Do you carry glucose tabs with you at all times? 

Do you have a glucogon kit for emergencies? 

Does anyone besides you know how to use it?

A really bad day...

This morning I took my Lantus as usual, but about an hour later I was shaking severely, nauseated, and my heart was pounding like crazy. I could barely speak, and it was hard to think. There's no way I would have been able to walk to another room to get help. 

I checked my blood sugar, which wasn't easy because the shakes were so severe. My blood sugar was 3.0 and dropping fast!  (54 in US scale). Yes I was in insulin shock. 

No idea why it happened except that I must have hit a vein. I didn't see any blood, and there was no vein visible where I injected, but I can't think of any other explanation. I must have nicked something. It was not a new cartridge and I dialed up the right dose.

I didn't accidentally inject my mealtime insulin (that pen records the dose and time, and it hadn't been used since yesterday). So not the wrong insulin.

I didn't inject too much. Just the usual dose in the usual area and suddenly I'm in big trouble.

Fortunately my husband was there and got my glucose tablets out, and helped me get my meter out. I couldn't even open the kit.

I also had him get out my glucogon kit, just in case. I really thought he was going to have to use it this time, it was so bad and so sudden. The glucose tablets just weren't working fast enough.

Insulin shock is nasty. I survived another day, but its still rough. It usually takes me 3 or 4 days to get over this type of thing. I felt NO symptoms until it was severe, no warning at all. If my blood sugar goes down from getting a little too much mealtime insulin, it usually happens slowly and I can feel it coming on and test and treat it. Not this time.  I was suddenly so weak and confused that I couldn't manage the stupid zipper on the kit. I needed assistance.

Normally 1 glucose tablet will bring my blood sugar up enough, but this time I had to keep forcing them down, it took about 12 to 14 tablets, plus a glass of Tang, (I keep Tang powder on hand just for emergencies in case I can't keep the tablets down). 

I didn't take any insulin until late today for supper, and believe me, I was very reluctant to use it. 

If you use insulin PLEASE keep Dex4 tabs on hand at all times. Have at least one large bottle, and make sure its already been opened because at times like this you won't have the strength to get it opened. I keep them in the kitchen, beside my bed, and in the living room beside my chair. If I hadn't been prepared, I'd probably be dead now. My husband wouldn't have been able to hunt them down in time. 

Fortunately I was prepared. 

I'm going to be getting some liquid glucose, and gel too, the dry tablets keep well, but in this type of emergency they're too hard to chew and swallow. 

Please get yourself some glucose tabs, plus gel or liquid,  and a glucogon kit too, someday it may save your life. 

If you need a quick increase in glucose, glucose tablets are the best option, however, in an emergency, if you are not prepared, you can use Lifesaver candies, or orange juice, or regular pop (NOT the sugar free kind!). You can even eat regular table sugar, but its a lot easier to use glucose tablets, and if you carry them, you'll know you're always prepared. 

When you get a glucogon kit make sure someone knows how to use the kit, besides yourself! 

PS. I 've heard that some of the tube icing for cake decorating is made from glucose. I'm going to be checking that out, because I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than the glucose gel tubes at the pharmacy. Look for icing that has a peel away tab after you unscrew the cap. Some require using a pair of scissors to snip off the end of the tube. This is not something you need to worry about in an emergency! Either way, I'm going to have at least 2 gel tubes in each location, just in case, in addition to the tablets. 

New Mini-Dose Glucagon kit coming soon!  

http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2014/12/update-mini-dose-glucagon-coming-soon/

Standard treatment for Low Blood Sugar   http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes-control/low-blood-sugars/treatment

Update: I did hit a vein, I developed had a huge bruise where I did that injection, lots of bleeding under the skin, and it has not cleared up yet (it's been over a month). 

Glucose Tablets: An Essential Safety Measure for Insulin Users

Essential Safety Measures for Insulin Users

Something we all need once we start using insulin

 is a quick fix if our blood glucose goes too low.

If you're a type 2, and on oral meds, diet and exercise, your blood glucose may go low occasionally. However, when you start insulin, you'll experience more severe lows, that have a sudden onset, and you may not have the physical strength and presence of mind to deal with it, if you fail to prepare ahead of time.

One item you must have on hand is glucose tablets.

There are several brands, but I find the least expensive and most widely available brand is Dex4.

You can buy Dex4 in large jars of 50, which will treat about 15 lows, and there are also 10 tablet tubes. The tubes will only treat 3 lows or possibly 4.  The larger bottles are more economical. 

There are other brands of glucose available, these are simply the brand that I prefer, as it is easy to find, and not as expensive as the other ones. 

You should always carry glucose tablets with you when you go out, even in your own backyard. You should keep some in a small jar in every room of your home too. They should be easy to see at a glance, and easy to reach from whatever chair you normally sit in. For example, you should be able to reach them at your desk, your living room chair, kitchen table, in your car, your place of work, and where you sleep.

They should never be out of reach! 

Take the time now to break the seal on the bottle and open the lid, then screw it back on just enough to close, so its not tight. You need to keep moisture out, but have the lid loose enough for a weakened person to open in an emergency. If you go low, you will be weaker than normal, and probably confused as well.

If you take the time now to put at least 6 to 8 glucose tablets in small jars, label them, and put one in each location, it could save your life someday. It will certainly give you some security, knowing that you're prepared for the lows that will occur.

Why got to all this trouble you ask? Well, when a real low strikes, you may be too weak to walk, let alone hunt for and open a new, still sealed jar. You may not even have the strength to open a lid if its screwed on too tightly. Confusion is part of extreme low blood glucose, so be prepared now, so you can deal with it when it strikes.

Family members need to know what and where your glucose tablets are too. They need to know how to help if you get so low you can't even think of taking glucose tablets.

Here's a handy product that can be used to carry them when you're away from home, at work, etc.

This is the Quick Fix Key Chain for glucose tablets. The Dex4 tablets fit into these perfectly.

I rotate mine, as they do absorb more moisture when stored in these key-chain holders. You can find this product at  Quick Fix Key Chain

I've also seen these on Amazon.com 

 Dex 4 is available in tablets, gels and liquid form. The 50 count jar of tablets is the most economical form, and easier to find too. Other brands may be more readily available in your part of the world. The important thing is to get some, and have them on hand, where you'll need them, not stuck in the back of a cupboard somewhere, collecting dust!

Take the time now to get some glucose tablets and put them where you can easily find and use them, when the need arises.

You won't be sorry that you did!