Friday, June 3, 2011

Low and Alone

aloneYuck, low blood sugars.  They sure aren’t fun, but I have to admit, they usually don’t bother me too much.  I understand why PWDs would feel afraid of being low, but I that fear has never crept in on me.

Until last night . . .

Pete was away on an overnight work trip to Baltimore.  Yesterday afternoon it was time for a site change, and I noticed afterwards my blood sugar was stuck in the 180s and wouldn’t budge.  Even cranking my basal up to 150% for a few hours only brought it down to the high 160s.  I also started to feel an odd achiness near the new site.  So I finally decided it was time to pull it.  While the cannula didn’t come out kinked, it was at an extreme and odd angle.  I knew I had probably found my high-problem.

I want to note here that, to the best of my knowledge, I did everything right.  I did not rage bolus a correction to bring myself down.  In fact, after putting in my new site I had a pre-bed snack because I know changing my site almost always brings on a low.  Right before I went to sleep, my blood sugar was a happy 101.

Less than two hours later, my CGM low alarm woke me up.  My brain felt fuzzy and I was very sweaty.  I fumbled for my meter and tested, and a 30 flashed before me.  I grabbed the juice box on my nightstand and gulped it down.  A few minutes later, my mind began to clear - and the low fear hit me.  I started to realize just how low 30 really was.  (Yes, in my low haze that hadn’t been clear to me, but now it was.)  And knowing I was all alone for the duration of the night scared me a lot.  So I went downstairs and ate a huge spoonful of frosting.  I couldn’t have cared less about over-treating - in fact, I wanted to over-treat!!    When my high alarm rang later and showed double arrows pointing up, I was glad.  This may have been the first time I was glad to see double up arrows.  But to me, they signaled safety and confidence that I could go back to sleep.

I can now honestly say I have really felt “low fear”.  I know Pete will be back home and sleeping beside me tonight, and that will help it subside a bit.  But I’m left with an even bigger appreciation for my D-friends who live on their own.  You are brave and strong in a way I’m not.  You rock and I admire you!!
Posted by Karen at 1:47 PM
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19 comments:

  1. JaimieJune 3, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    soooo glad you are ok! (((HUGS)))

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  2. KimJune 3, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    So sorry you had to feel that. :(

    Hugs!

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  3. diabetesgirlJune 3, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I used to live alone so I know what you are talking about. That is a crappy feeling that no one should have to feel :-( hopefully you'll never have to go through it again.

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  4. EmmaJune 3, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    hope you've not had a hypo hangover too :(

    lots of hugs xx

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  5. AlyssaJune 3, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    I've never felt the "low fear", but I fear what would happen if I had a low that low when no one was around. I often have fifties and I always fear a nighttime low that low because for part of the week, I don't live at home and no one would even think to check up on me. It's a large part of why I want a CGM. It's a good thing you had one and I'm sorry about the low! I hope you don't develop low fear after this!

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  6. JessJune 3, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    ugh! i'm so sorry karen! i have low fear thanks to some low seizures as a kid. having a cgm has helped this quite a bit, but i don't think it's ever going to go away. nothing wakes you up like seeing a number that low on the meter in the middle of the night. i would have done the exact same thing, whether my husband was there or not.

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  7. Denise aka Mom of BeanJune 3, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    That stinks! Interesting that the 'lowness' of the number didn't hit you until you were coming up from it! That brain really doesn't like to work at those numbers!!
    So glad everything was OK and I hate that fear got to you. :(

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  8. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    I am glad you were able to catch and treat that low BG. I just returned from Boston where I particapted in the Joslin study for those who have had T1 for 50 years. This is why I believe that the BG meter has been the most useful aid in helping the diabetic have a healthy life. Not knowing your BG daily for over 20+ years is not pleasant.
    The attention you give to maintaing a healthy life with T1 will pay off with my 50 year medal from Joslin.
    Jack (T1-50+ years)

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  9. MeaganJune 3, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    I feel for you. Nothing scares me quite like an overnight low. Thank goodness you had a CGM, I don't have one and I worry that if I drop in the middle of the night, it might be a looong time til someone checks on me. Really glad you are okay!!!

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  10. Alexis NicoleJune 4, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    First can I hug you please?

    I can't imagine how you felt being that low and alone.I'm so gladal ended well. Ironically I just vlogged about the lows we had last night too.

    Lows suck.

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  11. kimJune 4, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    awww that really sucks 8(
    i guess i had night time low fears for years, and that was part of the reason i didn't take my levimir very often. its a scary feeling waking up and knowing there is something wrong and not knowing if you can get it fixed fast enough. glad to know you handled it and hope you're feeling better. 8)

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  12. mikeJune 4, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Glad you're feeling better!!

    I've always lived with someone (a parents, roommates, [ex]fiancée) but now I'm alone and I never even THOUGHT about what I'd do if I hit a severe low.

    I guess it'd be a good idea to stash away some glucose tabs.

    And since we're talking about lows, I posted a video blog about diabetes and low blood sugar this week. GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! :)

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  13. Heidi / D-TalesJune 4, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    What a night! So sorry you had to experience that.

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  14. UnknownJune 4, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Oh, Karen. This drops my heart right out of my chest. You did so awesome. Somehow, you were able to keep enough cool to get the juice and follow with frosting.

    Feeling thankful today that the alarm woke you.

    Much love and hugs.

    Yuck.

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  15. kathy bJune 5, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    You poor Girl. YOu can ALWAYS call me if you are alone and worried. I mean it. Email me formy number....Was KC concerned?

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  16. RickinaJune 5, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    Hey Karen, thanks for sharing and being honest with this...oh and thank you for your comment over at Cara's lil spot too :)

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  17. LaLaJune 6, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    I'm so glad the alarm woke you to catch that low low. 30 is yuck!!
    I'm sorry you experienced that low fear -- that is certainly not a good feeling.

    Damn - now I;m hungry for some icing!
    :)

    Glad you are ok!!

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  18. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Next time you are alone I volunteer to call you in the middle of the night! The low fear monster lives at my house ( my DD does evening activity, eats late, and always goes to bed on fast acting). I can't sleep until I do at least a 3 hr post and then I check thorugh the night because of the exercise. I hope when she goes on the pump I can be a little less paranoid, but I don't see the monster leaving my bed in the near future. I will give you a ring through the night if u need it.

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  19. Tracy PortnerJune 28, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    I've seen my dad go through something like this when I used to live with him. Ugh. Not good at all.

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