When in Doubt, Trust the Feeling

Yesterday I wrote about having faith in diabetes systems, even when they do not always work.

Well, on Saturday, I ended up having to have faith in my ability to feel what my blood sugar is doing rather than relying on technology to keep me safe.

I have been using a Continuous Glucose Monitor now for about 18 months. When I put a new sensor in, the first day readings can be a little wonky and when the sensor starts failing, two or more weeks later, the readings can also be a little bizarre. But from the second day until the second week, it's usually extremely accurate. So much so that I will often  treat highs and lows based on what the readings say

So on Saturday morning, when I headed out for a run with my 3-day old sensor, I had complete faith in the numbers.

I was 6.0 before the run. Since I was only (only!) running 10k, I had one date. That should have been plenty.

At the 5k mark, I did a quick check and discovered that Rose was buzzing to tell me that I was 3.8. I didn't feel 3.8 and I should not have been 3.8 but there it was, flashing on the screen. To be safe, I had a package of fruit chews.

I started running home. A few minutes later, Rose's ear-splitting siren alarm went off. The alarm that goes off when I'm under 3.1. It made no sense. I sure as hell did not feel 3.1 but, because she was telling me I did, I started feeling like I might be 3.1.

I refused to eat another package of fruit chews. I knew that one package should be enough and two packages would send me flying high in no time. So even as she kept alarming to tell me that I was 2.8, then 2.4, then 2.0 and then just plain "low", I kept running.

When I got home, I did a finger prick and discovered that I was 5.6.

I knew it!!

I re-calibrated Rose and, for the next 5-6 hours, she behaved herself.

Then, as we were sitting on the couch after a busy day of yard work, I started feeling low. I checked Rose and she said I was 7.0 and holding steady. And she had been accurate an hour before so she should be fine.

A few minutes later, I couldn't wish that low feeling away. I went to the kitchen and a finger prick told me that I was 3.8. Rose still said I was a lovely 7.0.

I had some maple syrup for the low and I shut down my 3-day old sensor. I waited an hour and then I restarted it. Two hours later, it was ready to go and I calibrated it.

Rose has been fine every since.