I showed up for a random visit & it seemed like they were home but I could tell something didn't seem right. After a little investigating I found her passed out in a chair, but with a pulse. Turns out it appeared to be a diabetic coma. Those are nothing to mess with. She's been diabetic for >40 years & has never had this issue. When EMTs showed up the blood sugar was 25. I couldn't get her to wake up, & there was nothing I could've done to help other than get rescue there. Luckily they had some sort of special IV that raised her blood sugar to >100 w/in minutes. When they hauled her away I was semi-optimistic. Turns out she is already out of the hospital! I'm just hoping it doesn't happen again. I suspect she did something erroneous in taking her insulin, but she doesn't think so. Have others of you had relatives with such an issue? It was freaky but I am relieved everything worked out.

Good job trusting your instinct!

Love!

Divine intervention .... You were a Godsend.
If you're ever passing through my way ..... you can stop in anytime

Had a coworker when I worked security. He was medically retired New Orleans PD because he refused to manage his diabetes.
The first time I rolled up on him he was out of his gourd slurring his words and not making sense. Thought the guy was drunk but dispatch advised me that he was a diabetic and to get medical on the way. They got him back to reasonable shape but he refused transport or medical care.

Should've given him the option to comply or be fired as the next time was worse.

That time I roll up and he's nowhere to be found and the guard shack is locked. Must be out on a round so I look high and low and no guard found. His vehicle is here but he's not. Finally I crawl up on some handrail to be able look down into the guard shack. First thing I see is the gun on the floor next to a body, his body. Only thing missing is blood. Turns out he had fallen when he blacked out. Scared the living crap out of me and I really hurt myself getting through that locked door.

This time he had no choice but to be loaded up for transport and as they did I leaned over and told him in no uncertain terms that he was fired unless he provides proof that he was managing his diabetes.

I'm so glad you were the angel today. Diabetes can be scary.

D50 in an IV is great stuff for low blood sugar.

Warrior, the things we go through for fellow workers and horses …..

There are not a few accounts of good folks happening upon those put to a trial with diabetics. AJE, I’m sure she is appreciative for your help. Often times, in accounts I’ve heard, they don’t remember taking their meds , or even when they passed out.

Most squads now use glucagon. While D50 was (and still is) the standard for many years it requires iv access. Glucagon can be administered via syringe and nasally by a fine powder “puffed” into the nose.

The good news is that via syringe or powder, both forms are available to diabetics and their families. Bad news, it is expensive. $600-$1,000 per dose, which has a shelf life of about 1 year.

Nice action! Good thing you showed up. The lowest my wife's blood sugar has gotten is about 40. Scary to watch her shake while drinking some OJ.

Great work saving your relative!
She may have taken insulin without eating.

I have been hypoglycemic since about age 16.
My father was diabetic.

One day about 20 years we had a good opportunity for an experiment.
Wife and I had spent the day at my parents house.
Intentionally we all had an identical lunch.
3-4 hours after lunch we checked our blood sugar levels.
We were all functioning fine.
My mom 105
My dad 235
My wife 100
Me 33.

I wonder how low mine can get before an attack.
An attack is fatigue, sweating, shaking, tunnel vision, and then blackout.

I have to be careful about eating regularly. Protein is key for steady levels.
Hard oiled eggs, or eggs in any form are great.
For when I have an attack, we keep a bottle of real maple syrup in the frig.
A tablespoon of syrup and then raid the frig for a mix of lite healthy food and it passes.

Thanks.

She was sweating Willy.

Mike C- It appeared the EMT'S had 2 options, 1 that takes 12 minutes & the 1 they gave her (I forget the name) works quicker. It was amazing how quickly she regained consciousness after this miracle treatment. First her eyes opened, then she was able to talk a little, but when they took her to the hospital she was still in about a 75% sleep state.

After about ~5 hours she was able to come home tonight. 1 of my other relative stayed w/ her. She was appreciative Sharon. I felt so good when she called me tonight & thanked me for saving her life. I have to give a lot of credit to EMTs. EMS staff are very talented & in general probably don't get as much credit as they deserve. Those are tough conditions to work under & they see a lot.

Luckily you happened along it seems. Scary stuff.

She was blessed by You

Thank God

wtg

With random walk theories there is no way to predict the future, but after the fact there is a reason why you showed up. You served your purpose, Be glad and rejoice in it!

Good job, AJE! As a diabetic myself, I have/had never had a problem with lows. Except here recently, I had eaten a good evening meal, and was working in the grapes. Suddenly I realized I was getting flaky, and headed for the house, knowing I was going low. Could not walk a straight line on a bet, but got my glucose tablets and ate a couple, right after I checked my blood sugars. I was only 65, but that is low for me, and haven’t had it happen again. I know what causes highs, and while not fond of them, I can’t figure why an how lows can hit you when doing the same as what you do when your high!

Yeah, it is hard to figure out sometimes Lee. And it can effect so many people different.

As for my relative, my family is trying to brainstorm ways to help prevent this from happening again