awareness of my hypos

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heasandford

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I am starting to realise that I have less awareness of my hypos, bit scary - will I have my driving licence taken away immediately?? - what is my next move??
 
Have you spoken to your team about your lack of hypo awareness to see if they have any suggestions?

I don't drive but imagine you would need to tread carefully when it comes to the DVLA!
 
I always check my bg before I drive, just wondering what the case is with anyone who is in a similar position - thanks!
 
am seeing the nurse on Thursday (is she a dsn, no idea, now have to see only my GP who is supposed to be the diabetes specialist and nurse is with the diabetes team at the surgery. I no longer have access to the consultant, PCT has pulled the service. I think I didn't know the right questions to ask before I came on this blog!
 
Whereabouts are you based? You can, under the PAtient Choice Act, be seen by any specialist team you want - which is how for example some parents living in Devon take their children to be seen by the team in Leeds. So get them to refer you to your nearest consultant.
 
Hi Alison,
Don't go rushing into anything too hastily - it could just be a temporary disturbance in your general being. Have you changed insulin lately?
Do you have any other physiological changes that you ought to consider?
Best to discuss with your D-care team (if you have one😱) to see if there's an under-lying cause.
In the meantime, keep checking before you drive. Probably best to reduce the time between tests, whilst driving, from the usual 2hrs to (say) 1hr, if only to maintain your confidence. If you scare the DVLA into suspending your licence, possibly unnecessarily, you will not only have the inconvenience of not being able to drive, but expect insurers to like you less when you are in a position to resume.
Can I also suggest that you take great care when discussing with others - being truthful isn't the same as blurting out all your worries to officialdom. A perfectly healthy (non-diabetic) friend of mine once had his licence revoked for a year, after his own GP wrote to the DVLA behind his back, following a solitary dizzy spell!
 
I agree with Shiv and Chris.

Have you been running fairly low for a while ?

It might be necessary to let your BG run a little bit higher to see if you regain your symptoms (or acquire some new ones!).

Rob
 
I'll move this to driving section.
 
Hi Copepod,

I wonder whether this should stay here, as it also raises a question of decreased hypo awareness - something that affects many, whether they drive or not?
 
As said before, be very careful what you say and to whom if you want to keep your licence. I have decreased hypo awareness and test my bg every time I plan to drive and if on a longer journey I stop at least every hour, sooner if necessary, to know that I am able to drive safely. I do discuss this with my DSN as I trust her to help me but don't make an issue out if it specifically with anyone else.
 
thanks for all your help and support, I will look in the driving section too. I have probably been deluding myself about this, but my results are all over the place and have been for a while, although I think I have had better awareness before recently. The trouble is if I want to get my 'team' on board to help me get better results I may have to own up - although if I have to argue they may shop me! perhaps I'm over-reacting!
 
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