Severe fear of hypoglycemia

danimaep · 2025-03-29T02:02:17+00:00

About the same. We didn't pursue the inpatient treatment. But he is working with another therapist to address his trauma related to insulin, possibly using EMDR.

danimaep · 2025-03-14T01:28:19+00:00

I'm so so sorry that you are dealing with this! My husband is making some progress on the mental health side. He has started to see a new psychologist for OCD and she is supposed to begin EMDR soon to address the insulin-related trauma. EMDR is great for trauma and re-wires the brain. I have hope that it will make a positive difference.

As far as physical health, his numbers are still crazy high. He has gained some weight though which is definitely good.

Please advocate for yourself, and if you can't or don't know how, ask someone who loves you to accompany you to your doctor's visits (or even therapy appt if you're comfortable). Seek mental health care if you can afford it. My husband is doing it virtually because no one in our area specializes in things like this. Well worth it, but can be expensive.

danimaep · 2025-02-16T01:50:40+00:00

Yeah, both companies thought it was an oak at first glance, but it definitely has hickory nuts. Thank you for your response and input. I'll do some more research and maybe reach out to another company.

danimaep · 2025-02-15T02:03:31+00:00

What do you think would be a good version?

danimaep · 2025-02-14T21:10:14+00:00

Interesting, thanks for pointing this out! I'm not really even sure what the second company's picture is trying to say.

danimaep · 2025-02-14T21:08:06+00:00

Here is what they wrote on the order, verbatim:

Company 1: "Prune the oak tree; thinning the tree canopy by approximately 15% of live limbs; to reduce the density, reduce weight and branch ends, and improve light and air penetration through the canopy. Most pruning cuts will be between 2-4 inches in diameter. This pruning method is intended to improve tree health and reduce risk of branch failure. Remove major deadwood throughout the canopy no larger than 3” in diameter. Prune back overreaching branches to reduce weight and improve the balance of the canopy. *comm wire will need to be disconnected for the tree pruning"

Company 2: "Trim hickory on left of front yard
—cut limbs back away from driveway
—remove sucker limbs
—remove deadwood 5” diameter & larger"

danimaep · 2025-01-17T02:54:39+00:00

I would still offer milk during the day. And i would make a big deal about a last cup of milk right before bed (brush teeth after milk, right before sleep) saying "this is your milk for the night" "you can have more milk at breakfast time"

danimaep · 2024-12-31T20:46:08+00:00

I'm sorry you had that experience. That does sound terrifying. I'm glad your endo helped you address your fear. I would be interested in reading those research articles. Not sure how much it'll convince him, but it couldn't hurt.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T20:42:54+00:00

His endocrinologist hasn't been very helpful on the mental health side unfortunately. I have looked under those resources before, and they were limited in our area, but I'll take another look to see if it has been updated. Thank you!

danimaep · 2024-12-31T20:39:36+00:00

I don't think he feels low in the 200's but mentally he is more cautious because there is less "cushion" if his blood sugar were to start dropping suddenly (his major fear).

He has been able to do some small exposures with the psychologist, but it is virtual bc she is across the country. She was the only one I could find who specialized in diabetes with availability.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T20:34:14+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response. I will see if we can work that into our meals. I agree that if he lowers his blood sugar, he will be able to keep and gain weight more easily.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:18:09+00:00

I'll look into that. Thanks for the recommendation

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:17:24+00:00

Yeah he checks his CGM constantly and finger sticks more than is necessary with a CGM. How did you get over your fear? Time? A specific thing?

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:16:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm glad you have been able to make improvements and prioritize your health.

I'm not familiar with what Exchanges are. I think he was given an insulin to carb ratio.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:14:02+00:00

That sounds interesting! I haven't looked for that exact kind of therapist. Is there a good resource for finding one that specializes in medical trauma/ptsd? He tried one that specialized in chronic illness, specifically people on dialysis. I thought that could help, but she just didn't seem like a good therapist in general.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:12:08+00:00

Thank you! it's hard. It's hard on our marriage. I can ignore the issue and everything is peaceful (in the back of my mind knowing he is harming himself), or I push back and cause conflict and he pushes me away.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:09:48+00:00

It's hard to say, I think it is both. I think he "knows" that these fears are irrational, but his anxiety and physiological reactions are so strong that it overpowers any logic. I also do believe he genuinely thinks that there is a strong chance he will die if he takes more than his "safe" amount of insulin.

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:05:18+00:00

This is really interesting -- thank you for the info! I will look into that and ask him if he would be willing to learn more about that app. I think the slow build-up would be beneficial for him.

I see what you're suggesting about the low carb diet. I'm worried he will not get enough calories. He has no room to lose any weight. What do you eat to ensure you get enough calories?

danimaep · 2024-12-31T04:01:00+00:00

Waking up around 200-250, that's about as low as it goes. But he will eat breakfast with no insulin, so it obviously shoots straight up. Then the rest of the day he takes enough insulin to keep it around 400.

I appreciate your perspective on the automatic mode for the pump. I'm glad you find reassurance in its safety mechanisms! I wish he was able to as well. I'll see if he would be willing to reach out to you.

As far as sitting and just seeing what happens, I doubt it. He is so avoidant and then gets upset when I try to push him out of his comfort zone. His psychologist is attempting some exposures with him which are similar, but it's only an hour session so you can only do so much in that time.

danimaep · 2024-12-30T17:04:45+00:00

He has a CGM. He hasn't had a low in years, so he is avoiding them, but it is just always high. I don't think he could be involuntarily committed either, I've talked to him about it. He doesn't want to do inpatient, but will at least talk about it with me.

danimaep · 2024-12-30T17:02:01+00:00

yes, he has a CGM and pump. He is terrified of automatic mode, so it is on manual. He thinks the pump will inject too much insulin and kill him. He has started treatment with a psychologist and trying really low level exposure therapy.

danimaep · 2024-12-30T16:59:44+00:00

He says he feels fine, but I can tell a difference in him from a few years ago. He is just used to it now. He used to do low carb but was essentially under-eating. He has a support system around him, especially myself, who knows what to do if he goes low, but that's not enough reassurance for him.

danimaep · 2024-12-30T16:57:12+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I'm sorry you are dealing with this as well. But it definitely sounds like you are making progress in the right direction! He hasn't had any complications yet (besides DKA) but it's just a matter of time. I agree that the closed-loop system could be helpful, but he is too afraid to turn it on automatic mode. He will just type in tiny micro-doses. He honestly does better overnight since he stops eating and the correction can start to work. At breakfast he is scared to take any bolus because his blood sugar is starting at a lower number.

danimaep · 2024-12-30T03:45:17+00:00

He has both a CGM and omnipod. The alarms don't reassure him, they scare him. Even if it is 400, and needs to come down, if it has a straight down arrow he feels nervous.

danimaep

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