how low can you go?

Insulinman said:

Hi Cugila

******* AND "YOU" think they DON'T ARGUE *************** (at least type 2s can't get in)

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cugila said:

Yet again, you miss the point. Hypoglycaemia is a condition. A state where your body's glucose levels are below the 'medically' accepted level of below 4 mmol/l. A hypo, whichever way you look at it.
It does not become something else because you are able to 'function' at that level !

This subject is not funny as far as I am concerned. It can and has killed people. So to me it is no joke having witnessed this at first hand more than once.

Of course we are all different but in reality the law in particular makes no distinction as to whether you were functioning correctly in your own mind. If you drive, and you have an accident and it comes to light that your blood sugar levels were that low you would be prosecuted for Driving without Due Care and Attention (Careless Driving). You want to continue to take that risk that is entirely your choice.

For any newly diagnosed Type 1's please read what is said here and make up your own minds. You have the facts before you and if you are sensible you will make the right decision. If not, well all I can say is good luck.

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cugila said:

Steve. I am not having a go at you.

This forum is read by many newly diagnosed and inexperienced Diabetics. I haven't trawled the net for my information, I have talked to Endocrinologists, and others who are far better qualified than either of us to determine what is a safe level and what is not.

You seem to be happy with what you are doing, no problem. The information is there for the new members, not the ones like us old hands. I too have been a Diabetic for 12 years, I'm still learning things even now and I don't profess to know it all. We just like to make sure a new Diabetic doesn't make the same mistakes we might have.

Have you ever seen the result of a Diabetic Coma....first hand, not in a film or on TV ? I have.
Some years ago I was out in an area of Birmingham when I and a colleague came across a parked car in a side street with a male slumped behind the wheel. First thought he was drunk, we couldn't rouse him and he was as cold as ice, hardly any pulse and little or no breath.

An ambulance was called and this man was whisked off to one of the best A & E Dept's in the country.
They did all they could for this guy, worked on him for nearly an hour. Then finally they decided that was it. They could do no more. He was dead. Aged 43, a type 1 Diabetic on Insulin obviously. At the inquest the verdict was death due to a Diabetic Coma. Apparently his family knew he was always running very low numbers, bragging about how low he could go. Didn't do him any good in this instance - a Diabetic Coma can hit so suddenly you would not even know it was coming. Fine one minute....dead the next.

I went to his funeral, they asked me to be there because I was the last person to help him. Very poignant seeing his wife, family. All devastated because he was gone so young. So forgive me if I don't agree with your thinking, I don't want anybody to go through that sort of thing.....ever.

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sugarless sue said:

cugila said:

Steve. I am not having a go at you.

This forum is read by many newly diagnosed and inexperienced Diabetics. I haven't trawled the net for my information, I have talked to Endocrinologists, and others who are far better qualified than either of us to determine what is a safe level and what is not.

You seem to be happy with what you are doing, no problem. The information is there for the new members, not the ones like us old hands. I too have been a Diabetic for 12 years, I'm still learning things even now and I don't profess to know it all. We just like to make sure a new Diabetic doesn't make the same mistakes we might have.

Have you ever seen the result of a Diabetic Coma....first hand, not in a film or on TV ? I have.
Some years ago I was out in an area of Birmingham when I and a colleague came across a parked car in a side street with a male slumped behind the wheel. First thought he was drunk, we couldn't rouse him and he was as cold as ice, hardly any pulse and little or no breath.

An ambulance was called and this man was whisked off to one of the best A & E Dept's in the country.
They did all they could for this guy, worked on him for nearly an hour. Then finally they decided that was it. They could do no more. He was dead. Aged 43, a type 1 Diabetic on Insulin obviously. At the inquest the verdict was death due to a Diabetic Coma. Apparently his family knew he was always running very low numbers, bragging about how low he could go. Didn't do him any good in this instance - a Diabetic Coma can hit so suddenly you would not even know it was coming. Fine one minute....dead the next.

I went to his funeral, they asked me to be there because I was the last person to help him. Very poignant seeing his wife, family. All devastated because he was gone so young. So forgive me if I don't agree with your thinking, I don't want anybody to go through that sort of thing.....ever.

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Perhaps you should re-read as well , Debloubed, pretty sure this is not robotic with zero feeling. :shock:

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sophsmam said:

When sophie was diagnosed we were told glucose tablets and repeat if necessary with more glucose tablets.Which we did and i know maybe she should have had some lucozade or jelly babies.but it was late and i didn't want her to be high during the night.this was her first nightime hypo that i know off it was only because i checked her that we found out.usually she is back above 4 in 15 minutes so this hypo was unsual.
why would anyone want to get too low sophies been 2.4 once that scared me more than her.you never know when a hypo could put you in a coma.the nurse told sophie i doubt you'll ever have a serious hypo.How can she say that you just never know.sophie can usually feel a hypo coming on around about 4.1 4.2.

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sophsmam said:

When sophie was diagnosed we were told glucose tablets and repeat if necessary with more glucose tablets.Which we did and i know maybe she should have had some lucozade or jelly babies.but it was late and i didn't want her to be high during the night.this was her first nightime hypo that i know off it was only because i checked her that we found out.usually she is back above 4 in 15 minutes so this hypo was unsual.
why would anyone want to get too low sophies been 2.4 once that scared me more than her.you never know when a hypo could put you in a coma.the nurse told sophie i doubt you'll ever have a serious hypo.How can she say that you just never know.sophie can usually feel a hypo coming on around about 4.1 4.2.

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cugila said:

Debloubed.

My posts are usually generalised because they are aimed at the wider and probably less experienced members on here. If I meant to aim a comment at you personally I would be breaking forum rules and it would be deemed offensive.

Generalisation are often misinterpreted. There has been times where members have taken exception to something stated, not just by me but by other members. Hopefully that is what the pm system exists for, to clarify things. However, I am perfectly happy to answer any criticism here as well. I have nothing to hide.

You are entitled to your opinion as much as I am. I am not rubbishing your experience, the same as I don't expect anybody to rubbish my own personal experiences.

If I have offended you then please accept my apologies. No offence was intended or meant.

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glitterzoe said:

Hey I dont drive (never have) and I wouldnt consider it good pactice to be under 5 for my bloods, all I was saing was that we all have different levels at wich we still function. :lol: :lol: :lol: smetimes I dont feel low and I have tested my blood (cause your sposed to 4 times a day!! ) and its been 2 or sometimes less thats the only point I was making, no anger or pride in having low sugers (they are quite rare for me I am a naughty(?) 7-9 most of the time) just makeing the point that we are all different and thats that! :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

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