Should all diabetics living alone and on insulin have this device?

[Rob43]

Hi, Some of my family members want me to get a Frist Alert device because I live alone and I'm a diabetic which if I pasted out nobody would know get help. Nobody comes and visits me much so if I went into coma I would have no way of getting help. Here is the website below for the device.

Life Alert ® - Customer Testimonials (http://www.lifealert.com/customers/testimonials.aspx)

Rob

[princesslinda]

Rob, I'm not sure this would help you in the event of coma, as you'd have to be awake to push the button to get help. A friend had this for her grandmother and the poor lady accidentally pushed it a couple of times and then once she had a mini stroke and fell, pushed the button and no one ever answered, as they thought it was another "accidental" push. The family couldn't get her on the phone and went home to check on her and found her in the floor.

Main thing is to find a way to get your blood sugars under tight control so that you don't have to worry about it so much.

[jeggeman31]

You have to be awake to push the button. If your control is to the point that you fear the hypo will get you, you need to sit down with your family and figure out a system that you can check in or something every few hours. This won't be bad if you are awake and can push the button. However remember they get set off by accident, and when the police and EMS come knocking and can't get ahold of you, your door will be kicked in. I work in law enforcement and have worked in EMS in the past. I have seen many of doors kicked in for no reason at all. Kind of like burglar alarms on your home. Burglar alarms, you are paying someone to let the police know you need a report because someone broke into your house, or you are paying them to let the fire department know to come save the basement. This you are paying someone to send EMS if you are able to push the button.


Myself, I think I would rather spend the money on Dr's visits to figure out why I am going hypo so much I need this service. Get your family involved if it is at that point.

Just my 2 cents.

[jeggeman31]

I'm taking 2000 mgs of Meformin and 5mgs of Glyburide a day. My blood sugar never drops below 200. Is 200 safe or not? Normal everyday testing is 230-275.

Thanks, Rob

I just seen this post after responding to this thread. By this post I guess you don't need to worry about going hypo at all.

[Rob43]

Hi, My aunts first alert device will call you if you don't reset the device everyday. It has a speaker and microphone built-in to it. If the person cann't get you to speak they send help.

Rob

[JediSkipdogg]

Hi, My aunts first alert device will call you if you don't reset the device everyday. It has a speaker and microphone built-in to it. If the person cann't get you to speak they send help.

Rob

And if you aren't home at that time?

I think the devices are nice, but like other have said, if you are unconscious, which is the major problem one would have in a diabetic emergency, then what good is a device for you to push a buttom and call for help.

I think I'd work on getting those numbers under 150 before I'd even be thinking of having one.

[princesslinda]

I think before i'd invest in this, I'd just tell someone i'd check in with them by ? time and then if I didn't, have them call me and if no answer, have a neighbor come by and knock on the door if my car was in the driveway.

If you are really that worried about a diabetic emergency, I would be getting to an endocrinologist to see what could be done so that I could have better control and wouldn't have to worry about it so much.

Have you ever went unconscious due to an extremely high episode in the past? Do you have a family member or friend who would check in with you on a daily basis? I hate that you are having to worry so much about something happening to you. Hopefully you'll be able to get your blood sugar issues resolved soon.

[nneighbour]

I just seen this post after responding to this thread. By this post I guess you don't need to worry about going hypo at all.

I totally disagree. I used to be on glyburide and have had hypos on half the amount you take. I've never gotten coma low, but I have gotten to the point where there was just too much of the drug in my system (I think I accidently double dosed) and was dropping into the 2s between each meal for an entire day.

Do what makes you feel safe. It may be just as easy to have someone call you every day.

[JediSkipdogg]

I totally disagree. I used to be on glyburide and have had hypos on half the amount you take. I've never gotten coma low, but I have gotten to the point where there was just too much of the drug in my system (I think I accidently double dosed) and was dropping into the 2s between each meal for an entire day.

Do what makes you feel safe. It may be just as easy to have someone call you every day.

I think what Jim was refferring to was the part of him never being under 200 and his norm is 230-275. Therefore he's WAY above the danger level and need needs to get closer to normal before he even thinks of being in the hypo range.

[Rob43]

Hi, I wondering if I should go to a endocrinologist when my family doctor puts me on insulin? This doctor want me not to go to a endocrinologist because she said she can take care of my insulin if I go on it. I think most doctor's love us because we are lifetime patients. I go to this doctor once a week for rest of my life because of blood thinner check-ups.


Thanks, Rob

[Dewey]

Eek on the blood thinner checkups once a week. :eek: If the doctor is recommending an endo for you, it may be good to go. If nothing else, you'll still have the doctor you currently see as backup for your Diabetes care. :)

On the other, I can't speak for FirstAlert or LifeAlert, but can say that I've used the Wherify wireless watch (it's very small), which is equipped with GPS. My hubby was able to keep a check on me at any time (i.e. know where I was) in the event my sugar went low. The best part was that if my sugar was low & I happened to be unconscious, the GPS would able to track me within a specific triangle & within x amount of feet from where I might be. The only drawback was that in some areas, signal strength was weaker.

Also, Wherify has come out with small GPS phones built specifically to track family members in the event of medical emergencies. While they may look kind of "kiddish," they do the job quite well...All that aside, even regular cell carriers are now equipping phones with GPS, so maybe you & your family can check into that? Keep in mind however, that if you don't have the cell phone on you, it will Not be useful in the event of a low or issue.

[princesslinda]

Since you have a relationship with this doctor, it may be that she can handle things should you have to go on insulin. I mentioned an endocrinologist because I feel that if your Internist/Family Doctor cannot keep you under good control, this might be necessary. That being said, from what I've seen, WE are the one's who have the choice in how we control things, THEY (docs) pretty much just write the scripts and have our blood drawn.

I think I would try really, really hard to exercise, diet, whatever it takes to get my levels down...insulin may be in your future, but I think lifestyle changes might go a long way in helping with your control even if you are on insulin.

[andypoo]

Hi, Some of my family members want me to get a Frist Alert device because I live alone and I'm a diabetic which if I pasted out nobody would know get help. Nobody comes and visits me much so if I went into coma I would have no way of getting help. Here is the website below for the device.

Life Alert ® - Customer Testimonials (http://www.lifealert.com/customers/testimonials.aspx)

Rob
Are these family members that want you to get a first alert aware that being in the 200's will not induce you into a coma? also are they visiting when they tell you this. If so,Maybe they could pop in on you once in a while. Are you around anyone close by that could call or check on you from time to time? Like a neighbor or if you have a landlord . My brother lives by himself,and if it wasn't for neighbors and friends,I don't believe he would've made it alive when he had lows,I'm talking extreme "coma" lows.".call an ambulance and get immediate treatment" lows.Those kind of lows can get you into trouble,but in all situations a First Alert wouldn't have mattered one iota. None of his family live close by.Have you done something that scared them into saying this? I know my brother lives dangerously, he had problems with alcohol and drugs,so when he passes out it's because he' been so messed up he's not aware of his bgs. Not saying you do anything like this,but paying attention to yourself,should eliminate too many lows. At least where you can get to something quickly enough to counteract the lows. Hope all turns out well for you.!

[Kate H]

when i've had 'pass out hypos' fortunately they have been at the door to my office....... a First Alert device would NOT have saved me in the event of my unconscious hypos...... it's too late by that time

and yes, i had ZERO notice before i collapsed

[Penny]

I think anyone who lives alone should have some form of alert. We got a thing from Radio Shack, I think it is called the Guardian. It dials up to 6 numbers (I think) and when answered Granny's voice says "I need help". If someone does not pick up the phone after 5 calls it dials 911. If she accidently pushes the button (which she has done), one of the 5 contacts will know. We have our number, 2 of the local grandkids and 2 neighbors on her "call list'. It only cost about $60 and no monthly fees. Well worth the peace of mind.

[Lloyd]

A cell phone in your pocket can be very helpful.

-Lloyd

[LancetChick]

I think it depends on how comfortable you feel with your insulin management. If you're getting some unpredictable and severe lows, then I think it's a good idea. I know for a fact that you can die of hypoglycemia, because my grandmother did. An alternative would be a CGMS, which monitors your blood sugar continuously, and is equipped with an alarm that you can set to go off if your blood sugar gets above or below the range you program. Of course, cost and accuracy are issues with CGMS's, but if you don't feel comfortable living alone as an insulin dependent diabetic, it's better to be safe than sorry. As to whether or not all insulin dependent diabetics should have an emergency device, no, I don't think so. I live alone, take insulin and have no concerns about passing out because I've got a system down where the only hypos I get are very mild, predictable ones. If I were forced to go back to NPH, however, I'd definitely be afraid.

[jeggeman31]

I think what Jim was refferring to was the part of him never being under 200 and his norm is 230-275. Therefore he's WAY above the danger level and need needs to get closer to normal before he even thinks of being in the hypo range.


See Kevin says what I think. **** it is kind of like being married. :eek:



Hi, I wondering if I should go to a endocrinologist when my family doctor puts me on insulin?

My feeling on this topic, is that yes you should. I never went to an endo until after I joined this group and took the advice of others. I felt my level of care went up 190%. I say if you can do it, do it.

[Rob43]

Hi, The choice here is getting first alert or getting married. My doctors in the past wanted me to get married to have someone to help take care up me and not live alone. :D


Rob

[Rob43]

Hi, I also carry a cellphone everywhere I go. My doctor was getting mad at me for missing doctor appointments and not being able to contact me for changing my medicine. So I bought a cellphone and now she can get me 24 hours a day.

Rob

[Dewey]

Hi, The choice here is getting first alert or getting married. My doctors in the past wanted me to get married to have someone to help take care up me and not live alone. :D


Rob
LOL....I think I'd opt for the cell phone or FirstAlert thing (don't get me wrong, I enjoy being married, but I know how "naggy" & annoying we women can be at times! LOL).

It's good that you have the cell phone on you 24/7. Maybe having a GPS phone would help then....

[BriOnH]

I live alone but wouldn't want one at this point in my life.

[jeggeman31]

I know how "naggy" & annoying we women can be at times! LOL....

AMEN to that~~~~~~~~~

[andypoo]

I think the cell phone would be the best bet to contact anyone. If your able to push a button,on a First Alert ,then your able to program your phone to dial 911,I believe,with just a push of "one" button.I guess you guys heard about theDiabetic DJ in N. Carolina that called out on the air,and a listener heard him and he went to the station and couldn't get in,called 911 and they together found him passed out on the floor and revived him. They said his oxygen level was so low,that he would've died right there,had the radio listener hadn't gone into action the way that he did. Thank God for good people!

[jeggeman31]

I think the cell phone would be the best bet to contact anyone. If your able to push a button,on a First Alert ,then your able to program your phone to dial 911,I believe,with just a push of "one" button.


A few things here. If you are in fear that if you are going to go hypo and that you may not be able to call someone, and want to push a button, then get the life alert thing. DONT PROGRAM YOUR CELL PHONE TO CALL 9-1-1.

Also if you decide to use a cell phone, remember not all 9-1-1 call centers are phase II and won't be able to locate you if in fact you should pass out prior to telling them your location. Also if you area is phase II and can track your cell phone, it does not track you to the living room of you house. It gives us a general area you are in. It will work fine if you live in the middle of BFE and you are the only house for miles. But if you live in a heavy metro area, I don't think the police are going to go door to door just because we have an open cell phone line looking for you ( Okay my department won't) If you live in a multi floor dwelling, it won't show us what what floor you are on. So if you are on the 34th floor, we won't know that.


Programing your cell phone to dial 9-1-1 is not a good thing. That number is not hard to remember, and you save us (who answer your 9-1-1 calls) waisted time in tracking down the people who put their cell phones down and it hits that one button and calls 9-1-1.

At my agency we take over 400,000 9-1-1 cell phone calls a year, 84% of those are misdial into 9-1-1.


Kevin would you like to add anything?

[JediSkipdogg]

Kevin would you like to add anything?

Well said and therefore I can't think of anything to add.

And for those of you that think we will check the address that the cell phone account comes back to, good luck on that. For example, I haven't lived at my parent's house in 8 months now and my cell phone still has them as the active address. And now I live in a condo that has 14 units in a 200 foot wide building stacked 3 floors high. So if you think police will knock on 14 doors at 11:00 pm, yeah right.

The idea of the medic alert is that it tracks to that exact location due to it being hooked up to a land line.

If one is that worried of an emergency while alone they should get this.....Emergency Handheld GPS Personal Location Beacon (http://safetyandsecuritycenter.com/emgpspelobe.html)
It's a GPS tracker that sends out an emergency alert signal with the GPS coordinates. Unfortunately though, again, in something like a condo or apartment building, it may not be that accurate due to working indoors and pinpointing the exact room. Not to mention, very few police agencies have GPS tracking capabilities themselves.

The BEST safety net ANYONE can have is to maintain decent control and tuning their body to pick up when it's out of whack.

[cheryl]

I will never live alone ever, I will never put myself at that risk, if I out survive my husband, and I am alone way down the line, either one of my kids better take me in or, I will get a roomate, or whatever, I will never put myself in that kind of situation ever ever........I am not helpless, and I am not ashamed to ever say that, I can take care of myself, but I am smart enough to realize, this ain't a joke and my pride needs not to play an affect on me ever......

Cheryl