Diabetics first

Hi Stirling,

I fell and hurt my coxix and could hardly move. My hubby phoned for an ambulance ( He didnt know how serious it was. ) The 1st responder came and as soon as I said I was diabetic he did Bg and when the ambulance came the said that they would take me in the side door and that I would jump the que as I was diabetic. They said that it was because of the risk of complications. I was given gas and air for pain relief and they took it off me because it can give you a headache, and so can DKA so they said if I did get a headache they needed to know what it was down to. ( The gas and air would complicate matters. )

Also If I have to have a fasting Bg test the surgery said to explain that I am T1 diabetic and they will give me the earliest time possible. ( to avoid a hypo. )

Lucy xxx

sterling said:

I will have a double hernia repair operation tomorrow morning. Interestingly, I will be first into surgery because I have diabetes.

The rationale seems to be that because I will be on starvation, I will not be able to take my Metformin until after the operation. I also got an unplanned HbA1c test thrown-in.

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Hi Sterling,

That's not unusual. The rationale is that you can't take insulin and have something to eat when you're nil by mouth, but to maintain your blood glucose at a sensible level and avoid any problems with hypos or hyperglycaemia you need insulin and carbs. Putting you first on the list means that you are out of the way and can get on with taking insulin and carbs.

Anything where you need to fast, whether an operation or an endoscopy and a diabetic will normally be first on the list.

Steve

sterling said:

I will have a double hernia repair operation tomorrow morning. Interestingly, I will be first into surgery because I have diabetes.

The rationale seems to be that because I will be on starvation, I will not be able to take my Metformin until after the operation. I also got an unplanned HbA1c test thrown-in.

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Wishing you all the best for tomorrow Sterling.

Seems there is one plus to being a diabetic.

Asa people have said above, the main rationale is for type 1s and insulin-dependant (or users of certain other meds) type 2s because of the risk of hypos if they don't eat. Doesn't really apply to diet only/metformin type 2s, but they apply the principle to all diabetics (easier than making judgements,) and I'm happy to queue jump if they want me to!

Good Luck BTW Stirling. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Lucy xxx

Far better getting the operation over with first thing than sitting around waiting all day, good luck and hope all goes well

I had an operation earlier this year and was in theatre by 7.30am. They treat diabetics first so that it cause minimal disruption to meal times, sugar levels etc. as noblehead says, it's also much better to be first in so you don't have to sit around all day waiting!

Best of luck for the op. hope all goes well

Emma

I also was 1st into surgery and I could take metformin on the morning of the op.

sterling said:

etmsreec said:

Hi Sterling,

That's not unusual. The rationale is that you can't take insulin and have something to eat when you're nil by mouth, but to maintain your blood glucose at a sensible level and avoid any problems with hypos or hyperglycaemia you need insulin and carbs. Putting you first on the list means that you are out of the way and can get on with taking insulin and carbs.

Anything where you need to fast, whether an operation or an endoscopy and a diabetic will normally be first on the list.

Steve

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Thank you, Steve.

That is an interesting response. I am pleased to be going first.

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Good luck and best wishes for tomorrow Sterling :thumbup:
I am having an Endoscopy on Tuesday at 1pm. So :eh: and I'm Type 1, so looks like I will phoning the department tomorrow! RRB