This is diabetes and epilepsy. I’m trying to unblur the lines of how my conditions affect each other. I’m sure it looks different for everyone but there’s a lot more to these conditions than managing sugar and shaking. You’ll have to forgive me for my terrible editing skills, I’ve spent the entire day not feeling well in bed. Ruben missed class for nursing school and we are all doing our best but hey, it’s rare that you get to see Everest working and diabetic alerts are one of his best tasks. Usually he alerts me but I guess this goober golden figured out how to get Ruben’s attention too. I’m proud of him. Very low blood sugar can cause seizures even in people without diagnosed epilepsy. Many people have no idea that diabetes can create even more lows than highs sometimes or that managing carbs can be just as important as managing the actual sugar in food. When Ruben left to prep a line, it was a line of prescribed dextrose that goes straight through my central line and into my blood stream. Proud of Everest. Thankful for Ruben. Going back to bed because I’m drained today. #DiabetesAwareness #EpilepsyAwareness #ServiceDogAtWork #ChronicIllnessReality #MedicalTok
Living with both diabetes and epilepsy has taught me that managing these conditions isn’t just about monitoring numbers or symptoms in isolation—it's about understanding their complex interaction and the impact they have on daily life. For example, very low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can provoke seizures even in those without epilepsy, which adds another layer to managing epilepsy when diabetes is involved. From my own experience, carbohydrate intake must be carefully balanced—not just sugar levels. It’s a continual learning process where I’ve realized that managing carbs can be just as critical as managing blood glucose numbers. Unexpected lows can be dangerous, so having a support system is essential. My golden retriever service dog, Everest, has become invaluable in alerting to diabetic lows, sometimes even warning caregivers like Ruben, who supports me by preparing urgent treatments like prescribed dextrose through my central line. Living with these chronic illnesses means there’s always unpredictability, and it can be exhausting both physically and emotionally. Yet, having a dedicated support network and service dog makes a significant difference in safety and peace of mind. Sharing stories like mine helps raise awareness about the challenges faced by people managing overlapping health issues and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive care approaches—not just treating symptoms separately but understanding how conditions intersect. If you or someone you know faces similar challenges, I highly recommend learning about the signs of hypoglycemia-triggered seizures and exploring options like service animals or caregivers trained in emergency protocols. It also helped me connect with online communities around #DiabetesAwareness and #EpilepsyAwareness, where shared experiences can provide advice and emotional support. Remember, managing chronic illness is a journey that often needs more than one kind of treatment—it needs holistic understanding and compassionate help.

























































