Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

By 'diabetic seizure', Seddah, do you mean a hypo (low blood sugar)?

How low do you have to go to have a diabetic seizure? I've never heard of that before!!

Lizzie, yes, a diabetic seizure is when your blood sugar is so low that you begin to seize.

jvalentino, I believe you have to be at 0.9 or below (or 16 if you measure by mg/dl) in order to have a seizure. I'm not sure of my exact blood sugar at the time of either of mine since I wasn't exactly conscious, lol

u can also go into a diabetic seizure if your blood sugars are way too high, or stay high for long periods of time seddah , so i believe

Ok thanks for clarifying. In the Uk we call a low a 'hypo' (hypoglycaemic) and a low a 'hyper' (hyperglycaemic).

I have never collapsed from a hypo. I have found that fluctuating sugars do affect my moods. They make me grumpy. I too am naturally antisocial so I can't tell if it makes me more so though. How do you mean 'antisocial'? It is normal to need to be alone for a while to recover and not want to be the life and soul of a party right after a hypo, even a mild one. I would imagine a severe hypo would make you feel pretty rotten and would not expect to feel social or want to socialise afterwards since you need to recover.

If you are having a lot of hypos or are concerned, I would speak to your doctor.

Lizzie: By antisocial I mean avoiding people, being nervous or anxious around others, and cancelling plans. My friends and I hang out every Wednesday and Friday, but after both seizures I stayed in for over a week.

Cayla33: Actually, high blood sugars can lead to ketoacidosis, unconsciousness, and/or coma. Only low blood sugars cause seizures.

Seddah,

I've been fortunate in that I have tested more times then I can count for too low to read and a few times at the clinic at 0 and still didn't go into seizure. LOL No instead I just turn into a sack of potatoes!

As far as I can tell the lows have not caused any negative affects. The negative affects on my one friend who I've been privy to twice going into diabetic seizures was that he ended up banging into things and gave himself a good concussion the one time and needed stitches the other.

He also seemed to be in a bit of a brain fog and couldn't quite recall things and do things as fast for several days so I can totally understand the withdrawal from society as I would do the same!

We haven't noticed any long term effects from his episodes yet and he's had more then I have witnessed.

After each of those episodes 'us' diabetic friends invaded his house that week with pizza, chips, ice cream, milk duds, and movie rentals because we knew he had to build up the comfort factor of just being around objects let alone people and public places! LOL I know completely good choices for eating huh?

Smith101: lol You're a good friend. As for your blood sugars, wow! That is LOW without seizing. I know what you mean about being a sack of potatoes. When I'm low enough, I just lie/sit there, completely unable to move.

I've banged myself up pretty good while seizing, too. And I definitely don't think as quickly after a seizure. It feels really weird.

Like I said, though; you're a good friend ^^ My friend Christine stuck to me like glue after my second seizure and I can't thank her enough for that. It made a huge difference. I still withdrew for a bit, but the first while after the episode was a lot easier with her with me.

LOL Well I'm not a totally good friend. As a joke I bought him this jester's hat that had these five long sprouts that were totally stuffed with the same soft stuff teddy bears are. I told him I would not sit next to him unless he wore that for protection!

I do believe a slice of pizza may have missed my face by about 3 inches. Ah if only regular people knew what fun we have!

Yeah after I go to sack of potatoes low it does seem a while for me to come back and feel like I really inhabit the evil little spud I am. I bet after seizing it's even harder to feel as if you are back in yourself. LOL It's okay if I say I hope I never know right?

Not that it's been long this month yet (okay so only one day down) but no seizures so far this month (trying to look on the bright side of a siezure free month so far ya know ;-) )?

Smith101: lol I think it's great that you approach something so serious with a sense of humour. It makes it much more bearable. Even the bit with the hat is thoughtful :P lol

But it's definitely not a bad thing to hope that you never find out what a seizure is like! I hope you never have one, too. They're definitely not fun and it's really weird to lose a big chunk of time. It's kind of unsettling. I hope your seizure-free month continues to stay that way!

lol Though the last time i had a seizure, I just missed knocking a whole pop into my friend Ben's food. I'd have felt terrible if I'd done it. Not that I could help it, lol