Don't be stupid.
Driving under the influence of poor blood sugar control, diabetes and reactive hypoglycemia.
I've nevereverever even had diabetes, but dealing with reactive hypoglycemia is sometimes like having diabetes, some of the crappy parts.
From the Mayo Clinic, an entry regarding:
I am nearly ready to start driving again, (I was on a six month wait for seizure control) but I am determined to MAKE FOR DAMN SURE my blood sugars (in addition to my brain explosions) are controlled before I get behind that wheel with my kids. Most of the time, I cannot predict a hypoglycemic event, but I must be prepared. I could very easily become dangerously hypoglycemic at any moment, and lose control of a car (or a lawn mower for that matter!) so trying to avoid a low is imperative.
I've been driving during a 30 mg. blood glucose level. That's really safe, no? o_O In fact medical professionals have told me that my blood sugar levels were not 'compatible with the living.' Nice to hear while you're sitting having your blood drawn!
NO, IT IS NOT OKAY. YOU CAN KILL PEOPLE, AND YOURSELF, DRIVING WHILST UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SCREWED UP BLOOD SUGAR. DON'T DO IT.
If you're a hypo like me, you must consider yourself a 'drunk' - (carb drunk perhaps?) - and TEST YOSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOSELF. (I know.) I have heard/read too many of 'us' (post WLS hypos) driving while hypoglycemic, and they're all, "Oh well."
Too high or too low blood sugar levels are dangerous when you're behind the wheel of a car. Monitoring your blood sugar is important if you're the driver. Stress, time changes, and changes in your eating and sleeping schedule can affect your blood sugar level, so it's best to test more frequently when driving with diabetes.
Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low blood sugar level typically less than 70 milligrams per deciliter or 3.9 millimoles per liter. Early symptoms of low glucose include shakiness, dizziness, hunger, headache, lightheadedness, moodiness, pallor, and confusion. As blood glucose levels continue to drop, loss of consciousness and seizures may result. Some people aren't aware that their blood glucose is dropping. This is a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness.
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood sugar level of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) or greater. Symptoms of hyperglycemia that you may notice while driving include blurred vision, fatigue, hunger, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. Symptoms and effects of hyperglycemia may not be noticeable until blood sugars are above 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L).
If your blood sugar is too low or too high you may not be able to focus on driving or control your car.
Some tips for driving with diabetes:
- Always test your blood sugar before driving.
- If the value is below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) don't drive. Eat and retest and drive when blood sugar is above 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). (In this case, I would NEVER drive. I am typically 70-90 all day long until I am hypo. So, I think this number can be a bit off.)
- Follow rule of 15 — treat blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate — and retest in 15 minutes. Test and retreat every 15 minutes until blood glucose is up in goal range.
- Always carry a source of carbohydrate in your car.
- Test blood sugar every two hours when driving long distances.
- Don't drive with impaired vision.
- Wear a diabetes medical ID.
- Insulin and some medications can cause low blood sugar. Test your blood sugar before you drive and don't drive if your blood sugar is too low. Check with your health care team as to how often you should check during the drive.
- Don't miss or delay a snack (depends on your diabetes medication program).
- It's never OK to drive with a low blood sugar. Stop the car if you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia. Check your blood sugar. Treat with fast-acting sugar tablets, juice, regular soda, or hard candy. Wait 15 minutes. Test and treat again as needed. Do not drive until your blood sugar level has reached your blood glucose range. You should eat a more substantial meal containing protein as soon as possible.
- I add: If you have severe, continual problems with hypoglycemia, it may benefit you to have a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. (I have one, it's going back in this week.) It's a gadget that looks like an insulin pump, tha****ches your sugar 24/7, and can be useful to predict trending sugar levels and AVOID lows.
Supplies to take with you:
- Glucose meter
- Snacks (in case meals are delayed), a fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, juice, regular soda, or hard candy. (I recommend glucose GEL, because I have found when I am super low, I cannot deal with the chew-chew-chewing or sucking on candy, I need INSTANT relief.)
- I add for the hypos: a carb/protein/fat combo to back up the glucose/sugar to maintain your sugar level afterwards (Peanut Butter cracker pack)
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