BAD low

[Dewey]

I didn't know if I wanted to even post this, but kinda needed to vent.

It's been 7 years (since 2001) since I've had what I call a "911" (a "911" is where paramedics have to be called for a low blood sugar). Well, tonight, that 7 year record has been broken. :(

When Carwy called, he asked a couple of questions, including how my blood was. I told him I'd see him in an hour (I don't usually get off till 10 pm or so & it was around 7:45 pm!), and told him I was low and was going to die. I also started acting extremely odd (i.e. skipping down the hall, trying to pull the phone apart, breaking my keychain & raising my hand, etc.). My friend/supervisor missed most of that fun, because she was in another room preparing her dinner (while she had a chance). When she realized something was wrong, she was going to relieve me so I could eat, but didn't get the chance. Carwy & hubby showed up at the workplace & called paramedics.

When the paramedics got there & checked, my BG was 15 & I was very combative & out of it, though not unconscious. They tried putting an IV in my wrist (so they could administer dextrose), but the gal was kind of fishing for the vein & with me being a little combative, it didn't help.

It took a little while, but we were able to raise the BG with Glutose, White Cake Frosting (in a tube) and some Chicken Lo Mein. Of course, my BG paid for it later. :s:

I'm very thankful to be alive & a-ok. I'm also extremely grateful that I got the help needed from loved ones & from my friend, who happens to be my co-worker/supervisor. They all knew something was wrong & that help was needed.

I just felt so sad, because I love my job & never wanted something like that to happen, especially while there. :( It's also the 20th year "anniversary" of my father's death today (though he died of a brain aneurysm). Not a good day for a "near death" experience, if ya know what I mean.

My co-workers know I have Diabetes, are very supportive & some of them have close family members with Diabetes (my friend/co-worker's mom has Diabetes, and another co-worker's daughter has it), so they understood. Still, it's little comfort to me as I acted like a total fool. At the same time though, I realize I'm human & sometimes these things happen. Guess what I'm saying in a roundabout way is that I'm struggling with what happened a little (emotionally).

Thanks for listening. I figure you all would understand & some could even relate in some way.

[adiantum]

Hugs mate.
I think we must all go through unpleasant experiences of which we have no control .
Be kind to yourself, even forgive yourself if you think it's needed but please dont whip yourself over it.

[Funnygrl]

Ugh, that sucks, very badly! I'm glade you're ok though. Any idea what caused it? (((hugs)))

[Dewey]

Hugs mate.
I think we must all go through unpleasant experiences of which we have no control .
Be kind to yourself, even forgive yourself if you think it's needed but please dont whip yourself over it.
Thanks. Though I've not had the opportunity before, I want to say welcome to the forums. :shakehand Thank you for the support, also.

Ugh, that sucks, very badly! I'm glade you're ok though. Any idea what caused it? (((hugs)))
I think it was stress & a couple of other things (was quite busy, didn't get an opportunity to snack, a little stressed because I was trying to troubleshoot multiple things at once). Other factors include a change in set type & possibly hormones...lol. Thanks for the hugs. :)

[Lulika]

Here's another (((hug))) all the way from China...sorry you had a tough time, but just rememer that old saying;

"what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.."

You strike me as strong! :)

[Dewey]

Here's another (((hug))) all the way from China...sorry you had a tough time, but just rememer that old saying;

"what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.."
Amen to that saying. Thank you, Lulika and thank you for the hug. I'm glad to know you - I often follow your threads & want to say I think you have a kind heart and a very positive energy. If ever you ever need an ear, we're here for you. (((((Hugs)))))

[ant hill]

It's been 7 years (since 2001) since I've had what I call a "911" (a "911" is where paramedics have to be called for a low blood sugar). Well, tonight, that 7 year record has been broken. :(
Dewey!!!, Thank god that you're still here. :(

When Carwy called, he asked a couple of questions, including how my blood was. I told him I'd see him in an hour (I don't usually get off till 10 pm or so & it was around 7:45 pm!), and told him I was low and was going to die. I also started acting extremely odd (i.e. skipping down the hall, trying to pull the phone apart, breaking my keychain & raising my hand, etc.). My friend/supervisor missed most of that fun, because she was in another room preparing her dinner (while she had a chance). When she realized something was wrong, she was going to relieve me so I could eat, but didn't get the chance. Carwy & hubby showed up at the workplace & called paramedics.
PHEW!!! :confused:
Let me hug you (((((((HUGZZZ))))))) I bet that was too close to death. :eek: :eek: :eek: :(
Dewey, Do you have something like jelly beans or other means at your workstation?

[UpNorth]

Oh gosh that is low! :eek: Good to hear you're OK now! (((HUGS)))

[davef]

Hey Dewey,

Here's a big Irish (((HUG))) from a big Irish man. Sounds like you had a really rough time and not on the best of days to start with.

You don't have anything to feel guilty about, if someone with asthma had an attack you would (and your friends/work mates) would have helped them and would only be concerned that they were okay afterwards. You didn't act like a fool, your body reacted to a bad low, it wasn't your fault, you friends know that and it's great that you have such great support. They'll be concerned about you when you are back in work, so don't get uptight when they ask how you are, it's no reflection on you.

You are a strong person and an inspiration to us all, the personification of a timex watch, you take a lickin and keep on tickin.

Stay strong, vent, we are here for you,

[princesslinda]

Oh Dewey...what a scary experience! I'm so glad you're okay....<<<Hugs>>> to you...and to Carwy for being able to come to your rescue!

Don't let this make you feel embarrassed or sad because it happened at work....Life happens to everyone...and everyone there will at some point experience something unexpected...and you'd be the first one there encouraging and supporting all of them in their times of need.

What a horrible day you had yesterday, both physically and emotionally...I truly hope today is better for you. Sending good thoughts your way.:flowers:

[kgm0612]

((( HUGS ))) What an awful low you had, Dewey. You must have been wiped out! I'm glad you had your friends around to take care of you, even though it happened at work.

Hope you're feeling much better today!

Karen

[fgummett]

Must have been scary and I am also relieved you are OK. :) I wonder how much your Dad's anniversary had to do with it.. even if you were not aware it was that day. I've had times when things did not feel right and it was only afterwards that I realised it was close to a memorable date for me.

I'm gonna ask a newb question and wonder if a Glucagon injection would help in this kind of situation?

[shabbie]

wow dewey thank goodness you came out of that alright! that 15mg/l bg computes as a - 3 on my calculator (in mmol)! is that possible?????

huge (((HUUUUGGGGZZZZ!!!!))) to you sister! xxx

[Penny]

Dewey, I am so sorry this happened to you. I wish there was a way for you not to feel guilty about it happening, but I even understand that, it is something I do. Considering it has been so long since it happened to you before though, I think you should be patting yourself on the back for such a good job. Wish we could give you some real hugs, but here's one from me too.

[ant hill]

that 15mg/l bg computes as a - 3 on my calculator (in mmol)! is that possible?????

I have worked that out to be .833MMOL/L and that's is seriously deadly low!!!

[soso]

really glad you are OK Dewey! That's got to be your record low though!

My thought is thank god we do act like fools... let's face it, if we sat quietly, no one would notice and we WOULD just keel over and die... the strange behaviour is actually our body alerting others to our need for help....
Hey, you kept your clothes on...lol....
Please feel better, we all can appreciate how horrible an experience that must have been for you and send you millions of hugs and messages of delight at your survival...

[grace girl]

I am so sorry this happened to you...I've never had one of those experiences, but I can just imagine how completely and totally freaked out you must feel once you've come to your senses and realize what has happened.
It's a wonderful thing to have good, supportive people around you who understand and react quickly!
I hope your recovering from it all well. Even minor lows usually make me feel like I just woke up from a 3 day drinking binge.

[mzteacher]

dear dewey,
i am so sorry to hear of your awful experience...and so very glad you are okay.....i am glad you were in a place with so much love and support and knowledge to take such good care of you...i am sorry too the timing was so close as the date of passing of your father....sounds like maybe you have an angel in him watching over you especially with this....so hugs to you and as some one still learning about all of this disease thanks for all the information you share....it is appreciated!!
you will be in my thoughts and prayers today as you start to make peace with what has happened to you.....
susan

[xMenace]

Thanks for listening. I figure you all would understand & some could even relate in some way.

These are very humbling experiences. I've been through nine of them, and I always get hit with a plethora of emotions. You'll be back to normal in no time though. We are a resilient species.

[betty6333]

I am sorry that happened. We are truly glad that you are okay. We are sending our hugs to you.
Betty

[dar917]

Yikes Dewey!! I'm glad you're OK. ((((Dewey))) Do you have candies or something you could keep in a pocket? I do that sometimes, although I know they take longer to work but it's better than nothing!

[Jan B]

Dewey,

I'm just sitting here crying for you. I've been on the verge of tears all day, and this did it! Even my dog came to check things out -- the first time he's seemed to care about tears. You are in my prayers. I am also sad because of a death anniversary today . . . but EASTER is here to give us renewed spirit and hope. I'm so sorry -- do not feel guilt (that's silly girl, but understood), just feel the love coming to you. And feel the love from your dad. I'm sending you another big, big hug and kisses from my 3 kitties and one young dog.

WE have a huge appreciation for life, don't you think?

[Scrabblechick]

AAACK! Sounds like your guardian angel got combat pay! I'm so glad you're all right. I know when you think about it being at work, it's embarrassing, but it's not like you had any control over it. Bless your heart. I'm sure your co-workers are far more glad you're OK than that you acted a little weird for a while. I remember a "Night Court" episode where the bailiff had an insulin reaction and was doing strange things. It was funny, but underneath, a serious look at the situation.

Reminds me of something that happened in church a couple of years ago. We had some visitors and after church, one of the ladies passed out in the floor. We called 911 and thank goodness, our pastor's wife was a nurse, but she was talking to someone outside and wasn't aware of what was going on at first. The lady was a Type I and her sugar had hit the ceiling. I don't remember what it was, but it was VERY high.

My dad was a Type I for many years and I'd had lots of experience in drawing up his insulin when Mama wasn't around to do it. Anyway, no one in her family really knew what to do. The woman herself had regained consciousness and said use about 15 units, but her family was standing there in confusion--they really didn't know how to do this. Time being of the essence, I said, "Give me the syringe. If you'll inject her, I'll draw it up." And so I did. They said I looked like a pro doing it. Heh. Once the insulin was given, our pastor's wife came running in and checked the woman over and really talked with the family about having someone else who could do the insulin in case she had another reaction.

Of course, this doesn't apply in your case, Dewey, but it did remind me how very quickly things can happen.

[mortis505]

Oh my Dewey, I'm glad you are ok.:knuddel:

[Dewey]

I want to thank you all so much for your love and support. (((((Hugs))))) & love back to all of you!

Dar & Peter, I had some candy with me (peeps, lol) along with a tube of frosting that was in my bag. After the incident, I showed my friend/co-worker where it was in the event she needed to get it for me. Often, I keep things on hand, but if busy or side-tracked, I kind of forget that I need to take care of myself..that's bad, because time slips by and then things can get out of hand (like they did).

The good news is, I just ordered some CGMS sensors yesterday, so once they arrive, I can go back to keeping a constant check on the BG levels (in addition to all the testing I do anyway) & have a better ability to catch things more readily. I'd been off the sensors for a while, because I wanted to save money for other things. However, MM said that insurance is covering the sensors now, so I'm very happy about that. They actually said that the insurance I'm on was one of the first to "jump on board" to start covering them...wonder if that 4 month fight had anything to do with that? ;) Hopefully, it helped.

Frank, I think you're right on in that sometimes, our bodies react internally to past events, even if we don't think about them consciously at the time. Glucagon is definitely helpful, but I've often found that when I've ordered it in the past, it was very costly and usually went bad before it was needed (which is a good thing, but still). Out of the several shots I've owned, we've only used it once at home in 2001 or so. We've found sugar water to be the best treatment when I'm extremely low, along with the tubing of frosting, etc.

Susan and Scrabblechick, I also feel that we do have guardian angels and mine definitely came into play yesterday! :) Speaking of guardian angels, it's good that you were there to help that lady when her BG was up so high.

Karen and Holly, I definitely felt wiped after I came around...but they gave me oxygen, which helps a great deal. Lows and highs really do make your body feel like it's been run over by a truck afterwards.

Jan, thank you so much. You are such a gem here. Sorry I made you cry, as I didn't mean to. I love animals, too, so please give your dog and kitties some hugs and kisses for me as well! :love:

Dave, thanks for the big Irish hug! I now have the luck o' the Irish, so everything will be alright! :thumbsup:

John, you're right. It is a very humbling experience. I sure did feel emotions as I was coming out of it. Thought I broke the work phone and started crying at the way I acted afterward. My friend/co-worker kept hugging me & telling me not to worry.

SS, I laughed out loud when you said "Hey, at least you kept your clothes on." I may have croaked if I removed them! People would have probably been running away! LOL - Sharon & SS, I think the lowest I've been (though Not conscious at the time) was LO (not sure what the reading was, but I think it was 10 or possibly below?). I've been extremely fortunate over the years to have been caught in time to be saved!

Linda, thank you so much for everything. You're a great friend and a wonderful teammate here. You are a great help to so many, and I'm very grateful to know you.

Mike, Betty, UpNorth and Penny, thank you all so much for the hugs & support. It is deeply appreciated more than words can express. Penny, it's sometimes easier to be tough on ourselves, rather than see the positives of the good things we've accomplished. I struggle with that one, but being able to share with one another (& being reminded about the good) is very helpful.

Jan, Scrabblechick, Mike, Linda, Dar, John, UpNorth, Betty, SS, Peter, Sharon, Penny, Karen, Holly, Susan, Lulika, Funnygrl, Dave, Frank, Adiantum, and everyone, thank you all again for your support, kind words, love and hugs. It's good to have friends who care, and friends who understand!

[ant hill]

Hey Dewey, Now that you're OK, Have a hotdog with all you can find that's is scrumptious as you deserve this. From all of us from around the world, We love you Dewey. :love: :T

[camjen1]

Dew, I'm glad everything turned out okay. Hope your feeling better today because I know rebounding from such a low can play havoc.

[Jan B]

I remember the last time I got scared for my life low. The day after . . . the extreme exhaustion & amazing peace, perspective, and the overwhelming gratefulness to be alive . . .

Rest well Dewey.

[gettingby]

Dew, I'm sorry your record was broken. I know how that feels. I always feel guilty when others tell me what happened.
Give Timmy and Carwy a big hug and kiss for me. I'm glad those two came to your rescue. I would be lost without my best friend. :eek:
(((HUGS))) and all my love. Rest and take care of yourself. Hey, good thing you didn't moon anyone. http://bestsmileys.com/mooners/3.gif:D

[Holly]

Sorry about the seven year record being broken but at least the problem was sorted out successfully. It was a good learning experience too for those around you. They will recognize the symptoms of low BG sooner when they saw how you reacted. I worked with someone who went on a cleaning frenzy. You wouldn't feel any less of an epileptic who had a seizure at work. It just happens. I had one epileptic friend who actually lost her job when she seizured at work for the first time. These were the days when "wrongful dismissal cases" were unheard of in terms of compensation.

I worked in Emerg years ago and remember the diabetics that we recovered very quickly with glucagon. It still scared me to death when they came in unconscious almost always early AM. Recently I witnessed my DH having a low. He is on Diamicron MR and Metformin. He was just discharged from the hospital following a stroke and we were at the pharmacy picking up his meds. I had just purchased glucose tabs which we used to pick him up. He was gray, had cirumoral cyanosis, sweating profusely, dizzy, clammy and stated he felt awful. At the time I wondered if he was having a heart attack as we had just learned he had several in the past of the silent nature. He responded very quickly to the glucose tab although I learned later - it should have been three. His BG level five minutes later was 7.2. I doubt I would have been able to get three into him - he was gagging at the taste of one.

[Kim_in_TN]

What a terrifying experience for you! I am so relieved to hear that you are now "ok". Thank God that your co-workers were able to step in and help you! I agree that the "weird behaviour" might well have been a lifesaver for you!

(((((((HUGS))))))))

[adiantum]

[QUOTE=Dewey;315324]. :shakehand .
QUOTE]

Dewey :) I'm honoured to meet you & thank you for your welcome to the Df
Your BAD low had some GOOD points when it demonstrated the love your friends have for you.

You must be exhausted from it, so be very kind to Dewey.

Your thread has touched our hearts & I know I shall always send loving thoughts to you

[pegasus]

Hi, Dewey,
First off, a few more <<<hugs>>> for you after this hugely goddawful experience.

I also want to congratulate you for the incredible courage you've shown throughout it. First, in how you've dealt with your friends and coworkers (before and after--the ones you've talked to and the ones who took care of you) and then coming here and telling all of us about it. So often we are are convinced, both as diabetics and as simply humans (as you say) that if we are not perfect (and as diabetics we clearly aren't :eek: ) then there is something fundamentally, horribly wrong with us. We (sometimes) know in our heads that that's not true, but knowing it in our hearts is harder. Being able to reach out for support--physical and emotional--then is even harder, since who wants to reveal our ugly flaws???

But you have, and clearly from the responses you've gotten--both at home and here--you've been wise enough to surround yourself by people who are wise enough to value you, and to love you en toto. That is a gift.

I'm new here, but it didn't take me long to catch on to your strength and the power of the empathy you give, so here it all is right back at you!

Be good to yourself.

[palefacegirl03]

Sending more hugs your way, Dewey.

Lows like that do scare the **** out of all of us when they happen. So glad you are ok .

[Dewey]

Thanks again so much, everyone!

Peter, a hot dog sounds good right about now...maybe a turkey dog. Yummm...:eating:

Sandi, it's so true how the body can play havoc the next day with rebounds, etc. I'm just glad it seems steadier, now. I'm also very glad that your test results were benign! :thumbsup: I know how stress like that can really affect us!

Cin, lol @ not mooning anyone...in one of the previous lows I had, I actually did do that. Hehe

Holly & Kim, I too am glad that loved ones were nearby & that co-workers could help. It makes me feel better knowing there are co-workers who understand & who will be able to help if needed.

Adiantum, thanks again so much for your kind words. I'm glad you're with us & hope that we can all continue to help one another as the years go by.

Charlotte, those lows sure can be scary, no doubt - especially when coming around from being out of it. :eek: It's good to know that others understand, and that's the biggest help of all. Thanks for the hugs! (((((Hugs))))) to you, too!

Pegasus, thanks so much for your post & hugs. They mean a lot to me, and I want to send some back your way! (((((Hugs))))) I hope you know that whenever you need an ear, support or help, we'll be there for you. Glad you're here. :)

Once again, thanks so much everyone!

[Alice]

I'm late reading this...I know how jolting a low like this can be...you are so fortunate to have so many people supporting you, so please be happy about that great thing.

More hugs from me! And stop working so hard!

[ladytaz]

Aww Dew, I'm so sorry that happened to you! But I'm thrilled that there were others around to notice something wasn't right and take action!! I sure would misses you LOTS if ya wasn't around!!!!

*big squishy hugz*