I had a bad low today and was quite angry––not at anyone, but just angry, feeling upset, etc. I was around people who are unfamiliar with T1D, so they might have been thinking, "What the heck is her problem?"
Has this ever happened to anyone? What did you do? I wish I could explain to them that I was having a very serious low blood sugar event, and I am sorry for my behaviour; but on the other hand, I think I don't need to explain because it is a medical matter and I prefer to be private about my diabetes.
Depending on the company, I might suggest it's like being really drunk but worse? Or maybe bad acid but well, that's not appropriate in most circles. When it gets out of hand, insulin is a a hard drug. It's quaintly "cured" by food but is definitely powerful and unpleasant.
Living with diabetes since 1983 ...I have always shared this ; never been private ... folks may not have understood , what I was getting at ...but I am still around ...thanks to HUBBY , fam and friends !!! ...EMPATHY ...is what I need !!!!
This happens to me quite often at work, and I too want to explain it but I KNOW people would still think I should be able to control my mood/attitude. Sometimes I can not even think straight and it effects what I am saying and doing. Soooooooooo, I don't share it, but I know I can come off quite abrasive. I get so upset that I have to deal with this and then my mood lingers,. It happened today and I was in a meeting with my new boss (a nurse), but I know she would not get why I was not grasping what she was saying. She is very professional and intelligent, but she is not ever going to be my friend, so I don't bother explaining and just struggle through, but think about it for hours.
I stopped trying to hide my diabetes from friends/acquaintances/co-workers decades ago. I don't go out of my way to discuss it (most people have limited interest in it), but I am completely comfortable talking about it if it comes up or if asked about it. Because of this, I feel free to check my BG or take food to meetings or refuse office birthday cake or whatever whenever I want. What's the point of hiding something that is such an integral part of your life?
"Have you ever woken up from a crazy dream and you couldn't tell if it was real or a dream, and then thought to yourself, am I still asleep?" That is how I describe it. Also around the right people, Drunk, Stoned, and trippin on shrooms all at the same time
I don't hide it, but I don't like to talk about it. My co-workers know I have Type 1, but they don't understand much about it, and I don't make it my job to explain to them. By not talking about it, I avoid some of the insensitive comments that people tend to make because they don't understand diabetes.
What I am asking is, how do you explain after the fact? Does anyone ever bother to say, "Remember when I was short-tempered yesterday? That was low blood sugar." And then, do you apologize (for being rude), or is there no reason to because it's not your fault?
I will explain the feeling and the reason...low bloodsugar. I have said "Sorry" to a few people, only because I can't answer the questions when they are concerned and witnessing the low. My coordination goes bye-bye. I would have no problem letting people know, and educating others that may be around when it happens.
I have apologized after the fact to co-workers and family. I just explain that I was low and can't think straight when it happens and I can't help it but am sorry. I would rather people know that's why I was acting that way than to think that I'm naturally a nasty person.
I'm completely open about my diabetes and the co-workers who care have asked many questions trying to understand. The ones who don't care just ignore it and that's fine with me. The ones who care tend to be people who have diabetics in their family. I was at a national conference with a co-worker once and felt low so I pulled my meter out and discretely tested in my lap. My co-worker saw the "55" on my meter and said "Don't you need to go eat? My husband talks crazy out of his mind when his is that low?" I hadn't realized before that time that her husband was diabetic.
I had a severe low at work yesterday. I'm type 1 for 25 years and have recently gotten hypo unaware. If it weren't for my dexcom yesterday, I probably would have passed out at work. I was focused on working when the dex buzzed. BS crashed so fast it was scary. I drank a coke and my hands started shaking badly. One of my co-workers got another coke and sat with me until it came back up to make sure I was ok. I had to giggle though later because at one point she said "Should you call your doctor?". I explained later that this was part of the routine.
I am a private person and I generally take my time about telling people thinga bout me. Diabetes is not a shamefull thing to me but it has so many sterotypes and its way too exhausting explaining the dynamics of T1 to my family let alone to strangers...I told one of my last managers because she had to conduct a drug test so I had to tell her all medications I took. My other manager I did not tell until a couple of months of working, I was having a bad high day and I needed to leave. After that I was kind open about it...
But my motto in life is: I will tell you on a need to know basis and most of the time you dont need to know..lol
I would apologize for being rude. It''s sort of dicey as my friends know and don't care but the people I don't hang out with might be more likely to be upset? Most people are usually understanding.
You say, "Sorry for the way I acted yesterday, I was experiencing low blood sugar and sometimes become agitated and upset when that happens. Please excuse me for that."
I have explained and apologized a time or two, and received understanding and often opened an opportunity to educate on this little debacle we deal with sometimes.
I think you have to apologize after all rude is rude whether it low BS or not. I explain that I was not my usual bubbly self because of low blood sugar. I explain that I was upset because I was not thinking straight due to the fog of low blood sugars and that I'm sorry my flustration spilled over. Gary L
I agree with the others - if I am short tempered or rude to anyone for any reason (D-related or not), I believe that common courtesy requires an apology. I don't think you need to delve into all the details, but an "Hey, I was not feeling well earlier and know I was a little short with you. I just wanted to apologize for how I acted toward you" kind of statement would suffice.
