A History of Seizures

     It has been a long time since I have had a seizure as a result of low blood sugar, but there was a period of time about 15 years ago or so, that I did have them. They would always be in my sleep, so I would never know I had them until I woke up with a sore jaw, or if my mom heard me and was able to revive me. One time, it even landed me in the hospital.

     I have seen our pet dog have seizures, and I can only imagine what it is like to witness a person, let alone your own child, have one. (Note: I do dislike comparing animal human circumstances as equal. One of the most indirectly, unintentionally insulting things I remember related to diabetes, happened back in high school.  I told my teacher that I might occasionally have to eat a snack or excuse myself down to the nurse's office because I had diabetes. She, without a hint of knowing how she sounded, yet still with completely honest sympathy, said "Ooohhhhhh, My cat has diabetes, too." I know she was trying to empathize with my situation, but it did not come across as understanding.) My typical situation leading up to a seizure at night was exactly this:

taken from an old Diabetes Instruction Aid book

     I would exercise, and go to bed with a normal blood sugar. In the middle of the night, the delayed "insulin reaction" would take effect in the form of a seizure. I woke up fine the next morning, a little sore, or perhaps some broken blood vessels under my eyelids, and a bit groggy, but I was ultimately fine. This lead me to the stigma of wanting to go to bed with a higher than normal blood sugar - a philosophy I still employ without thinking about it. It just seems safer, even after at least 10 years of seizure free nights. 

     So now, when I do exercise, I make sure to eat enough after the event. If I'm going to bed, I tend to err on the high side, and snack to boost it up if I fear a potential low, or "insulin reaction" as they medically call it, which is about as funny a term for low blood sugar as medicinal sugar is for mountain dew or skittles.

     Technology has also progressed to nearly eliminate severe low blood sugars and the resulting seizures. I got the Gluco Watch as a direct result of this "brittleness," and today, I'm happy to have the CGM guiding me through the night. Even if I'm not as active, and could never hope to play a four hour tennis match anymore, it's good to have a more hands on and visual control of my blood sugar.