Alcoholism and Diabetes don't mix after GBS

Below is what I just posted on my blog and I am also planning on posting this to the diabetes forum as well so hopefully I could save someone from what I did to myself.  What I didn't put on my blog due to I didn't want to scare my family to death was the actual side effects that occured from my extreme Low blood sugars caused by excessive amounts of alcohol....which were... it took my daughter pounding on my chest and pulling on my hair to wake me up so that I could drink some orange joice.  She knew my BS was low because my insulin pump also reads my BS readings every five minutes and if they go below 75 an alarm will sound.  The second instance was scarier than the first so if I decide to ever drink again....please just hand me my "stupid sign". My alarm was going off one night for four hours before it woke me up finally (or it might have been my bladder). Anyways since no one was around to hear my alarm (this night I was sleeping in our guest room since my husband had a cold) and I had low BS for about 4 hours.....guess what happens to your nervous system when you don't send enough sugar to your brain for an extended period.... it shuts down baby!!! Till my BS came back up to normal (guess who had to save me again with bringing my OJ to me and this time feeding it to me since my arms wouldn't lift up to hold anything!!) Also my legs were like somewhat paralized.  Member I said my bladder might have been the one who woke me up.... well, that was scary as ever making it to the bathroom as a temporary quadropredric. (I probrably didn't spell that right). Alcoholism is a very selfish disease and in my daughters case I see why they call it that.  I can't believe I have put my daughter through this!! Here's what's on my blog: Well here's my latest story on my journey and it's not pretty!!!  Unfortunately without being able to emotionally eat when I wanted to I turned to alcohol. BIG MISTAKE!! I actually had a couple of instances due to my diabetes, of having extreme low blood sugars that I nearly did myself in.  For those who don't understand addiction don't even try to understand why I did this to myself.  I unfortunately know why... once an addict always an addict. If I didn't have the diabetes I probably wouldn't have stopped drinking because it was a perfect opportunity to get a quick fix when I needed it.  With the surgery I was able to be actually drunk within a few minutes.  But with the diabetes what would happen is that my blood sugars would reach extreme lows at night. And in two cases I almost didn't recover without serious consequences.  My guardian angel just happen to be working some overtime those two nights and I did recover but not from the guilt I had the following day knowing what I almost did to myself and my family....and for that I am truly sorry. Gee if only I loved myself better or as much as others do... I would be a "normal" functioning person. The positive is that besides going to AA meetings for the past two weeks and being sober every day, I have started praying more, once in the morning praying for a happy, calm & peaceful day and for a day of sobriety.... then at night to thank him for the gifts he had given me that day. I never have done this before... I have always done what some call fox hole praying in which you only pray when you are in need of Him. You know we always try to figure out what are plans are in life and now I have a new plan to ponder on which is ... wondering if the diabetes was intended to actually save my life one day instead of just being my obvious burden. Cause I'm serious if it wasn't for my diabetes "interfering" in my attempts for a high I would still be out there and I am sure of it!  I am very sorry for disapointing a lot of my family and friends and I'm sure Dr. Perez isn't going to be too happy with me on next Tuesday either!!! Yikes Well.... here's to another day of sobriety, exercising and eating right!! Amen and Good Night!!

Hi Gail, I am so sorry to hear of your low blood sugar episodes.  I know that during my first sobriety, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia, and struggled for a few years with some episodes that were scary.  Then, during this sobriety, the pendulum swung toward being pre-diabetic when my weight got to its highest point.  That was my wake-up call. What I do know is that the pancreas can't handle too much glucose, or alcohol.  I thank God for my sobriety, and for my weight loss surgery, because it gives me the opportunity to live a healthy life, and not have to deal with the consequences of my drinking or obesity.   Congratulations on finding AA, and getting sober.  I am so glad you found recovery, and that you now have hope of stablizing your blood sugar somewhat. Hugs, Trish

Thanks Trish for your reply.... I knew you would understand the most considering we are on both forums.... how nice huh?!?!

Gail, Honestly I commend you for sharing your story and perhaps someone else will be spared the unfortunate episodes that you had to endure.  I wish you the best as you lose weight, manage your diabetes and deal with the alcoholism.. You are a brave person to open up so honestly. Kim M.

Yeppers!!! That would be me.... lil miss heart on her sleeve!!! I guess the reason why I am so open is because I know I am a great person and loved by many friends and family so no matter what my sorry @$$ shortcomings are I am a good person that is needed and or wanted by many.  This is not conceit by the way it is actually alot of dollars put into therapy to help me be a less insecure person. Sooooooooooo how am I doing?  Also I am known for making people laugh.... and I love doing so!! Soooo on that note.... it's time for me to get ready for a meeting.... thanks for replying Kim... take care of you!!!...and I will try to do the same!! Gail

thank you for your honesty.. and openness.  I also try to be open in my profile in hopes that it might help someone else struggling... and I KNOW they are out there.  It was hard for me to think that I AM AN ALCOHOLIC.. but came to the conclusion when I realized that even tho.. I didn't have to drink every nite.. or in the mornings to get thru my day.. I AM ONE.. as when I did drink.. I binge drink.  I would get that instant high within seconds.. and would continue drinking until I blacked out and then passed out.  I am not able to drink as a "socal person" drinks.. therefore I AM AN ALCOHOLIC and will never be able to drink again. best wishes to you my FRIEND

Funny... I struggle with the same thought... I look around the rooms of AA and I see many nameless faces that looks like the world of alcoholism has smacked them across the face. And then I hear their stories of their alcoholism going on for years and years of abuse...hince the reason for the way they look....I only even started drinking in 2003 and in 2006 I quit realizing that I was drinking WAY TOO MUCH for a diabetic to survive. In Aug of 2006 I have the RNY and then this recovering alcoholic/addict hears that there's a quick high and shoot that's all it took.... I stupidly went for it. Dumb@$$ party of one my table's now available!!!!  So hey.... I might not look like a "hard core for many years using alcoholic" But I darn well know that I am one.... I just can't have the long stories (many years) of using since my diabetes would kill me in the mean time!! Thanks for replying... I went to an AA meeting tonight... so now my day's complete...I'm off to do my thankful prayers to God for another day of sobriety. Good luck to you as well. Gail

Diabetes is not something to overlook.Just months after my GBS, I lost my mother to diabetes, and she never took care of herself as well as she should have.It was always something for her, the disease just attacks every part of your body til it finds the weakest part of you.I thank God everyday, I had the strength to have this procedure so I could be a better example to my daughter.In my mother's last days, she told me how proud she was of me and that she knows I will be OK, she also said I was stronger than she ever could be.It was not easy to hear knowing I had very little time left with her, our relationship was always strained.Hearing your mother tell you she admires your strength is very overwhelming, even still.  We are people who obsess over food, when that is not an option, we find other means to obsess over, unless we confront the demons that try to destroy us.Having GBS is one very big step in a long line of change, prepare yourself for all you will face, and know that you are not alone.This procedure is a tool, and how we use it depends on how we choose to live our lives.

Glad you are OK now.