Low blood sugar......or something else?

My son is 21 and was diagnosed a Type 1 diabetic when he was 15. During this time he has had two experiences with severe low blood sugar - neither requiring hospital visits. However, this past Sunday (6:10 am) he had a seizure. He was convulsing, teeth clenched tight with labored breathing. We put gel on the inside of his cheek. about 5 minutes later I tested his blood sugar and it was 86. I wish I had thought to test it prior - because now the doctor's aren't sure if it was low blood sugar related, or something else. The emergency room doctor believes it may have been something other than his blood sugar seeing that it was 86 when we tested him. How fast does the gel get into one's system? Could it have been very low and gone up to 86 within 5 or 6 minutes when I tested him?

At the hospital he had a ct scan, blood and urine lab work done. All came back normal. We followed up with his primary care physician, who ordered an EEG and made him an appt with a neurologist. He had the EEG done, and the results came back as normal.

The emergency room doctor told him not to drive until follow up was done. He can't get into the neurologist for a couple of weeks - and has college and work to get to. I certainly want my son to be safe, but, I also am wondering if it is blood sugar related and seeing a neurologist is taking a wrong path when he should be in contact with his endrocrinologist.

Has anyone had anything like this happen to them? I would love to hear any feedback.

Seizures are tricky things to figure out. My son in law had one, a grand mal, while in basic training and was medically discharged from the army. Never had one before or since and it's been over 10 years. I wish I had some answers for you. Not driving is a problem but there is always the bus... (sigh!) Hope this all ends well.

It was low blood sugar.  I myself am Type 1 and have been so for 28 years. 

I have a sluggish intestinal system which sometimes leads to extremely low blood sugar and the occasional severe insulin reaction.  I too have had the symptoms your brother displayed.  Testing in the 80's 5 minutes after the gel application tells me it was no doubt much lower prior to giving him the gel.  Also keep in mind that low blood sugar is usually in the 70 range and lower, so he was not too much higher than that when he tested in the 86 range.

The doctors may tell you they're not so sure it was low blood sugar simply to get your son in for another check up, which brings in more money that he probably doesn't need to be spending.  The bottom line is that he experienced a pretty severe insulin reaction, regardless of what his doctor might say. 

Best of luck with your son.  In the meantime, you might want to look at finding another doctor for your son's primary care.  All that lab work and testing that resulted in negative results ended up costing your insurance company money and made your present doctor a little bit richer.  Nothing wrong with testing if there's truly a need for it, but the bottom line is that your son experienced an insulin reaction which was exploited by your doctor to bring him in for needless testing and some added income. 

I've had similar experiences with a couple physicians, and finally found a real good one.  He's not perfect, and has his faults, but he is a major step up from the last two. 

Post Edited (Carcajou) : 5/17/2008 9:05:04 PM (GMT-6)

Carcajou.....I am interested in what you said about a sluggish intestinal system.  In another thread about diabetic seizures, I was writing about my son with spina bifida.  Although not diagnosed with hypoglycemia, amount of time between eating seems to coincide with some of his seizures.  Because he has Spina Bifida, he does have a very "sluggish" intestinal system.  Does this affect blood sugar levels?  Thanks.