Hypo's

[Stuboy]

Can you pass out during a Hypo?
I think i read that you can, but i just wanted to make sure i was right in thinking so.

I ask because i want to know what someone could do who's with you to help if you pass out during a hypo. obviously they couldn't feed you or give you a sugary drink becasue you'd be unconsious so couldn't swallow...

just call 999?

[corwin]

911 is the way to go.
Yes you can pass out but you shouldn't worry about it too much because being so newly diagnosed you'll feel terrible long before dangerous levels, it's more of a problem later on, assuming you don't do something really wrong.
What I made sure everybody around me knows is that if I pass out NEVER inject me with insulin. I read few horror stories about people doing that and causing permanent damage.
There is also something called glucogen that people can inject you with, it stimulates the liver to put more sugar into the blood stream. You might want to get it and teach people you spend a lot of time with how to use it. Up to you, I never got it, I hope I won't regret it.

[JediSkipdogg]

Yes you can pass out and most of the time you won't even sense it coming on. If you sense it, your body has time to react and dump glucose into the blood stream. It's when it comes on so fast that your body can't dump that glucose and you can't react properly. That's why all diabetics should have glucagon shots (basically a form of pure glucose in a needle) that other people know where you keep it (now being at work and having it at home won't help) in case they need to help you.

That is why before ever driving one should check their BG. If they check and test at 60, a hypo may be coming on very fast and you could black out and cause an accident (ask my brother, he has had three accidents from sudden hypos, luckily both very minor, and all about 4 years or more ago.)

[mark-TN]

This is usually a problem during the night because during the day with other people around they are going to notice you acting funning, talking funning, or notice you walking into walls and bring it to your attention in time to treat it. If you are to the point of walking into walls, no point in a friend or you checking your sugar, they just need to get you to take something that will bring it up your sugar fast. A glucose gel is a good option at this point as a friend or SO can squirt this in the side of your mouth and you will tend to swallow it without choking or gagging (which can happen with solid food or liquid). FYI- Many diabetics get very belligerent and will resist help when BG gets this low, so you need a plan of action to deal with this if it should happen. Glucagon is an option, but because of side effects, and other reasons, should be reserved as a last resort of action (such as in the case of being unconscious or extremely out of it) in my opinion. Here is a web page ( http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/article.cfm?aid=1128) that describes it and it’s use very well.

Mark

[DeusXM]

Also you should be aware that current NHS advice for treating patients who have passed out from hypoglycaemia is 'nil by mouth'. It used to be that they suggested smearing jam on the inside of the cheeks of someone in that situation but now it's felt that it probably causes more problems than it solves.

Your best bet is to make sure people around you know to call an ambulance if you pass out, regardless of circumstances. You should also carry some sort of ID with you identifying you as having diabetes.

On the subject of hypos:

Many diabetics get very belligerent and will resist help when BG gets this low, so you need a plan of action to deal with this if it should happen.

It's a two-way process. I for one am sick and tired that every time I am either not full of all the joys of the world or a bit tired or basically, not running at 110%, I get well-meaning but dim friends and coworkers asking me if I'm alright and if I need a Mars bar. I am so f***ing fed up of people assuming that EVERY SINGLE **** THING IN MY LIFE is apparently related to me having diabetes. If I get a drink, 'Oh, are you running high?' No, I'm just thirsty. If I do an insulin injection 'Oh, are you ok?' Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I'm just doing what I need to in order to survive. And if I dare as much to get out my glucose tablets, all **** seems to break loose, whereas all I need is a couple of these tabs and everything's fine - especially since I take them preventatively.

Sorry, went off on something of rant there....:goodnight

[JediSkipdogg]

It's a two-way process. I for one am sick and tired that every time I am either not full of all the joys of the world or a bit tired or basically, not running at 110%, I get well-meaning but dim friends and coworkers asking me if I'm alright and if I need a Mars bar. I am so f***ing fed up of people assuming that EVERY SINGLE **** THING IN MY LIFE is apparently related to me having diabetes. If I get a drink, 'Oh, are you running high?' No, I'm just thirsty. If I do an insulin injection 'Oh, are you ok?' Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I'm just doing what I need to in order to survive. And if I dare as much to get out my glucose tablets, all **** seems to break loose, whereas all I need is a couple of these tabs and everything's fine - especially since I take them preventatively.

Sorry, went off on something of rant there....:goodnight

That's a tough life that we live. And the one time you do need the help if nobody does help then you'll be mad then. I for one don't mind people asking, and I think that's the key part, it's up to how the person being asked feels with people asking about their diabetes and giving advice, etc.

[corwin]

I don't mind people asking either. In fact I'm probably willing to talk much more about diabetes then people are willing to hear. What bothers me is people who don't beleive me when I tell them what I can eat or people keep asking me how I feel, like I have a flu that should go away any day now.

[spike]

Can you pass out during a Hypo?
I think i read that you can, but i just wanted to make sure i was right in thinking so.

I ask because i want to know what someone could do who's with you to help if you pass out during a hypo. obviously they couldn't feed you or give you a sugary drink becasue you'd be unconsious so couldn't swallow...

just call 999?


Yes you can. Glucagon would be the best thing to give to an unconscious diabetic. It is injected. It comes in a kit with a tablet (active ingredient) inside a tiny vial (like a mini insulin bottle) and a syringe prefilled with diluent. The "rescuer" fills the vial with the diluent, swishes it around for a moment to dissolve the pill and the draws the mixture back into the syringe. That's injected into the diabetic, trying to avoid the bulk of the air that's invariably in the syringe. Glucagon injections typically bring the diabetic around in a few minutes. They MIGHT become nauseous from the glucagon, but that doesn't always occur. I carry Glucagon with me on vacations, and sometimes even in in my home area. When I was on MDI, I injected myself a few times because I used to drop so fast that I knew I'd pass out if I didn't get the Glucagon. Those days are past for me, now that I pump. I still get low, but I don't drop fast enough to expect I'll pass out.

[poodlebone]

Can you pass out during a Hypo?
I think i read that you can, but i just wanted to make sure i was right in thinking so.

I ask because i want to know what someone could do who's with you to help if you pass out during a hypo. obviously they couldn't feed you or give you a sugary drink becasue you'd be unconsious so couldn't swallow...

just call 999?

Yep. If you're unconscious, an IV line is the way to go and that requires professional help. As someone else said, make sure you stress that you should not be given insulin. One time at work, the manager said he took out my pen and was going to give me a shot but didn't know how much she should give. I thanked her for calling 911 instead!

I have passed out and had seizures at home alone. Eventually my liver dumped and I came to. I have no idea of knowing how long I had been unconscious but from the time I was aware of what was going on until I could actually get out of bed, it was about 2 hours. You feel like utter **** all day after one of those.

[spike]

Yep. If you're unconscious, an IV line is the way to go and that requires professional help. As someone else said, make sure you stress that you should not be given insulin. One time at work, the manager said he took out my pen and was going to give me a shot but didn't know how much she should give. I thanked her for calling 911 instead!

I have passed out and had seizures at home alone. Eventually my liver dumped and I came to. I have no idea of knowing how long I had been unconscious but from the time I was aware of what was going on until I could actually get out of bed, it was about 2 hours. You feel like utter **** all day after one of those.

Liz, have you got Glucagon? I've used it on myself when I used to drop up to 20U/min back in my MDI days. Saved me 3 or 4 times.

[Stuboy]

wow, thanks for the great responses!!

Im going to ask about glucagon when i see my diabetic nurse next (or the normal nurse when i see her tomorrow)

Would i need special training to know how to inject the glucagon properly if it's a proper injection? My SO is usually with me so would be a good idea for her to know how to do it.

At the moment I can feel myself going a bit shakey when i drop to about 4.0 (72) so i just have some glucose tablets and a sandwich. that usually sorts me out (3/3 times anyway)

[gettingby]

wow, thanks for the great responses!!

Im going to ask about glucagon when i see my diabetic nurse next (or the normal nurse when i see her tomorrow)

Would i need special training to know how to inject the glucagon properly if it's a proper injection? My SO is usually with me so would be a good idea for her to know how to do it.

At the moment I can feel myself going a bit shakey when i drop to about 4.0 (72) so i just have some glucose tablets and a sandwich. that usually sorts me out (3/3 times anyway)
A nurse can show you how to draw it up and mix it properly. It's a good idea for your SO to go with you since she may be the one needed to help you.

[spike]

wow, thanks for the great responses!!

Im going to ask about glucagon when i see my diabetic nurse next (or the normal nurse when i see her tomorrow)

Would i need special training to know how to inject the glucagon properly if it's a proper injection? My SO is usually with me so would be a good idea for her to know how to do it.

At the moment I can feel myself going a bit shakey when i drop to about 4.0 (72) so i just have some glucose tablets and a sandwich. that usually sorts me out (3/3 times anyway)

Whoever is the most likely person(s) to be around you most of the time are the ones who should be taught how to inject Glucagon. In an emergency, that's no time to learn. :) there are just a few basic bits of knowledge needed to inject it properly. It's not complicated, but it should be learned before it's needed.

[lgvincent]

I've passed out many times . . . sometimes even when my blood sugar was low. I keep a few tubes of instant glucose nearby. It used to be printed on the tube that it could be placed inside the mouth and absorbed into the jaw(?) when a person was unconscious but no longer does.