what my parents never told me...

blue_eyed_devil · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 11:14 PM

I was having a chat to my parents the other day and we got onto the topic of lows. I have been admitted to ed a few times in the past with pretty bad hypos, via ambulance and 'mum's taxi'. but it's what they didn't tell me of these experiences that shocked me...

Apparently I overpowered my father (at the tender age of 12) when he tried to give me glucagen, swore at, verbally and physically abused medical staff and vomited on a doctor (that was funny for my dad cause apparently the dr said she wouldn't treat me until I stopped swearing, at which point my father pointed out that I had just come out of a 'coma' and didn't exactly know what the heck I was doing... next second, shoes covered in vomit...)

Now while I know that diabetics can't control themselves when we're that far out of it, it is kind of embaressing to know that it took three grown men - two ambo's and my dad - to restrain me while I kicked and screamed (to the point where neighbours actually came over to see what the heck was going on) then yelling and abusing hospital staff...

I know I wasn't 'in control' of myself, but man, what people must have thought... I'm not sure that most people really understand that diabetes can be that serious... Or that you really can lose control like that.

I also found out that I've gone into convulsions like three times... Ahhh parents, what they had to put up with. My poor partner went rather white when we were discussing this... fingers crossed it never happens again!!!

Tricia452008 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 06:04 AM

I experienced the same thing...when i had my really really bad hypo back in 2001....my bgs were only about 15 or 20 really low...and when i got to the hospital apperantly they needed to check to see if my brain was ok and they wanted to draw blood and i put up such a fight and was thrashing around like crazy ::i hit several doctors and nurses: that i had 7 doctors hold little old me down and try to sedate me so they could run tests...i was given enough medicine to drug a 800 lbs man and was uncounscious for 3 whole days...and when i woke my arms were both brusied all the way to my elbows!!! i dont remember any of it and my mom said it was the worst thing she ever saw...to this day she refuses to talk about it.....so yea i know exactly what you mean

MJM · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 06:56 AM

[quote=blue_eyed_devil;177665]IApparently I overpowered my father (at the tender age of 12) when he tried to give me glucagen, swore at, verbally and physically abused medical staff and vomited on a doctor (that was funny for my dad cause apparently the dr said she wouldn't treat me until I stopped swearing, at which point my father pointed out that I had just come out of a 'coma' and didn't exactly know what the heck I was doing... next second, shoes covered in vomit...)

Now while I know that diabetics can't control themselves when we're that far out of it, it is kind of embaressing to know that it took three grown men - two ambo's and my dad - to restrain me while I kicked and screamed (to the point where neighbours actually came over to see what the heck was going on) then yelling and abusing hospital staff...

I know I wasn't 'in control' of myself, but man, what people must have thought... I'm not sure that most people really understand that diabetes can be that serious... Or that you really can lose control like that.

Hey Blue eyes! I was nearly going to say 'Hey Devil' but thought better of it, he! he! I've had much the same experiences as you when I was younger. I can laugh at it now but back then I was embarrased. If it happened now, well it wouldn't bother me one bit. Don't worry about it. When you get to that stage it's out of your control. All you can do is try your best to avoid it.

statdeac · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 08:23 AM

There is an interesting story similar to this posted on a diabetic blog. Check this out!

Telling Off The Paramedics

lelggren · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 08:32 AM

I had a similar thing happen a few years ago when I went into ketoacidosis. When I woke up that morning, my parents tell me that I was talking to people in the room that weren't there, and when they drove me to the hospital, I am told that I was using my dad's work glove as my cell phone because I was trying to call my friend Matthew...

Then, when we got to the hospital, I don't remember this, but they tell me that I was swearing at my doctors and nurses because they would not give me any water. I remember being thirsty and wanting water, but I must have been really pissed because they tell me that I was swearing (mind you, I don't swear ever, so not like me at all), and I was beating up the doctor so bad that they had to put me in restraints and give me seditives. When I finally came out of it all, my mom said that the same nurses from the ER would come and see me and then comment to her, "She is so nice! You never would have know that from what happened when she came in!" lol

Gotta love diabetes....lol

JungleJim · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 09:37 AM

I would always be very contrary and refuse to cooperate with help when I got too low, which used to be very frequent. My wife would complain to me that I didn't have any idea what she had to put up with as she tried to combat my frequent lows. I didn't think it was that big of a deal for her...........so when I had a low about 2am one night..............she breaks out the video camera!!!! It did give me a better perspective of her situation.

Those days are behind me since I got on the pump 3 years ago. I would say that the elimination of the lows has been the main benefit for me.

BriOnH · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 09:41 AM

I have had similar experiences but remember little blips and pieces during the hypos. Some caused intense hullicinations. Those flashbacks I get when I think I am going low are a huge part of my anxiety I deal with.

belyro · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 10:45 AM

I've never become violent or anything like that, but I do remember two hallucinations I had when I was first diagnosed.

In one, there were monkeys all over the living room....swinging from lamps, hanging off the ceiling....everywhere. I remember screaming and crying and hanging onto my mom. It was a lot for a 3-year-old to deal with.

In the other one I saw the Incredible Hulk walking down the street. I wasn't that scared of that one. I think I just went and told my mom.....who promptly fed me sugar.

Any other hallucinators out there?

blue_eyed_devil · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 05:25 PM

man... I'm so glad I don't hallucinate... that would be way to freaky for me... but then again abusing people ain't that great either!!!

Thanks for your input guys.

dgrilli · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 05:51 PM

I used to experience bad dreams as a child and I was told nobody wanted to go near me as I over powered my Dad at one of those dreams.

Also lately been going low and dreaming again these past two weeks waking up in a wet mess soaking my pillow.

When I first married my wife told me she was scared to sleep with me because I would act out in the middle of the night. Then did not have dreams as those for years. They are now returning.

Is it common to have these dreams when going low?

Tattoo azz · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 06:01 PM

I know what you mean blue eye.I once threw my older bro 6ft into a tree just before going hypo.He got his own back some years later when i had a hypo in the back garden,he poured treacle in my mouth and massaged it into my gums.When i started to come round later in ER i realized he'd also tipped it all over my face,hair and tee shirt.We laugh about it now

caryj · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 06:42 PM

Everyonce and a while you'll read an article in the newspaper about a diabetic going low on the subway in manhattan....except the cops usually think the person is a) drunk, or b) on drugs; or both. Only when they end up getting the person contained do they figure out that it's actually a medical emergency...not just a drunk.

I've seen stories of diabetics attacking cops (and cops tackling those kids to the ground) who try and check on a kid passing out on the subway. Scary, but they're trying to protect themselves too. Once they have the kid contained they'll hopefully figure it out and find some contact info in the wallet.

Precautions. Take them. It's worth it.

BriOnH · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caryj

Everyonce and a while you'll read an article in the newspaper about a diabetic going low on the subway in manhattan....except the cops usually think the person is a) drunk, or b) on drugs; or both. Only when they end up getting the person contained do they figure out that it's actually a medical emergency...not just a drunk.

I've seen stories of diabetics attacking cops (and cops tackling those kids to the ground) who try and check on a kid passing out on the subway. Scary, but they're trying to protect themselves too. Once they have the kid contained they'll hopefully figure it out and find some contact info in the wallet.

Precautions. Take them. It's worth it.

1 word. Medicalert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_eyed_devil

man... I'm so glad I don't hallucinate... that would be way to freaky for me... but then again abusing people ain't that great either!!!

Thanks for your input guys.

My theory on hullicinations relatively are; they only happen when you have WAY to much insulin on board. Kind of like a hypo where you sieze only twice as much insulin. The time I hullicinated I though giving shots of R via IM worked immidiatly like IV. So I was high one night, and kept shooting R into my shoulder. Shot up, waited 20 min, shot up again, waited 20 min, shot up again, waited 20 min, then BAM. I was talking on a multiline BBS at the time (these was pre internet days) and had a conversation with this dude Katt that didn't actually happen. Also so a bunch of purple dots. Very very wild.

notme · #14 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 08:33 PM

My life is so boring!

blue_eyed_devil · #15 (**permalink**) 01-05-2007, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caryj

Everyonce and a while you'll read an article in the newspaper about a diabetic going low on the subway in manhattan....except the cops usually think the person is a) drunk, or b) on drugs; or both. Only when they end up getting the person contained do they figure out that it's actually a medical emergency...not just a drunk.

I've seen stories of diabetics attacking cops (and cops tackling those kids to the ground) who try and check on a kid passing out on the subway. Scary, but they're trying to protect themselves too. Once they have the kid contained they'll hopefully figure it out and find some contact info in the wallet.

Precautions. Take them. It's worth it.

You know that's really scary. But like you say I guess they're just protecting themselves...

notme... believe me, stay boring!!! It's much safer!!!