Sep 10
23
Diabetes Hypoglycemia Effecting Memory
From the Diabetes Support Group, I met a female who has had some severe low blood glucose/sugar (BG) in the past and has effected her in life. She was an RN and now doesn’t work because the problem she received from having such low BG’s is memory loss. I told her that I thought I was the only one who experienced and had this side effect or consequence or whatever you want to call it.
As we talked and researched, we realized that it is possible that if you have an extreme low, and you become unconscious to have a seizure or coma, a diabetic can and does lose past memory.
For she and I, it is past memories and occurrences that we can’t recall too well unless we are reminded or given clues/hints by others to remember what was lost. Our present memory, short, and long term memory can be shot at times as well. It was a roller coaster ride that had terrible reality effects; during and after.
I can only speak for myself but I’ve noticed that when I had an extreme seizure(s) because of low BG(s), I couldn’t remember anything for a significant amount of time. I’m not talking about basic things like remembering my name, where I live, family, friends, knowledge, or life skills; that I knew. It was mainly things/events that happened a week or so or longer ago that I couldn’t remember. Somehow I felt it and knew this messiness was going on in my head even when I wasn’t really thinking about it.
It was frustrating for me and the people in my life.
It took months to a year to be able to be myself again. Recently, I haven’t been thinking about it much and have noticed my brain and mental memory capabilities have either come back or improved and become itself again. Sometimes, still though, when I’m asked to recall or think about something, or told to remember I really have to seriously make a mental note to remember.
It was tough for the people involved in my life because they wouldn’t understand and/or get mad because I couldn’t recall or remember something(s). They’d either have to remind me several times and/or tell me over and over, again and again, and repeat it. Therefore, for a period of time it was more than just being busy with life things and having a hectic busy schedule. For anyone who has a busy life or a life in general, has to be reminded at times to remember and do things but for a time it was more than that.
Now, it is sort of like that where my life is busy and if I do forget something or someone is talking to me about something, the person(s) may just have to give me a gentle reminder or hint that I’ve been told this and it was discussed before and immediately it comes back to me.
In conclusion, try not to get too low of a blood sugar if you can help it. Yes, of course, it can happen when you least expect it or when you can’t prevent it from happening such as sleeping or being put against your will (but I surely hope not). Please try not to let it happen because the results can be damaging and life altering. Plus, the negative results cannot always be fixed and/or may or may not improve.
Do everything in your power to test your blood sugar often, keep it within the desired range, give the right amount of insulin, and don’t go to sleep too low or too high.