Saturday, May 30, 2009

Sydney Got Low Low Low low...

That was supposed to be sung in the form of the song "Low" by Flo Rida. This morning Syd dropped low. We checked it with the glucometer and she was 41 before we treated it. Sometimes she can be low and not show many symptoms. Other times, like this morning, she is very symptomatic. She is lethargic. Her eyes "see blurry." She laid on me for about 40 minutes, eyes closed, until she started feeling better. I don't know how low she actually got. I would guess maybe into the 30s by the time the juice kicked in. After you treat a low with some carbs, it takes about 10 minutes for it to actually start working. Poor kid. Most of the time she is this happy little girl, even when she is feel crappy because of a low.


~Other times she turns into this pale, lethargic, shaking, sometimes incoherent little girl because of a low. It is always a little unnerving but we do what we've been taught and all ends well. I also took the opportunity to make a little video of Syd's low. For the T1 moms who follow my blog, this site will probably look fairly familiar. I just wanted to take the time to explain a low to more folks and help spread the word about this disease. Lows can be scary. They can cause unconsciousness, coma, seizures, fainting, and, in some cases, death. (Just to name a few.) Obviously with Syd this morning she just got really lethargic, shaky, blurry vision, and tired. Lows are inevitable with Type 1 diabetics.



16 comments:

Becki said...

Awww, bless her little heart. That is rough. I am hoping for no more lows for long while, at least!

Wendy said...

YIKES!!!!!!

I hate those moments. My heart always begin to race, my stomach ties into knots, my palms get sweaty, and I can feel myself trying not to panic.

There was one time that Addy said "Mom, I'm going to live with Jesus." ... she was 3 years old and just plopped down on the carpet and fell asleep. I was never so scared in my life!!!! I wouldn't even leave the room...I stayed in there checking her every 15 minutes until she woke up 2 hours later. When she woke up, she was a little confused, but quickly came around.

Addy used to have terrible lows...passing out, hitting her head, combative, confused, biting...it was so horrible...I mean they were B-A-D. After 4 years, her ISF is still around 250:1...she's extremely sensitive to insulin.

The pump has really helped. Before the pump, it happened at least once a week -- and that was with an A1c in the 8's. In over 2 years with the pump, it's only happened 3 or 4 times...and her
A1c is holding steady in the low
7's.

God bless all of you. I'm so happy Syd is feeling better.

Amy said...

Oh bless her heart! Jada had a bad low yesterda- 31 and acted the same way for about 30 minutes! She really wanted to go to sleep, but we kept talking to her and after her sugar came up- we let her fall asleep but I worried about her the entire time. She slept for 3 hours and I checked her blood sugar 3 times- she was fine- bounced up to 230 but when she woke up she was right on target at 150. Those lows are completely un-nerving!

Stringham Family said...

Shamae you are such a good Mom! I don't know how any of you do it! Poor Syd! She is such a brave sweet little girl! Seeing her like that breaks my heart and brings me to tears! You are a great family! Hang in there! I'm glad she is doing better!

Crystal S. said...

Shamae-
I hate these days when we have lows like this. Brenner came in yesterday from playing and said "Mom I think I need some sugar." I hesitated for a minute because he knows how to play this game sometimes (ha, ha). I quickly checked his sugar and he was at 38 and by the time I got his apple juice (within 30 seconds) he was starting to go to sleep. It really scared me to death. We've already experienced one seizure and I am afraid of having that happen.

I'm so glad that Sydney's doing better.

Crystal S. said...

Shamae-
I hate these days when we have lows like this. Brenner came in yesterday from playing and said "Mom I think I need some sugar." I hesitated for a minute because he knows how to play this game sometimes (ha, ha). I quickly checked his sugar and he was at 38 and by the time I got his apple juice (within 30 seconds) he was starting to go to sleep. It really scared me to death. We've already experienced one seizure and I am afraid of having that happen.

I'm so glad that Sydney's doing better.

Andersen Family said...

What a hard thing you guys have to go through so much. I can't imagine what it's like. Thanks for sharing these moments. You've definitely opened my eyes. Sydney is such a trooper!

Rachel said...

Oh you poor guys. Unfortunately I way to familiar with that video. It could have been taking at my house. It's horrible how much a low affect their little body. Tristan also always wants to go to sleep after a bad low.

When it happens to him like it happened to Sydney, that's usually when I over correct because I want him to feel better faster. I hate diabetes!

Keep up the great work, give Sydney a big hug from our family... oh and take one for yourself! :)

Michelle said...

That has to be so unsettling every time that happens. You probably never get used to it.

The Lane Family said...

It is really sad to see Happy outgoing Sydney looking like that. I am sure it is very scary for your family as well. What a terrible disease.

The Herrigs said...

Wow...bless her heart...and yours. That is always so scary and sad to see your little girl that way. Hate hate hate lows. Glad she is feeling better.

Wortham Family said...

It brakes my heart everytime i see the pictures and read about the things she has to go throw. poor little girl. You guys are amzing. By the way i love her hair is sooo cute!!!

Mel said...

Hugs! You guys go thru so much, but how wonderful that you're taking the time to educate more ppl about it!!!

KLTTX said...

Oh my gosh Shamae, how scary for you guys. The learning curve on that disease seems very steep.

Cheryl and Scott said...

Oh poor girl. That little video had me in tears, she is a trooper though. Such a special girl.

irbuanosraL said...

That video brings new light to the whole thing. It made me cry, how scary. I am amazed at your strength, although watching your baby having a low would be frightening at any time I'm sure.