Hello powerley.
I can relate to your feeling as I am experiencing the same phobia myself.
I believe there is not one diabetic who is comfortable with hypoglycemia incidents. I think that, to an extent, we are all afraid particulalry if we live/work alone and/or we have chosen to keep our diabetes a private matter.
I guess, as time goes by and as we experience really low levels we learn to feel more confident because we know what to do and we can get through it. For example, I recently reached a 2.5… hence a 3.5 does not feel as intimidating as it used to… It is never pleasant though...
I have found a great friend at the Freestyle Libre. I monitor very often especially overnight as I suffer from noctural hypoglycemias.
Also, by now, I know how my insulin works regarding its timings (at what times during the day it peaks and overlaps with my background insulin, what times my background insulin peaks, and when I am more likely to have a hypoglycemia), I know what time my BG rises (or should rise, so if it doesn't rise then this means I need a biscuit even before the hypoglycemia happens in order to prevent it) and what time it drops during the day as well as overnight (particularly when my morning Levemir injection overlaps with the evening Levemir injection around 23:00-02:00 am) so, I monitor more often during these hours.
When I have a relaxing day at home I do a tighter control and stay within DAFNE range.
However, on working days, especially when I have plenty of things to do, I prefer, just like you to run a little sweeter… I know it is not the correct thing to do but, life must go on and things need to be done…
I do not challenge my diabetes very much.
I hear about people running the marathon of exercising intensely. I, sincerely, do not know how they do it (even a 45 minutes walk for grocery shopping can drop my levels by 3-4 mmols so, I cannot understand how others run for miles… I have not found the trick yet) so, instead, I prefer low impact exercise like yoga or stretching or a brisk walk.
I have heard that a pump can be a good idea for people who have hypo phobias. Maybe you can ask your Diabetes Centre if this can be a solution for you?
I cannot offer advise as diabetes is a haute couture condition… It is “tailor-made” to your own measurements hence, each one has a different experience. What I would suggest, however, is to relax and do not worry so much. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable and safe.
We all know that high BG levels will cause health complications but, honestly, I have met people who tackle diabetes for 20-30 years, they do not have an ideal hba1c and they are still doing alright. I have relatives who have a heart condition or a kidney failure, they are in their 60s and their post meal BG readings are 5.5 (they never had diabetes). I mean, a health condition can happen even without diabetes... for all we know a piano may fall on our head when walking to work...
What I mean is, live for today.
It will be great to reach 60 years old without any complications because of diabetes but, let’s just get there first, safely and sanely. If you are to lose your sanity in order to stay withing the DAFNE 5-7 mmol range then, I would suggest to just forget about it, life is already too short to keep running after your hypoglycemias.
Calm down, relax, stay safe and stay strong.
I am certain that you will do great!
Regards
Josephine.