Have You Ever Experienced Diabetic Seizures?

[PGen98]

Out of curiosity for my fellow diabetics, have you ever experienced a diabetic seizure?

For me, personally, it's something I've dealt with for most of my life, they catch me at times when my blood sugars sink very low (I once recorded a 31 mg/dl reading after a seizure), and scarily it also happened to be once while driving, and I somehow managed to get myself home, though I have very little memory of how, but I did collapse once I got inside the house. It's something I don't enjoy experiencing, obviously, but something that has absolutely hit me periodically throughout my life. I have glucogon kits, I have glucose tabs and lifesavers on hand, and I have copious amounts of orange juice, but things still happen .

How about you all, anyone ever had a diabetic seizure?

 

[Lee]

Sounds frightening, I am sorry that this happens to you

 

[Foxy]

Thankfully no comas or seizures. I have fallen asleep briefly without realizing it, usually after eating and taking my insulin and pill.

 

[PGen98]

Sounds frightening, I am sorry that this happens to you

It's not the best thing to experience, that's for sure . It's one of those things you adapt to, though, so after a while, as bad as it sounds, it's just something you tend to get used to. Not something you want to have happen, by any means, but at least you know what to expect when it does hit you.

Thankfully no comas or seizures. I have fallen asleep briefly without realizing it, usually after eating and taking my insulin and pill.

Glad you haven't had to go through a seizure or coma, and yes, I've had the sleep issue, as well. It's an odd thing to happen, you're typically in the moment and the next thing you know you're just coming around after a quick 5 minute nod off. Few people understand it, sadly, I've had people think I was being rude and doing it on purpose, but typically all's well after a couple of minutes.

 

[Foxy]

The worst of those little nod offs is when it happens at my desk at work shortly after lunch. If someone sees you it's really embarrassing.

One time I became so hypoglycemic shortly after arriving at work in the morning they had to call the paramedics. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, dizzy and my heart was pounding. I feared I was having another pulmonary embolism and told my supervisor I was scared. While waiting for the EMT's to arrive, I used a coworkers glucose test kit and I was in a safe range. Little did I know her test strips were really old so the test was inaccurate. When the EMT's tested me I was so low I was ready to go into a coma. I never had that happen before, I rarely drop below thee didget readings. I drank a glass of orange juice and some candies and stabilized. They suggested I go with them to the ER but I was feeling much better. My supervisor drove me home and my BFF then drove me to my Endocrinologist. What a crazy day that was. I now always carry glucose tabs and my tester with me at all times just in case. Lesson learned the hard way.

Another time, Christmas Eve a few years ago, I took my 'after meals' insulin but dialed it up to the dosage of my once a day insulin which was twice the dose it should have been. I immediately realized my mistake and looked up the possible outcome of an overdose...seizures, coma, possible death. OMG, and here I was dog & house sitting for my BFF who was out of state. There was no one nearby to call. I ate a bunch of candy, called a cab and went to the hospital ER. They kept me for observation by the nurse's desk for 6 hours testing my glucose levels continuously to make sure they were rising, and then I was released around 3 in the morning. What a place to spend Christmas Eve. 🎄

 

[PGen98]

The worst of those little nod offs is when it happens at my desk at work shortly after lunch. If someone sees you it's really embarrassing.

Oh I know that one all too well! The job I had before looking after my mother, I came back from lunch on several occasions, sat down to start the afternoon's workload and then found myself being tapped on the shoulder by my boss...that was obviously not a fantastic experience .

One time I became so hypoglycemic shortly after arriving at work in the morning they had to call the paramedics. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, dizzy and my heart was pounding. I feared I was having another pulmonary embolism and told my supervisor I was scared. While waiting for the EMT's to arrive, I used a coworkers glucose test kit and I was in a safe range. Little did I know her test strips were really old so the test was inaccurate. When the EMT's tested me I was so low I was ready to go into a coma. I never had that happen before, I rarely drop below thee didget readings. I drank a glass of orange juice and some candies and stabilized. They suggested I go with them to the ER but I was feeling much better. My supervisor drove me home and my BFF then drove me to my Endocrinologist. What a crazy day that was. I now always carry glucose tabs and my tester with me at all times just in case. Lesson learned the hard way.

Ouch, yes, those test strips, you've got to be very careful with the dates on those! That was really good of your coworkers and supervisors to be so attentive and to recognize you needed that extra help. Those dangerous lows are a terrifying experience, so to have some support and a little bit of help to get you through it is great. Glucose tabs are fantastic thing to carry with you, as are Lifesavers, five of those and you're back in your brain again in a matter of minutes!

Another time, Christmas Eve a few years ago, I took my 'after meals' insulin but dialed it up to the dosage of my once a day insulin which was twice the dose it should have been. I immediately realized my mistake and looked up the possible outcome of an overdise...seizures, coma, possible death. OMG, and here I was dog & house sitting for my BFF who was out of state. There was no one nearby to call. I ate a bunch of candy, called a cab and went to the hospital ER. They kept me for observation by the nurses desk for 6 hours testing my glucose levels continuously to make sure they were rising, and then I was released around 3 in the morning. What a place to spend Christmas Eve. 🎄

Oh dear! I can see how that would be absolutely terrifying, glad you were able to get a bit of sugar into you and call a cab before anything bad could happen! Unfortunate that it happened on Christmas Eve, though, certainly not the best place to spend it!