I found out two years ago that I had this condition (never heard of it at the time) and have not yet got back to "normal". I can feel it now, but I still don't "shut down" like I'm supposed to. I have a prescription for the CGM for my pump, but am still waiting on approval. I don't mean to whine, but this stuff is a nightmare. I can't even start to expain what happened, but I had a hypo when I hit 0 and became violent. It has caused me a lot of emotional problems as well as physical.
Royce,
I'm sorry to hear about your Hypo unawareness. I don't have it myself, but I'm very scared that it would eventually develop. I wear a CGM and it's great for warning me before lows. If you get it, it should really be able to help you identify and treat lows before you get to a point where it's dangerous. Good luck with everything and I hope you get approval! If you don't, fight your insurance company for it. I was initially denied coverage for my CGM, I fought them, and won. :)
Molly
Regarding hypo unawarenes, can one develop it over time? I never used to experience it, but lately, my BGs can get down to 1.5 (= 27) before I feel it. Not all the time though. I have been a T1 for 36 years, so it seems strange to me... Could it be because I'm on a pump now???
I'll have to ask my endo about it at my next appt. I guess.
What my endo told me was, " being a juvenile for over a long period of time, and keeping your bg's on target (!) causes this condition". That's what happened to me. I had to run my bg's high for a few months to "reset" the swith on the central nervous system. He told me that he has patients who have to do this on a steady basis. Be sure and keep checking bg's often, and be mindful of what you are doing and who you are around until you get it corrected!
Thank you very much for your comment! I found out Friday that I did get approved for the CGM and I should get the transmitter tomorrow. I have good insurance; they're not cheap, but they do assist a lot with my medical. I wrote this post, as embarrissing as it is, to bring awareness about UNAWARENESS. I have had D since I was 4, and spent a lot of time in the hospital with a lot of educating. I had not been in for more education and tried to live a "normal" life with this disease. That was a mistake! I had no clue about "unawareness". I just want everyone to be aware and not have to go through what me and my kids did. Spread the word! THANX!
[quote user="Royce Gibson"]What my endo told me was, " being a juvenile for over a long period of time, and keeping your bg's on target (!) causes this condition". That's what happened to me. I had to run my bg's high for a few months to "reset" the swith on the central nervous system. He told me that he has patients who have to do this on a steady basis[/quote]
Thanks Royce. This is the first time I've heard of this... I plan on printing out your reply to take along with me to my endo appt in a couple of weeks! Thanks again!
I have hypo and hyper unawareness. I have been T1 for 42 years and I agree it is scary to have combativer reactions. My last one was in 2002 but it was a bad one. I had just come back from the hospital after having a surgery and did not realize the response to this surgery would mean I needed less insulin. I remember making dinner for my and my other half and was told I went to the bedroom and started sreaming. The medics were called it took seven to hold me down. As I was coming out of the reaction I heard one paramedic say for someone who had just had abdomincal surgery I was strong and wanted my legs up in the air. I remember saying to the person closest to my head to let me go. Then everything was coming back around. I had to go to the ER but it was a waste of time because I was back to myself.
The hardest part for about having hypo unawareness is that the people I work with at my current position do not want to know how to help me when I am down. That is what scares me so bad because I was left at my desk twice and once I ended up going home but I do know I was on my way up after spending an hour wandering around the hospital I work in. As I was going home I remember that I was focused on the road ahead of me. I asked the next day why they did not call for the charge nurse and they stated they did not think about it. I will be so happy to get back into a place where people care like I was before I was laid off.
That is absolutely horrible!!! I really hope that I am nowhere near the hospital you work at if I am ever in need of medical attention - except if you're there, of course!
My husband is hypo unaware and after many horrible near death accidents and episodes he got his CGM. It is his angel. He doesn't go more than two hours without it now. And that is only the two hour warm up time when he changes the site. It's a true life saver. If the doctor can prove to the insurance it's needed, they can cover it more so
Hey Royce-
Good luck with getting the CGM. My endo prescribed me mine 18 months ago after many documented incidents of hypoglycemia which intern made my insurance pay for it instead of being out of pocket. Hypoglycemia unawareness is super scary for me and for my husband. i am generally not a violent person at all but my bg will hit a certain level (usually less than 40) and i become what my husband call "the evil" me. I have given him a black eye, broken his nose, and screamed at him using language I would never use. All while he is trying to help me and/or give me glucagon. To top it all off, I have no memory of it.
I will say this: CGM is a life saver! While it doesn't always keep up with my quickly trending bg, my endo and I have set the parameters so that when it alarms to my low (120) I check my blood sugar and treat it. I tend to drop with in minutes. On the rare occasions I don't wear it, I have more issues with the terrible lows.
Education is key. Not only to educate yourself with all the new advances out there (like islet cell transplant clinical studies to help with hypoglycemia unawareness) but it is soooooo important to educate those around you . i can't tell you how many times I am explaining not only what T1DM is as an adult, but also my pump, my CGM, and hypoglycemia unawareness. The best assest I have in my corner, besides my awesome husband and family, is a great endo team that listens to me and thinks outside the box.
Oh, and I ALWAYS carry either gel icing or glucose gel (at least 2 tubes) on me at all times.
I was diagnosed 3 weeks after my 4th birthday and I am almost 31.
Good Luck!