Living alone with diabetes

[Bev Oshea]

Hi everybody,
I recently had a very bad hypo at work where I nearly passed out, I couldn't walk and my arms were twitching (BG 2.6). I was lucky enough that my work colleagues helped me out and my BG came up after 15 minutes.

My problem is that I live on my own and am concerned that that may happen when I am at home. I don't have friends or family close by who I can call to help me out and am wondering how other single people manage and if there is anything on the NHS that can help.

Thank you for listening.

 

[ally1]

sorry that had happened to you
i,m single and live on my own and like you i worry
at the moment my BS levels are still highish
i do worry how/what would happen if i ever got hypos

 

[Danaemac]

My friend uses an app on her smart phone could diabetes guard not quite sure of the ins and outs of it but it is set to call someone in the event she either presses an emergency button or if she doesn't respond to an alarm in the morning within a certain time it will call or message someone to get help

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/diabetesguard/id511232703?mt=8
Free - ‎iOS
17 May 2014 - Description. DiabetesGuard is a safety alarm for smartphones tailored for people with diabetes. Our safety service alerts your guardians when ...

This is the iOS link but I'm sure there is an android 1 also

Danae

 

[Minnie45]

I'm a T1 on a pump and when my partner is working away I tend to take extra precautions such as putting my alarm on to wake up and test my blood at midnight (that's when I tend to drop midnight-2), if blood is a certain level I know I'm fine but if it's outside my safety net I'll have a snack and test again in 1 hour. I also have my pump programmed to shut off if I don't press any buttons in a 6 hour period. My partner will also call me regularly when he's away.

 

[Nyxks]

In the UK and other parts of the world its possible to get a DAD (Diabetic Alert Dog) or a MAAD (Medical Alert Assistance Dogs) each country has different requirmentst that you have to meet before you qualify for one (here in Ontario, Canada you have to be T1 and suffer from Hyperunawaresness and living on your own or similar deal that having such a dog would be of help to your day to day life, in the US almost any diabetic T1 or T2 can self train a DAD or pay for one - but traveling out of country with said dog can mean issues since said dog might not be recognized outside of the US, this happened to my mates Epileptic alert dog not recognized here in Canada because she's not certified by a recognized training centre). From my understanding in the UK the few centres that offer such dogs the ability to apply for them is fair simple and in most cases fully covered or close enough there of and in the UK like in the US there is the ability to train your own dog yourself so might be something to look into.

 

[jack412]

from what I've read here that sounded good is...have bottles of real coke or lucozaid all around the house on the floor and as you would now, on your bedside table, if 2 story have BG meter up and down stairs.
see your hospital see if they will give you a CGM or buy one yourself, if you think you need it. a few are self funding CGM here and would be worth talking to on their threads

 

[Omnipod]

My friend uses an app on her smart phone could diabetes guard not quite sure of the ins and outs of it but it is set to call someone in the event she either presses an emergency button or if she doesn't respond to an alarm in the morning within a certain time it will call or message someone to get help

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/diabetesguard/id511232703?mt=8
Free - ‎iOS
17 May 2014 - Description. DiabetesGuard is a safety alarm for smartphones tailored for people with diabetes. Our safety service alerts your guardians when ...

This is the iOS link but I'm sure there is an android 1 also

Danae

This is very handy to know. Thank you. I just downloaded the app as I too live on my own.

 

[Danaemac]

I haven't tried this myself @Omnipod but my friend likes the reassurance let us know how u get on with it

 

[Bev Oshea]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions. I have got an old Android phone which I can't get the diabetes guard on and the nearest people I can contact in the event of an emergency is 30 miles away.

I will ask my diabetic specialist about the dog and hopefully I will be in the right category to get one. Any other suggestions, I will be truly grateful for because the more information I have the easier it will be for me to cope.

 

[Bev Oshea]

Update!!!
I've just been on a DAFNE course and Oh my goodness, I have learned so much. I feel exhilarated and on top of the world at the mo as I have met other people with type 1 and to just talk to somebody face to face, talk about my experiences makes me realise I am not on my own. To be given the information on how to control my BG has opened new doors for me.
This website is fantastic for help and advice, and thank you to everybody who has helped me through this bad time, but I like to talk to people face to face.
I have been given the Accu-check expert meter so my BG will hopefully be under control soon. I am still in the honeymoon period so will keep an eye on my readings. I hope to speak to you all again soon with more great news.

 

[Hellolala♡♡]

Hi Bev thats great im glad you have found your feet with diabetes and hopefully you wont be long in controling it sounds like you are going to be ok