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Anybody have low sugar with all this?

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Posted 4/12/2011 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Mike has been having "spells" with ice cold wet sweats.  Mid to late morning.

His daughter suggested we get a glucose monitor and take some readings before and after meals and first think in the morning and see what's what. The meters are not expensive, and we won't need supplies for the long haul unless that becomes a regular part of the regime.

Yesterday he was 77 before dinner, 144 an hour after.

So today, his fasting level was 77 before breakfast.  Then 104 after breakfast.  Dropped to 56 before lunch, though he had a mid morning snack.  133 after lunch.

Should I worry about this too?

Does the lactulose or xifaxan cause any of this.

He takes 30 mg 3x a day of lactulose and 550 1x a day of the xifaxan.

Thanks.  Carol 

 

Posted 4/12/2011 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
He should be checked for diabetes... and continue to monitor his glucose readings ... bring in to a doctor to evaluate... hypoglycemia can be a precursor to diabetes... Mike had diabetes... insulin dependent... until changed his diet... lost some weight... he had never had any issues with blood sugar... prior... but with the weight gain...and his love for sweets... .. however with diet... similiar to what has been proposed here... he was able to get off all insulin... Sandi a doctor should definitely be guiding you about this... diabetes is very serious...Sandi
Posted 4/12/2011 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto what Sandi said. David developed diabetes after transplant. I believe it was caused by the post-transplant drugs.

Keep a record for the doctor and show it to him at the next visit. If you are meeting with a hepatologist after the testing in Miami later this week, take the record along and present it to that physician to get his thoughts.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 4/12/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Ron was diabetic pre-transplant - the sicker he became - the more trouble we had with extreme  blood sugar levels - low (32) - then a couple of weeks later - high (over 400) - both times he went to the hospital.  I believe the low blood sugar was caused by his lack of appetite - I had a very difficult time getting him to eat - tried to get him to eat more often - he needed protein - but due to his liver condition - restriction of salt and protein - seemed impossible to manage his blood sugar. 

Post-transplant his appetite is better - he's eating 6 small meals throughout the day - and his diabetes doctor has changed his insulin levels.

Ron has become 'religious' when it comes to taking his vitals......blood sugar levels 4 times a day - BP, temp, weight, pulse, temperature - twice a day (when taking his medications).

Please speak to his doctor about what's going on.

Posted 4/12/2011 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Use a glucose monitor.... take regularly.... as you have indicated... take that with to the doctor... but it would be best that it is the hepatologist... who understands the ramifications for people with liver disease... Mike used Ensure... as a nutritional supplement... and this helped to ward off low blood sugars... yes it is a roller coaster between highs and lows... this is one of the reasons that finding the diet that will work for you is highly important... there is plenty of information regarding this throughout the threads... but diagnosis...lies with the doctor... the fight with this disease is on the front line... one has to be vigilant across many medical areas... symptoms etc... but record the medical information ... ask questions here but always have the doctor doing the diagnosing... then be selfaware what the differences are for you or your loved one.... of course some individuals have differences ... just be vigilant... well enough for now... Sandi
Posted 4/12/2011 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
You need to be monitoring his glucose levels twice a day. Keep a record for the doctor. First thing in the morning you need to have a fasting count and then prior to dinner in the evening. Anytime his level is below 70, it's time to worry. Levels that low can put him into a coma, or worse. Looking at what you have posted, I see that his levels don't go up much, even when it's shortly after dinner. This is important, as the problems from hypoglycemia or diabetes are often harbingers of worse things to come. My diabetes (as Connie noted) was induced from an anti rejection med. Within a couple of years a quarter of those people are no longer diabetic.
Posted 4/13/2011 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. Sounds like Mike is following a well paved trail!

The transplant coordinator said about the same thing....track for a bit and they'll review numbers.

If it continues to be as low as today, well, we have to go in. As we will be on campus this week, we'll take our readings and go with the flow til Thursday and Friday.

Mike is sort of discouraged to have another stumbling block. but he has had trouble with his pancreas for years...not producing digestive enzymes since his Interferon treatment. He has chronic pancreatitis and malabsorbtion. He takes enzymes before each meal OR ELSE!

Carol

Post Edited (MamaLama) : 4/12/2011 7:32:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/14/2011 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Carol-
I guess you and Mike are on your way to Miami? I hope that Mike's doctors can make sense and offer guidance on the blood sugar issues. And that Mike isn't getting too discouraged with having one more thing to deal with. I always keep you both in positive thoughts and prayers. I hope that everything goes well in Miami.
Emma
Posted 4/14/2011 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Mike had another "spell" today before lunch. Glucose reading 52. Sent e to trans Coord

He needs to bs evaluated. So he'll have MRI tomorrow then get this new thing checked out.

Thx Emma & all for encouragement.

Post Edited (MamaLama) : 4/13/2011 9:04:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/14/2011 3:40 AM (GMT 0)

ML, we'll be thinking of you and Mike and wishing you the best in dealing with this new wrinkle.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 4/14/2011 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
@ connie Your second day of tests is tomorrow I think. Sending best your way. Carol
Posted 4/14/2011 6:28 AM (GMT 0)

Carol, not until Fri.  I'm getting a chance to rest up first.  Good luck to you guys in Miami!

Hugs,

Connie

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