night time lows

[Bonnie]

Any suggestions for alarms the kids can use when they get low at night and can't talk or get out of bed to get help?

[cdoyle1013]

You might not like my answer, but here goes...don't trust that the child will wake up to any alarm.  My daughter will sleep right through them.  She has had two seizures with bg's below 35 during the night...only because I wake up and check her every night do we have avert problems.  I thought as she grew older, she would be able to wake herself and help herself...that was almost a deadly mistake.  Set your alarms and wake up once or twice a night to check.  I also don't trust machines - CGM's or pumps to wake someone up.  Don't ask me what I will do when she is on her own.  I haven't figured it out yet:-)

[admin]

Great thread on FB:

Bechie--There are alarms you can put on doors that go off if they are opened (intruder or kids getting into an off limits room). There might be a way to rig one up so it is on the wall and they just pull a cord to separate the 2 pieces to make it go off. The one in the link says its 120 decibels which is really really loud. Maybe they make one that is a little quieter or make sure you get to your child within 20-30 seconds so they aren't exposed to the noise for very long.

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/wireless-door-alarm.html

Lindsey--I have the door alarm that Beckie mentioned. It is extremely loud! It also goes off immediately when the two pieces separate. I'm not sure it could be rigged for the wall though.

Kelly--I use the dexcom7 and it is not perfect compared to finger pokes but usually withen 10 points and it alarms at a number you set..but and this is big, if she drops to fast..It is easy to look at during the night w/out waking them up also..

Claire--My 2 girls also have the Dexcom 7. I agree with Kelly, it's not perfect but it's better than not having it. Also, if they beep during the night and there is a pattern of either highs or lows, I adjust their basal. I tend to wake in the night and wait for it to beep. If I don't hear it I will go and look at their monitors to see what the number is. If I see it's going low I turn off the basal for an hour. Then all is fine.

Ginger--One simple tip: ALWAYS ALWAYS keep food right next to the bed, so if they start to feel low before they really get up out of bed (which takes a while because we're tired and no one wants to get out of bed)...they can easily roll over and gr...ab a box of raisins or glucose tabs.

I keep tabs right next to my bed so that I don't have to play the battle of "Am I really low? I'm so sleepy, I don't wanna move...but am I low?"

[Bonnie]

Thanks for the suggestions...I do get up and check them every night but I guess I wanted something they could get their hands on, and get me and feel in control of their situation.

I went to Radio Shack and bought personal alarms.  They were only $3.00 and I hung them on their bedposts.  You just pull a little ring and the alarm goes off.  I thought it would be good if they got sick in the night too.

Thanks for all the suggestions it's nice to know we aren't the only ones with this permanent situation   Bonnie