Yesterday I had an experience I won't forget. After breakfast I noticed that my ISIG was running about 5.6 but my BG levels were low for post breakfast (in the 80's). Even though my BG levels rose slightly my ISIG did not change. I decided to pull the sensor. I took a shower and inserted a new sensor, but for some reason I couldn't do it. I had the inserter backwards (I've been doing this for 4-1/2 years and never had a problem). It just wouldn't work. I tested my BG's with my meter and when I saw a 39 and was shocked because I had no other symptoms of a low other than confusion about the sensor. I'm sure I must have been that low before but I never actually tested that low. I quickly grabbed a bottle of glucose tablets and took a lot of them, but I was becoming more and more disoriented. Now I remember everything that happened and the part of my brain that knew to eat was working. There I was just out of the shower with nothing but a robe on. I had finally inserted the sensor. I had not yet reconnected my pump (thank goodness). I grabbed it and didn't know what to do with it. I decided to call 911 but here' s the weird part. I realized (don't ask me how) that I couldn't go to the hospital with nothing but my robe on. I ate more glucose tablets (so many that my throat was sore) and I actually got dressed and figured that I could then call 911. When I replay this in my mind it was like slow motion. By the time I was dressed my BG's were up to 81 (I knew where I was and I knew to test). During this time I had (after finally inserting the sensor) just pulled out a brand new sensor for no reason. I told the whole story to my neurologist with whom I had an appointment in the afternoon and he didn't seem surprised that "modesty" won out but he was surprised that I didn't call 911 first. I guess there is a brain function for modesty. By the way, the function for fashion was not working. I ended up in a terribly mismatched outfit.

I recently (after major surgery) raised my basal rates ever so slightly and I think it's now time to go back to my old rates. Of course, the first question I was asked was "Didn't your predictive alerts warn you?" They would have if I had been wearing my CGMS.

Sorry to here about your excursion into low sugar land. It's strange how our BG can get
so low without symptoms but as soon as we see that meter our body dumps a massive
amount of adrenalin and the panic sets in.

Take care and have a nice Holiday

It was really scary because at least in the mid to high 40's or low 50's I break out into a cold sweat. At least I avoided the hospital.

Thanks, John. You have a nice holiday too.

Arlene,

What a scary story. Thank goodness you didn't pass out in the shower!

I have had 2 severe lows in the past month - one I was 42 and the other 37. Both of them I was functioning enough to just start eating glucose. I never really felt disoriented, just scared because I am alone now.

When the first one happened and the glucose was in another room, I told myself to start carrying the glucose in my pocket, but I haven't really done that. I have a bottle in my bedroom and another in the kitchen, none are that far, but if I were really weak it might be hard to get to them. I have several of the 'quick fix' glucose cases that hold 4 tablets, I really should keep one in my pocket!

Maybe my husband's spirit helped me get to the glucose???


Linda B.

I keep three of them tucked into my bra. Also, I tried to look up ISIG, how do I find it (whatever it is)?

Suzan

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Linda,

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I never even thought about the possibility that I could have passed out in the shower. Last night I was 125 at bedtime but I was so nervous that I had some peanut butter and crackers.

It's amazing how the instinct to grab the glucose tablets is there even when one is so low. It's a good idea to carry glucose in your pocket. I keep a jar on my night table and another in my office. In the kitchen I can always go for the orange juice. My car is loaded with juice.

Maybe his spirit did lead you to the glucose. I'm a believer.

Do you have close neighbors that look out for you?



ISIG refers to a number on the Medtronic CGMS. When I go to the gym I keep a tube of glucose tablets in my bra.