- Messages
- 25
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Hi,
Having seen a few comments regarding interactions with the NHS 111 helpline I thought I'd share my story.
Never having experienced hypo's that I didn't feel coming and couldn't manage easily what happened last week threw me. I was getting ready for a run and suddenly felt quite sick. Within a few minutes I was vomiting (I'm guessing it was something I'd eaten by the speed with which it started with no poorly feelings). I live alone with my two kids aged 4 and 16 who were with me, but after the sickness passed I felt fine. I tested my blood and it was 7.4 so felt all was well.
I hopped in the bath and after a few minutes felt very strange, didn't recognise it as a hypo, called my daughter for my machine, tested my levels and was on 2.2, took glucose tablets and attempted to get out of the bath. My daughter was talking to me at the time but it was like I was in a bubble and stared blankly at her not even registering that she was talking to me.
She straight away called 111, I managed to get out of the bath, felt slightly more coherent so made my way to the kitchen for some bread and jam. The lady on the phone was asking my daughter lots of questions and then asked to speak to me. She asked me a long list of questions including if I had any bleeding/swelling etc. I understand the relevance of prioritising patience with this list of questions but still felt it was wasting time when it really was quite clear this was a diabetic related incident. I explained to her that I felt better and able to manage myself but could she give me any advise on the sick day rules I'd heard about in case I got poorly again during the night. She told me to go to my kitchen and eat a spoonful of sugar or a tablespoon of jam. I explained again that I'd sorted my hypo out, didn't need the sugar or jam but would like advice for the rest of the night, she then told me to eat 20grams (I think) of carbs and retest in 10 minutes. I mentioned again that I had managed myself and eventually she told me that a doctor would call me.
When the doctor called me I went through what had happened and asked about sick day rules and if there was any advice. He knew what insulin I was on and I told him I was on the pump. He told me to not take my night time injection. I told him I don't take injections I'm on the insulin pump so couldn't do that. He then told me oh ok then only take half and possibly the other half in the morning, it was literally like I hadn't spoken. I told him again, and I was getting a little frustrated by this point, that I'm on the insulin pump and don't take injections, then he really did repeat the same advice. If I feel poorly take a spoonful of jam and then some carbs if I can and don't take my nighttime injection. I just agreed and thank him for his help all the while feeling like I'd stepped into some weird parallel universe.
It worries me what could have happened, I told my daughter that if at any point in the future something like this happens again and she feels I'm not responding just call an ambulance.
Having seen a few comments regarding interactions with the NHS 111 helpline I thought I'd share my story.
Never having experienced hypo's that I didn't feel coming and couldn't manage easily what happened last week threw me. I was getting ready for a run and suddenly felt quite sick. Within a few minutes I was vomiting (I'm guessing it was something I'd eaten by the speed with which it started with no poorly feelings). I live alone with my two kids aged 4 and 16 who were with me, but after the sickness passed I felt fine. I tested my blood and it was 7.4 so felt all was well.
I hopped in the bath and after a few minutes felt very strange, didn't recognise it as a hypo, called my daughter for my machine, tested my levels and was on 2.2, took glucose tablets and attempted to get out of the bath. My daughter was talking to me at the time but it was like I was in a bubble and stared blankly at her not even registering that she was talking to me.
She straight away called 111, I managed to get out of the bath, felt slightly more coherent so made my way to the kitchen for some bread and jam. The lady on the phone was asking my daughter lots of questions and then asked to speak to me. She asked me a long list of questions including if I had any bleeding/swelling etc. I understand the relevance of prioritising patience with this list of questions but still felt it was wasting time when it really was quite clear this was a diabetic related incident. I explained to her that I felt better and able to manage myself but could she give me any advise on the sick day rules I'd heard about in case I got poorly again during the night. She told me to go to my kitchen and eat a spoonful of sugar or a tablespoon of jam. I explained again that I'd sorted my hypo out, didn't need the sugar or jam but would like advice for the rest of the night, she then told me to eat 20grams (I think) of carbs and retest in 10 minutes. I mentioned again that I had managed myself and eventually she told me that a doctor would call me.
When the doctor called me I went through what had happened and asked about sick day rules and if there was any advice. He knew what insulin I was on and I told him I was on the pump. He told me to not take my night time injection. I told him I don't take injections I'm on the insulin pump so couldn't do that. He then told me oh ok then only take half and possibly the other half in the morning, it was literally like I hadn't spoken. I told him again, and I was getting a little frustrated by this point, that I'm on the insulin pump and don't take injections, then he really did repeat the same advice. If I feel poorly take a spoonful of jam and then some carbs if I can and don't take my nighttime injection. I just agreed and thank him for his help all the while feeling like I'd stepped into some weird parallel universe.
It worries me what could have happened, I told my daughter that if at any point in the future something like this happens again and she feels I'm not responding just call an ambulance.