Hypoglycemia...tips?

[megs1313]

My son has struggled with hypoglycemia since he was a toddler, but recently it has become very serious. Exercising is his #1 trigger and he can drop pretty quickly. We are in the process of trying to find a diagnosis and a treatment path, but I don't know how far we will get with that before our trip in April. I know we will need to take frequent breaks and have lots of snacks. We will also leave the parks every day for a rest. What I'm wondering is:

-if you have hypoglycemia are there certain situations that were problematic for you at the parks? I want to know if there's anything to be aware of.

-should i bring a stroller so that he can conserve his energy at times? he'll be 9, so it feels slightly ridiculous, but maybe it's a good idea?

-do you think it would be good to request to let him wait in lines seated instead of standing and walking through the queues? I'm not sure if that's something that can even be done?

TIA!

 

[aaarcher86]

I'd definitely bring the stroller. Disney is a lot of walking, and the heat doesn't help.

You can get a stroller as a wheelchair tag and that'll allow you to take the stroller through lines.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

A couple things I do:
Bring glucose tabs
Stay hydrated
Eat and snack on a regular schedule - this is key as it is easy to want to miss meals or miss signs when you are excited

 

[megs1313]

I'd definitely bring the stroller. Disney is a lot of walking, and the heat doesn't help.

You can get a stroller as a wheelchair tag and that'll allow you to take the stroller through lines.

Is there a post somewhere that explains this? That sounds like a great idea!

 

[lanejudy]

Is there a post somewhere that explains this? That sounds like a great idea!

There's not much to explain...basically, with the stroller-as-wheelchair tag WDW will allow you to bring the stroller through lines just like a wheelchair would. You explain at Guest Relations why it's needed. Without the tag, strollers must be parked in the designated stroller parking areas.

At 9 years old, he may (or may not) resist using a stroller. Honestly, I wouldn't press him but allow him to decide for himself where his stamina is. He could end up resenting the vacation if forced into a stroller if he considers that "babyish." Another option is a wheelchair, and there are offsite vendors who rent smaller-sized manual wheelchairs. If he plays sports, he probably has a good idea of how he feels and when his time is up.

Most lines are under cover or air-conditioned anyway. There is no way to "sit" in line unless you bring a mobility device (such as a wheelchair or stroller).

My advice is to bring good snacks with you and eat snacks or mini-meals frequently. He plays sports, but WDW is much more exhaustive than an hour on the soccer field. Take your time and spread things out. Take breaks. Alternate rides and shows so you have some break time that he won't consider as sitting-and-doing-nothing.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[megs1313]

If he plays sports, he probably has a good idea of how he feels and when his time is up.
He plays sports, but WDW is much more exhaustive than an hour on the soccer field.

He actually doesn't play sports. He had to give that up two years ago because of his hypoglycemia. This will be his 3rd WDW trip, but we brought strollers the other times as he was 3 and 5, so it seemed reasonable. I suspect he will have to have some kind of mobility help. I don't see him having the stamina to even go from the gate to the safari in AK, you know? that's just too far for him. I don't know how he's gonna take it.

On the wheelchair tag, will it make a difference that I'll be using it for my two year old as well? So it will be a double if we go that way. Will that be a problem? TIA!

 

[lanejudy]

He actually doesn't play sports.

Sorry, my mistake. I must have read "exercise" as sports.

A double stroller is fine. If you think the family may need to split up, you might consider 2 strollers instead, but to answer the question yes you can get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag for a double.

As to how he'll take it... I suggest talking to him about it. At 9 I would think he's old enough to recognize the situation and participate in discussion about how to cope with it. My DD does really good with that as long as we present the situation and the options (maybe a little extra mention of my preferred option); then in a day or two she'll come to me and tell me what she'd like to do. Let him mull some possible scenarios and options you consider acceptable. Let him be part of that planning process so he "owns" the decision as well. He might be just fine jumping in the stroller, some kids are, some wouldn't be caught dead in one at that age.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[megs1313]

Sorry, my mistake. I must have read "exercise" as sports.


Enjoy your vacation!

Quite right, I should have said "exertion." Thank you!

 

[lanejudy]

Nah, your words were fine. I simply read it wrong.

 

[Morningsun70]

A tip I read recently to help prevent hypoglycemia (lows) in diabetics at Disney is to carry and hydrate with a NON-diet sports drink like powerade or Gatorade throughout the day in addition to water. Small sips regularly may help keep blood sugars level.

 

[Baklava]

At 9 I would look into a pediatric wheelchair rather than a stroller. This is probably hard on him and a wheelchair is less potentially bruising to the ego.

 

[SueM in MN]

He actually doesn't play sports. He had to give that up two years ago because of his hypoglycemia. This will be his 3rd WDW trip, but we brought strollers the other times as he was 3 and 5, so it seemed reasonable. I suspect he will have to have some kind of mobility help. I don't see him having the stamina to even go from the gate to the safari in AK, you know? that's just too far for him. I don't know how he's gonna take it.

On the wheelchair tag, will it make a difference that I'll be using it for my two year old as well? So it will be a double if we go that way. Will that be a problem? TIA!

A double stroller can be used with a stroller as wheelchair tag, but most double strollers are not going to be able yo carry both a 2 year old and a 9 year old.
An average 9 year old is about 70 pounds and 52 inches. The double strollers I am aware of mostly have a total allowed weight of 100 pounds, but no more than 50 pounds per side. The height is generally less then 48 inches.
The City Min GT has the heighest weight per side that I am aware of - it is 65 pounds per child and height no more than 49 inches.
Even if your children fit the height and weight for the stroller, having 2 children of greatly varying sizes makes the stroller hard to push.

A tip I read recently to help prevent hypoglycemia (lows) in diabetics at Disney is to carry and hydrate with a NON-diet sports drink like powerade or Gatorade throughout the day in addition to water. Small sips regularly may help keep blood sugars level.

I would recommend a person who is diabetic or hypoglycemic discuss use of those products with their doctor before trying it and test frequently. Depending on which you choose, some are high in carbs, others are lower. Some have quicker absorbing carbs then others and, if you are worried about hypoglycemia, other products may be better choices.
This is the 'thirst quencher' product from Gatorade.
http://www.gatorade.com/products/g-series/thirst-quencher

 

[buffettgirl]

A tip I read recently to help prevent hypoglycemia (lows) in diabetics at Disney is to carry and hydrate with a NON-diet sports drink like powerade or Gatorade throughout the day in addition to water. Small sips regularly may help keep blood sugars level.

I would recommend a person who is diabetic or hypoglycemic discuss use of those products with their doctor before trying it and test frequently. Depending on which you choose, some are high in carbs, others are lower. Some have quicker absorbing carbs then others and, if you are worried about hypoglycemia, other products may be better choices.
This is the 'thirst quencher' product from Gatorade.
http://www.gatorade.com/products/g-series/thirst-quencher

actually, it's pretty standard advice that most parents are given for type 1s. Small sips of any 'full sugar' gatorade throughout the day (or during activity) helps keep blood sugar levels pretty stable and ward off hypoglycemia.

However, it's not a long lasting fix and may not work the same in a child with only hypoglycemia.

 

[SueM in MN]

actually, it's pretty standard advice that most parents are given for type 1s. Small sips of any 'full sugar' gatorade throughout the day (or during activity) helps keep blood sugar levels pretty stable and ward off hypoglycemia.

However, it's not a long lasting fix and may not work the same in a child with only hypoglycemia.

i was thinking about the 'not long lasting fix'and also getting guidance on which product to use.
The Gatorade ones vary between 7 and 24 gm of carbs per serving.
Powerade is between 21-22, but also has some with zero carbs.

 

[Ali]

My son was diagnosed with hypoglycemia when he was 5. He had to eat every 90 minutes from the time he was born, but we didn't know why until then. So now at 14 he can go 3 hours without eating but has to bring food with him everywhere just in case. he plays sports and his coaches know he needs food during the games/matches. His teachers knew he needed food. His principal in elementary school once watched him crash so she started believing it was real. So, at Disney we do the same thing, always have his lunchbox cooler and let him lead the way.

 

[megs1313]

A double stroller can be used with a stroller as wheelchair tag, but most double strollers are not going to be able yo carry both a 2 year old and a 9 year old.
An average 9 year old is about 70 pounds and 52 inches. The double strollers I am aware of mostly have a total allowed weight of 100 pounds, but no more than 50 pounds per side. The height is generally less then 48 inches.
The City Min GT has the heighest weight per side that I am aware of - it is 65 pounds per child and height no more than 49 inches.
Even if your children fit the height and weight for the stroller, having 2 children of greatly varying sizes makes the stroller hard to push.

Yeah, my nearly nine year old is 48lbs. Part of the problem.

We actually ended up in the hospital with him this week and finally have a diagnosis, so I'll hopefully be able to be totally prepared come trip time. I think we're gonna have to do a wheelchair for him in addition to the stroller for the little one. I have no idea how he will take it. The diagnosis is new, so any tips on helping a kid understand a new health limit would be great as well!

 

[DisneyOma]

Yeah, my nearly nine year old is 48lbs. Part of the problem.

We actually ended up in the hospital with him this week and finally have a diagnosis, so I'll hopefully be able to be totally prepared come trip time. I think we're gonna have to do a wheelchair for him in addition to the stroller for the little one. I have no idea how he will take it. The diagnosis is new, so any tips on helping a kid understand a new health limit would be great as well!

While the 'diagnosis' is new, the conditions you have all been dealing with are not. I'd say 'hey, you know how this, this, and this have been happening? It's called this, and now we have more ideas on how to manage the situation." and leave it at that. He's still the same kid, don't get stuck on the new diagnosis, IMO.

 

[gap2368]

I think you have been given some really good tips one thing that I did want to tell you is that instead of going all the way back to the hotel you can go to first aid ( you may need to go back to the hotel for the little one) but maybe 2 30 minute trips to first aid so he can rest would be good for him ( it can take a full hour to get to the room and back and that is with out a rest)

also make sure you are eating complex carb not just simple carbs and have meals stay hydrated

and have a great trip

 

[buffettgirl]

While the 'diagnosis' is new, the conditions you have all been dealing with are not. I'd say 'hey, you know how this, this, and this have been happening? It's called this, and now we have more ideas on how to manage the situation." and leave it at that. He's still the same kid, don't get stuck on the new diagnosis, IMO.

That's pretty much what we did with our 10 year old. We have a much more complex diagnosis, but we were able to just say, "you've had this, and this, and this, and now we know that all together they have a name." At age 10, I was very worried about him thinking he had limitations even though there were (and are) things that have to be modified for him. At that age, he really didn't understand that any of it was a big deal, and I really wanted to keep it that way for him. I remember thinking about trying to get a GAC for him, yet, I didn't want him to feel like he was sick in some way. It was such a struggle for me, to try to keep things normal, keep him from realizing how serious his syndrome actually was.

In the end, we've simply found it was best to just talk about the physical symptoms, and ways to address those, and as he's gotten older, he's realized on his own some of the more complex aspects about his disease and as he gets older, it's easier to have those discussions.

So keep it simple for now.