Have you ever needed to pull over while driving because of a low or a high? Share how you handle your blood sugar while driving in the comments!

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- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Fortunately that hasn't been an issue for quite some time. If I need help beyond what I've learned from 67 years of previous experience, I'd contact my endo or CDE.
- 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  The resources I use in managing my glucose levels once sick is my own personal experience after living with t1d for 46 years
- 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Just did what makes sense to me- eating less carbs, watching blood glucose more often and taking corrections as needed. Also some level of activity if possible.
- 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Been type 1 since the early 80's learned self management as therapies changed. Unless hospitalized(which I never am anymore) I decide how much insulin to put in my body based on my on going experience with the 1000's of reasons I may need more or less of it. I do love my pump, insulin and CGM so I guess I have to tell the doctor what I do once a year. .. I just keep throwing info and facts he isn't up on till he gets a glazed over look on his face and writes my scripts. I find the most inconvenient part of diabetes is all the people that want to help but don't know much about everyday life with the disease. And NO I do not want to join a discussion group!
- 1 hour, 43 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Many times I have needed to adjust insulin intake amount in order to cope with illness, but only rarely needed outside help. In the early 1970’s I made some mistakes managing influenza. My BG went very high (no meter available for testing at home), and I ended up in the hospital then.
- 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
  
  Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Except for those brand new at this, we all know the drill. We know that we need to be flexible, make adjustments, and pay attention.
- 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
  
  TEH likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  only time that I have been sick was when I got COVID during Jan '22. my sugars were going crazy high and I couldn't understand why but when I tested positive for COVID, in retrospect it made sense.
Clear All

Have you ever needed to pull over while driving because of a low or a high? Share how you handle your blood sugar while driving in the comments!

If your blood sugar is dropping slowly, how low does your blood sugar typically need to go before you feel symptoms?

Sarah Howard

36 Comments

Steve Rumble

When I plan on driving for extended periods I try to keep my BS somewhat higher than normal to avoid need to address low BS issues.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Larry Martin

I have glucose tabs right in the car so just grab the needed amount based on what my CGM reading is.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Gerald Oefelein

At the first sign of hypoglycemia I pull over and check with glucose meter (I wear a CGM) and treat if necessary.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Meghan Larson

When needed, more than when I was MDI and without Dexcom, I would pull over when I felt high or low.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Tina Roberts

Yes. I’ve pulled over while driving With highs and lows. To eat a snack Or to give a correction bolus. A few times.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
connie ker

I am a senior driver without gps, so especially this year, I stay close to home. I wear the Abbott Freestyle Libre and can scan the sensor at a stoplight, inside a store, with a heavy coat on. Living alone and driving alone, this has been my safest option. I always carry candy inside my purse and car, so I am prepared for the unexpected. Better safe than sorry, so always pull over, don’t take the risk.

3

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Paul Scaglione

Yes, I check glucose before starting car, make any adjustment if needed, use my CGM freestyle2 continuously, carry candy and glucose tablets!

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
1. Jana Foley
  
  I marked other because I don’t really pull over as I keep low treatments handy in my purse and just grab one before I get that low.
  
  2 years ago Log in to Reply
AimmcG

I am highly sensitive to lows, often detecting before my CGM alarms. I have only needed to pull over twice and wait for my sugar to rise. I usually have juice and/or candy in my car.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kathy Hanavan

If I am not very symptomatic, I just grab glucose tabs which are always in my car or take a quick bolus on pump for a high.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
David Smith

The comments I’ve read pretty much track with what I do.
1. Check my Dexcom before heading out and adjust as needed.
2. I keep small box juices and cereal bars in my car if I start going low. I always have glucose tabs readily at hand.
3. If I’m with my spouse, she gets my snacks ready.
4. If I’m not responding quickly enough to the additional glucose, I pull over until the low passes.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kristine Warmecke

Yes, more than I like to admit, but being hypo unaware for many years it’s the reality. I always make sure I’m above 100 before I begin to drive; I have Juicy Juice apple boxes and Life Savers in my SUV. Hopefully I never run out again.

2

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Kimberly Starkey

I always have my cgm easily accessible while driving, so I can keep an eye on my readings. Before I drive any distance, I make sure my blood sugar is normal and not low. Otherwise, I correct it before leaving. While driving, I always check my cgm at least once an hour to avoid becoming low. Sometimes, my blood sugar drops fast, so I am fortunate to be able to feed a low coming and I pull over, correct, and wait for my blood sugar to get back in the normal range.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
ConnieT1D62

Have worn CGM for several years now and I always the check the screen before I drive. If it alarms for a low or high when I am driving I glance at the screen on my iWatch and pull over to treat as needed.

For lows I keep juice boxes, gummy spice drops, and Transcend glucose gel handily stashed in my car so I can reach them without too much fuss. Along with a supply of bottled water, I also keep peanut butter crackers and Lara bars on hand for emergency nourishment and to stabilize the rebound effect of a low BG with some complex carb & protein.

1

2 years ago Log in to Reply
lorraine zephir

instead of pulling over, I have eaten a piece of candy

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Henry Renn

I keep glucose tabs in the car at all times. Additionally I often have individual bottles of pure grape juice in the car. It acts very quickly.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Anthony Harder

Driving 60 mph surrounded by a ton of steel/plastic and having an insulin reaction is terribly dangerous. I always carry sugar cubes or hard candy in the glovebox. The worst for me is driving cross country, long time/distance, concentrating on the road and surroundings, a reaction may “sneak up” while I’m otherwise occupied.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Janis Senungetuk

Yes, long before CGMs were available if I started feeling the confusion of a low I’d pull over and eat a couple of the glucose tabs that are in both front door pockets of the car, or peanut butter sandwich crackers. Also used a rapid response glucose spray from a Canadian company. A short spray in my mouth brought me out of the low faster than the glucose tabs. Unfortunately, the spray is no longer available. Lows were always the issue, never highs.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
John Dutcher

I have a CGM, so I check it before I start driving. If low, I eat something. If high I bolus. I don’t start driving if I feel it would be risky.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
dave hedeen

always keep juice & costco snacks in car in EZ location to reach; when BG signals, 1st low, immediately snack

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Becky Hertz

Got a low from Dexcom, was close to an off ramp, pulled off, double checked my bg, I was fine. I do have glucose tablets in the car within easy reach in case I need them.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Carol Meares

This is where Dexcom gets a great big shout out. Alarm goes off before I truly go low. In the past I used to have to pull over quite a bit w/out Dex. With Dex I keep glucose tabs on hand if numbers drift down toward the danger zone. Sometimes I will chew on 1/2 tab just to keep from drifting downward. This is also where I wish there were a more efficient watch connection. I have an older watch, so there might be, but my watch is always behind in its readings. I also wish that Tandem made bigger numbers and arrow show up on their screen. It is hard to read.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Tracy Jean

I pull over for a low or wait in a parking lot to feel better before I drive.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Rose Lentzke

For highs, I check for occlusions and change the site. For lows, I eat something to bring my BG up. Lows aren’t a problem with pump & CGM.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Ken Raiche

Over the years I’ve had way, way to many of these never high just lows. Now that I’m on a pump that suspense when going low and a CGM to match these issues are now nonexistent. Then to top it off the Keto diet is even helping further with pretty consistent sugar levels throughout the day and night.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Maureen Helinski

The high was long ago and it was 450. I had been in another state and didn’t change site.
Pulled over, did that, gave and extra injection and all was well. For lows I carry glucose tablets and have stopped a while to let them kick in.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Marla Peaslee

I check my blood sugar prior to driving if my sensor is not connected. I wear the Dexcom 10. It alerts for lows/highs and rapid drops in blood sugar levels. A great asset. I am spoiled in that when we vacation or travel for any distance, my spouse drives. I’m a great co pilot in the car!!

2 years ago Log in to Reply
James Goldman

I always have my cell phone app on that shows my blood sugar while I am driving. If I have a drastically low blood sugar, I pull over into a parking lot and eat some sugar and wait until my BS rises.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
KarenM6

I carry glucose tablets with me _everywhere_.
I have pulled over many times (but, luckily, have not needed to in a long time because of my CGM) and gobbled down glucose tabs like they were the last food on earth.
I had one incidence (about 40 years ago) where my vision started to become blurry and I couldn’t see the lines on the freeway… it was also at night. Luckily for me, my Dad was with me and I said, “Dad, I need to pull over… but, I can’t tell where the lines are… or the other cars… can you guide me and then drive us home?”… and, he did!

2 years ago Log in to Reply
MARIE PEELER

My husband (who is has the T1) hasn’t had to pull over while driving but has gotten into the car to come home from someplace (often activity related) and had to wait while he ate glucose tablets and they took effect.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Barbara green

Eat lifesavers and wait until I am sure I am climbing

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sahran Holiday

Always have candy and snacks in my console. Always test before driving. Treat lows with sweets and carbs, sometimes temporary basal adjustment.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Sally Numrich

A few times I have over the years. I always have glucose tablets in the car but I would pull over, eat, wait and test before I would start driving again. But now with CGM, I have alerts set so I get the alarm before getting low, so I can head it off before the fact.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
John Henninger

One time driving home after a full day of snow skiing, I had to pull over, have a snack, and then let my wife drive. I knew it was coming on and the challenge was just finding a spot on the road which was safe.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
Cheryl Seibert

After 54 years of T1D, I’ve had to pull over a couple of times. My Dexcom G6 app on my iPhone allows me to verbally ask Siri what my glucose is. My car is fairly new, so I can push a button on the steering wheel, ask Siri for my SG, and the car’s speaker will announce the SG and the trend (up or down). I check it before I leave and monitor it throughout the driving trip. If it starts to drop more than a couple of points, I get out my Welch’s Fruit gummies (2g/gummy) that I keep accessible in my purse. I just pop 2 or 3 depending on the speed of the drop and they bring my BG up quickly. If I’m over 250 and rising, then I pull over and take a correction bolus.

2 years ago Log in to Reply
CindyGoddard

I pull over or just eat something I have with me while driving. I get alarms on my watch in time to correct before it gets out of hand.

2 years ago Log in to Reply