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help please - panic button

Mariemccann

Member
Messages
11
Location
tameside
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I had my first major seizure at work last Friday and ended up in Hospital for 4 days. it was very scary and my work colleagues were very scared too. I had no recollection of it at the time but was battered and bruised after it. apparently I was foaming at the mouth convulsing, did not recognise anyone. anyhow my question is I am about to move into a house on my own. what if this happens when I am on my own, is there a machine I can get that I can press to alert somebody???? very scary times!!!
 
I am so sorry to hear about this scary experience , maybe you could contact the hospital or your doctor to ask for advice on living alone ? I`m sure they could put you in touch with support groups in your area or online , please ask them , it sounds like you really need that support badly right now, and good luck .
 
thank you I will do that. I do have a doggy but she cant help me if I need help can she : ) Just hope it never happens again but for it to happen once its in your mind that it will happen again!
 
A few years ago where I used to live, I had an elderly neighbour (in her 80s) who had a panic button attached to a necklace she always wore. When distressed, confused or after a fall, she'd press the button, an alarm went off at the monitoring centre and they would ring people on her list that could go round and check on her. Obviously you need trusted friends or neighbours that are key holders to be on the list. I was called out a couple of times, so the system worked well, but I don't think it was cheap. Perhaps someone on the forum might know if a similar monitoring service is available.
 
Yes my friend mentioned something like that this morning. thank you
 
Mariemccann said:
Yes my friend mentioned something like that this morning. thank you
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My mother used to use a panic button. You can have a 'key safe' mounted on the wall outside your house. The team that monitors the help line will hold the security code and give it to the emergency services when needed.

Only thing with the emergency system is I always thought it wasn't very fast so not sure about how good it is for hypo situations. Probably better than nothing though.
 
ohh that sounds good...who do I contact about having that put in place then. thank you kindly : )
 
Mariemccann said:
ohh that sounds good...who do I contact about having that put in place then. thank you kindly : )
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Ah ! Unless you're already under the care of Social Services I would 'guess' that you'd have to buy it yourself from somewhere like Amazon and have a local handyman or neighbor install it for you. The service that monitors the helpline may also be able to assist you with it.
 
Mariemccann said:
ohh that sounds good...who do I contact about having that put in place then. thank you kindly : )
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Hi this just one example, my dad has one fitted outside on his back wall. Do you have a social worker at all or you could make an appointment with your GP for help and guidance, they should be able to advise you. Good luck and I wish you a safe future, take good care.

RRB
 
I don't have a social worker but I will look into it thank you muchly : )
 
I'm sorry you had such a frightening experience, a hypo where you loose consciousness really does shake your confidence. I hope your diabetes team are helping you to try and get your levels as stable as possible and to work out why you had such a bad hypo.

It is worth asking them about trying a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to see what is happening with your levels continuously over a few days. Most clinics can lend them out for a week at a time then analyse the results and suggest any changes to your insulin doses. That might give you more confidence knowing where your levels are and if/when your glucose is rising or falling. I don't know if you use MDI or a pump but either way asking about trying a CGM could help you to iron out problems.

I hope you are feeling less scared and that things stabilise for you.
 
Hi, so sorry you have had such a fright and it's knocked your confidence so badly
There are companies that have an alert system that can be installed via the phone line. I think it works by you pressing a button on a cord around your neck. I know the council and or social services do things like this. It's quite expensive though.
Could you afford to have a CGM, something like the Dexcom as this will alert you when going low?
My main worry for you though is, do you drive as suspect that as you have had a seizure ie, fitted then your licence will be suspended. I know it's normally 2 assisted hypos in 12 months and goodbye licence but vaguely remember reading about others who have fitted and been told no driving for 12 months due to the seizure being involved so do check this out.
Hope you feel better and more confident very soon.
 
Aww thanks but luckily I don't drive but yes your right it gave me the fright of my life very very scary n it good knowing you have people with you when it happens so moving in on my own bit worrying but I will just have to get on with it and hope my diet change n insulin change will stop any seizures. It all still new to me only diagnosed last sept eek but thanks for advice
 
Hi Marie, so pleased that there is no issue with driving so at least that is one less thing to worry about.
Please do insist that you are taught how to carb count and adjust your insulin, so you can control your diabetes yourself without relying on someone else to make guess's!.There is an online course bdec which teaches you to carb count and adjust your insulin. Perhaps look it up and work your way through it.
There's also a couple of books that people find very helpful, using insulin and also think like a pancreas. Both can be found on amazon. Hopefully they will give you a greater understanding and give you back your confidence.
 
T
thank you very muchly I will look into these things they are important I know thank you
 
Hi. It must have been very scary. Could you tell us a bit more about your insulin regime to see if we can help with any thoughts on reducing hypo risk. Was this the first hypo for a long time or do you have hypos fairly frequently?
 
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