Type 1 First hypo related seizure

[ConorD29]

Hi all, I’ve had my 1st hypo related seizure last night. Very scary for both my partner and I .
What happened was I had a drink because I had today off work and with the great weather.

I got up for work at 5:30 am got home from work at 5:45pm had my dinner then spent 2 hours 30 mins gardening in the sun/heat. So on the go for 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Everything was grand, my sugars were in range all day so no higher than 10 after meal and no lower than 4.
So, after I got my gardening done I had a log burner lit and had a few drinks, possibly 1 to many. But at around 11:30pm my sugars went from 6.4 to 5.5 so I knew I needed a bite to eat before bed which I had a round 30 grams of carbs.
So I took my night time insulin and by mistake took 16 units instead of my normal 13 units. (I’m quite sensitive to insulin) so I got to bed and took a seizure and have no recollection of and I woke to ambulance ppl in my room.
My sugars were 2.0 when the ambulance ppl checked, I was covered in swet head to toe.
The ambulance crew referred me to the diabetic clinic which no doubt I’ll be attending next week at some stage.
What I’m looking to know is this an automatic license revoke? If my license is revoked I will struggle to get to work and struggle to pay my mortgage. Any advice would be very welcome.
I had very mild seizures in my teens and was put on epilepsy tablets and haven’t had any type of seizure in maybe 15 years. But never had a full blown seizure like last night.

 

[MeiChanski]

Hello, so sorry to hear I don't have epilepsy so I can't comment. However who have you been seeing since your diagnosis? Have you slipped under the rader? because your GP has to refer you to see a diabetes specialist nurse and consultant. Moverover with the weather and outdoor activities, we have to adjust our insulins. So again you'll need to see your team about it.
I'll tag some friends to comment on your license part because I don't drive, but I am aware when you renew your license, there is a question like needing assistance for a hypo etc. @Juicyj @Knikki @helensaramay

 

[Rokaab]

What I’m looking to know is this an automatic license revoke? If my license is revoked I will struggle to get to work and struggle to pay my mortgage. Any advice would be very welcome.
I had very mild seizures in my teens and was put on epilepsy tablets and haven’t had any type of seizure in maybe 15 years. But never had a full blown seizure like last night.

What do you mean by seizure, do you mean you had a bad hypo (yes bad hypos can cause you to pass out - been there, done that) or was it an epileptic seizure? Edit: I ask because some people seem to call hypos 'seizures'
Hypos whilst asleep will not cause your license to be revoked (well lets face it you wouldn't be driving whilst asleep in your bed anyway )
If it was epilepsy related then I honestly do not know, as I know nothing about it or any related driving regulations

 

[LooperCat]

I’m sorry you’ve had a scare like that. Not something I’ve experienced, but sending good wishes x

Tagging @WuTwo

 

[ConorD29]

Hello, so sorry to hear I don't have epilepsy so I can't comment. However who have you been seeing since your diagnosis? Have you slipped under the rader? because your GP has to refer you to see a diabetes specialist nurse and consultant. Moverover with the weather and outdoor activities, we have to adjust our insulins. So again you'll need to see your team about it.
I'll tag some friends to comment on your license part because I don't drive, but I am aware when you renew your license, there is a question like needing assistance for a hypo etc. @Juicyj @Knikki @helensaramay

Hi there, I’m type one 22 years so I do attend a diabetic clinic. I haven’t need assistance for a hypo in many many years. Only when I end up too drunk and can’t feel anything and forget to test. I was just caught out last night unfortunately I do have a drink each weekend and don’t have any issues. Just can’t understand why it has happened.

 

[ConorD29]

What do you mean by seizure, do you mean you had a bad hypo (yes bad hypos can cause you to pass out - been there, done that) or was it an epileptic seizure? Edit: I ask because some people seem to call hypos 'seizures'
Hypos whilst asleep will not cause your license to be revoked (well lets face it you wouldn't be driving whilst asleep in your bed anyway )
If it was epilepsy related then I honestly do not know, as I know nothing about it or any related driving regulations

Hi there, yes definitely a seizure along with a hypo I’m thinking the hypo has brought it on because there’s seems to be a lot of ppl commenting similar. I had no foam at the mouth or anything like that. I clammed up and unresponsive. My hands went stiff like I was temporarily handicapped. My breathing went funny also. It lasted around 2-3 minutes. And once I came round I was still 2.0, I think the toast I had eaten just before had started to digest and brought me up to 2.0 so I’m thinking I was lower during the fit. I’ve no recollection of it, I’m just going by what my partner has said.

 

[MeiChanski]

Hi there, I’m type one 22 years so I do attend a diabetic clinic. I haven’t need assistance for a hypo in many many years. Only when I end up too drunk and can’t feel anything and forget to test. I was just caught out last night unfortunately I do have a drink each weekend and don’t have any issues. Just can’t understand why it has happened.

As you said, the heat does have an impact on some T1s, so they either go high or low. Depending on alcohol, it may have sent you down into a hypo because your liver is busy sorting out the alcohol you drank. So you may have needed an insulin reduction and extra carbs on board, especially since you said you took extra units. Just out of curiosity, what insulin are you on?
Also when you do see your team or if in a matter of urgency please call your team. You could ask about a carb counting course to adjust insulin for meals, exercise, alcohol, illnesses etc.

 

[ConorD29]

As you said, the heat does have an impact on some T1s, so they either go high or low. Depending on alcohol, it may have sent you down into a hypo because your liver is busy sorting out the alcohol you drank. So you may have needed an insulin reduction and extra carbs on board, especially since you said you took extra units. Just out of curiosity, what insulin are you on?
Also when you do see your team or if in a matter of urgency please call your team. You could ask about a carb counting course to adjust insulin for meals, exercise, alcohol, illnesses etc.

I’m on nova rapid and lantus at night time, hopefully I will be made to do a course rather than a swift “punishment” and losing my license as it is a one off and I’ve very well controlled. Going to lay off the alcohol either way.

 

[Rokaab]

I’m on nova rapid and lantus at night time, hopefully I will be made to do a course rather than a swift “punishment” and losing my license as it is a one off and I’ve very well controlled. Going to lay off the alcohol either way.

Definitely go talk to your team, you may have the same issue that I was having with Lantus (that I only realised once I started using the libre), I took it at about 10-11pm and from about midnight to about 3am it made my BG steadily go down and down into the red (it never woke me up so I never knew) unless I started with my BG at about 10+, I've now changed to Tresiba so don't get the drops in the middle of the night as much when sleeping.
So that may well be the reason - the Lantus peaking in the middle of the night + the alcohol (meaing your liver couldn't help raise your BG ) + the more Lantus than normal.

 

[Scott-C]

What I’m looking to know is this an automatic license revoke?

Are you in the UK?

If so, the leaflet on this page, says that, you need to tell the dvla if you have had more than one episode of severe hypogylcaemia requiring assistance while awake in the last 12 months.

So, looks like if it was a one-off and you were sleeping you don't need to tell them, at least for cars and motorcycles.

They just changed that rule last year - previously even hypos during sleep could lead to licence loss.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-drivers-with-diabetes

 

[MeiChanski]

I’m on nova rapid and lantus at night time, hopefully I will be made to do a course rather than a swift “punishment” and losing my license as it is a one off and I’ve very well controlled. Going to lay off the alcohol either way.

We are all considered to some extent well managed but the courses like DAFNE gives us a heads up about certain things that we may have overlooked. (You have to ask for it to be referred or be on a waiting list) I think @kitedoc has some information on lantus and you may consider changing it to levemir or another basal insulin when you speak with your team.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @ConorD29 ,

Sounds like a bad experience.

I use Lantus (& dose about the same time.) any night hypos for me (if they happen.) usually around 2/3am or 5/6am?
Though it clearly sounds like you had taken too much lantus along with the alcohol not helping..

If you were tested at "2.0" by paramedics? the conclusion can only be that you had a hypo.

However, if you also have a diagnosed history of Epilepsy too? This could affect your licence entitlement?
This happened to a non D colleague of mine who was having "night fits..." His licence was suspended for about a year.

Personally. if i was in your shoes? (regarding the medical history.) I'd call it a hypo..

 

[EllieM]

I've had a couple of hypo induced seizures. First were while asleep during T1 pregnancies in UK. I lost hypo awareness while pregnant and in retropect I was lucky to keep my license - by the time it next came up for renewal I was no longer pregnant and had hypo awareness back.

Recently (nearly 2 years ago) I had a hypo induced seizure in New Zealand - complete carelessness on my part. My specialist threatened me with license loss if I didn't keep my sugars above 6 for a while. I haven't had any bad hypos since then but I am much more careful - I really don't want to lose hypo awareness again.

Can't answer the question about an automatic suspension though, but can confirm that hypo induced seizures are a thing.

 

[WuTwo]

I am sorry you went through this. I have epilepsy (full convulsive seizure for about 40 minutes a time) as well as T1 diabetes, and on balance I'd rather have 10 hypos a day than 1 full convulsive seizure a month. Much.

You'll have to report it to your team in full so that they can sort it out properly for you. Even if it was epilepsy related and not just diabetes it doesn't mean a licence revoke as it was a night time seizure. In the UK if you are an epileptic who can show they only have night time seizure you can still get a driving license, but you would need to meet with the neurology department and jump through their hoops. You can also get a daytime license if you've been seizure free in the day time for a certain length of time. I think it's a year now.

You may well be absolutely fine but if going into seizure with low blood sugar is your body's way of behaving with severe hypos - you must get that sorted out to drive safely. With one night time seizure, and prior to that no seizures for 15 years - it is hugely unlikely to be the epilepsy but this is your health you're talking about, and you owe it to yourself to get it properly dealt with.

 

[Lynne211]

Hi all, I’ve had my 1st hypo related seizure last night. Very scary for both my partner and I .
What happened was I had a drink because I had today off work and with the great weather.

I got up for work at 5:30 am got home from work at 5:45pm had my dinner then spent 2 hours 30 mins gardening in the sun/heat. So on the go for 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Everything was grand, my sugars were in range all day so no higher than 10 after meal and no lower than 4.
So, after I got my gardening done I had a log burner lit and had a few drinks, possibly 1 to many. But at around 11:30pm my sugars went from 6.4 to 5.5 so I knew I needed a bite to eat before bed which I had a round 30 grams of carbs.
So I took my night time insulin and by mistake took 16 units instead of my normal 13 units. (I’m quite sensitive to insulin) so I got to bed and took a seizure and have no recollection of and I woke to ambulance ppl in my room.
My sugars were 2.0 when the ambulance ppl checked, I was covered in swet head to toe.
The ambulance crew referred me to the diabetic clinic which no doubt I’ll be attending next week at some stage.
What I’m looking to know is this an automatic license revoke? If my license is revoked I will struggle to get to work and struggle to pay my mortgage. Any advice would be very welcome.
I had very mild seizures in my teens and was put on epilepsy tablets and haven’t had any type of seizure in maybe 15 years. But never had a full blown seizure like last night.

hum, long acting insulin and an increase in 3 units would NOT cause a seizure type low, it's long acting and regardless of what basal you take it takes days for changes toeven take effect so this doesn't make any sense. Wear a CGM

 

[Lynne211]

Hi all, I’ve had my 1st hypo related seizure last night. Very scary for both my partner and I .
What happened was I had a drink because I had today off work and with the great weather.

I got up for work at 5:30 am got home from work at 5:45pm had my dinner then spent 2 hours 30 mins gardening in the sun/heat. So on the go for 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Everything was grand, my sugars were in range all day so no higher than 10 after meal and no lower than 4.
So, after I got my gardening done I had a log burner lit and had a few drinks, possibly 1 to many. But at around 11:30pm my sugars went from 6.4 to 5.5 so I knew I needed a bite to eat before bed which I had a round 30 grams of carbs.
So I took my night time insulin and by mistake took 16 units instead of my normal 13 units. (I’m quite sensitive to insulin) so I got to bed and took a seizure and have no recollection of and I woke to ambulance ppl in my room.
My sugars were 2.0 when the ambulance ppl checked, I was covered in swet head to toe.
The ambulance crew referred me to the diabetic clinic which no doubt I’ll be attending next week at some stage.
What I’m looking to know is this an automatic license revoke? If my license is revoked I will struggle to get to work and struggle to pay my mortgage. Any advice would be very welcome.
I had very mild seizures in my teens and was put on epilepsy tablets and haven’t had any type of seizure in maybe 15 years. But never had a full blown seizure like last night.

if you have epilepsy which again I'm not understanding any of this, who found you, who called 911, an ambulance, etc...then why are you suggesting it was basal insulin, which again it's long acting and changing a dose takes a few days to even notice.

 

[Lynne211]

Hi there, yes definitely a seizure along with a hypo I’m thinking the hypo has brought it on because there’s seems to be a lot of ppl commenting similar. I had no foam at the mouth or anything like that. I clammed up and unresponsive. My hands went stiff like I was temporarily handicapped. My breathing went funny also. It lasted around 2-3 minutes. And once I came round I was still 2.0, I think the toast I had eaten just before had started to digest and brought me up to 2.0 so I’m thinking I was lower during the fit. I’ve no recollection of it, I’m just going by what my partner has said.

you said you had no recollection of it yet you're explaining exactly what happened, this all sounds very odd.

 

[Lynne211]

We are all considered to some extent well managed but the courses like DAFNE gives us a heads up about certain things that we may have overlooked. (You have to ask for it to be referred or be on a waiting list) I think @kitedoc has some information on lantus and you may consider changing it to levemir or another basal insulin when you speak with your team.

How are we all considered "well managed"..i'd say the opposite is true, type 1 is a hideous ever changing disease and very few are 'well managed' and no one just considers any of us 'well managed' paramedics, ERs etc...are filled daily with diabetes related complications and issues.

 

[MeiChanski]

How are we all considered "well managed"..i'd say the opposite is true, type 1 is a hideous ever changing disease and very few are 'well managed' and no one just considers any of us 'well managed' paramedics, ERs etc...are filled daily with diabetes related complications and issues.

I'm sorry you didn't agree with what I said, but a good hba1c in most cases is considered well managed. However it doesn't show the bigger picture or erratic control or some are micro managing it. There are a number of type 1s who don't over treat or over correct their hypers or hypos, so I can say some of us are well managed, not everyone though. Type 1 isn't a hideous ever changing disease, more of a condition? It doesn't bite when you take into account everything you do, carb counting, illnesses, hormones, stress.

 

[becca59]

@Lynne211 the greater majority of ERs/GPs/clinics filled daily with diabetes related complications/issues are poorly controlled Type 2s. Not Type 2s that have taken their diagnosis on board and are working hard at diet or Type 1s that strive to micromanage and keep good numbers. According to the DNs at my clinic you would be hard pushed to find a Type 1 in them.
Yes the condition is a PIA but so are lots of things in life.