Your comment underscores the need for diabetics to have some type of food or drink that contains real sugar available especially if they live alone. You are lucky you tested when you did since much lower than that you might have passed out. An old friend needed to set alarm clocks to remind him to eat because he would either not feel hungry or the time passed quickly and he was not aware of how long it had been.

I’m not diabetic but I do have to take medications in the morning and again in the evening. I really had problems remembering to take the evening dose. After missing it a couple of times, I decided to pull out the Alexa I had stored away and set up vocal reminders that also text me in case I’m not home. It’s helped a lot.

ETA: I ended up getting a smaller dot for upstairs so no matter where I am in the house I can here her reminder. I know I could use an alarm clock to do the same thing, but the noise scares my dog. LOL

Wow that is very low, good thing you caught it in time. Never skip a meal, you have to remember that or get a watch that alarms you to do so. Happy you are doing good!

I also use my Echo Dot to remind me to take medications.

I set my husband's cellphone with an alarm to remind him to take medication daily. It will go for quite a while before it stops, also can snooze it for 10 minutes if he can't take it right away. Maybe set several alarms per day for reminders to have a snack. That's a scary low glucose level.

The problem with Alexa you have to be in the room to hear, but I guess if it also sends a message on your phone that would be good.

lucille, absent mindness can get one in big trouble when it comes to diabetes.

My Dh mistakenly took his before meals fast acting insulin one night last week instead of his bedtime slow acting insulin at 11 pm.

Fortunately the sound of something being dropped on the kitchen floor woke me around midnight. I got up to find DH standing next to the place where his blood testing supplies are kept, blood dripping from a test sight on a finger. His meter was on the floor behind him and he was totally confused and swaying as he grabbed for support from a chair. I got him sat down and some blood into the meter. He was just 27. Two 6 oz cans of orange juice and 20 minutes later he tested 37. Our old standby of using peanut butter to stabilize his blood sugar was used and 2 hours later he was at 110. The juice would have gone through his system to quickly to out last the excess of fast acting insulin, but the peanut butter with protein and fat slows down digestion and helps even things out.

Experience of raising a diabetic daughter and having had 2 dogs with diabetes we learned the value of peanut butter in cases of very low blood sugars.

DH is on a series of meds after surgery. We set his iphone each morning. He always has his clipped on his belt.

When things get crazy, especially when others are around, we rely on these alerts.

Have you tried the Dexcom G6 CGM (continuous glucose monitor)? You don't have to do finger sticks. The diabetic can 'share' the blood glucose readings so the blood glucose shows on wife's phone (or parent's phones for a child, etc.). The CGM has alarms that the user can choose and set so you are notified of low or high blood glucose. It's a lifesaver. https://www.dexcom.com/

I've discovered that Just Getting Old has a learning curve. I remember one of our KT friends writing that she played 18 holes with friends regularly -- past eighty I think. Then one day, no different from any other, she wilted. She just couldn't do it anymore. I haven't had any such immediate, direct 'stop sign' in my life, but there have been a string of things -- everyday things -- that I am astounded to discover are difficult for the first time, ever!

It's taken me time to accept that my body is just wearing out, that if I push too hard I will pay for it. Fortunately, my DH has always been in better health than I, and I have learned to listen to him when he tells me *he* will do whatever chore that would result in pain if I insist on denying it will hurt me.

I believe my physical body has continued to slow at an increasing speed once I passed 75. I'm 80. DH is 83. Maybe some of our more senior members would comment on what they have noticed as they aged...and how they have coped.

Have you tried the Dexcom G6 CGM

I was only diagnosed 5 weeks ago. I have made a HUGE effort to change what I eat and I am losing weight too. While I agree that the continuous glucose monitors can be very helpful, my goal is to make every effort to see whether I can reverse my symptoms and get off my meds so I am going to hold off on trying the CGMs.

I've discovered that Just Getting Old has a learning curve.

Wise words, Chisue.

I hit a mid-decade milestone this year, and it's like I hit a wall. (Yes, Chisue, it was 75!) Lots of little things, aches and pains, in addition to the diabetes of course which was diagnosed 5-6 years ago.

Lucille, sounds like you are doing a good job with the diabetes. I remember my first trip through the grocery store after diagnosis. It was horrifying, reading labels.

I don't want to be like my Aunt Bessie. She was not really my aunt, she was a friend of the family. I recall when I was young (11 or 12) I would get sent over to visit Aunt Bessie for the afternoon, my parents knew she would enjoy company. She was well to do and had a beautiful apartment. And she was very sweet. She was enormously obese, looked like Jabba the Hutt with lipstick and smelled like baby powder. I knew she had diabetes, but on my visits she would serve things like a sweet thick cherry soup with whipped cream. I think I did broach the subject one time, I can't remember what she said but she did not change her ways.

While I guess I could rationalize my bad habits, my sedentary lifestyle and rising weight to being inside to avoid Covid, now that I am diagnosed and vaccinated no rationalization is currently available and so I'm going to give this fight against diabetes everything I've got.

My husband has the occasional drop in his blood sugar, he is a diabetic also. I buy him bottles of chewable glucose tablets to keep handy. Works faster than sugar or fruits. In fact I found some yesterday at HEB on the discount shelf so I grabbed a couple bottles. I don't have hard drops very often at all. Since I have been on the Ozempic my diabetes has been exceptionally well behaved. Love that Ozempic it works miracles!

This is second or third hand so perhaps someone with diabetes or an EMT can state if it is still true but I was told that putting sugar or even holding some sweet liquid under the front of the tongue would speed the glucose to the body similar to how nitro pills are used.

I am not diabetic but I do have rapid drops in blood sugar ever so often but mostly on hot days when I have been working outdoors. I thought it was just the heat until I had one and someone tested my blood sugar.

You put it under the tongue because it is a safe place. You dont want a woozy person inhaling sugar or choking on something. It dissolves slowly. EMT's have tubes of goop they can feed to people.

I am hypoglycemic and if I forget to eat and then finally get around to eating my blood sugar can drop when I start digesting and I can faint. I seem to do this at wedding receptions. You would think I could remember to carry something to eat with me. I have snack bars in my car usually. If I could remember to eat them...

The 'sugar' needs to get into the blood stream. If the person can swallow, they should swallow something with sugar in it - like orange juice. If the person has such low blood sugar that they can not swallow, call 911. I have taken a tube of icing and put that on my finger and rub the persons gums with it to get some sugar into them without choking them, before the ambulance arrives. Remember, whenever blood sugar is very low or very high you are getting brain damage.

One thing I've learned since I've aged, everyone has some medical issue. Anyone who doesn't is an exception.

Lucille, I don’t know much about Diabetes and didn’t realize how dangerous your situation was, I’m sorry you’ve got that fight to deal with. Please be careful.

Thank you. I think that next time I'm in for a checkup I'll ask for a prescription for injectable glucagon or maybe the nasal powder. I do keep one bottle of sugary juice in the refrigerator just for this purpose, it was only about 10 seconds between the low test result and my drinking half a cup of the juice.

Such a good idea to get the glucagon, and make sure those around you know how and when to use it. It's wonderful you are taking this so seriously - it is daunting. Wishing you the best.

You can purchase the glucose gel at a pharmacy. It's kind of pricey but good to have a few around for emergencies. My dad had a scare a few months ago, he was at 40 and was unable to speak. I wasn't there, mom called an ambulance. It seems he had a bladder infection and then a week later when he had another episode of sorts he had a kidney/ bladder stone infection again that needed surgery to remove. He is kind of a mess health wise so that doesn't help. He has diabetic neuropathy that has effected every part of his body and brain function. So please do watch out, it's the pits.

Lucille, I just have to give you several pats on the back + a hug, for taking charge of your DM (and your overall health!). I can't tell you how many patients (and their families) I had encountered over the years - but hundreds, surely - who had so many "reasons" why they "couldn't" follow any of their doctor's and diabetes educator's advice on how to manage the disease, other than taking the medication - even after landing in the ICU. Some of the mental gymnastics involved were quite inventive...

Lucille, What a great example you are setting for us here at the table. This is hard stuff and you didn't skip a beat in getting on with it, and you have been so generous sharing your journey. Many thanks.

Something to think about but while having juice in the frig is great what would happen if it had happened and you were not able to reach the kitchen. Some of the people I know keep stashes of various things all over their house.

I do not have experience with such an illness but I will second the suggestion to set an alarm for meals and meds. I am only on one med, my birth control pill. I have been on them for over a decade and I still have my alarm set to take it. It is VERY IMPORTANT to me that they work properly, so I take them EXACTLY as prescribed, which is take one daily AT THE SAME TIME. 6 pm.....SHARP.

stashes

Juice is stored in 2 places, refrigerator and walk in closet, candy is in my purse. Apt is only 700 sf.

Glad you started a worthwhile discussion, best wishes.

As far as "How many women do you know that have 1 purse?"

I can answer that question - I know one. My wife. Her purse is black leather in the shape of a mini backpack. She can use it like a backpack or carry it by its handle. She has other purses for one-off dressy "occasions" out but we've had fewer and fewer of those in recent years.

Wow Lucille! Are you sure your reading was 35? At that level, I'd think you'd be passing out. I have been diabetic type 2 for 20 years and I get fuzzy headed if my glucose reading falls to 60. Usually, I become aware of a low glucose condition at 90 and below. I watch for signs of low glucose when driving. Its very important to correct low glucose if driving. One should not let it fall below 90 and 100 is a better low mark when driving.

I keep a tube of 10 glucose tablets in my auto's console and carry 5 hard candies in my back pocket. Reasonable cost glucose tablets are available from Walmart. They have tubes of 10 tabs and jars with 100 tabs. The tabs are lower cost in the 100 tab jar. I keep my empty 10 tab tubes and refill those from the larger jar.

Wow Lucille! Are you sure your reading was 35?

Yes. That is why I am doing all this thinking and planning, I may not be lucky enough to survive if it happens again. And an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, my meals and snacks are on a schedule now so as to help prevent a similar occurrence.

One should not let it fall below 90 and 100 is a better low mark when driving.

Good advice, but I no longer drive.

I do hope all those with diabetes who drive will pay close attention to their glucose levels, particularly commercial drivers of huge rigs.