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Practice with glucagon

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SB2015

SB2015

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Just ordered a replacement for my emergency glucoagon ordered as my old one is out of date. Time for OH to remind h8self of how to use it. The trouble is he only gets to do this once about every few years. I suspect if an emergency happened, and it never has in 11 years, it would focus the mind, but worth using the defunct kit for a reminder.
 
SB2015 said:
Just ordered a replacement for my emergency glucoagon ordered as my old one is out of date. Time for OH to remind h8self of how to use it. The trouble is he only gets to do this once about every few years. I suspect if an emergency happened, and it never has in 11 years, it would focus the mind, but worth using the defunct kit for a reminder.
Click to expand...

He could inject it into an inanimate object, like the ubiquitous orange, a piece of meat, with shim on (maybe chicken), but just because it's out of date doesn't mean it is ineffective. Injecting it into anyone could be, in my estimations, dangerous.

Does YouTube or the like have any useful videos?
 
SB2015 said:
Just ordered a replacement for my emergency glucoagon ordered as my old one is out of date. Time for OH to remind h8self of how to use it. The trouble is he only gets to do this once about every few years. I suspect if an emergency happened, and it never has in 11 years, it would focus the mind, but worth using the defunct kit for a reminder.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.

All the faff might be a thing of the past soon, the drug company Lilly are waiting for approval in Europe to market a nasal form of glucagon, looks very promising https://diatribe.org/lilly-works-ge...dramatically-more-convenient-treatment-severe

AndBreathe said:
He could inject it into an inanimate object, like the ubiquitous orange, a piece of meat, with shim on (maybe chicken), but just because it's out of date doesn't mean it is ineffective. Injecting it into anyone could be, in my estimations, dangerous.
Click to expand...

Sure SB2015 doesn't need a lecture on how to practice with the kit, they don't even mention practising on a human, give them some credit.
 
Just to reassure you all, it was simply the process of mixing the glucagon using the syringe that he was hazy about. He was confident that, in the vent of an emergency, if it came to sticking the needle in my bum that would you not be a problem. So no he didn’t practice the whole thing. Perhaps I should have made that clear just in case someone else read it and thought that they would give it a try. Oooops.

Interesting to read about the nasal spray development.

In the meantime I am off to collect the replacement which will sit in the fridge for a long while.
 
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I took my last one back to the pharmacy to dispose of - though because they don't have facilities to get rid of sharps (only full 'locked' boxes) they'd only accept the vials!
 
Don’t bother with glucagon. Never used it in 23 years. Don’t need to now, with heading off hypos thanks to the Libre, even the downward pointing signal.
 
mikeyB said:
Don’t bother with glucagon. Never used it in 23 years. Don’t need to now, with heading off hypos thanks to the Libre, even the downward pointing signal.
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It was never mentioned to me, so I've never had a kit. Never remotely needed it, either. With OH's (lack of) manual dexterity, I’ve always thought I’d prefer an ambulance in any case.
 
I've never had a glucagon kit because there would be no use for it in the case of an anti-social hermit like me 😱 No-one around to administer it!
 
I mean - I have wondered sometimes - but there again how do you know an ambulance is going to actually get there quick enough to save your life? I don't believe these days I'd be comfortable relying on it, frankly. I know the insulin and method I choose to deliver it are a lot more reliable these days but having had such almost fatal lucky escapes in the past - I am simply NOT risking it again.

Anything I can do to lessen the risk, I'm going to do.

You can please yourselves.
 
trophywench said:
Anything I can do to lessen the risk, I'm going to do.

You can please yourselves.
Click to expand...
When I was first diagnosed, it wasn’t a question of 'pleasing myself' I just wasn’t told that glucagon existed. Now I know it exists, (having discovered it on here approx 8 years after I was diagnosed) but I’ve just never asked about it because so far, I’ve never been that hypo.( I know, I know, the first time I am may be the last, if I haven’t got a kit). But frankly, I don’t think my nurse would have a clue, and I haven’t felt the need to push it further.
 
Now I am going to make a startling confession. I was given a Glucagon kit when I did my DAFNE course last year. I put it in the fridge. I never knew it was an injection! I thought it was some sort of gel that had to be rubbed into my gum! 😳 Nobody told me what to do, it was obviously assumed I knew what it was. I don’t even think Mr Eggy knows it’s there, I had better look into it and tell him! 😱
 
In almost 33 years I've not once been offered a glucagon kit. I have had glucagon though as around 15 years ago OH had to call the paramedics during the night when I was hypo and she couldn't wake me.

This topic has been discussed before and I think only myself and Mikey had required it but we were two of not many who didn't have it. None of those who had it had used it.
 
eggyg said:
Now I am going to make a startling confession. I was given a Glucagon kit when I did my DAFNE course last year. I put it in the fridge. I never knew it was an injection! I thought it was some sort of gel that had to be rubbed into my gum! 😳 Nobody told me what to do, it was obviously assumed I knew what it was. I don’t even think Mr Eggy knows it’s there, I had better look into it and tell him! 😱
Click to expand...
On our DAFNE course partners were invited in for the glucagon session and all shown how to deal with it.
I am with Jenny. I would rather have the security of it available if needed.
 
Matt Cycle said:
In almost 33 years I've not once been offered a glucagon kit. I have had glucagon though as around 15 years ago OH had to call the paramedics during the night when I was hypo and she couldn't wake me.

This topic has been discussed before and I think only myself and Mikey had required it but we were two of not many who didn't have it. None of those who had it had used it.
Click to expand...
So is having one a way of ensuring that we never need it.
Okay slightly skewed logic!!!
 
Always thought the kit had to be stored in the fridge, but it can also be stored at room temp provided it doesn't exceed 25°C, the self life is shorter at 18 months compared to 36 months in fridge.

Like cgm over bg testing, the nasal spray is a big step forward if it gets approval here.
 
Well it's true that 'I' have never used it - but my husband has certainly had to, on me, a few times. Not my first choice because I always projectile vomit when coming back round - but when needs must I'd rather have it then nothing.

There are VERY clear printed instructions inside the orange plastic box, to enable anyone who can read and access the patients arse, to administer it.
 
01/2019 expiry date. Never think of checking, this post prompted me to check.
Never needed it up to now. (Touch wood). Will have to order one .
 
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