Glucagon?

[CathyFP]

Hi
Do type 1 diabetics need to carry glucagon injections for emergencies with hypos / low blood glucose? What exactly are these injections and when are they used?
Thanks

 

[Lucyr]

There was a thread on this recently, the consensus was that no one carried it and most people didn’t own it or had never even seen it.

 

[rebrascora]

I have been diagnosed 5 years and don't have Glucagon, nor would I wish to have it.

Generally it is an emergency treatment for hypos for when you are unconscious or you are in some other way, unable to take your hypo treatment. It is a last resort and generally intended to be used by nearest and dearest in such an emergency. Whilst I have a partner, we don't live together so no point in me having it at my house and to be honest I would not trust my partner to administer it, so there would be no point as far as I can see. I don't think it is something that people carry around with them on a day to day basis.

I think having Libre means that we are now much less likely to need it anyway, because we are able to keep a much closer eye on our levels and get warnings when they are dropping and head off hypos

 

[Inka]

Hi
Do type 1 diabetics need to carry glucagon injections for emergencies with hypos / low blood glucose? What exactly are these injections and when are they used?
Thanks

No, but we used to keep it at home in case of severe hypos. With CGMs, they’re rarer, and if you did have one while out and about, the paramedics will give you glucagon or IV glucose anyway. What’s helpful to have is a medical ID bracelet.

My GP removed glucagon from my prescription years ago. As it happens, I can’t tolerate it anyway (it causes severe vomiting in some people).

 

[Sally71]

We keep one at home but so far have never needed it, so may not bother to get another one when it expires. They are for emergency hypo treatment when you are unresponsive, so you’d need someone else to administer it for you, and they aren’t particularly easy to use - you have to mix a tablet with liquid and then inject it. It can’t be supplied ready mixed because it degrades too quickly and would be of no use within a few hours. As someone said, paramedics would have one with them anyway.

 

[Merluza]

I have been prescribed a couple over the years after having had a couple of major hypos in the middle of the night that sent me to hospital. The suggestion was that my partner should administer it if necessary. My partner at the time wasn't keen and I'm not surprised as it is a fiddly and somewhat scary thing to do for someone untrained. Both lots expired and I haven't bothered to renew, this was well over 30 years ago.

You can't use one as you would be unconscious and it's unlikely that anyone other than someone close to you who's studied the instructions, or a medic, would know what to do with it so it's pretty useless to carry it around. I believe they are really meant for emergencies at home. I'm surprised that they still offer them and, as has been said, if you are using a Libre that makes it less that you will get to that state. Use the Libre wisely and always carry some jelly babies is my motto.

 

[Robert459]

I have it in my 'hypo kit' in the bag that I take out with me. Also explain on my iPhone health/emergency where it is in my bag and what to do with it. i.e. if unconscious, maybe need injection in orange box in front pocket

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I have one in the fridge (went years without, but was encouraged to have one again when I switched to pump). My late wife always said she’d never use it - she would just call an ambulance. No idea what the (grown) kids would do.

 

[Merluza]

I really think that very few people could administer this and it seems to me to be irresponsible to even prescribe it without offering training to the person likely to have to use it. It's offering false security.