best either. Hopefully I can prevent this in the future!

***EDITED****

Talked to Kerri and I wasn't totally off track. When I need a correction dose during the day I need 1 unit of insulin for every 25 points I am high. Last night, that is exactly what I did. I gave 6 units, since my bg level was 248. However, at night the correction ratio goes up to 1 unit for every 50 points due to other hormones your body produces at night. I gave myself 6, but only needed 3. She also recommended that at night to really stay with only one or two units unless I am over 300. Kerri is great and so positive. She really encouraged me to 1) not feel guilty about having a snack, especially a healthy one and 2) because you aren't feeling guilty, you won't mind taking the insulin you need before hand. Maybe I should become a diabetes educator?