Jamie's Terrifying Low Blood Sugar & LADA Diagnosis Journey

Severe Low Blood Sugar Incident

• 🚨 Jamie recounts her first severe low blood sugar event, triggered by inaccurate Dexcom readings and insufficient carb intake after bolusing for dinner.
• 😨 The experience was disorienting, causing her to fall and struggle to reach her purse for her glucose meter and supplies.
• 📞 In a moment of panic, she called 911, fearing she would vomit the grape soda she consumed to raise her blood sugar.
• 🚑 Emergency services arrived, monitored her vitals, and confirmed her blood sugar was rising with the soda and a protein bar.

LADA Diagnosis and Autoimmune Conditions

• 💡 Jamie was diagnosed with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) at age 36, eight years prior to this recording.
• 🩺 She initially faced skepticism from her general practitioner, who attributed her high blood sugar to non-compliance rather than an autoimmune issue.
• 📉 Her journey involved significant weight loss through diet and exercise, but her endocrinologist eventually diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes based on antibody testing.
• 💥 A severe allergic reaction to inhaled lobster protein led to a significant increase in her insulin needs, highlighting the impact of other health conditions.

Navigating Diabetes Management and Technology

• 📱 Jamie experienced a critical moment when her Dexcom CGM stopped providing readings during her low, underscoring the unreliability of technology.
• ⚠️ She admits to having turned off CGM alarms, a decision she now regrets and advises others against.
• 📍 A practical tip shared is to tape the glucagon emergency kit in visible locations, like the bathroom mirror, to ensure it's not forgotten.
• 🤝 Her husband, though initially distant from her diabetes management, became more attentive after the severe low, checking her CGM more frequently.

Relationship Dynamics and Diabetes

• 💔 Jamie shares a past experience where her husband ghosted her for a year and a half due to personal issues, but they eventually reconciled.
• 💖 She describes him as having a big heart and being her rock, despite his struggles with remembering diabetes-related details like carb counting.
• 🚌 His profession as a city bus driver means he cannot have phone alarms on while working, impacting his ability to monitor her diabetes in real-time.
• 🧘‍♀️ Despite the challenges, Jamie has largely moved past the fear from the severe low, focusing on her long-held philosophy of being "bold with insulin" and trusting her diabetes management tools.