Just a quick reminder about being aware of your BG before and while you are driving.
If you have a CGM, check it before you start the car. If you are on the borderline, consider doing a finger stick to know where you are.
If you think or even feel as if you are low or may be going low, PULL OVER, stop the car and test! Do not just “try to get home”.
I know we’ve all probably done that or known those who have. Please, for your own safety and those sharing the road with you (including cars and pedestrians), please stop driving until you check. And if you are low, give the sugar you take some time to raise your BG. You are not ok the minute you take sugar.
And, if at all possible, keep non-melting sugar/glucose/candy in your car and with you.
Have a great day and stay safe!
I was shopping at Ralphs for bagels and cream cheese when I felt my blood sugar might be low. I checked my blood sugar as soon as I got in my car and it was 43. I normally have a granola bar in my car, but forgot to replace it when I recently ate it. Instead I ate a half of a bagel with cream cheese I had just purchased. I waited till I felt normal, but I should have waited longer. I recommend waiting at least 15 minutes. I drove out of the parking lot feeling normal, then got into the left turn lane to make a U-turn. Driving slow in the lane, I went to put my foot on the brake, and for some reason my foot could not find the brake. I was getting closer to the car in front of me and panicked with my foot searching for the brake. Then my foot hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and I hit the car in front of me. I didn’t hit them hard, but it still caused my air bags to deploy, and now my car has been totaled due to the great expense of replacing the air bags. I really regret not waiting 15 minutes for my blood sugar to rise! Even though I felt normal at the time, I wasn’t.
Watch for a post this week about how to treat lows … I’m surprised at what I hear T1’s are doing for lows. Let’s “talk.”
A comment from Sara, CDE/Pharmacist:
Thanks for this! When I was 19, my dad was on his way home for lunch and drove his car into the side of a semi at an intersection. He was still used to taking his insulin much earlier than the meal but had recently switched to the new faster acting Humalog. Thankfully, everyone was okay, but it was still very scary and could have been prevented. Thanks for caring so much about everyone around you. This was a great reminder that may just save some lives! You are awesome!!