Buddy System
Embarrassed, ashamed, self-conscious, guilty, alone — do any of these describe the way you're feeling about having diabetes? First, realize that you aren't to blame for having this disease. These feelings are a natural part of coming to terms with your diagnosis. It may take some time to overcome them completely, but in the meantime, you need to get past them enough to let the people around you know you need their help.
As of the writing of this book, there were nearly 24 million people living with diabetes in the United States. That makes the odds pretty darn good that at least a few of your coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family have already been touched by the disease. With that in mind, they may already know a lot about diabetes; then again, they may be sorely in need of some accurate and current diabetes education. Either way, you only have to share the basics of handling an emergency at this point.
First, have a “buddy” (or two or three) at each place you frequent regularly, such as work, the gym or playing field, class, church, and so on. Let your buddies know (and give them access to) where you keep your basic supplies (i.e., meter, fast-acting glucose, and glucagon kit) and provide them with instructions on administering glucagon. Most of the glucagon kits on the market have illustrated instructions with them that make giving an injection easier.
Alert
When educating friends, family, and coworkers about emergency situations, make sure they understand the difference between insulin and glucagon. Since both are injected, they may easily be confused, a situation that could have life-threatening consequences if you were to lose consciousness and be treated with the wrong drug.
These basic guidelines can give them direction for assisting you. Customize them to your own particular blood sugar highs and lows:
If I look ill or am acting strange, ask me if I'm okay and suggest that I check my blood sugars.
If I test low (less than 70 mg/dl or as indicated by a low alarm on my meter) and am still conscious, help me to eat or drink some glucose tablets, juice, or other fast-acting sugars.
If I test extremely high (over 240 mg/dl or as indicated by a high alarm on my meter), and I lose consciousness or am incoherent, call 911 immediately.
If I test low and lose consciousness, do not try to feed me. Call 911 immediately and administer a glucagon injection.
If I haven't tested or you don't know what my blood sugar levels are and I lose consciousness, never try to feed me or give me insulin. Instead, call 911 immediately.
