Stupid mistake nearly cost me my life

[Jaylee]

Hi Andybee so glad things turned out ok, but sorry you had such a scary experience. I was diagnosed as a Type 1 3 and half years ago at age 55 by way of an emergency admission to A & E with Ketoacidosis which I thought would be the scariest thing I would experience being a diabetic, however 2 weeks ago I was proved wrong when I had the worst hypo ever. I had tested just before my evening meal as I do every night. My reading was 5.1 so everything normal and pleasing. My control is usually pretty good. Next thing I knew my husband was pulling me up out of the chair and telling me to test. He had discovered that I had completely blacked out and was unresponsive. I tried to insist on doing a test with my insulin pen I was that confused. Eventually he managed to re test for me and my reading was 1.9! This was just 15 mins after my reading of 5.1. I cannot explain this sudden drop. Lucozade & glucogen brought me back successfully. This experience has really shaken my confidence and I am reluctant to leave the house. I have gained lots of knowledge from this forum and it has helped me no end since diagnosis, but one thing I do not understand is why is it on waking in the morning lots of us appear to experience the Dawn Phenomenon whereby the liver kicks out glucose to set us up for the day if our sugars are low. Why does the liver not do this in the above circumstances to save us having hypos? I'm obviously missing an important point, Thanks Coco

Coco, had it been you that prepared the "evening meal"? Hand contamination may have given a false reading..?
Also, try to get your husband to throw sweets at you first & worry about the test later while coming back up if you are seen to be in, or near this state again...

Edit. I just noticed on your profile you take metformin? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I think this drug prevents liver dump...

 

[coco44]

Thanks Jaylee I'm giggling now picturing my husband literally throwing sweets at me, but that is the sensible thing to do thinking about it. I hadn't prepared the meal so the drop in reading remains a mystery. I do take Metformin. I hadn't thought about whether that prevents liver dump. Would appreciate if anyone knows if this is true. Typical just gone to read instruction leaflet in new pack of tablets, but because my doctors' pharmacy have dispensed the "the unbranded" money saving variety they have not enclosed an instruction leaflet

 

[Jaylee]

Thanks Jaylee I'm giggling now picturing my husband literally throwing sweets at me, but that is the sensible thing to do thinking about it. I hadn't prepared the meal so the drop in reading remains a mystery. I do take Metformin. I hadn't thought about whether that prevents liver dump. Would appreciate if anyone knows if this is true. Typical just gone to read instruction leaflet in new pack of tablets, but because my doctors' pharmacy have dispensed the "the unbranded" money saving variety they have not enclosed an instruction leaflet

Hi again,

Though we appear to be on the same sort of insulin. I don't take Metformin..
I've had a root about on the net regarding what Metformin does. But am always a little reluctant to post links. Espessially when after reading the page, it turns out that clinical tests were done in labs on mice.... Lol

However this link seems to reason it well without the mention of rodents... http://www.diabetes.co.uk/Diabetes-drugs.html

I'll also tag in @Spiker & @phoenix who's knowledge I respect.. & just may add something that I overlooked. Or blow my theory out the water..?

 

[Spiker]

Thanks for the vote of kudos @Jaylee but I've no idea if Metformin inhibits liver dumps or not.

 

[andybee]

Thanks everyone for replies. By the way camping trip went fine - normal control returned. Family stress levels reduced to normal. All good in the bee household. Going to take the advice on here and get me some kit to ramp up my hopo kit. Its a no brainer; can't believe nurse/GP didn't suggest/prescribe it in the first place

 

[babyboscher]

Your very lucky that your wife is a doctor. It's scary stuff but unfortunately the next person might now get the help they so desperately need.