Bad hypos

[emily deacon]

Hiya

Just wondered really if anyone else gets really nervous and scared to go low. When I hit below 4 whether it’s 3.2 or 3.9 I feel very weak and shaky and it scares me quite a lot, and when I hit something like 2.9 that’s a whole other level of scared. This is the main reason why I tend to keep my sugars in the 8s and 9s because I want to avoid hypos at all cost. Sometimes I get very panicked and almost feel like I’m going to have a panic attack?

 

[phdiabetic]

I get really scared of lows too, and I totally understand what you mean about panicking - sometimes if I feel symptoms but my numbers are fine, I refuse to believe that I'm not low. I think it's healthy to be afraid of hypos since they really are dangerous, but it's also important to try and keep your blood sugars as close as possible to normal to avoid complications. A few hours spent at 8-9's will be perfectly fine, but not all day. You can choose your own target numbers with your doctor's help, but for now how about you just try to keep yourself around 7-8's instead of 8-9's? Small steps and eventually you will get there.

As for anxiety about hypos:
1) Can you get a CGM?
2) Is there someone who can help you when you're low? I usually sit with my parents if I'm low. It comforts me to know that there's someone who can get me help, just in case I can't treat it myself.
3) Try not to panic too much when you are low. It's normal to be a bit afraid, but you should try to keep your head clear so you can treat effectively. Deep breathing often helps with anxiety and may be helpful for lows (I try it sometimes...it might help a bit).

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @emily deacon I have to admit when I first got hypos when I was diagnosed I also felt incredible anxiety with them, I also felt incredibly exhausted afterwards to the point that sometimes I would fall asleep, it wasn't great at all, but on that point I think hypo anxiety is fairly common as realistically we don't actually want to have them but they are unavoidable sadly.

The panic feeling is directly connected to the hypo though, so once you are coming back up to say 5+ then it will disappear, so try to relate this direct to the hypo and have faith that once treated you will start to feel much better. @phdiabetic has made some good points, I would also agree that based on how the hypos are making you feel and the fact you are intentionally running higher than your target range is a case to put to your DSN to get funding for a CGM, so on Monday call them and tell them about this, having a CGM means you can see which direction your BG is going so potentially you can avert having a hypo.

Building confidence with your hypos, means ensuring you have fast acting glucose/carbs with you at all times, next to your bed, I average about 2-3 per week so nowadays they are manageable and now I use a pump they are caught quickly and are less severe than MDI, however regardless I am alot better now than i've ever been.

Have you always felt this way about them or has this anxiety started recently ?

 

[Cumberland]

It is hard not to panic when hypo well that’s how I find it

I am armed with lucozade glucogel and glucose tablets home, car, work

 

[SueJB]

It is hard not to panic when hypo well that’s how I find it

I am armed with lucozade glucogel and glucose tablets home, car, work

I worry, especially if I'm travelling by train by myself so I tend to eat what I shouldn't to raise BG. I get anxious about going to bed at night too and if I wake up I check BG however I feel. Had a hypo yesterday 3.2 and the only warning I got was feeling a bit peckish. I try not to panic which I can usually do but tend to overcompensate and have a couple too many fruit pastille.
I'd agree, try keeping BGs just a tiddly bit lower

 

[emily deacon]

Hi @emily deacon I have to admit when I first got hypos when I was diagnosed I also felt incredible anxiety with them, I also felt incredibly exhausted afterwards to the point that sometimes I would fall asleep, it wasn't great at all, but on that point I think hypo anxiety is fairly common as realistically we don't actually want to have them but they are unavoidable sadly.

The panic feeling is directly connected to the hypo though, so once you are coming back up to say 5+ then it will disappear, so try to relate this direct to the hypo and have faith that once treated you will start to feel much better. @phdiabetic has made some good points, I would also agree that based on how the hypos are making you feel and the fact you are intentionally running higher than your target range is a case to put to your DSN to get funding for a CGM, so on Monday call them and tell them about this, having a CGM means you can see which direction your BG is going so potentially you can avert having a hypo.

Building confidence with your hypos, means ensuring you have fast acting glucose/carbs with you at all times, next to your bed, I average about 2-3 per week so nowadays they are manageable and now I use a pump they are caught quickly and are less severe than MDI, however regardless I am alot better now than i've ever been.

Have you always felt this way about them or has this anxiety started recently ?

Thank you! I have a hospital appointment coming up soon and was going to look into getting the Dexcom G5 or FreeStyle Libre but I have heard they have delays on sugars and most people can’t get them funded on the NHS

 

[Juicyj]

Thank you! I have a hospital appointment coming up soon and was going to look into getting the Dexcom G5 or FreeStyle Libre but I have heard they have delays on sugars and most people can’t get them funded on the NHS

It’s reviewed case by case so it’s based in your personal circumstances - as you are deliberately running higher and have anxiety associated to them means you have a good case.

 

[emily deacon]

It’s reviewed case by case so it’s based in your personal circumstances - as you are deliberately running higher and have anxiety associated to them means you have a good case.

Thank you I will bring up all my issues to the hospital when I see them!