Can anyone share their experiences of low blood sugars.This afternoon at work I started shaking and sweating and feeling weak .This happens quite a lot and one of the reasons I got tested for diabetes.I ate something sweet and felt a bit better but I now have a headache and feel really tired.Anyone else experienced this
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Low blood sugars
- Thread starter Carolst66
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Inka
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- Type 1
Hi @Carolst66 Did you test your blood sugar when you felt shaky?
Inka
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Ok. The reason I asked was that sometimes if your blood sugar is high and then drops quickly, it can feel like a low even though your blood sugar is normal. It’s the sudden drop that does it. Also, if you’ve recently changed your diet that can have an effect too because your blood sugars become lower having been high for a while, and your body has got used to the high sugars so then a normal blood sugar feels low to it. That’s called a false hypo.
I’d advise taking your meter with you so you can test if you get the feeling again. Are you on any medication for your diabetes?
I’d advise taking your meter with you so you can test if you get the feeling again. Are you on any medication for your diabetes?
Drummer
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It would be unusual for an unmedicated type two to have a hypo.
I had a few wobbly feelings when I was back eating low carb, but after all the carbohydrate I was encouraged to eat, it was just the shock of the change - I found that sipping a warm drink and eating up to four grapes, slowly, stopped them - but I was and am confident that it was the change in levels rather than a true hypo.
My pancreas was probably quite hysterical and over producing - it took a few weeks for it to settle down after the bombardment it had on the 'healthy' high carb, low fat, low calorie regime.
I had a few wobbly feelings when I was back eating low carb, but after all the carbohydrate I was encouraged to eat, it was just the shock of the change - I found that sipping a warm drink and eating up to four grapes, slowly, stopped them - but I was and am confident that it was the change in levels rather than a true hypo.
My pancreas was probably quite hysterical and over producing - it took a few weeks for it to settle down after the bombardment it had on the 'healthy' high carb, low fat, low calorie regime.
Inka
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- Type 1
Ok, so not technically a hypo, but it’s possible to feel a bit shaky if you’re dropping fast. I’d have a little water and maybe a small bite of something just to make you feel better but not enough to put your blood sugar up and out of range.
Inka
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Without testing, it isn’t possible to say @Carolst66 You’ve said you do eat sweet things and it’s possible they caused a quick rise and a quick drop, which made you feel bad.
If it was me, I’d test when it happens so I could see the full picture. I’d also pay attention to my diet eg am I eating enough/too much? Is my food fairly balanced over the day or do I overeat then leave a big gap till the next meal, etc?
If it was me, I’d test when it happens so I could see the full picture. I’d also pay attention to my diet eg am I eating enough/too much? Is my food fairly balanced over the day or do I overeat then leave a big gap till the next meal, etc?
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Sorry to hear about these very unpleasant sensations you are getting @Carolst66
As they are happening quite a lot, it would seem wise to try to remember to take your BG meter with you, so that you can check your levels when the symptoms occur.
What are your BG levels like generally?
Have you mentioned it to your GP? It might be worth trying to book a phone consultation to chat things through, while the general run of appointments has been disrupted by the pandemic.
ISorry to hear about these very unpleasant sensations you are getting @Carolst66
As they are happening quite a lot, it would seem wise to try to remember to take your BG meter with you, so that you can check your levels when the symptoms occur.
What are your BG levels like generally?
Have you mentioned it to your GP? It might be worth trying to book a phone consultation to chat things through, while the general run of appointments has been disrupted by the pandemic.
I thought I would update .So this afternoon I was at home and had the same thing happen.I tested my blood sugars and they were 2.3 so I’m guessing the other day would of been the same.I’ve eaten something sweet so am going to test them again
Are you on any medication?
No not for diabetes
Inka
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- Type 1
Yes, definitely. Sometimes what happens is your insulin response is messed up. So when you eat it doesn’t work as quick as it should and your blood sugar goes up. Your body then finally responds with insulin, but it’s an over-response and too much - hence your blood sugar drops too low and you have a hypo.
That’s one possibility of what’s happening, but there are others. Definitely speak to someone medical and tell them what’s happening and how low you went. In the meantime keep sweet things with you - jelly babies are good (have two or three) or full sugar Coke.
If you drive, you need to be extremely cautious and always test your blood sugar first. Personally until you’ve spoken to someone, I wouldn’t drive. Do phone your GP on Monday.
Inka
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- Type 1
The headache will be the hypo. They’re sometimes called ‘hypo headaches’ because they’re a very particular kind of headache. If you’re ok to do so, taking a paracetamol will help, but time will help most.
I’d write down all the hypos you’ve had (or can remember). Also, think about how long after your last meal or snack they happened, and what you ate. You might see a pattern and be able to ward them off. I’d also test frequently and even eat a small amount if you’ve identified a ‘danger time’ or you test and see your blood sugar dropping. You might also want to avoid sweet things (unless you have a hypo) and meals with a big lot of carbs (because they might trigger a over-production of insulin). Hopefully writing down when you’ve had them will give you some clues as to how to ward them off while you’re waiting to speak to your doctor.
I’d write down all the hypos you’ve had (or can remember). Also, think about how long after your last meal or snack they happened, and what you ate. You might see a pattern and be able to ward them off. I’d also test frequently and even eat a small amount if you’ve identified a ‘danger time’ or you test and see your blood sugar dropping. You might also want to avoid sweet things (unless you have a hypo) and meals with a big lot of carbs (because they might trigger a over-production of insulin). Hopefully writing down when you’ve had them will give you some clues as to how to ward them off while you’re waiting to speak to your doctor.
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