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I have never had a hypo.. until today

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Anonymous

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I have been talking about having hypos almost since I was diagnosed, though I tend to call them 'having a low' and have seen readings as low as 1.5 on my meter.

This morning I decided to ride to a local antiques fair which happens to have a very cheap tea room attached - the village is only about 6 miles away, but has the distinction of being one of the highest points in the county. It's a hill I've cycled before and although it's pretty brutal it's not too long. Herself decided to come with me and took the lead up the hill. This is why she didn't notice me lagging behind and eventually stopping.

I haven't done much cycling this year but I've run out of puff and felt dizzy before. So I sat down, put my head down and waited for it to pass - as it normally does. Apparently I passed out. Several people stopped - one alerted Herself who was still plodding up the hill - another called an ambulance. I came round, talked gibberish, threw up and passed out again. Not particularly pretty to witness I'm sure.

Anyway I recovered enough to call off the ambulance, drank some water and then got a lift to the tea room. We made it back on the bikes, but very slowly and only once I'd eaten more cake than I've had in a long time.

The obvious moral of this story is to always take some sugary snack with you - I'm a diabetic for goodness sake. The slightly less obvious point is that a real hypo can hit very quickly - I just thought it was over-tiredness until the point I passed out.

I won't forget the feeling for a while and to remind me in the short term I also have a bright red ear, thanks to the nettles I passed out in to :D
 
How absolutely terrifying!!! :sick:
I always assumed you'd have more warning of an impending hypo-after reading this I've sure learned something now and IF I do have to start taking Insulin myself I'll remember your story and always have Dextro tablets on me wherever I go!! :shock:
 
Not nice,
Glad you're OK.
Maybe a result of not being able to reduce basal insulin once it's in, + bit of your own insulin and hard exercise. I know hills either on the bike or even just walking can make my levels drop like a stone.
Glad you had a lot of help and cake :)
 
Awww Swimmer, what a way to spend a Sunday morning!

Very glad to hear you are ok, poor Mrs Swimmer must have been pretty worried too..and the nettles must be the final insult!

Awareness is what this place is all about so thanks for posting...just make sure you have got something with you next time!
 
Sounds like a horrible experience for you Swimmer :(
 
Swimmer glad your ok; sounds like a particularly nasty one.

Perhaps it's time for a stick on exercising for insulin controlled diabetics.. most Type I's I suspect have an idea of how quickly exercise can drop levels and what needs to be done but I am not sure if Type II's on insulin are given the same advice by HCP's... perhaps a sticky with some advice now that the nice weather is upon us would be a good idea.

I will start to pen some up... but if anyone has a contribution they would like to make then please do drop me a PM.
 
Swimmer just read the post glad you are ok! Take care of yourself in future.
 
Thanks for your replies. I have been suitably chastised for not having supplies with me and will be more careful. It's a reminder that this condition is always with us, however invincible we might feel.
 
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