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Type 1: Exam hypo!

EllsKBells

EllsKBells

Well-Known Member
Messages
362
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So I'm a third year biochemistry student in the middle of exam season, and today I had a hypo in the middle of an exam! I couldn't see for twenty minutes, which was a bit annoying. I had some jellybabies, but I can't test in the exam, because my meter is not allowed in the room, so I couldn't even say anything to the invigilators, because I couldn't prove it!

Just wondering if anyone else had ever had a similar experience?

Sorry for the rant! The offending hypo is the one that started around 2pm.
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I have not been low during something as important as your experience, but I have been low during a Latin test which was not very fun. First, I was low, which, as you know, makes you feel as ****** as I don't know what. Second, you are speaking another language, so I ended up forgetting some of the stuff that was on the test. Like you situation, my meter was not allowed in the room, so once I turned in my test, I explained to my teacher what had happened. I guess we have something in common.
 
My advise I shall to declare your medical condition before entering the exam room. State you must have your machine and hypo kit in the room, although it does not have to be on you (if you are comfortable with this). I'm sure the examiner will hold onto it, and if you require it you can raise your hand for attention.

Again this is just me and my method
 
Not being able to test your BS during in an exam puts you at a big disadvantage and is potentially dangerous. I agree with Coopsman. You should have raised this with your school/university authorities in advance and suggested that one of the exam supervisors take charge of it until either you need it or the exam is over. The staff member can stand by and observe what you are doing when you use the meter. You can show it to the powers that be and demonstrate what it does for them days before the exam is timetabled.

You should discuss this with your personal tutor. It is unlikely you are the first type 1 diabetic the place has ever encountered. Explain what a hypo does to you and educate them if the particular staff member you are speaking to has never come across a student with type 1 before. You need to sort this out before you have another exam - just in case !
 
EllsKBells said:
I can't test in the exam, because my meter is not allowed in the room.
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Why is you meter not allowed in the exam room?

Is there some rule that students aren't allowed to take things into the exam room? If that means you can't take your necessary medical equipment in with you, you can ask to have that rule adjusted to let you. Type 1 diabetes is a disability under the equality act, the university has to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your disability - letting you acces a testing kit in the exam room seems pretty reasonable.

Had you you discussed your need to have your testing kit with you with anyone before the exam?

Edit to add: JDRF do a university toolkit that might have some useful info - http://uni.jdrf.org.uk/hello/
 
Thank you for the replies everybody! I have declared my diabetes to both the university and my tutor from the very beginning, although the latter seems to think it is all in my head. The test kit is currently not allowed because it is "an electronic device with the capacity for memory or storage", although that is an ongoing project - although I suppose even having it with me wouldn't have stopped the hypo! I have now emailed the most senior person in charge of exams, so if nothing else happens at least the issue has been flagged, again. I won't name and shame the university in question, but their attitude towards diabetes is a bit... well, it doesn't really exist, actually. Then again, we are talking about a BIOCHEMISTRY department where a lecturer stood in front of 200 people and said "the only way you can get diabetes is by being overweight". Sigh.

Honestly, I'm just annoyed because I'm in the process of applying for a Masters course that I'm really excited about doing, but failing this exam would throw that out of the window entirely!
 
That sounds shocking @EllsKBells Can you not get a doctor's letter stating the necessity of testing?

I'd make a complaint and say they're discriminating against you and potentially affecting your exam success. I would complain right to the top and copy in a few other people too.
 
@azure to be honest I'm not sure how much success I'd have! When I first moved to university, I tried to get my prescriptions sorted, but the doctor I saw wouldn't issue anything until I'd proved I was diabetic by seeing the consultant, but he wouldn't refer me to the consultant until I proved I was diabetic! Then after that there was the 'diabetic specialist' GP who was extremely confused by the concept of needing to take more insulin if I was high!

I''m trying a different approach first, since my department has been fairly unhelpful I'm taking it higher, and if that still doesn't work then I'll make a complaint. I'm reluctant to rock the boat too much, because this masters I am applying for is at the same university, which has been fantastic in so many other ways! I don't really think it is deliberate discrimination, more just a lack of thought and too many levels of organisation, so nobody really knows who has the power to change things, and the people that do are too far removed from everything to actually know what is going on. I'll just have to wait and see what I get back from the Head of Exams, who hopefully will have a bit more experience with these things. Thank you for your advice!
 
@EllsKBells have you spoken to the disability department at your university? It was the first thing I did when I joined, I got extra time in exams to account for potential hypos and was allowed to have my bg meter and snacks in the room for every single exam. It might be a bit late now but remember that masters applications always have a section where you can explain if things went wrong and why ! ( I have awful first year end of first term exams due to glandular fever and the bg impact and I just got accepted for a masters and thought it would be super unlikely!) it's a but of a pain but it's necessary to be proactive especially in university situations.
 
Firstly, good luck with your exams @EllsKBells! I did my undergraduate in Microbiology and the biochem modules were easily the hardest.

Secondly, what the hell?! Your tutor thinks diabetes is "all in your head"? What did he/she say to you then? I understand the rule for the storage of info etc, but surely they could let you leave the monitor with one of the people invigilating the exams to use if you need it? Really, it is not much different to a digital watch. I'd certainly take it higher, I know you don't want to rock the boat, but there are "whistleblower" laws where you cannot be discriminated against because you happen to flag things up. It isn't like you're having a hypo in lectures etc, your exam performance is important and could affect the rest of your life.
 
Sorry to hear about your experience @EllsKBells

I am shocked at the fact you are not allowed to carry a meter for a number of reasons.

Carrying a meter means you can potentially prevent a hypo before it happens - doing exams means that your brain is burning through glucose at a much faster rate so you are more likely to have a hypo whilst in this environment, carrying a meter is essential and life saving. What if you had required medical assistance, would they deny this to you ? They have a duty and responsibility to take care of you whilst you are in their care. The fact that this could jeopardise your opportunity to be awarded a higher grade/mark is also detrimental to you.

I am trying not to sound too dramatic but it is absolutely critical that you have access to your meter at all times. Can you contact your meter company to provide you with a letter which explains the capacity at which it works and that it's not an memory/USB aid for examinations but an essential piece of medical equipment that is required at all times to present to your university ?

I know you don't want to rock the boat but there is a fine balance here between ensuring your needs are met and that you are compliant with the university, so you do need to sit down with them to discuss this further. Can you speak to you Student's Union to start with and ask them for their advice, also see if there are other type 1's at your uni you can discuss this with ? I am sure there will be, but presenting a united force will help your case, as it will for future students at the University. It may be an initiative to start a code of conduct for type 1 diabetics there.

Here's a link to further information from JDRF: https://jdrf.org.uk/living-with-type-1/everyday-life/school-and-university/exams/

To quote: Exams: Type 1 diabetes is covered under the Equality Act 2010 and ‘reasonable adjustments’ can be made to make the process as smooth as possible.

To quote further: * “Special consideration is a post-examination adjustment to a candidate’s mark or grade to reflect temporary illness, temporary injury or other indisposition at the time of the assessment, which has had, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material effect on a candidate’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate his or her normal level of attainment in an assessment.” (Joint Council for qualifications 2015)

Good luck :)
 
Also please use this document when discussing your needs with your University, it should help them understand your situation more easily and they therefore should have a code of practice in managing your type 1 diabetes:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...398815/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf

Any needs or requirements should not infringe on your rights to the services of the university so please do not worry about this, however this situation should not happen again for your own safety and welfare.
 
I honestly can't believe they wouldn't let you keep your meter in the room at least! I'm also shocked at your tutor's response to diabetes - just goes to show there is still a lot of ignorance surrounding it!

When I was diagnosed as Type 1 I had just turned 16 and GCSE exams were looming. I remember keeping a banana on my exam desk in case I felt low but I didn't have my meter on the desk from what I remember - I can't remember if that was my choice not to have it on the desk or not. However, our school bags were all kept in an area at the front of the room so should I have needed to my meter I'm sure I could have asked for it if needed.

As others have said, surely this is discrimination against a 'disability' (I don't class diabetes as a disability but I'm aware it comes under the disability discrimination act). I really think you ought to raise this as I feel it is very unfair especially as it could affect your exam results.

Melissa
 
EllsKBells said:
Thank you for the replies everybody! I have declared my diabetes to both the university and my tutor from the very beginning, although the latter seems to think it is all in my head. The test kit is currently not allowed because it is "an electronic device with the capacity for memory or storage", although that is an ongoing project - although I suppose even having it with me wouldn't have stopped the hypo! I have now emailed the most senior person in charge of exams, so if nothing else happens at least the issue has been flagged, again. I won't name and shame the university in question, but their attitude towards diabetes is a bit... well, it doesn't really exist, actually. Then again, we are talking about a BIOCHEMISTRY department where a lecturer stood in front of 200 people and said "the only way you can get diabetes is by being overweight". Sigh.

Honestly, I'm just annoyed because I'm in the process of applying for a Masters course that I'm really excited about doing, but failing this exam would throw that out of the window entirely!
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You know it's ironic but I have discovered that some of the most ignorant people tend to embed themselves in post secondary institutions resulting in the situation you're facing (arrogance in particular is symptomatic of stupidity). If the University in question is unable to be flexible enough to meet the needs of it's students perhaps you should suggest to them that they advertise that fact thus saving future students with diabetes the pain of attending their learned institution. Easy for me to say though as my University days are behind me. I hope they see reason. Good Luck!
 
Just an update! So, the head of exams has referred it back to the Disability Service, who hopefully now they have had a voice from on high will be more helpful this time - last time round they wanted me to magically prove that I was diabetic! I'm also waiting to hear back from the relevant people about extenuating circumstances. I think diabetes is a tough one, because it's less 'obvious' what impact it might have - everyone has a rough idea that people with epilepsy could have a seizure, and what that might look like, or people suffering with asthma might need their inhalers - but what does a hypo really look like? It's not somethign you'd necessarily understand unless you've experienced it, or seen someone have a really bad one.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful help and advice!
 
Hi @EllsKBells good luck with this. When you say you have to prove you're diabetic are you with a hospital clinic? Ask your consultant to write a letter saying you have type 1. I also don't understand the GP. Did you not have previous records from a GP and a prescription which would have had all the details necessary? When I was in university (18 years ago....) I did try registering at a local GP but found it too hard to manage prescriptions in the holidays so switched back to my home one. I also briefly tried out the local hospital as I fancied a change of consultant and it was a very good one but decided the commute would be too much once I moved back to London.

I have never informed any examiner that I have type 1. I just used to take cereal bars and glucose sweets in my pockets for use in emergency. I have good hypo awareness and would have a little snack part way through as much as a calming mechanism as anything else.

In terms of conveying the message of hypos why not just take print outs from reputable sites on hypo effects? The NHS has some pages and so does this site.
 
Hi @tigger they had said they will accept a letter from the consultant, so that's good!

My former GP practise has some...interesting, shall we say, practises, and unfortunately this includes not sending any records on whatsoever, no prescribing records, no vaccination history, nothing. In the end, I got what I needed by taking in boxes and packets for everything and dumping it on the desk (not of the same doctor, not seeing any need to subject myself to him twice) and stated very calmly that I would very much like to have my medication without needing to drive 200 miles for it!
 
It's on your phone so you won't be able to have it in the room. Do you not have the libre meter or even a spare BM meter to take in with you? I did 5 years of university exams and never had an issue. You need to declare that you have a medical condition. Of course hypos aren't nice and leaving the room is embarrassing but if you'd passed out, what would the invigilators be able to do if they don't know you're diabetic. I always carry my phone with the app, the libre monitor (which I've told colleagues how to use) and the BM meter just in case technology fails me.

(Edited out the nhs bit. Forgot this was diabetes UK and we all have it. I have just had a hypo myself so that's my excuse )
 
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I had the same thing happen to me today in my final year university exam. First time that I had ever hypo-ed in an exam and I have been type one for 11 years. I was mortified. I had no idea what to do, nor did the invigilators who made me return to my seat and complete the exam without letting me properly treat my hypo. I asked to leave the exam and be isolated until I felt better as it usually takes me around 30 minutes to recover fully and then have extra time to complete the exam which I was denied. I could not concentrate and was so disorientated and I know I have probably now failed my exam and will have to resit. The invigilator I spoke to had no idea what type one diabetes was or what a hypo meant and how much it can affect you. I did everything I usually do to prevent myself hypo-ing during an exam and I guess today I just had a random one at a very inconvenient time. All those months of hard work ruined by a hypo. Feeling very frustrated and disappointed in both myself and the university for not knowing how to deal with the situation.
 
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