If you know my story, you know that I am no stranger to lows. They happen to me often, sometimes they last for hours, sometimes they last for days.
In my opinion the worst lows happen at night, when I am sound asleep. I am lucky enough to sleep next to Greg, who is very good with a Glucagon needle and doesn’t think twice about stabbing me with one when needed.
Saturday night Greg was working though. I was alone and I was exhausted. Usually I stay awake if my sugar is too high because I know that means it will drop at some point. Of course, it will not drop to 100, or even 70. It will usually drop to 30 or 40 and stay there for way too long. Somehow Saturday night, I let myself fall asleep. This would prove to be a very dangerous sleep.
I woke up around 4 on Sunday morning. The first thought I had was, “I can’t move my arm”. Then I realized I was sideways on the bed, My head on my pillow but my legs on Greg’s pillows. At first I thought I kicked Greg off the bed. I knew he was working, but I continued to be plagued by thoughts of Greg hurt on the floor.
Suddenly I realized I was in trouble. I tried to move my arm again and it flew dramatically across my body. I felt like a marionette. I had no real control over my body. I cannot tell you how long it took me to get my hand on my nightstand. Somehow I eventually got hold of a tube of Sweet Tarts Squeeze. I assume, looking at the tube the next day that I opened it with my teeth.
Understand, I was terrified. I had to concentrate so hard to make simple moves. I felt like I was dying, and wasn’t so far off. I have a vague memory of drinking juice. I would later find a juice box on the floor with the corner bit off. I guess I couldn’t operate the straw. I remember laying with my eyes squeezed shut, praying that I would survive this. The whole time my body was moving spastically while I tried with all my might to stay still. I did manage to test after a while and my meter read “LOW”. All that went through my head was “what hell was my sugar when this began?”
I know I drank two more juices and soon my body stopped jerking. I laid in the fetal position for what seemed like an eternity. I knew I was still low and now that scary, shaky hunger took hold of me. You know what I am talking about. That feeling that tells your body you will die from shaking if you don’t feed it.
I remember crawling up the stairs towards the kitchen. That’s the last thing I remember till I woke up on the kitchen floor in front of the fridge. My fingers were sticky and there were bits of popcorn all over them. I looked around and found an empty tub of pudding and a box of Crunch and Munch on the floor.
I knew the danger had passed, little else though. I started to get up and my whole body betrayed me. There was not one muscle that didn’t scream in pain. My head swam and I had a bump on the side of my head. It took till this morning for the aching to subside. My head though, still hurts. When I tested again, I was 52.
Luckily Greg was home last night. Had he been working again, I probably would not have gotten a lick of sleep. I will get over the fear of sleeping. This is not my first rollercoaster ride. Just like always, it will take a while though. If you have had one of these lows, then you can sympathize. If you haven’t had one, avoid them at all costs. They are painful both physically and mentally.
That sounds dreadful, Tina. I am _so_ relieved that you survived that night. May you never, ever have that experience again.
Oh my gosh, Tina. I’ve definitely been there and I know how scary it is. I’ve fallen asleep during the day and woken up with my shirt (and the kitchen floor) soaked in OJ, or with glucose gel all over my face and hair…I’m lucky Jery’s usually there to catch the lows, but so scared there’ll be a time when he doesn’t wake up. It’s a fear all of us have, I think…
I’m so, so sorry you went through this, but so grateful that you were okay! (HUGS)
Oh Tina, I am glad you are OK. I’ve been through the same, more times than I would like to admit. When my honey is out of town (or not sleeping next to me) I set my alarm for every 2 hours to wake up and test my blood sugar. I am always super tired the next day, but I’d rather be tired and HAVE the next day. I am so glad you were able to help yourself, even if it was a struggle. It’s so tough, where do we draw the line? Going to bed a little high and avoiding the bad lows. Or going to bed at a normal reading and having the chance of a bad low. Not sure which is worse. :I
Wow, Tina. How terrifying. I’ve never had such a scary low so I can only imagine, given how scary “normal” lows can be! I’m glad you are okay now – you are truly a survivor.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this Tina, how awful! Thank goodness you managed to get yourself out of it. I hope you never have to go through this again.
Hello, I have 2 sons with DB type 1. I have many stories about highs,lows,glucagon etc. from over the last 21 years. My 25 y.o son is now on a cross country bike trip and is using a continuous glucose monitor system. It gives him real time blood sugar levels on a monitor about the size of a cell phone. It also gives a beeping sound when you are approaching a low. I encourage everyone to check out this device by going to the link I have posted. I hope this will give you some relief from the fear of lows. Warmly, C
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/glucosemonitor/index.htm
Tina: Sorry to hear about this particular Low, and any others that happen. They suck. And are very scary. At least we’ve been fortunate enough to come out of them. Here’s a couple I’ve written about in the past several months, FYI.
http://thecornerboothcc.blogspot.com/2009/09/dogs-trying-to-eat-my-head.html
AND
http://thecornerboothcc.blogspot.com/2009/12/your-input-needed-lows.html
Holy crap, Tina – I am so glad you are okay! I was holding my breath as I was reading your post, even though I know you were okay at the end. But still – terrifying.
I hope you don’t have to go through that again, EVER. (( hugs ))
Tina I hate so much that you have episodes like that … I know we all do from time to time and I don’t want any of us to deal with it but it’s more than that with you. I am so very glad you were ok afterwards!!! And you painted a very vivid picture of what it’s like to those who have never experienced a low like that. You deserve a big hug my dear friend!
Reading this brings on emotions. Just lots of really deep seated emotions.
I hope you are feeling better soon. I’ve had mornings like that. I never thought how to describe it. A marionette is perfect, when the movement in your head seems small but the muscles are on speed. I have young kids, and your thoughts for Greg remind of how I worry that something is wrong with them when I’m low.
I drink coffee. I heard once that it stops/helps/something night-time lows. I think it just creates a lighter sleep, which for me is reassuring.
*hugs* You are lucky to have Greg.
Take care.
Bethanne