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hypos and driving

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N

niall

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
if you have had a few hypos where you passed out for a number of hours what is your position driving
 
My immediate answer would be don’t drive!

Can you tell us a little but more about what happened? Were you alone? How long were you unconscious? How did you come round? What meds do you take? Were you aware you were low before you passed out?
 
niall said:
if you have had a few hypos where you passed out for a number of hours what is your position driving
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Basically it means you are not allowed to drive. You obviously have no hypo warnings which is a complete no no as far as driving is concerned. Not to sure what the rules are regarding night time hypos though.

Do you see a consultant or have libre/cgm so you can see what is going on so you are safe?
Perhaps do some basic basal testing and see about reducing your basal if needed. Then look at your carb ratio.
 
Inka said:
My immediate answer would be don’t drive!

Can you tell us a little but more about what happened? Were you alone? How long were you unconscious? How did you come round? What meds do you take? Were you aware you were low before you passed out?
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hi i am type 2 on insulin i have been on insulin for over 30 years, i never had any problems with hypos until once for 3 days and end of last year, ive had 2 bad hypos when i was out for 4hrs on 1 occasion and 6 hrs on another i didnt have any warning which was very unusual, both times i was hospitalised once for 3 days and once for 1 week, i have alot of health problems, before the ist hypo i had a mini stroke
 
niall said:
hi i am type 2 on insulin i have been on insulin for over 30 years, i never had any problems with hypos until once for 3 days and end of last year, ive had 2 bad hypos when i was out for 4hrs on 1 occasion and 6 hrs on another i didnt have any warning which was very unusual, both times i was hospitalised once for 3 days and once for 1 week, i have alot of health problems, before the ist hypo i had a mini stroke
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It sound like you are lucky to be here to tell the tale.

I am sorry to say this as I know it will make things difficult but you need to stop driving now then inform the dvla.
Tbh it doesn’t matter what type of diabetes we have , it’s about our hypo awareness and how bad our hypo’s can be , also about protecting others . Yours have been bad ones as well as lost /diminished awareness of them.
It’s quite possible that the dvla will let you drive again at some point .

I am wondering if your units of insulin or type of insulin’s needs changing
What insulin’s are you on .
Are you getting many hypo’s , even fairly minor ones
 
niall said:
hi i am type 2 on insulin i have been on insulin for over 30 years, i never had any problems with hypos until once for 3 days and end of last year, ive had 2 bad hypos when i was out for 4hrs on 1 occasion and 6 hrs on another i didnt have any warning which was very unusual, both times i was hospitalised once for 3 days and once for 1 week, i have alot of health problems, before the ist hypo i had a mini stroke
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Hello Niall,
I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems and hopefully things will improve soon for you.
Unfortunately it's illegal for you to drive and if you are still doing so then you have no valid licence thus no ins either.
I think you will be stopped from driving for 6 mths and then have to reapply for your licence. That's once you have a fit note from your Doctor.
 
niall said:
hi i am type 2 on insulin i have been on insulin for over 30 years, i never had any problems with hypos until once for 3 days and end of last year, ive had 2 bad hypos when i was out for 4hrs on 1 occasion and 6 hrs on another i didnt have any warning which was very unusual, both times i was hospitalised once for 3 days and once for 1 week, i have alot of health problems, before the ist hypo i had a mini stroke
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That sounds awful @niall I hope you’re getting support to find out why this is happening. Please push for help if you’ve not been offered it.

Stop driving immediately and tell the DVLA about your hypos. They’ll revoke you licence but you can re-apply if/when you’re issues have been sorted.
 
Inka said:
That sounds awful @niall I hope you’re getting support to find out why this is happening. Please push for help if you’ve not been offered it.

Stop driving immediately and tell the DVLA about your hypos. They’ll revoke you licence but you can re-apply if/when you’re issues have been sorted.
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im going to see a new consultant on the 8 march I was attending the rvh but when iwas in the ulster before xmas they got me changed over to them so as I will be under their care for everything , I wasn't driving after the tdi i was advised not to drive for 6 weeks I was to see the consultant in January but this was cancelled due to the covid my insulin has been greatly reduced but I would have some lows i don't want to drive if it would cause a danger to anyone,I take a lot of medication 15-16 tabs a day I want to do whats right, I lost my wife last year things have went downhill since thanks for the advice I really appreciate it N
 
So sorry to hear that @niall Life can be cruel...

If your hypos have come on quite recently, make sure they do some blood tests for things like coeliac disease that are known to cause hypos. Stress can sometimes cause low blood sugar too (as well as highs). Any change in diet might have an effect too.

I recommend testing lots and keeping hypo treatments all around the house. Regular sugar Coke is good if you’re dropping quickly. You might also want to set an alarm to test around 2am to make sure you’re not dropping in the night.

Please do start another thread if you need more suggestions about the hypos and helping to stop lows. Perhaps technology can help you in the meantime and keep you safe. People here will have advice and things that might help.
 
If you drive at all now, please stop. It is illegal not to tell the DVLA of changes in health that could affect your driving. It is for them to decide your fitness to drive, not hospital consultants. You also need to tell your insurers, because if you don’t they won’t pay out, even for a minor shunt.
 
i found it hard to be told you cant drive ive had different problems after 40 yrs on insulin but age does different things to us all ,when you see some of the families who have been effected by covid it puts everything into perspective, so here is hoping that everyone keeps safe and covid free, if you have anyone living beside you who is on thier own maybe a phonecall would make a difference to them,
 
niall said:
i found it hard to be told you cant drive ive had different problems after 40 yrs on insulin but age does different things to us all ,when you see some of the families who have been effected by covid it puts everything into perspective, so here is hoping that everyone keeps safe and covid free, if you have anyone living beside you who is on thier own maybe a phonecall would make a difference to them,
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Hello Niall,
I hope you are starting to feel a bit better now.
How did you get on with your new consultant on the 8th March?
 
met with the new consultant,a very pleasant young doctor she had spoke with the doctor i was with in the hospital we are trying to adjust insulin,the driving just wont be allowed for a long time the stroke complicated things, ive to go into hospital tomorrow for tests hopefully it will just be for 1 night, but when you see what some people have had to suffer this ;last year it puts things into perspective, stay safe N
 
niall said:
met with the new consultant,a very pleasant young doctor she had spoke with the doctor i was with in the hospital we are trying to adjust insulin,the driving just wont be allowed for a long time the stroke complicated things, ive to go into hospital tomorrow for tests hopefully it will just be for 1 night, but when you see what some people have had to suffer this ;last year it puts things into perspective, stay safe N
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Very pleased you liked your new consultant, that's half the battle isn't it.
Slow and steady in your recovery will go a long way to being able to drive again I'm sure. Good luck tomorrow hope all goes well and stay safe as well.
 
Thanks for the update @niall

All the best for your continued recovery.
 
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