Hi All...
My feelings might not be typical because I had thyrotoxicosis at the same time as my Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed about thirteen years ago and so I subsequently had my thyroid "nuked" with R.A.I. so I have to take 150mcg of thyroxine every day to keep my body going. This alters my perception of hypos which are pretty much what everybody says (although I don't get them very often as my numbers are usually in the mid to high teens) - sweating, dizzyness, shaking, a feeling of not being there, weak legs, blurred vision etc. I also get very gobby! The only problem is, as I said, the thyroid problem stops me noticing hypos until my numbers drop below three then things start to happen pretty quickly! I've been down as far as two and it's scary but some glucose brings me back up very quickly. Usually other people notice my hypo before I do.
I've never actually lost conciousness with a hypo although I suspect that I may have had hypos when I was asleep because some mornings I have trouble waking up and keep falling asleep again until I have some sugar. Low BG makes me snore as well. I don't know if anybody else has noticed this, not MY snoring obviously - it's not that loud!
Apart from Irbesartan and Amlodipine for the usual hypertension that comes with Diabetes, I currently take 4x500mg Metformin, 2x80mg Gliclazide and 1x100mg Sitaglyptin daily with strict diet and still have trouble keeping my numbers below nine. My GP wants me to try Insulin but I don't want the hassle of dealing with the DVLA and my car insurance compeny just yet, although it's inevitable that I'll have to at some point. In the meantime we're monitoring my HbA1c closely.
I've asked about the other injectables but he says they're more or less the same as the oral stuff and wouldn't be any good in my case, although I suspect that the cost may have something to do with it!
I'm hyperglycaemic most of the time and this leaves me feeling generally miserable with lots of muscle and joint pain, difficulty in concentrating and feeling hot and sweaty.
I've found a quick treatment for hypos that would probably make my GP throw up his hands in horror. You can get little bottles of concentrated Red Bull, "Shots" I think they're called which contain glucose, caffeine and various herbal stimulants. A couple of sips rapidly increases blood sugar but you've got to be careful not to have too much or it goes too far the other way. I keep some in my Hypo Wallet in the car.
PLEASE NOTE - THIS WORKS FOR ME - DON'T TAKE IT AS A RECOMMENDATION
Best wishes
Malcolm