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Do you check your blood glucose before driving a car?
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Having a CGM for the last ten years, its pretty easy to know what your BG is before driving. Before I had a CGM, I would finger stick before driving.
Generally I look at my cgm before getting in the car to drive. I don’t check my BG by testing unless I am using a meter when I don’t have access to cgm sensor readings … which is rarely.
Always check my CGM. And before that, a fingerstick. I used to get scolded by a rude Endo about the number of test strips I wanted. So I asked him: “Back when you were going through residency rounds and were assigned to the E.D. did you have the opportunity to be on scene with first responders at traffic accidents?” His response was no, and he seemed offended that I would even ask that question. I told him that I have been on scene too many times to recall. I insist on NOT being the driver that causes an accident. He “harrumphed” and wrote the script.
Why would any endocrinologist skimp on test strips, insulin, or anything else that is life saving? That’s suicidal. This diabetic stuff isn’t $20,000 a pill cancer drugs for heaven’s sake.🤕🤕
This reply is to AahLife. Maybe it’s cuz the Endo practice I hae to use is part of an HMO/Insurance plan company. Makes me wonder just who the doctors work for.
I’m glad you fought, Kristina!
I am hoping the bigger reason for skimping on the test strips is that insurance (especially HMO, but also PPO) likes to limit people with diabetes to 4 strips per day. My doctor had to fight to get an exception to that rule.
If the doctor didn’t think you needed that many test strips (or thought you were being paranoid by testing so much), that is a bigger and more difficult reason to fight for. My bet/hope is he just didn’t want to ask for an exception to the ridiculous insurance rule!!
But, for Ahh Life, I think the same question but applied to insurance companies is important. Now that rules are really relaxed for insurance companies, we may have to start fighting harder for the things we need to keep us alive!!!
Both of your responses are SO IMPORTANT! Thank you!
Have a CGM which I can see on my watch. Always glance at it before driving. But I am pretty much always aware of where BS is trending
In year past I checked BLOOD glucose [ash tray full of check strips] but rarely now. However these days, I always check my BODY glucose before driving and again at each pause along the way by a simple glance at my watch.
Recall that current day CGM should NOT be interacting with any blood.
I use a pump so I always “check” that before getting behind the wheel.
I said always because I look at my CGM reading on my phone a million times a day. When I had to use finger sticks and a meter, i rarely checked specifically before driving
I use a CGM, so yes. The question need’s to be changed to “Do you check your blood glucose level with a BG meter or CGM reading before driving?”
I said always but that’s by glancing at my CGM reading.
Even before CGM I would check if going more than to the store.
I answered, “Sometimes/Usually “. I would like to say “always” because I do refer to my CGM frequently. But, you know what our teachers used to tell us about “always” answers. How about almost always 🙂
I always look at my CGM. I don’t actually do a blood glucose check.
Depends on the length of the trip. I do not generally check if I’m just running to the store, but I always check if I’m going to be driving for an extended period.
I said always, which means I check my CGM VALUE and act accordingly.
I sometimes do but I think I would check more often if I didn’t have a CGM. It reminds me if I am getting lower than I would like. I set my alarm to beep at 85 so I can ingest a carb to bring my sugar up before going below 70. There are always carbs in my car with me.
I assumed the question meant either with a CGM or blood test meter
Oh, how funny, I just answered the June 1 2024 question with a similar answer.
I have hypoglycemia unawareness and, as such, my state requires me to know my blood sugar before getting in a car.
I had to call my boss just this Thursday to let her know I couldn’t take a check to the bank until my blood sugars went up. It was getting toward the end of the banking day and she really wanted the check posted. She also asked me why I couldn’t drive a car and, unfortunately, as my BS was low, my response was not super cohesive. (So, more teaching to do on that.)
But, yes, checking blood sugars is very important for me on this issue!!!
I use cgm, Dexcom G7