I went to a new Doctor yesterday. This one was an Endo, I decided not to put all my faith and money into a GP.
He agreed with me that I no longer need to take Metformin since I am on MDI's and have done good at controlling my blood sugar with insulin. Then he suprised me and recommended that I get a Glucagon pen.
I have heard of these pens but never considered that I might need one. I like everyone else on insulin have had a few lows but never a real bad one. My worst low so far has been 48 and other than that I have had some fifties and sixties so nothing devasting.
So I'm wondering do I really need one of these pens. I think he is just being overly cautious. Please I would like some input from the group.
My Dr. prescribed me one too. It seems a little overkill to me at this point as well. I suppose if I ever needed it I'd feel differently though. With my degree of monitoring I've never even been close to having a problem functioning at a normal level with insulin... I've had quite a few in the 50s, and a few in the 40s. I just find myself extremely irritable, maybe a little sweaty, hands shake a little. no noticable decrease in functional capacity. Based on that I think I'd have to be quite a bit lower than I'm likely to get with my small MDI doses in order to need glucagon-- but again, the one time you need it changes that whole thought proccess in a hurry, and there are plenty of people on this site who can attest to that
Think of it as an insurance policy. We've gotten one every year since diagnosis and never needed it. But it would be a lot quicker and cheaper than EMS.
Good to have a glucagon kit on-hand & someone instructed on how to use it. They expire quickly & are expensive. Never know when a bad low may occur. People have made mistakes taking the wrong insulin. I once took my evening basal dose & thought I accidentally took Apidra.
You might never need it but it can be your last resort (confusing insulins etc). Just imagine this low leads to a seizure and your partner is standing there helpless (after calling the ambulance). Your partner will be thankful to have something at hand to get you out of this.
I have had to use them quite a few times with lows that are 21 & under. There nice to have just incase of that emergancy. I don't look at it as the DR being over protective I look at it as him being on the safe side. I have pretty good control myself but u never know when that might happen. Be sure to instruct someone who is with u on how to use it b/c u just might not be able to use it urself funny how the eaiest thing becomes hard and makes no sence when ur low.
I carry one and have a 1/2 dozen expired ones. I save them and let my family practice mixing the solution. If you have someone trained to administer the glucagon it's a good idea but there are a couple of things they need to know...the most important one is to roll the person on their side so when the trough up they will not aspirate food particles into the lungs, this will cause pneumonia. Ask your Endo for the (Lilly) instruction CD, It's easy for them to watch the CD.
Warning: I carried one for a year and when it expired I opened the box and the glass syringe was in pieces...it's a good idea to take a look to see if everything is in good order.
A glucagon pen is only useful if you have someone to give you the injection. If you're walking around a shopping mall with one in your pocket or purse, it's not as though some stranger is going to use the glucagon pen to revive you.
My husband would never in a million years use a pen on me. He would call 911 and for the community I live in, that's a good option.
I haven't bought glucagon pens in years because they expire quickly and are super expensive. The only time I would buy one now would be if I were going on a camping trip where no medical services were available or maybe on an overseas trip.
Just because one has never had an incapacitating low (and I certainly have but not recently) doesn't mean it won't happen in the future. But I feel very comfortable with my decision not to have glucagon pens.
You actually should never use it yourself. If you're conscious and able to treat your low by other means you should do so. Glucagon is a strong medicine with side effects. I don't have one myself because I live alone.
If u have to u have to. I fall FAST so one time I can think of right now I HAD to use it on myself. I've learned many things about myself in 38 yearsof Type 1
I have one and it was REALLY expensive even with insurance. I don't know Im on Humalog, and the lows are not nearly as bad as the lows you could have on NPH and Regular insulins, I'm personally not going to bother getting another one when it expires, I've been diabetic close to 30 years and have never had to use one. Not to say I haven't had some bad lows, BUT those were pregnancy related and really being pregnant with bad lows, I'd rather be in the ER being monitored and sure Im stable than messing around with Glucagon.
Also at that time I was on 70/30...and also the fact I'm pushing 40 lol NOPE no more babies for me, lol.
