[Diabetes-talk] about Glucagon

Tue Jan 20 19:17:33 UTC 2009

Hi Dar,
	Most diabetes experts say anyone using insulin should have a
glucagon kit.  This is a safety issue, and although you don't have glucagon
in your home, you never know when you might experience severe hypoglycemia,
low blood sugar, and glucagon might be needed.  
	You said your doctor is taking the pump because it is convenient.  I
assume, your doctor is using the pump, which does make it more convenient
than giving injections, but many people do not use insulin pumps because
they are too expensive or they prefer administering their own insulin via
syringes.  I should also mention that quite a few doctors are not well
versed in insulin pump usage, or, in effect, they cannot train pump usage
adequately.

Regards,
Ed Bryant  
-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of dmgina
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:40 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] about Glucagon

I don't have this in the home at  this time, since I am taking pills.
My doctor says I don't need to do the pump yet because I am not worse.
Now that is a plus to a point, I asked him why he was taking the pump and it

is for convenience for him.
what on earth is the difference?
so I just do what I do.
Take the pills and do the shot before each  meal.

--Dar
www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
Every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Bryant" <ebryant at socket.net>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] about Glucagon

> Hi Dar,
> I have not had to use glucagon for some time, but it should always
> be available...
>
> Regards,
> Ed Bryant
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of dmgina
> Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 9:36 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] about Glucagon
>
> I am so pleased she is there for you.
> I hope you don't have to do this often.
>
> --Dar
> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
> Every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ed Bryant" <ebryant at socket.net>
> To: "Diabetes Talk" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 1:38 PM
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] about Glucagon
>
>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>>                A good while back, there was information carried on this
>> list about using glucagon.  This info is stored somewhere in our 
>> archives.
>> This might serve as a refresher.
>>
>>
>>
>> Glucagon is made by Eli Lilly and Company and requires a doctor's
>> prescription.
>>
>>
>>
>> 1.       It should be stored at room temperature between 68 to 77 degrees
>> Fahrenheit.
>>
>> 2.       It is injected into a muscle and raises blood glucose rapidly.
>>
>> 3.       When is it needed?  When blood sugars are dangerously low, 
>> severe
>> hypoglycemia.  You might be unconscious, and cannot eat any sugar
>> sweetened
>> products.
>>
>> 4.       When to use: Use glucagon to treat insulin coma, or insulin
>> reaction resulting from severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).  Symptoms
>> of
>> severe hypoglycemia include disorientation, unconsciousness, and seizure
>> or
>> convulsions.  Give glucagon if 1.) the patient is unconscious, 2.) the
>> patient is unable to eat sugar or a sugar-sweetened product,  3.)the
>> patient
>> is having a seizure, 4.) repeated administration of sugar or a sugar
>> sweetened product such as a regular soft drink or fruit juice does not
>> improve patient's condition.  Milder cases of hypoglycemia should be
>> treated
>> promptly by eating sugar-sweetened product.  Glucagon is not active when
>> taken orally.
>>
>> 5.       Directions:
>>
>> a.       Seal needs to be taken off bottle, and the rubber stopper needs
>> to
>> be wiped off with alcohol swab.
>>
>> b.      The needle protector needs to be removed, and the contents of
>> syringe needs to be injected into the glucagon bottle.  The syringe, then
>> needs to be removed from bottle.
>>
>> c.       The bottle needs to be swirled until glucagon is completely
>> dissolved.  It should only be used if the glucagon is clear and
>> water-like.
>>
>> d.      The same syringe should be used and the bottle needs to be held
>> upside down, and the solution needs to be drawn into the syringe.  Put 
>> all
>> the contents of the bottle into syringe.
>>
>> e.      Cleanse the injection site with alcohol swab.
>>
>> f.        Insert needle into loose tissue under cleansed injection site,
>> and
>> inject all contents.
>>
>> g.       Turn patient on his/her side, in case of vomiting
>>
>> h.      Give patient food or sweet drinks as soon as he/she awakens and 
>> is
>> able to swallow.  Repeat as needed.
>>
>> I recommend all insulin using diabetics have glucagon  in case of severe
>> hypoglycemia.  The doctor should be called, but if patient has been
>> treated,
>> and is coming out of the low, there may not be a need to get he/she to 
>> the
>> hospital.
>>
>>
>>
>> Note: I have had glucagon administered several times by my wife, and have
>> never went to the hospital.  I check my blood sugar regularly, after
>> having
>> glucagon administered to make sure it is not getting too low.
>>
>>                Incidentally, my wife who is totally blind, has
>> administered
>> glucagon several times.  A good while back, my diabetologist, authorized
>> her
>> to be shown how to use glucagon, and she has again several times drawn up
>> glucagon, and given me the shot.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Ed Bryant
>>
>>
>>
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