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What is the symptom you most often notice first when you're starting to experience hypoglycemia? (This is part 2 of a 3-day understanding hypoglycemia series – check back tomorrow for day 3!)
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I have some hypoglycemic unawareness so don’t always have any symptoms and if I do it’s more of a “hmmm…I feel weird” but nothing specific
I experience more than one symptom at a time.
I have had “diabetes unawareness” for many years in my 75 years with Type One.
Amazing! 75 years! Do you know anyone who’s had it longer than you? My puny 60 years is nothing in comparison! congratulations and stay well .
My wife is the best monitor that I have.
Further to the response I offered yesterday, the first symptom that I USUALLY experience is when I’m ‘coming round’ after being given a Glucagen injection. I can usually feel where I’ve been injected.
Feeling the “low”
Hard to explain
By the time I feel the clamminess, I’m pretty low-low 50s. Until then I don’t have any symptoms. I had good symptoms (shakiness, irritability) for the first 15 years, now, Nada. My pump /CGM alarm is my first alert.
I’m very slow to notice hypos and before CGM would quite often almost pass out, eg watching TV. My wife would get me going. I’ve been T1D since 1965 so am insensitive to symptoms
I put confusion but it’s more of an uneasiness like somethings wrong but I’m not able to put my finger on it. Usually it happens 10 minutes before my Dexcom reflects it. Finger stick is usually close to CGM so it doesn’t show there either. If I don’t pay attention to the uneasy then it transitions into inability to maintain focus.
Sometimes it’s fatigue and weakness, Sometimes lightheadedness. Occasionally, when it’s a fast drop in BG, I get no warning. But, most of the time, I catch it by recognizing the symptoms. On a similar note, I went for a very long period, maybe 20-30 years without early symptoms. Then for no apparent reason, several years ago, I started getting warning as noted above. I think that for many years I was so busy at work and home, that I did not focus on my warning signs. Now that I am retired, I seem to pick up the warning signs, most of the time.
Other symptom not listed above. As I noted in yesterday’s QoD answer I get a “sinking feeling” that is hard to precisely describe. I supposed it can include bits & pieces of many of the signs and symptoms listed above. However, the first symptom I tend to notice is a sinking sensation – as if my inner awareness is descending down an elevator shaft. I have hypoglycemia unawareness so the BG may be at 72 or 64 or 50 before I actually manifest any of the more overt physical symptoms.
I am forever grateful and thank goodness for Dexcom!!! It has been a saving grace for several years!
I hate to over-exaggerate what you so carefully say, but I too experience the walls caving in. Sort of like that old Edgar Alan Poe movie where the walls move in. Only, as the walls get closer, they’re more like the marshmallow man softly enveloping me as I sink in. ( ͡> ⍨ ͡<)
I get this feeling too. Thanks for explaining it.
Yes, me too. This description stood out to me yesterday too. Good description of an imprecise symptom that it seems a number of us can relate to. Thanks for articulating it! 👍
Sweet Charlie says Me also…
Almost all of those symptoms on the list I have experienced. But, like many others, after having T1D for over 40 years the lows have become less noticable. But after I recover, I usually just need a nap.
Hunger and/or sleepiness. Those are my top 2.
Most common first symptom I used to notice was numbness and tingling around and in my mouth, but for the past decade, I only very rarely notice any symptoms and feel nearly identical whether my BG is in the 40s, 140s, or 300s.
I stopped having consistent symptoms years ago and was very glad to get a DGM. It has saved me many times when I can’t feel what is going on with my blood sugar levels. I love my DexCom.
I just feel “off”, not how I usually feel. None of those symptoms. Just not right.
That is probably how I feel, which I described as “uncomfortable”.
Sometimes I feel a “sensation” come over my body; sometimes I suddenly feel “nervous”. Sometimes I start to feel sweaty, which means it went too far at that point and will be under 60.
I SAID COORDINATION OR CLUMSINESS BUT THIS CAN CHANGE EACH TIME. SOME TIMES I WON’T HAVE SYMPTOMS BUT MY DEXCOM WILL START BEEPING UNCONTROLLABLY AND I FIND THAT I’M DOWN TO 50 OR LOWER OR MY HUSBAND WILL BE MORE AWARE I NEED HELP
Not sure why there not listed, but before any of these listed symptoms appear there are a few warning sings I mwartch out for. #1 is dexterity, I.e., fumble fingers, #2 I memory recall becomes obstructed. Both of these symptoms are talked o out when talking to others and subside quite rapidly as bg rises. These symptoms start before any of the hypo symptom listed as choices.
Light flashes but this is only if my sugar is dropping fast and below 45.
I usually don’t have symptoms, but I’ve noticed a feeling of “ease” or lessening of bg if that makes sense to anyone? when having a reaction. Only a T1D can possibly understand what I’m saying!
My symptoms change quite frequently. It’s not a consistent one symptom or another.
It varies on the nature of low & rate of drop. I put fatigue/weakness because I think this (or a “sinking feeling” as someone aptly described it yesterday), is the symptom I most commonly detect. Often don’t notice until this point. However, sometimes it’s rapid heart rate. Sometimes hunger and irritability. Sometimes all of the above, others none at all.
confusion
I feel uncomfortable. Not shaky, but uncomfortable. I want to get rid of the feeling a.s.a.p.
First, I get that strange numb/tingling/slight pressure feeling below my eyes.
I checked numerous symptoms but they aren’t all present every time. I don’t know what causes them to be different although some are obviously (to me) a result of more severe lows. The very subtle symptoms I get early on in the drop in BG is a major blessing to still have after almost 50 years of T1D and it’s very difficult to describe. But if I have to categorize it, it’s a mix of very subtle shakiness deep in my upper body.