Middle of the night "episodes"

I have come to the conclusion that this old body does not like to have blood sugar levels below 100 and I get a shaky feeling when it gets to 97. In the 80's I feel really shaky so I don't let it get that low anymore, as I suffered from hypoglycemia some years ago, mostly due to stress in the home. I cured that problem with diet change and cutting down on the noise and disruptions at the time. Even the bird in my daughter's bird cage couldn't stand the noise, and it went into a corner and died. I turned down the TV and the phone ring. I am awake because I ate two delicious salads that were low calorie and need a snack which I am trying to avoid if I can. I also eat an excellent diet that is balanced and eliminates sugar and many carbs. All I can say is I am working on it. Dorisena

@dorisena I used to have the same problem. I would get up in the morning so shaky and weak feeling that I would immediately check my sugar level and it was never below 80, which seems to be the number that things should be fine at. I can remember being in the shower and just wanting to literally sit on the floor because I felt so weak.
I haven't had that type of problem for a very long time, actually since before my liver transplant. I have no idea what role the liver plays in this but it must have some influence.
JK

I asked my doctor if I could have any liver problems and he said his regular blood tests would show something if I had a problem. I wish I had studied more and understood the low sugar problem back in the 1970's when I had that issue, but my doctor said nothing except to eat often and carry cheese. A paramedic explained it to my son, and my neighbor got a diet from her friend which I followed, and with a lot of vegetable from my garden, I got over the low sugar so long as I ate by the clock, going from six meals a day to four. I carried food with me to all my granddaughter's gymnastics meets which were long events and my daughter was careful to get me to a decent restaurant before I felt bad. I ate no junk food. I drank fresh lemonaide with sweetener and no sugar, which the booth food person would make for me. No chips and I carried nuts and apples in my purse. Maybe some cheese. Actually I think I may have shifted to diabetes sometimes before I was diagnosed after my husband died. I had given up baking because of the calories and didn't know there was a problem. I don't trust that my doctor will catch any liver problems before it gets serious, so I avoid alcohol and desserts like crazy. People think I am eccentric because I am so strict because many doctors are satisfied with an AIC of 7.0 while I have a lower goal of maybe 6.0. I must lose weight for the blood pressure problem as well if I am to achieve better health. I appreciate this website for support and advice. I am doing fine right now and purchased a home AIC test kit to check my blood because it has not been done for 15 months since my endocrinologist dismissed me back to my doctor. Dorisena

At least you can say that at 80 in the morning, you do not have diabetes. Maybe in the evening if you ate a lot. That is a good feeling to me. Dorisena

Im going through the same issue for months. Kept telling me it was nightmares, anxiety, depression. Finally they hooked me up with a continuous monitor for a week.

Just found out yesterday that may average blood sugar is 69. I drops down into the 50s while I sleep and wakes me up every morning around 4am.
I already eat a lot and I still can't get it up very high. It wasn't above 100 one time the entire time I was being monitored.

Is this dangerous?

@bumble81

Has an endocrinologist reviewed these results? If not, you might consider an appointment.

When I had my problems with dizziness and fainting spells, they gave me a blood sugar test where they have you drink a sugar drink and then test your levels after a certain time. That test left me with a blood sugar of 35 and I should never have driven home. Yes, it can be dangerous and it is often unconscious at about 25. You could die. I don't recommend that test. My doctor didn't recommend anything but eating often and carrying cheese for a snack. My neighbor gave me a diet that was heavy protein, low carb, and high fat and I ate six times a day. I also worked on the noise and stress in the home and "laid down the law" on my treatment and respect. It changed my health tremendously, as I had lots of veggies from my garden. I considered my self cured in a few months and had no problems so long as I ate regularly by the clock and didn't skip meals. Low blood sugar problems are more frightening than high sugar at times.
That is when I gave up on sugar and pasta, but not to a strict degree as I do today with low level diabetes. Did the doctor suggest any diet changes? That is a place to start, as your condition can cause stress and depression. I was miserable at the time, and I am a happy, confident person now despite the diabetes, which is improving. Whatever you do, avoid using sugar foods when you feel dizzy, tired, or scared. Sugar has no nutrients for your good health. I drank milk when I thought I might pass out. You can find good lists on the web. Let us know how you are feeling. Dorisena

I am rethinking my response about using sugar for low numbers or feeling faint. With diabetes, a sugary drink or orange juice has long been the remedy for active people whose sugar levels drop and they need a quick fix to keep from passing out. I forgot that diabetes has low numbers and high numbers, depending on how well the insulin system in your body is working, and how active you are. People on a long hike can run low on sugar for energy. In this case, a liquid or snack bar can be a quick fix. You need to see an endocrinologist as we are not experts, and everyone is different. Dorisena

My problem is I do eat quite well according to the diabetic nurse and the majority of my lows happen in my sleep.

This is beyond my understanding or anything I have experienced, but it has made me rethink my episodes of the Seventies when I had low blood sugar and then the need to eat every hours or I was nauseated, and then in the early 2000's, being diagnosed with diabetes, which I have never really understood.
Now I believe that the two issues are connected and I would like to learn how it evolved. I am not educated on type 1 diabetes at all, except that the insulin is not working at all and you need insulin to live. My fear is that my insulin pump will quit working altogether, but right now it is working enough that my diet is lowering my AIC to 6.1. I am happy about that and will continue to study. I want my last years to be comfortable so I am not a pain to others. I hope we can be insightful to each other and find the right medical help for our bodies. My goal is to get off the Metformin and be safe with my eating. Dorisena