Asked Not To Eat In Ambulnace

[MikeyBikey]

As many of you will know I am dependent on Patient Transport for getting to/from appointments (Podiatry/Physiotherapy/Endocrinology/Ophthalmology/WHY). Patient Transport can arrive any time up to two hours before your appointment (even if it is 15 minutes away) and sometimes even after your appointment time . This means jiggling with insulin/food timings when I have a silly o'clock or early doors appointment. Physio is particularly tricky as the timing means I have to eat extra before and usually eat immediately after finishing (I drop on average 8 mmol/hour during physio). On average I have to wait 2 - 3 hours for my return journey giving me plenty of time to check BG/eat. However, today they were waiting as I finished. Checking my BG in was 5.3 with a vertical down arrow. Once onboard and underway I took out my lunch and started eating it. I was then asked "Michael, can you please not eat on the ambulance?". Anyway I explained things, backed up by the other crew member who has a Type I family member. I then had a couple of squares of chocolate as I was starting to feel hypo before finishing my lunch. The return trip took an hour longer than usual as there were others on board. BG was 6.3 when I disembarked.

The crew getting basic notes on passengers and mine says "Type 1 diabetic, Left BKA". I have had similar conversations in the past with PT crew, HCAs and a few trained nurses(!). I do feel Type I is not covered sufficiently in basic training for heath care assistants. It's not helped by MSM media's message of you cure it by losing weight and exercise!

 

[silver minion]

Hi Mikey, from reading this and earlier posts the support from HCPs for you often seems poor to absolutely appalling. I really feel for you. As you say there should be more education across the board of the daily issues you face as a T1 with complications.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

If I was was in that situation. I would have flashed the screen on my device and suggested, “this says otherwise.” Most the T1 misconceptions I get is that I need to eat all the time?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Glad you had the support of the other crew member @MikeyBikey

In your situation with those numbers I’d have hypo treated before having the sandwich as a follow-up, I think. When my BGs are dropping like that, normal food seems too slow.

I gave up using chocolate for dropping BGs a long time ago. it simply doesn’t have the speed required, because of the fat content.

It’s a bit annoying really. Too fast to eat for a regular snack, but not fast enough when you really need it! I do sometimes choose it as a mid-paced carb top-up on a dog walk, but if I’m honest it's usually because I just fancy some!

 

[stephenS50]

Reading this story I have to admit got me a little angry @MikeyBikey but thank goodness for the other Ambulance crew member.At least he understood the situation you were in..
It's a pity his colleague didn't.