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DIFFRENT REACTIONS TO LOW BLOOD SUGAR?

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Posted 2/13/2006 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
This last weekend while camping in the middle of the night one of the children camping was screaming for help because his dad(a type one diabetic about 46 yrs old)was loudly moaning,passing out for about 15 seconds at a time,confused and unable to communicate. I went in their tent and checked his sugars, he had a 33 mg/dl. I gave him some glucose tablets (I too am a type 1) and after a short while he was fine.

What I don't get is when my levels drop to their 30's I feel a little light headed and slightly nausish.Thats it. No other symptoms. This guy looked like he was hit by a train. He was way out of it. How come we have such diffrent reactions to low blood sugar? Is age a factor?(I'm 32,he is in his late 40's)

Posted 2/13/2006 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
Other then we are all different in some ways. My first thought is he doesn't get lows very often and his body reacted stronger then others.
I have had one time that I passed out for a few seconds when I had a real bad crash. I didnt even know what was going on around me till I realized my coworkers were feeding me sugar cubes. Most times I feel it coming and grab the glucose tabs or juice.
Posted 2/13/2006 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou for your response, Pincushion. That would make sense since I have a low like that ever other day. I guess my body would have to be used to it by now. I hope I'm not rude for asking, but are all the ailments listed at the bottom of your post caused by your being diabetic?
Posted 2/13/2006 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Pin Cushion!
Love your 'new colorful metaphor'!

Steve,
I get the really bad reactions when my sugar is around 65. I think our bodies become acclimated to a certain sugar level and the panic buttons go off when we get lower than our usual average.

As far as Pin Cushion's other health issues, the Crohns is probably the cause of the colostomy and the arthritis since those are often side issues with Crohns. The rest of his stuff is because he is just plain lucky, I guess. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, AL)
Posted 2/13/2006 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

As I understand things, epinephrine is the hormone that produces the syptoms we associate with low blood sugar - tremours, pallor etc etc.

In my experience, we become less sensitive to the effects of this hormone if we habitually run low or have very tight control of our blood sugars. It sounds as if you probably have very tight control of your sugars?

I have kept my sugars in the range of 30 to 90 for years now which means I have no complications on one hand but no warning of hypos on the other! I've just changed from humulin to lantus to see whether that helps with the epinephrine sensitivity..... We'll see.

I'm very jealous of anyone who feels a hypo coming in the 60's. If only...

fergusc

Posted 2/13/2006 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I generally stay around 125-160 average, but ocasionally drop as low as 31 and as high as 280, but it is rare for my numbers to stay high for long.

It's funny how normal a disease (like diabetes) can feel after you've had it for awhile.I have a brother-in-law diagnosed with angio-something-or-other.....4 tumors in his brain. He has had one removed, but they keep coming back.The doctors have pretty much numbered his days. I have always worried about my life span now that I am diabetic,(been for 7 years)but after seeing what Chris has been going through,knowing that he is probably going to die soon,I am thankful for every day I'm alive.

I consider myself lucky to ONLY have diabetes and not something worse.


Posted 2/15/2006 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Man, Steve, you sure give us all something to think about.
Posted 2/16/2006 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hope I haven't brought anybody down.
Posted 2/16/2006 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My first post, so far I've been enjoying a voyeuristic presence.  Feel like I already know some of you *grin* it's like that creepy feeling you get from watching reality shows. 

Just wanted to add something on the thought of being glad it's not something worse. When I start to feel sorry for myself I'll go someplace really public and just look at everyone.  Inevitably I'll see someone who is in a wheelchair, someone missing a leg or someone with some sort of skin condition and these aren't even things that are fatal. 

I make a point of throwing my hat in the ring and not hiding when I have to do my needles cause I'm sure someone will look at me and feel sorry for me and grateful to not have to take needles. Almost everyone has some kind of burden to bear and those who don't are afraid that something will happen.  God bless our silly hearts.  Pleasure to meet you all.

Gracie.

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