Hi, I have had diabetes for 14 years, diagnosed as Type 2, 2 years on tablets and then prescribed insulin. During that time I have suffered 8 severe hypoglycemic seizures but after tests, re-diagnosed as Type 1. Last year I asked to see a neurologist as I thought the seizures were exactly like epileptic fits, as I had had an epileptic fit before I was diagnosed with diabetes. A year later I was diagnosed with epilepsy, but while waiting I had another seizure in August and cannot now drive for a year. I am now told the 9 seizures were caused by epilepsy not diabetes even though in most cases my BG was low. Is are there anybody on this forum that suffers with both diabetes and epilepsy? If so, any advice would be most welcome.
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Type 1 and Epilepsy
- Thread starter Maisie
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mikeyB
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
Hello Maisie, welcome to the forum.🙂
I have had four grand mal fits due to hypoglycaemia, the first in Tesco, the second in Spar. The last two were in bed, partly due to being on Sertraline. The first one put me off driving for a year, but the second one didn’t because it was confirmed as hypoglycaemic. Ever since then, before I had to give up driving for other reasons, I had an epilepsy questionnaire at each licence renewal.
As you had a fit before diagnosis, then you appear to have an epileptic tendency separate from the Diabetes. Low blood sugar will obviously aggravate this, but a diagnosis of epilepsy is reasonable, though unusual at your age. (That sounds rude, but isn’t meant to be). It may be worth asking your neurologist whether anti epileptic neducation is worthwhile, because that would suppress fits whatever the cause.
Just one question- have you had a CT or MRI scan of the brain?
I have had four grand mal fits due to hypoglycaemia, the first in Tesco, the second in Spar. The last two were in bed, partly due to being on Sertraline. The first one put me off driving for a year, but the second one didn’t because it was confirmed as hypoglycaemic. Ever since then, before I had to give up driving for other reasons, I had an epilepsy questionnaire at each licence renewal.
As you had a fit before diagnosis, then you appear to have an epileptic tendency separate from the Diabetes. Low blood sugar will obviously aggravate this, but a diagnosis of epilepsy is reasonable, though unusual at your age. (That sounds rude, but isn’t meant to be). It may be worth asking your neurologist whether anti epileptic neducation is worthwhile, because that would suppress fits whatever the cause.
Just one question- have you had a CT or MRI scan of the brain?
Hi Mike - thanks for the reply. I also had a seizure in Tesco, what is it with that shop! Yes I have had an MRI and two EEG's, the results showed irregularities, so the diagnosis is correct. I have started taking the medication but my BG is lower than normal (it was always on the high side anyway) and tonight I had a hypo. At the moment I am at a total loss , there is no specialist epilepsy nurse at the local hospital at the moment (maternity leave) and the Neurologist and the GP did not explain what to expect. I just wondered if anybody has experience of the two critical illnesses.
mikeyB
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Well, Maisie, your experience isn’t uncommon. Neurologists in my experience are high on knowledge and experience, and desperately low on empathy. Along with diabetes, it’s a life changing diagnosis. It’s the only thing that bothers me - the worry of seeing a LO reading, because I know there’s a risk of waking up on the floor with damp trousers.
Can I suggest you have a look at the Epilepsy Society website. I don’t know how that forum works, but you may well find advice that this forum, or your GP, can’t supply. And there’s bound to be a group of diabetic folk on that forum just from statistical chance.
It’s an odd thing, but after a seizure, I feel like I’ve had a hard reboot of the brain, and feel calm and refreshed (apart from the headache). Doesn’t last, mind, I’m soon back to my usual grumpy self.🙂
Can I suggest you have a look at the Epilepsy Society website. I don’t know how that forum works, but you may well find advice that this forum, or your GP, can’t supply. And there’s bound to be a group of diabetic folk on that forum just from statistical chance.
It’s an odd thing, but after a seizure, I feel like I’ve had a hard reboot of the brain, and feel calm and refreshed (apart from the headache). Doesn’t last, mind, I’m soon back to my usual grumpy self.🙂
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