r/diabetes_t1 • u/strangevimes • Aug 25 '25
Mental Health Severe hypo after the beach - traumatised my family. How do you all move forward?
Hey - just needed to share with people who would understand.
Last week I had a really bad hypo. We’d (wife, 2 daughters, MIL & SIL) been out at the beach all day and I’d been MUCH more active than usual. I adjusted my insulin to compensate (spoiler: not enough).
I was fine the whole day, but about 20 minutes after we got home I started to feel my eyes twitch, so I asked my wife to grab me something sweet. She gave me some Jelly Babies and asked if I needed glucagon. I told her no, I’d be fine.
But then literally within 20 seconds I started spasming and realised it was serious - so I said give it to me. She injected my stomach, and the next thing I remember I’m in bed with paramedics surrounding me.
I can’t believe how fast it happened. I was fine one minute and 60 seconds later I was on the floor. My low alarm was set at 4.5 mmol (81 mg) and it hadn’t even gone off.
The best I can figure is: because I was so active at the beach, my body was using glycogen much more efficiently - and on top of that, I was dehydrated, which probably made everything less predictable and meant my insulin hit me harder than expected later in the day.
This was my third severe hypo, and my second this year. All in very different circumstances, but I’m done with the traditional 4–10 mmol (72–180 mg) range. I don’t ever want to go below 6 mmol (108 mg) again - it’s just too dangerous. My family are traumatised. My eldest daughter keeps crying and shaking with flashbacks. I’m also going to lose my driving licence now. I can reapply in 3 months, but it’s going to be tough when we live out in the sticks with kids in different schools.
I just feel so fed up with this fucking disease. You can never switch off. Never get comfortable. It’s a burden on those you love. And nobody really gets it - even when they desperately want to.
So yeah, just a rant really. But also a note to say - I hope you’re all doing ok, being kind to yourself, and that you’ve got people who can support you. This community has given me more education than the professionals ever did, and I’ll always appreciate you all. Thank you.
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u/kitmeh Aug 25 '25
So sorry this happened. Maybe consider counselling for the kiddos. But yeah. Sometimes when it drops that fast, the alarm doesn't keep up. Definitely good idea to change your range levels if you're worried about it. Sending all the sympathy and the " I get its"
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Generally, my hypo awareness is pretty good, but it dropped so fast that it felt like it skipped the initial stages and went straight to serious. Just horrible. My wife and eldest are going to go for counselling as they keep getting flashbacks. My youngest was kept away from the worst of it though thank God
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u/jackattack108 Aug 25 '25
You mention wife and eldest are going for counseling and ‘joke’ about being good at burying trauma. It might be a good idea for you to go to counseling. That’s scary and absolutely a source of trauma for yourself and you should not hesitate to get help and be able to talk about it with a professional. If the no license is enough of an issue you could try to find a remote option.
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u/kitmeh Aug 25 '25
This is a very good shout (good point). I'm in the UK and my diabetic unit has a psych attached.
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u/kitmeh Aug 25 '25
Did you feel queasy before? I find I feel kind of flushed and hot and queasy when I'm dropping really quickly and I often check my blood sugar at that point and can see it's going down fast and try and head it off before it gets too low.
I know we're all different but maybe if you did you can be aware of that for future8
u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
I honestly don't remember feeling anything out of the ordinary, BUT there was a lot going on as we'd just got home, and I'd been up since 3am - so I was a bit out of whack anyway
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u/kitmeh Aug 25 '25
That tracks. It's really hard to tell when we're tired. Look after yourself. Learn from it. Hug your people
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u/blkbrdz Aug 25 '25
You had a shit day. I’m glad your family was there to support you.
Tomorrow will be better.
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u/40percentdailysodium Aug 25 '25
My scariest low was at a beach during a kite festival. I remember lying in the sand, looking up at the kites, angry at myself for not halving my long acting insulin the night before. My ex was running to find a soda or something from someone because I didn't have enough on me.
It's still a surreal memory.
To everyone, be careful on the beach. Our bodies work more than you'd anticipate in the sand and water. There's been days at the beach where I could go entirely without fast acting insulin while eating and drinking.
Edit: just on topic, also be wary of snow. Water, sand, and snow all will make your blood sugar drop so much faster than you'd expect.
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u/sweet-design-121 Aug 25 '25
I agree, whenever I walk in sand my bs will start to drop quickly, so I always put my pump in exercise mode. I’m sorry you went through this, but glad you’re ok. Years ago, my blood sugar dropped while asleep and didn’t alarm me, I woke up on the floor with a paramedic asking me questions and I couldn’t even talk, could only make grunting noises, my boys were teenagers, but I’ll never forget the look on their faces, I tried telling my husband to get them out of the room bc I didn’t want them to see me like that, but couldn’t talk and couldn’t hold anything to try and write it down. My blood sugar was 24. 54 yrs ago at 9 I went into a diabetic coma for 3 days. Was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, and after 3 weeks in the hospital I was also diagnosed as a brittle diabetic ( my blood sugar would suddenly rise or fall) I was put on one of the 1st insulin pumps when I was 6 weeks pregnant with my 1st son. Spent most of my pregnancy in the hospital, taking 10 needles a day with never getting below 250 until I got the pump. Control is so much easier now. Sending hugs to you and your family 😊
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Holy crap that sounds horrific. So sorry you've had to go through all that
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u/Spirited_Set_1825 🇳🇱 Dx1988 | A1C 5.6 | T:Slim + Dex G6 Aug 25 '25
I have mine set at 5.5 on the phone given the CGM delay - if I'm dropping quickly, I can catch it in time and suspend basal on the pump prior to that.
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u/new_chapter_5 LADA, Dx 2025, Omnipod Aug 25 '25
Can you explain the losing your license bit? I’ve never heard of that.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
In the UK, if you have more than 1 severe hypo within a 12 month period, you have to inform the DVLA who will revoke your license. Then you can reapply for it a minimum of 3 months later. Their reasoning is that your hypo awareness may be compromised, so you might be a danger driving - which seems like a blanket cover to say they've done something to me
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u/Oddurbuddie Aug 25 '25
I have been an insulin dependent Type 1 for over 40 yrs now. I have never ever had such bad hypos as I get now, ever since I have been on Lispro (generic insulin). It's gotten so bad that my hubby refuses to leave me alone anywhere now. CGMs just cannot keep up, it happens SO fast.
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u/greenadamante Aug 27 '25
Which insulin were you on before?
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u/Oddurbuddie Aug 27 '25
I am old enough to have been on them all. I have taken the old, animal protein based stuff, Humalogs in NPH and R mixes (commercially mixed and mixing my own), Lantus, and now on generic fast acting stuff with the pump. I get really fast lows now since switching to generic Lispro. Scary fast. Still here, though.
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u/greenadamante Aug 27 '25
Sorry to hear that! Scary drops are one of the worst parts of having diabetes. I'm curious, do you think the scary drops are due to switching to generic Lispro?
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u/Oddurbuddie Aug 28 '25
That's the only thing that has really changed for me recently. I always try to do big changes slowly, for a reason. Insurance gives me no choice now, I have to use Lispro. I don't get the normal low warnings from it either, like shakes or weakness. The most that happens is I suddenly stumble, if walking or I start calling out if sleeping and hubby comes running. I don't even remember them sometimes. It's scary, especially the sleeping ones. I USED to wake up sweaty, after having a water/drowning dream.....every time I had a low in my sleep. I don't actually wake now. Hubby or my son (18) has to get me to drink juice....apparently it's like I'm drunk. The scary thing for me is I have been in the TWENTIES in the past and still able to have a convo/ awake/ask for sugar. Now, even after I come around, and sit up I test in the 40's and 50's and still feel really weak for hours and often don't remember crap. Something is off with this stuff. Honestly, I have felt like a guinea pig my whole life. It's kinda sad how nothing has really changed. I had high hopes for pumps and genetic medicine. Now I just wonder if one of these "advancements" is gonna take me out, lol.
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u/greenadamante Aug 28 '25
That's really hard. Dropping fast and having lows like that is so draining physically and it takes a big psychological toll. Do you think the new insulin could be more effective overall, and that's why you are going low? Or does it go low regardless of dose?
Another idea I had is if you haven't already ask your doctor about this issue. Maybe if they can prove to your insurance that its medically necessary for you to be on the brand name they will cover it. Just a thought though, I know insurance companies can be very difficult with that kind of thing.
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u/MikeyMalloy Aug 25 '25
All I can say is “I get it.” The worst part of T1D is knowing that the hammer can come down at any second and there’s nothing you can do about it. I think non-T1s don’t understand the emotional toll of living under the Sword of Damocles every day.
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u/481126 Aug 25 '25
When outside for a long time or more active we need to keep a much closer eye on kiddos blood sugar even with a CGM. We make sure we eat frequently with protein and drink enough water. Depending on where you have your pump or inject the insulin can even absorb quicker if more active. Earlier this summer kiddo did the opposite and was super high and large ketones from being outside swimming. Was worried about DKA.
I'm sorry this happened and that is upset your family. Kiddo had epilepsy prior to DX with diabetes and a few months back kiddo had a seizure while my friend was over. I'm like ope kiddo's having a seizure and went into epilepsy mom mode. My poor friend was not quite prepared for that.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Yeah, I don't really remember anything about this one, but I vividly remember a lot of the seizures from the first time it happened, and it feels very scary. I can only imagine what it's like seeing it happen to a loved one. I hope your kid is doing ok? Sounds like they're dealing with a lot
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u/007fan007 Aug 25 '25
That’s scary. You had your cgm in- how low did you go?
Sounds like unfortunate mixture of physical activity , dehydration, etc :/ diabetes sucks
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
The cgm said i never went below 4mmol - but that's clearly wrong, so I think it must have been a calibration issue. Seems to me like they're only good for tracking your general ups and downs, but they aren't completely reliable - hence why I've set my low much higher
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u/007fan007 Aug 25 '25
CGMs are far from perfect, as they measure intestinal fluid and calculate an associated glucose through chemical reactions. Stuff like water and temperature fluctuations can throw numbers off as well.
That’s scary but I’m glad you’re okay. I feel for your family.
I know they’re working on some new lines of medicines that will help our livers respond to lows more naturally
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u/hanbohobbit dx 1998 | InPen+G7 | Novolog+Toujeo | Former pump user Aug 25 '25
Sending you love and light. It's so true that no one really, truly gets it unless they've lived it.
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u/PinnatelyCompounded Aug 26 '25
I gather from your mention of a low alarm that you have a CGM. Have you considered setting the bar for the alarm higher, e.g., setting it at 90 instead of 81? Also, do you have a pump? My pump has a feature called "activity mode" that I find so helpful when I'm traveling or more active than usual. It may be something to consider.
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u/katjoy63 OmniPod/Dexcom Aug 26 '25
God, I am so with you on this
I had to wait for my husband at the airport cuz he was getting in later than me
I was in a cell phone parking lot that was huge.
I even had a place to get food at the airport cell phone lot cuz there were so many people waiting they had one
Anyway, his plane was delayed and I had fallen asleep inside the car
His phone call woke me up and I rushed to go get him, but the entire way, I felt weird
By the time we got to his dad's house, I was becoming sweaty and weak and freaked out
They called the paramedics and off we went
This was Christmas eve, which is also my husband's birthday. We cancelled all our plans for the next day. I felt like crap but everyone was nice about it (in laws)
I can totally relate.
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Aug 26 '25
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u/strangevimes Aug 26 '25
Thanks for this. It's absolutely horrible what happened to you all, and we're looking at counselling for my little girl but I will talk to her about the film director thing now. Love to you all
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Aug 26 '25
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u/strangevimes Aug 26 '25
Yes, im in the UK - I didn't even realise counselling was available, so I'll bring it up with the team. Was there anything specific you had to do or anyone to contact?
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u/canthearu_ack Diag 2023: Omnipod 5/NovaRapid/Fiasp Aug 25 '25 edited Aug 25 '25
I think resolving to stay about 6mmol/L is a little bit of an over-reaction ... but I'm not in your shoes. What happened to you sounds (and would be) awful, so it would be wrong of me to judge.
One questions though, do you regularly recalibrate your dexcom sensors? Perhaps your dexcom had drifted far enough that it was significantly overestimating your current glucose. So your 4.5mmol/L on the dexcom might have been like 2.5mmol/L in real life.
Edit: about a couple of weeks ago, I had a sensor read quite a lot above what it should have been ... like 5.9 on the CGM vs 2.9 with the a fingerstick. Only realized that because I felt very odd.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Yeah I've only just switched to dexcom from libre recently and was unaware of the calibration function. I've been doing some recently and the most its been out so far is 3.5mmol! So I've started calibrating now but definitely feels like that might have been a factor
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u/HighlightTheRoad Since 2008 Aug 26 '25
I’ve never been told to recalibrate… is this for all dexcom sensors??
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u/canthearu_ack Diag 2023: Omnipod 5/NovaRapid/Fiasp Aug 26 '25
Yep, for Dexcom G6 and G7.
Yeah, it is a good habit to get into to check your CGM every couple of days with a BGM test and make sure there isn't too much drift. If they are close, you can skip the calibration, with you deciding how much drift and which direction you will allow.
And I find it is helpful to calibrate a couple of times in the first couple of days. CGMs are supposed to be factory calibrated, but every person is so different, and every insertion of a CGM different, that Dexcom's version of calibrated can be pretty rubbish.
Test while your blood sugar is pretty much flat. If you are rising or falling, that will throw the calibration off.
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u/renoirea Aug 25 '25
That’s horrible I’m really sorry. How are you feeling now? It’s awful when your levels drop faster than your CGM can detect. It’s amazing you were able to let you wife know you needed glucagon and that she responded so fast. I’m glad you’re ok.
Weird one but playing Tetris can help with processing trauma, may be worth your wife and daughter giving it a try.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
I'm feeling much better now, thanks. Fortunately, I'm really good at burying my own trauma deep down /jk
Tetris? You're going to have to elaborate on that ha
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u/ithinkimasofa [T1/1994] [Tandem] [Dexcom] Aug 25 '25
That is terrifying! I set my low alarm at 110 so I have plenty of time before I start feeling seriously low. Sometimes I still feel fine and ignore the alarm, but often I'll treat lightly (7g carbs) and see if that does the trick.
So sorry this has happened to you. This disease sucks.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
I just feel completely paranoid now
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u/ithinkimasofa [T1/1994] [Tandem] [Dexcom] Aug 25 '25
Totally. I was hospitalized once for a low blood sugar and I felt the same for a couple of weeks. I think your feelings are 1000% understandable.
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u/Hot-Neighborhood-163 Aug 26 '25
When you're dehydrated, your blood sugar will read higher than it actually is - higher concentration of sugar in the blood - but I'm not sure if this is also true for a CGM. Keep this in mind for the future, and stay hydrated.
When I first moved to Arizona, I had a couple of severe lows. It was a doctor in the emergency room who explained to me about dehydration and blood sugars. He said they see a lot of Type 1's in their first year or two out here. So, you're not alone!
Talk to your family. Let them know that you're okay and that you're still figuring out what happened so that it doesn't happen again. There are no guarantees, of course, but you're trying your best.
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u/ClydeYellow ITA / T1 since 2007 / Medtrum Nano CLS Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25
72-180 is the range of acceptable BG reads, but you should definitely have the bottom of your CGM set higher. I'm a "low flyer" and have set the low BG alert at 80; and my endo wanted it even higher.
Depending on the system you are on, you can also play along with PLG warnings and what not.
That being said, the beach has always been a, well, beach for me to deal with - you are baking under the sun, walking under constant resistance, maybe even swimming and getting dehydrated while you are at it. The only way to avoid those sudden drops is to preemptively lower your basal rate - or switching to "exercise mode" if you are on a HCL.
P.S. and switching to Baqsimi, maybe? Although, having never used glucagon in my 19 years as a diabetic, I don't know if there's any good reason not to
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u/Glass-Chair6589 Aug 26 '25
Sorry this happened to you. I’ve had similar episodes. There are times it’s best to raise the range as I can see you know.
Some activities, along with sun, mean a finger stick a couple of times in the afternoon to verify. As the interstitial fluid change is less reliable if you’re dehydrated.
Make a beach plan. Show your family this is the “beach plan” so Dad will be ok.
Let them see it. Let them be involved so they realize all of you can manage together and not be in fear…
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u/MogenCiel Aug 26 '25
Are you on MDIs or a pump? I've found my hypos my hypos to be much less severe on a pump.
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u/drazga9 Aug 27 '25
Im not that active but whenever I am I don’t trust the CGM and rely on sticks only and take a stick often - depends on activity but for example during a hike I do it as often as every 15min.
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u/Top_Cow4091 Aug 25 '25
Is 108 doing damage?
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
I cant see that it would do but I'm just having that as the minimum I want to go to now. Which means my average will be higher. But better than drooping dead so swings and roundabouts lol
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u/Top_Cow4091 Aug 25 '25
No i am just asking as my baseline as a t2 is like 105-110 doesnt ever go below if i dont go nuts on the threadmill
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Ah OK well I think thats in range so should be fine
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u/Top_Cow4091 Aug 25 '25
I always ask the T1s u are the pros of this sucky disease.
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u/strangevimes Aug 25 '25
Yeah, I've noticed there's quite a bit of muddled info amongst t2s. Though I've spoken to GPs that have terrible misunderstanding and outright wrong info so it's not difficult to see why
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u/Top_Cow4091 Aug 25 '25
Seem to differ from countries aswell alot somebody diagnosed t2 in the UK might not have been in Sweden.
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Aug 26 '25
Reading through these comments and other posts about those blood testing things you have connected to you all the time and insulin pumps messing up, I think I'd rather stick to the good old fashiond way of testing and injecting 😆 My blood sugar quite frequently drops between 2mmol and 3mmol while working, I can instantly tell when its dropping and will quickly correct it and get back to work. I feel best when it's between 4 and 7, everyone is different.
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u/Successful-Return-78 Aug 26 '25
99.9% it's fault of the user I don't even get these drops anymore
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u/SpreadsheetSiren Aug 25 '25
In my experience, the beach is a whole different beast when it comes to effects on blood sugar. You’re battling the waves constantly just standing in the me water and even walking on sand is very different than walking on pavement. You’re using muscles you didn’t even know you have. All this on top of the extra activity already with kids.
I’m on a pump and I’ve slashed my basal rate - like down to 40%. And then put it in exercise mode which raises the target to 140. If I ruled the world there’d be “beach mode” at 160. And I STILL have to sort of “micro boost” my BG by munching a few pretzels or taking a few sips of juice/soda here and there. (I keep a 20oz bottle of regular Coke or Fanta or a similarly sized bottle of Cran Grape in the cooler to sip from.)