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Type 2 diet/exercise and MASSIVE panic

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Jill

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I recently experienced a huge adrenalin surge owing to the fact that my husband collapsed in our kitchen and passed away after I had tried to 'keep him going' for 10 minutes+ following instructions over the 'phone from the emergency service. When we finally arrived at the hospital at 2 a.m. I was having all the usual symptoms associated with high BG.

I'm writing this because, in these situations, what can be done? It would be so helpful if there was a simple way of lowering BG when one is in extremis. The dreadful circumstances were hard enough to bear as it was without this additional worry.

Still trying to come to terms with it all but it's so hard.
 
Hi Jill,
I have no answers regarding your question, all I can do is send you my deepest sympathy (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))
Kind regards
Sue
 
Jill, I am so sorry to hear this :( Huge {{{hugs}}} for you. As you surmise, an adrenalin rush will generally cause a high because it stimulates the liver to release extra glucose into your blood. Under the circumstances, I don't think there is anything you can do except wait for levels to fall back again naturally, but it shouldn't have a big impact on your health as it would only affect your levels briefly in the scheme of things. Perhaps a walk outside in the fresh air would help to calm you.

With my deepest sympathy, I hope you have support from family and friends around you at this very difficult time.
 
First and foremost, so sorry for your loss, Jill.

Having had to keep doing CPR for considerable periods of time on a few occasions, although for strangers, not relatives, I can understand that (a) it's hard physical work and (b) it's stressful, and (c) even more stressful if it results in loss of sleep and / or missed / delayed meals.

Any rise in blood glucose levels from the stress of the resuscitation will be fairly short-lived, and probably be followed by a "crash" of falling blood glucose, when the effects of physical exercise take place, but the stress from loss of a spouse will be longer lasting. So, even if you were using insulin, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have extra insulin.

I can only suggest taking time to look after yourself - a walk outdoors can often reduce stress levels - but be easy on yourself, as a few days of raised blood glucose levels really don't matter in the big scale of life.
 
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, it must have been difficult for you. I hope you are OK.

If you need to talk or get advice, we are here for you.
 
I am so sorry to hear about your loss
 
I am sorry to hear of your loss (((hugs)))
 
Hello Jill

I can only echo what has already been said and obviously add my sincere condolences to you and your family x
 
So sorry Jill to hear of your loss. I send you my deepest sympathy and a huge virtual hug. I can't add to what has already been said. Adrenalin rushes are to help us in 'fight or flight' mode in challenging circumstances, so are the body's natural response to trauma. I don't think there is much you could have done to prevent it. Relaxation techniques and breathing are helpful to relieve anxiety, but I think in these circumstances such a rush of adrenalin was inevitable. Take good care of yourself and perhaps, if you feel it may help, a chat with your GP may help? Sending you lots of love. Katie
 
So sorry to read of your loss.
xx
 
I am so so sorry for your loss, I hope you have a lot of support around you xxx
 
So sorry to hear your dreadful news. It must have been so utterly shocking for you. You are bound to be feeling awful, without the added high BGs.

Be kind to yourself. Accept any help and friendship offered right now. You need looking after right now, it's all going to take some time to come to terms with.

Take care, and sending big hugs.

Tina x
 
Thank you all for very kind messages. Seem to be going through various stages of bereavement the latest of which is, I feel I didn't do the CPR correctly and, if I had, he would still be here. It's all so very final. No going back to try harder.
 
Oh Jill, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your feelings are completely normal though distressing. It won't help you now, but the statistics on CPR are terrible even when it's done by medically qualified staff in a hospital setting.

If you can, every time you remember the last horrible moments, try to think about the last really good experience you shared instead.
 
Ohhh Jill - my sincere condolences. {{{Hugs}}}

In any case your hubby could have been somewhere entirely on his own when it happened anyway, couldn't he? so he was always going to be better off because you were there, wasn't he? Of course you did the CPR right - although I'm sure we would all think what you are thinking in your position.

I bet even doctors and paramedics wonder if they did it wrong at times.

I agree with the others, there's nothing you or anyone else can do to stop an adrenalin rush in panic or trauma mode (and you had both) and therefore we can't stop the soaring BG either. Just have to deal with it after.

Lesser panic attacks, yes - if you can go for a walk then it does help - or even just pacing to and fro for a bit outside. And deep breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

It may be the wrong time to suggest you read this, but I urge you to do so, it may not stop the feelings you are having, but it may help understand what's happening.

http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm

Do your grieving to your own timetable and don't listen to any voices (real or otherwise) that try to tell you how you 'should' feel.

It's a very significant event in anyone's life even when it isn't sudden or dramatic and I always think, about the mental equivalent of having had an argument with a 10-ton truck. So finally - you should discuss it with your GP, as soon as you want to.
 
Thank you all for very kind messages. Seem to be going through various stages of bereavement the latest of which is, I feel I didn't do the CPR correctly and, if I had, he would still be here. It's all so very final. No going back to try harder.

Even if you do everything right, even if you see the person drop, even if they're in hopsital, with heart monitor leads attached, with a crash team on call, the odds are still against you. You should take comfort in doing your best. At least, that's what I tell myself, as despite being trained in CPR intitially as a teenager and at regular intervals since as a first aider, nurse etc, all 3 of the people I've tried to resuscitate outside hospital (2 drunk European swimmers on Pacific coast of Mexico and 1 Taiwanese tourist who was trapped under a whale watch boat in New Zealand for over 20 minutes) have died, despite best efforts of several first aiders, as (it's exhausting to do chest compressions for more than a few minutes at a time, so it;s best to alternate if there are others who can help) in difficult conditions, obviously involving water, salt, fish waste etc.

Bereavment and all the practical tasks following a death are tough, so I hope you're getting help with things, and taking some time to look after yourself, too. You'll know that your husband knows you did all you could, but it was his time to go.
 
Thank you all for very kind messages. Seem to be going through various stages of bereavement the latest of which is, I feel I didn't do the CPR correctly and, if I had, he would still be here. It's all so very final. No going back to try harder.

I lost a family member in June. He died on my living room floor. I was with him. I still can't believe he is gone. All the "if only" scenarios filled my head each day.
The one thing I do know is that I cannot go forward by looking backwards.
If you CAN change something, then change it.
If you CAN'T change something, move on.

I recently read this: Now has come the time when we can't be together,
So I'll hold you in my heart and keep you there forever.

It helps me, and I hope it helps you.
Kelly.
 
There are a lot of wise people on this forum and I thank each and every one of you for your help and advice. I'm sure life will get easier eventually and I just have to work through it. Thank you all again.
 
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