When my son was dx’d with T1D, my wife and I heard that he should never live alone. I’ve since heard many a story about diabetics (mainly insulin dependent) who have had acute hypo and hyper incidents that could have been big trouble if roommates, coworkers, etc. did not come to the rescue. Does anyone know of actual official guidance or recommendations (any source) that focuses on this idea of not living alone? Thanks.
I’ve lived alone several times during my 31 years of Type 1, and while I live with my husband, he leaves for work before I even get up. However, I’m one of the lucky ones that feels my hypos really well, so I’ve never gotten in trouble. Highs come on more slowly, so provided your son checks his BG several times a day, that should give him plenty of opportunity to correct any highs before things get out of control. So I guess the answer depends on whether he can feel lows coming on or not. If that is not a concern and his hypoawareness is good, there should be no concern with him living alone. If he wants to be extra vigilant, it could be a good idea to make his employer aware, in the unlikely case he doesn’t show up for work and someone needs to check on him. I’ve even heard of people giving a house key to their boss just in case.
It just depends on your son. If his diabetes is reasonably well managed there’s no problem. In the modern era of insulin pumps and CGMs there’s no reason he needs a lifelong babysitter.
I had a few dangerous hypos but it was after years of badly controlled diabetes. Once I started using an insulin pump my hypoglycemia unawareness reversed and I’ve never had a severe low since.
Even with badly controlled diabetes I traveled alone, camped alone a few times, and lived alone at several points in my adult life.
I don’t think there is any “official source” on this. It’s not exactly medical advice for diabetics to not live alone, more of a precaution in case of the person not waking up from bad lows (meaning lows to the point of having a seizure). Although it has been 13 years since my last seizure, I had a history of seizures due to lows when I was younger (usually at least 1-2 times a year). This was when I was taking NPH and mostly before pumps or CGMs came into my life. For that reason I’ve never wanted to live alone personally, but that was my choice. It’s perfectly okay for a diabetic to live alone as long as they are comfortable doing so.
If your son (or you) is nervous about it, maybe have a system in place where he calls/texts you each morning when he wakes up just so you know he’s awake. Then if you don’t hear from him, you know something might be wrong. Having his boss (or a trusted coworker) know to call someone if he randomly doesn’t show up for work is a good idea too.
My son’s has had several seizure from low blood sugars and I was wondering if your seizure were the kind of seizures my son’s has. Usually his entire body shakes his tongues falls to the side of his mouth and bites it. His body stops shaking and he usually wakes up not knowing whAt happeened. My son is 25. Do you have any advice you can give me that might help him.
Dear oggiegirl, if your son is having these seizures, he is most likely having severe lows for prolonged periods of time or, also possible, a seizure disorder not associated with T1D. In either case he needs medical attention, please notify his diabetes team asap. Best wishes, Heloisa (T1D mom, Physician).