Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1704: Red Lobster - Part 1
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Jamie

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Jamie's firsthand experience with a severe hypoglycemic event as an adult living with type 1 diabetes (LADA). Jamie and Scott dive into the details of what happened, why it was so frightening, and how such events impact both the person with diabetes and their loved ones. The discussion also expands to Jamie's diagnosis story, living with multiple autoimmune conditions, and practical strategies for managing diabetes and emergencies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Jamie’s Severe Low Experience

• Triggering Event

  • Jamie recounts her first severe low in August. She took insulin for dinner (Cheerios, estimated 55g carbs), but felt unwell and likely ate less than she thought ([04:01–05:41]).
  • Dexcom sensor was off—alarmed at 67 with double arrows down (rapid drop) about 30 minutes after bolus.

• Physical and Mental Effects

  • Rapid onset disorientation: “My body felt really heavy, and my brain felt really adrenaline soaked.” (Jamie, [10:04])
  • Struggled to get to her Baqsimi (glucagon rescue), realized her kit was on the bed with her ([08:36]).
  • Grabbed grape soda (kept on nightstand for emergencies), but was so unsteady she called 911 for fear of throwing up and being alone ([09:22]).
  • “My brain went like, super fast. It was really weird.” (Jamie, [09:33])

• Emergency Response

  • First responders arrived in about 8 minutes, though it “felt like 10 years.” (Jamie, [17:25])
  • They monitored her while she drank soda and ate a protein bar—did not need to go to hospital after sugars stabilized.

Reflections, Emotions, and Learning

• Aftermath and Coping

  • Jamie felt her husband was shaken and watched her Dexcom more closely afterward.
  • Changed Dexcom alarm settings to get earlier alerts for rapid drops ([33:03]).
  • Added Baqsimi to multiple locations around the house, inspired by community suggestions ([33:59]).

• Scott’s Take on Cereal and Eating Habits

  • Lighthearted advice: “I’d love it if you guys didn’t eat cereal for dinner… Why did you not make yourself a piece of chicken and a broccoli…?” (Scott, [06:25])
  • Running joke about eating in the bedroom (“I don’t want you people eating in your bedrooms either. Don’t eat in your bedroom. That’s not okay.” – Scott, [07:31])

• Managing Devices and Settings

  • Emphasized keeping Dexcom drop alarms ON, even if alerts are annoying: “Leave your alarms on. I don’t care if they bother you. That’s what they’re there for.” (Scott, [33:32])
  • Jamie’s husband, due to his job as a bus driver, cannot use Dexcom Follow alerts while driving ([44:37]).

• The Importance of Community

  • Jamie found the podcast through Facebook after posting about her experience, and integrated several listener tips into her own care routines ([47:59]).

Jamie’s Diagnosis Journey

• Slow, Frustrating Diagnosis

  • Initially misdiagnosed as Type 2, GP accused her of non-compliance despite Jamie exercising and essentially eating keto ([21:18–22:03]).
  • Lost nearly 100 pounds unintentionally due to undiagnosed insulin deficiency ([22:26], [23:01]).
  • Endocrinologist quickly identified Type 1 (positive for three antibodies, [25:15]) and started her on insulin.

• Associated Autoimmune Conditions

  • Jamie also lives with anaphylactic allergies (shellfish/fish), Raynaud’s, and psoriasis ([50:19], [50:28], [50:33]).

The “Red Lobster” Story & Anaphylaxis

• Allergic Reaction Incident

  • Severe allergic episode at work after someone brought in steaming lobster (aerosolized protein, [25:41]).
  • First use of an EpiPen—symptoms included itchy eyes, hard to breathe, “itchy inside my lungs.” (Jamie, [26:39])

• Workplace Hazards

  • Repeated incidents of co-workers microwaving fish at work despite her allergy ([28:15]), a point that Scott jokes he’ll add to his “life rules book.”

Personal Life, Relationships, and Diabetes

• Husband Dynamics

  • Married 4 years, together about 10–11 ([35:27]).
  • Jamie’s husband ghosted her for a year and a half early on due to embarrassment about personal issues, but they reconciled ([36:00–39:00]).
  • He supports her, but she mostly manages her diabetes solo: “I feel like I’m an adult and I can handle it and I don’t need help.” (Jamie, [42:33])
  • Struggles to remember carb counts when cooking—possibly related to ADHD ([43:10]).

• Managing With Multiple Autoimmunes

  • Jamie describes proactive and practical strategies (multiple low treatments ready, changing alert settings, open communication with family/friends).

Noteworthy Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Severe Lows:
  • “I tried to stand up because my Baqsimi was in my purse on the other side of the house… stood up, I fell over, somehow managed to hold onto my phone. I grabbed… grape soda… but only made it halfway.” (Jamie, [08:32])
• On Calling 911:
  • “I called 911 because I was afraid that I was going to throw up the soda because I get really nauseous when I’m lower…” (Jamie, [09:22])
• On Dexcom Drop Alerts:
  • “I have the drop alerts on now… There was a lady on Facebook who suggested taping the Baqsimi in the bathroom… Now it’s right in my face every day.” (Jamie, [33:46])
• Diagnosis & Medical Gaslighting:
  • “My general practitioner at the time kept telling me the reason my numbers were going up was because I was noncompliant and I wasn’t exercising and I was eating too many carbs. And so by the time I made it to the endo… he threatened to put me in the hospital for an eating disorder because I refused to eat carbs.” (Jamie, [21:16–21:49])
• On Relationship Support:
  • “He just let me be me, and he didn’t judge me, didn’t tell me I needed to change.” (Jamie, [40:48])
• Rescuing Humor Through All of It:
  • “Were you attacked with a lobster?” – Scott, [26:16]
  • “I’m saying right now I could murder you with a lobster and get away with it.” – Scott, [26:27]

Major Segments and Timestamps

• Jamie Introduces Herself and Recounts Severe Low: [03:32–05:58]
• Detailed Play-by-Play of the Low & Emergency Call: [06:25–13:40]
• First Responders Arrive, Recovery, and Aftermath: [16:39–17:45]
• Ways Jamie Adjusted Diabetes Management Afterward: [33:03–34:29]
• Jamie’s Path to Type 1/LADA Diagnosis: [21:18–25:30]
• Living with Multiple Autoimmune Diseases: [50:19–50:33]
• The “Red Lobster” Allergy Story: [25:30–28:35]
• Personal Life and Husband’s Role: [35:27–46:50]

Tone & Style

The tone is candid, supportive, and frequently humorous. Scott uses gentle ribbing and sarcasm to lighten sometimes-serious or stressful subjects, making the conversation accessible. Both parties are open and reflective; Jamie shares both vulnerabilities and practical tips that will resonate with listeners navigating similar challenges.

Final Takeaways

• Be proactive about low blood sugar risks, especially when using insulin—plan for unexpected scenarios.
• Don’t ignore or dismiss rapid drop alerts or the importance of rescue medication location.
• Diabetes management benefits from open family communication—even if you’re independent.
• Health care providers can misdiagnose—persistence in getting proper tests matters.
• Community tips (like keeping glucagon visible in every main space) can be lifesaving.
• Humor, resilience, and sharing stories can ease the emotional burden of living with diabetes (and multiple autoimmunes).

To continue the story and hear more from Jamie, listen to Part 2 in the next episode of the Juicebox Podcast.