“Insulin Reaction?”

I need more information. Is the stiffening when the blood sugar is low? Or is it all over all the time? If the latter is true, she could have another disease. Lantus Insulin is bad about producing hypoglycemia, particularly at night, and a child could have a seizure or "stiffen." She needs to wear a continuous Glucose monitor until you can determine if it correlates with the blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes indicates that the body is making insulin, but the insulin produced is not sufficient in overcoming resistance to its action. This requires using pills and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels. Monitoring blood glucose with fingerstick testing is important in order to understand how to control diabetes with medications, diet and exercise and to avoid low blood glucose reactions. Confusion, weakness, stiffness and even seizures and unconsciousness can result from a low blood glucose experience. In order to be sure that a low blood glucose has caused the stiffness we should check the blood glucose during the episode and we would expect rapid recovery with juice or a glucose snack.

Dear Patient,

Proper evaluation would include blood sugar at time of event as well as body minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Hypoglycemia can cause palpitations, tremors, lightheadedness, hunger, and sweats. I don't recall stiffness, but anxiety is common and may be involved. Also, would like to know type of insulin being used and the time after injection and length of time stiffness lasts.

Respectfully,

Marvin A. Leder, MD, FACP, FACE