Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
Nope.
The lowest I’ve EVER been documented going is 28, almost twenty years ago. I became aggressive in not wanting to accept the necessary sugar.
I’ve never been lower or lost consciousness and am grateful for Control-IQ.
Before Dexcom, I had a finger stick in the thirties. I was lying down and didn’t feel it until I got up. Since Dexcom, in the thirties once, I was half asleep and I heard the low alarms, but I didn’t register what they were for a while. Luckily and knock on wood, I have never lost consciousness.
The CGM does not completely prevent low blood glucoses. I answered “unsure.” I’m not sure how you define “loss of consiousness.” I have had several low BG’s where my wife had to help me. I don’t remember parts of the episodes. I’ve recently had a few episodes where I have not gotten my meal prepared fast enough to prevent the low. I’ve also had what I think was an infection, which caused my BG’s to go very high, then very low. In any case, I use a Tandem X2 Control IQ, with Dexcom G6. The pump and the CGM work fine. But, there are instances where extreme lows can still happen. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent.
Dx’d in 1983 and have never lost consciousness. If I go super low I do get that “flashbulb” effect thing where your eyesight goes out in the center of your vision. Scary enough. Happens maybe twice in a year.
Over 60 years, I have twice been woken up from sleep while thrashing. Was I unconscious? I am not sure. I was aware of my feelings at the time and of the messy business of being fed juice.
For the past two years I have been using CGM which significantly reduced the number of extreme lows. While lows around 40 were not eliminated, I was made aware of them in time to take remedial action!
No, Control IQ and Dexcom have helped prevent extreme lows. I did reach 43 yesterday before noticing and drinking juice, but that’s very rare now. I’m completely hypo and hyper unaware, wasn’t until vision issues became very apparent that I took time to test bg. Dexcom has been giving wonky numbers for past coupe of days, so I wasn’t paying attention to the low alarm.
Not in the last 12 months.
I’ve only lost consciousness (while first having been awake) twice, but that was a very long time ago (36 and more years).
I did have seizures during sleep five times. On the last one, my husband was not able to wake me up and so called paramedics. But, that was 25 or so years ago.
I have gone extremely low in more recent years because of being hypo unaware, but I haven’t lost consciousness. I credit that to the CGM.
I had some surgery last January and was sent to a rehab/nursing home to recoup strength. The medical personnel had absolutely no experience with a type 1 diabetic and even refused to test my glucose (I was much too weak yet to take care of my own needs) when I asked. It led to a very severe reaction and I ended up back in the hospital. I have since written letters to both that place and the next place urging them to get some training. I was able to care for my own diabetic needs at the next place thank goodness because they also had no idea how to care for me. Scary!!
I’ve come close a time or two – but was able to plant myself down and wait (impatiently) for the sugar to kick in!!! Knock on wood – I’ve never passed out in over 45 years with T1D … but pretty darn close, more than a few times.
Nope.
The lowest I’ve EVER been documented going is 28, almost twenty years ago. I became aggressive in not wanting to accept the necessary sugar.
I’ve never been lower or lost consciousness and am grateful for Control-IQ.
I have hypoglycemic awareness so can feel a low coming on. Also pay a lot of attention to my Dexcom numbers. Alarm would wake me up at night.
Ditto! Sixty years, never so low as to lose consciousness. Lowest documented was 23. Before alarms, etc……
CGM eliminated this risk
Before Dexcom, I had a finger stick in the thirties. I was lying down and didn’t feel it until I got up. Since Dexcom, in the thirties once, I was half asleep and I heard the low alarms, but I didn’t register what they were for a while. Luckily and knock on wood, I have never lost consciousness.
It’s why I have an insulin pump and sensor.
No but I was so out of it that I did not notice an iv in my arm that the paramedics inserted.
The CGM does not completely prevent low blood glucoses. I answered “unsure.” I’m not sure how you define “loss of consiousness.” I have had several low BG’s where my wife had to help me. I don’t remember parts of the episodes. I’ve recently had a few episodes where I have not gotten my meal prepared fast enough to prevent the low. I’ve also had what I think was an infection, which caused my BG’s to go very high, then very low. In any case, I use a Tandem X2 Control IQ, with Dexcom G6. The pump and the CGM work fine. But, there are instances where extreme lows can still happen. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent.
Dx’d in 1983 and have never lost consciousness. If I go super low I do get that “flashbulb” effect thing where your eyesight goes out in the center of your vision. Scary enough. Happens maybe twice in a year.
Yes, I sometimes get that when my blood sugar is reaching the 40’s, or there about.
me, too. Only starting happening in the last 5 years or so.
Over 60 years, I have twice been woken up from sleep while thrashing. Was I unconscious? I am not sure. I was aware of my feelings at the time and of the messy business of being fed juice.
For the past two years I have been using CGM which significantly reduced the number of extreme lows. While lows around 40 were not eliminated, I was made aware of them in time to take remedial action!
Where’s the never button
No, Control IQ and Dexcom have helped prevent extreme lows. I did reach 43 yesterday before noticing and drinking juice, but that’s very rare now. I’m completely hypo and hyper unaware, wasn’t until vision issues became very apparent that I took time to test bg. Dexcom has been giving wonky numbers for past coupe of days, so I wasn’t paying attention to the low alarm.
couple of days
In my 6 years, not yet! But I’m always prepared.
I have been lucky. In 33 years with T1, I have never had a hypo where I lost consciousness.
Not in the last 12 months.
I’ve only lost consciousness (while first having been awake) twice, but that was a very long time ago (36 and more years).
I did have seizures during sleep five times. On the last one, my husband was not able to wake me up and so called paramedics. But, that was 25 or so years ago.
I have gone extremely low in more recent years because of being hypo unaware, but I haven’t lost consciousness. I credit that to the CGM.
I had some surgery last January and was sent to a rehab/nursing home to recoup strength. The medical personnel had absolutely no experience with a type 1 diabetic and even refused to test my glucose (I was much too weak yet to take care of my own needs) when I asked. It led to a very severe reaction and I ended up back in the hospital. I have since written letters to both that place and the next place urging them to get some training. I was able to care for my own diabetic needs at the next place thank goodness because they also had no idea how to care for me. Scary!!
Terrifying! Glad you’ve been proactive to try to ensure you won’t face this situation again.
I’ve come close a time or two – but was able to plant myself down and wait (impatiently) for the sugar to kick in!!! Knock on wood – I’ve never passed out in over 45 years with T1D … but pretty darn close, more than a few times.
No. I have never lost consciousness in my life. Hopefully, I won’t ever experience that because of hypoglycemia!