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Hypoglycemia Unaware

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Posted 10/28/2011 1:19 AM (GMT 0)

Hi I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 7 years. After I had a seizure 5 years ago I could no longer "feel" my low or high blood sugars. Anyone else have this?

Posted 10/28/2011 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Amiens, and welcome!  I'm not all that familiar with Type I diabetes but I'm sure there are some members who are that will chime in.  I have Type II and check my blood sugar frequently.  I carry either glucose tablets or hard candy with me and also a few pretzel nugguts for carbs just in case I have a drop in my blood sugar when I'm away from home.  This buys me some time until I can get something to eat.  I hope you are doing this, especially since you can't tell if it's starting to drop. 

 

I have no idea how a seizure could cause this problem but it is a problem.  Perhaps keep a log of what you eat and how your body responds.  This way you will have a better idea if you would have to be concerned about a drop in your BS.  I know if I eat certain foods, I'm good for "x" number of hours.

 

Sherrine   

Posted 10/28/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Oh ya! It's called hypoglycemic unawareness. Many of us (Type 1's) experience it, especially if keeping BGLs in good control.

I've had this for about the past year or so, sometimes really bad. I've tested as low as 1.5/27 and not had symptoms. I won't start my car until I've tested for just that reason.

Some will let their BGLs run higher than normal for a time before going back to tight control to get some of that awareness back.

Remember when first diagnosed how a normal of 5.5/100 felt like a hypo?

Funny how it's not all the time, though. Sometimes I'll feel the low and test at a 3.9/70. Always depends on what I've eaten and the activities I'm doing. Sometimes it's just the D throwing you for a loop and keeping you on your toes :-)
Posted 10/28/2011 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have it all the time. I can't reverse it. I actully have a service dog for that reason he is amazing he has saved my life on so many occasions
Posted 10/28/2011 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Would eating something every hour or so help with that?  That has to be so frightening!

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/28/2011 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
It's not that I get low all the time. But when I do I just can't tell so I got a diabetic alert dog who can smell my low and high blood sugars sometimes 20 minutes before they even occur. It's not near as frightening now that I have him.
Posted 10/28/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well, over the past 20 years, the symptoms have changed all the time. I used to be able to very accurately tell when my sugars are either high or low, but I can't do that anymore. At least not until I've actually hit the low and break the sudden cold sweat. Sometimes I detect that from other symptoms, like some peculiar pulsing in my field of vision. Good thing is that I've never had an insulin shock while awake and standing. However, I don't seem to be able detect highs at all. If I have very high glucose levels, I can sort of realize that from either body warmth or sweating, but usually not.
Posted 10/28/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Wow never heard of this, even after nearly 40 years of bieng a Type 1 diabetic
Posted 10/28/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Since I've gotten into the diabetic alert dog world I've met many more people with it. In a way it's nice to meet people who know what you're going through
Posted 10/29/2011 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hypo unawareness is another reason why CGMs (continuous glucose monitor), are becoming more popular, too.

The latest pump and CGM combos have the CGM capable of suspending insulin when BGL drops too low or trends down too fast. Now that's progress! Now if we can just get insurance to cover the cost.... :-)
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