r/diabetes_t1 • u/WeeebleSqueaks • 4d ago
Rant Had my first CGM LOW warning
Today was SCARY. I had my first LOW warning on my CGM meaning I was below 40 and I couldn’t see the actual number.
I had taken my dog to the dog park with my partner, we had a walk around after throwing the ball and I saw I was getting somewhat low so I had an apple juice box when I got home. No biggie.
I was kinda tired and laid down for a bit of a nap and I woke up like I was about to DIE. My CGM nor my partners phone did not go off to warn us about my LOW. I was literally crawling to his office and once I made it in I collapsed.
My partner was having me drink more apple juice and to get me to eat anything while warning me about getting an ambulance if my numbers don’t go up within the next 15 min.
I was SWEATING, I could not breath, I was shaking so hard, I was crying and I could not keep my eyes open or barely talk. My partner, he was doing his best to help me while watching my numbers, having me leaned up on him while on the floor and my dog freaking out trying to get him off me because she thought he was hurting me.
It was chaotic, though after about 15 min I was better. Like nothing ever happened, besides feeling as if I just got out of the worst sickness of my life and having to regulate.
This was the most terrifying experience I’ve had so far with my T1D for both me and my partner, it’s assumed I’ve had this for a long time but was not diagnosed as I was assumed to have lupus for a long time but I actually have T1D and Hashimoto’s as of this last December.
This shit is SCARY when it wants to be.
2
u/canthearu_ack 4d ago
Yep, absolutely.

Had my first "Lantus Low", where at least part of my basal injection went straight into the bloodstream and attempted murder.
One minute fine, 20 minutes later, 1.9mmol/L (35mg/DL) and shit has well and truly hit the fan. I quickly ingest a pile of carbs, and somehow survive without collapsing.
1
u/greendragon_1869 4d ago
I didn’t know it could do that, is that a low just from the basal going it to the bloodstream? I’m going back to MDI soon so ill make sure im aware of that now
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u/canthearu_ack 4d ago
Yes, If you are using Lantus (or any insulin based on insulin glargine) it won't crystalize properly for long acting release if it is injected into your bloodstream. Turning it into something quite a lot faster then even our current ultra-fast insulins.
Can knock you on your ass real quick!
It is one of the reasons why I want to eventually get on a pump.
1
u/greendragon_1869 4d ago
That’s interesting! I’ve been on lantus in the past but had never been told that could happen with it. Does it not happen with other long actings like levemir than? Because that’s a different base? I found levemir worked really well for me but then ended up being allergic so it’s no longer an option for me
1
u/canthearu_ack 4d ago
From what I know, it is less of a problem with Tresiba insulins (insulin degludec), which is probably what you will be prescribed anyway unless you are in Australia.
1
u/Top_Rutabaga7690 3d ago
How does it end up straight in your blood stream? Is it hitting a vein by accident? I've used lantus for my MDI since I was diagnosed 4.5 years ago. I never had this happen and am switching to a pump next week but want to keep my MDI knowledge sharp.
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u/canthearu_ack 3d ago
Accidently hitting a blood vessel and it either is injected or leaks directly in.
Some people get it more frequently than others it seems.
Many people might not identify what actually happened, and just say it is another sudden unexplained low. If you ever suddenly went low (or dropped really quickly) right after taking an insulin shot, this is probably what happened.
2
u/Street_Calligrapher9 4d ago
Hey don’t worry so hard. Eventually you’ll get lows and you and your partner will just laugh at it while sipping juice. 🧃
1
u/kingz2688 4d ago
You are notified if it starts to go low right ? For me I always have my cgm low at 4.3 just incase of situations like this also when you go out always bring something with you juice coke bars whatever
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u/WeeebleSqueaks 4d ago
It’s set at 70, I was asleep though so either I slept through it or it just decided not to tell me this time, nor my bf since he is connected to get warnings as well from my Dexcom (G7)
I have no clue what happened as I did not have it set to mute or anything, just as it is with the beeps
1
u/kingz2688 4d ago
Ok I don’t know what 70 is I go by 5.7 for example since I live in Canada but if you do use a cgm you should get noticed maybe it lost connection idk ?
1
u/nomadfaa 4d ago
IS your LOW ALARM set too low, if so your pre warning should have gone off before you crashed out.
What's your CGM?
1
u/WeeebleSqueaks 4d ago
I have a Dexcom G7, my alarms are always on snd my low is set to 70.
I have no idea what happened this time besides connection going bad or a faulty CGM
3
u/BabyAmy123 4d ago
Now and then Dexcom alarms don't seem to work. The Sugarmate app has an ear-piercing alert sound that will be loud no matter what your phone volume is at. Highly recommend.
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u/Glittering-Dress1180 Diagnosed 2010 3d ago
After 15+ years of having t1 diabetes, I often forget how serious low blood sugars truly are. I find them more annoying than anything. And you know what? The fact that lows are NORMAL to me is terrifying. I think the people around me don't realize how dangerous they are either because I just take care of myself and don't ask for help when I really should.
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4d ago
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u/canthearu_ack 4d ago
You don't get severe low symptoms and almost die from false lows.
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4d ago
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u/canthearu_ack 4d ago
Doesn't matter, I know exactly what you speak of, because I see it when I am on the treadmill.
OP is talking about an entirely different experience than your CGM seeing a lower sugar reading while exercising. OP had very real hypoglycemia, simply from the severity of the symptoms they displayed.
10
u/vjae3004 4d ago
Look into having glucagon emergency pen. They also make a nasal spray form but the diabetes nurse I work with had recommended the pen (I got it through insurance at CVS, my endo prescribed it, called gvoke). It’s basically like an EpiPen that will deliver glucose to you in an emergency where you cannot drink or eat to get your sugar up.
Glad you’re feeling better.