I don't like asking for help.
Having Diabetes(T1DM) at the age of 6 begins to make a person very responsible and independent in managing their own Illness.
While in the Meat/Poultry Department at Whole Foods, I began to feel disorientated and had short spurts of "blacking-out."
Nevertheless, I was determined to make it back up the escalator and then to the cashier section, where-upon I would quickly leave and consume something very sweet to bring me back to normglycemia.
I couldn't find the escalator or elevator and the "black-out spurts" were continuing.
Since I was still rationale and knew from many occasions of what happens if Hypoglycemia is not treated in time, I decided to ask for help at the Meat Department.
I told them that, "I have Diabetes and that my blood sugar is very low and need the Manager or someone to help me, since I feel like passing out."
The kindness and concern shown to me was gracious and immediate.. One of the Butchers asked me if I wanted some pie, while another Butcher asked me what type of Diabetes I had because as he said, "almost everyone in my Family also has Diabetes."
I told the Butcher who asked if I wanted some pie, that orange or apple juice would be better.
Percy who was the Manager, brought me a container of Tropicana OJ to drink and while he was gone to get the container, requested that someone stay and watch over me.
He retuned quickly with an opened container which I immediately drank, where-upon he brought back another (small) container for me. I felt myself getting better and "returning to reality." Percy then went on to tell me that his ex-girlfriend had T1DM and so he knew what to do. His ex-girlfriend would find herself in frequent episodes of Hypoglycemia where she would would be unable to help herself.
Talking with Percy and being reassured that I would get better, which I did after consuming 3 containers of Tropicana all helped in my resurrection of consciousness. I thanked all the people who helped me and was then able to find the escalator taking me to the first floor where I then departed for the Subway.
As I walked out of Whole Foods I kept thinking, Angels do exist in places that one would never expect.
Sometimes we are not able to see and feel their presence and at other times ......................we can.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
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About Me
- BetterCell
- New York, New York, United States
- I do not give up my Autonomy,especially to the Medical Profession. Passionate, Creative, Able to see Beauty within Simplicity, I Am Not A Diabetic, rather I have Diabetes (there is a big difference between the two on many levels).Type 1 Diabetes since 5 years of age. Belief in G-D
44 comments:
How nice! And you are so smart to ask for help.
Hi Colleen, thanks for stopping by. It was hard for me to "ask for help," but the consequences of not doing so would have been more disastrous and embarrassing.
Glad you got help.
Almost all the "health foods" at Whole Foods are packed with carbohydrates. I rarely shop there any more because it is too depressing seeing the overweight people with Type 2 with their carts piled high with the starches and sugar laden "fruit spritzers" that raise their blood sugar high enough to kill beta cells.
I was eating that kind of diet when my blood sugars went completely out of control. No more!
Hello Jenny......
Not being a Rep for Whole Foods, I will say that they never claimed to be a typical Health Food Store.
Rather they are a business that sells both organic and non-organic foods on an upscale level of produce, dairy and meats/fish as well as poultry.
The people who as you say, "it is too depressing seeing the overweight people with Type 2 with their carts piled high with the starches and sugar laden "fruit spritzers" that raise their blood sugar high enough to kill beta cells." These people can be found in any store in any state and within any city.
I agree, that taking responsibility for yourself is a daily commitment involving the kind of food you eat, the people you associate with and other factors as well such as exercise and Neutraceuticles.
Glad to hear that you are Ok. Those situations are scary, and I too am often reluctant to ask for help.
Bravo to you for fighting through the reluctance to ask, and asking for the help you needed.
Take care!
Thanks Scott.
It was good to hear from you.
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving w/great tasting food and pleasant Relatives/Friends to be around.
I know that these traumatic incidents of Hypoglycemia must
have some type of lasting emotional effect on ALL of us, even those who appear to smile a lot.
I also dislike asking for help. In fact, when my ankle was in the cast I seldom even asked someone to even hold the door open for me.
It sounds as if the people who helped you remained very calm and didn't freak out. Maybe you could stop back again and tell the butcher you'd take him up on the offer for some pie........
This post was a good reminder, Barry, to ask for help when we need it rather than ending up nose-down on the floor. Glad you came out in one piece.
And, this version of "Days Like This" is fabulous - I have not seen it before. Such a beautiful song. I also like that backup singer, I think his name is Brian Kennedy.
Hey Kathy......
Most of us with T1DM are so responsible for our own Bodies, that it becomes an obligation to take care of Emergencies ourselves. It is as of, we don't want "Outsiders" to interfere. Sometimes it can even become extreme where we don't want our Spouses or Friends to even help us during "Times of Crisis."
What I was reminded of yesterday, is that this is not often possible and further puts ourselves at risk for unconsciousness or worse.
I felt that after the events of yesterday's Hypoglycemia at Whole Foods, a fitting conclusion would be "Days Like This."
If you ever do need First Aid, I have no doubt you're a lot more likely to find it at Whole Foods than at D'Agostino, Food Emporium, Gristedes, or Pathmark! I'm glad if they were helpful, as it makes you think twice about where you shop for groceries!
Hi BetterCell, Colleen, Jenny, Scott K Johnson, Minnesota Nice, Scott & AnyOne Else ...
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/11/02/5548.html#comments
(A) HYPERglycemia is NOT a disease.
(B) HYPERglycemia does NOT negatively affect beta-cells.
(C) Relative-HYPOglycemia & HYPOglycemia ARE diseases and both negatively affect beta-cells.
…Warm thanks; Nick Gracey, BSc(Hons) Medical Biochemistry, Birmingham University, UK, WATerian c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com @ 17:27hrs MON.26.NOV.2007.
ps… Diabetes Is Caused By Food And Or Drug Administration Too Much And Or Too Often.
http://www.thediabetesblog.com/2007/04/19/no-food-no-problem
pps… Diabetes is NOT a disease … diabetes is the CURE [for relative-HYPOglycemia]…
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/24/8/950/_pdf
'Relative-HYPOglycemia As A Cause Of Neuropsychiatric Illness' @ Journal Of The National Medical Association @ Harry M Salzer MD @ January 1966 @ Vol 58 @ Number 1 @ Table 1 @ Figure 2.
Hi Scott.....
The quality and assortment of foods are also better at Whole Foods in addition to having a better check-out/cashier system in place and a lot of other things that are "Consumer Friendly" including Bathrooms which are much needed at times.
I do not work for Whole Foods.
Hello Nicholas....
Hyperglycemia in DOES negatively affect the beta cells and the Body as whole.
We are dealing with a System that strives for correction and balance in everything (The Body).
Having continuous excess amounts of glucose will put more stress upon the beta cells to manufacture MORE Insulin in-order to correct the existing in-balance.........and other Systems will come into play trying to correct this state of in-equilibrium as well.
Nicholas.....
With all due respect, the Body's resources are Limited in trying to correct in-balances whether from Hypoglycemia or Hyperglycemia. ATP and high Cortisol levels will always be involved causing further chain reactions and consequences within.
The simple variables such as rest and water intake that you had proposed, will not solve the complexity of the problem in having high or low blood sugar levels repeatedly.
Nothing is as simple as it appears.
glad to hear you're ok after that.. I'm not a big fan of asking for help, either, but sometimes we need it and I'm glad there were people there who were able to help you!
Thank you seonaid.
I am always glad to hear from you.
I again feel that most of us with any chronic type of Illness (Diabetes) that is upon us, have to come to "deal with it" on our own terms. This includes taking responsibility for out Lives and not giving it in onto others to do...............and that is why it is probably difficult to ask for help,
Hi BetterCell, Colleen, Jenny, Scott K Johnson, Minnesota Nice, Scott, Seonaid & AnyOne else ...
Your recent emergency challenge was in relation to HYPOglycemia not HYPERglycemia.
1. What about honey in such an emergency?
HYPERglycemia does NOT negatively affect beta-cells.
2. Keen to read any Peer reviewed reference that evidences otherwise. Please name at least one for discussion.
HYPERglycemia DOES affect the beta-cells and the body as whole.
We are dealing with a system that strives for correction and balance in everything (the body).
Having continuous excess amounts of glucose can put more stress upon the beta-cells to manufacture MORE insulin [a & b peptide] & c-peptide in order to correct the existing imbalance ... and other systems [especially insulin resistance] may come into play trying to correct this state of in-equilibrium as well.
HYPERglycemic stress is adapted to, by the body, provided sufficient water & rest/sleep between eating ... HYPOglycemic distress diseases the body and is the foundation of all Diabetic challenges.
HYPERglycemia is usually 'treated' with HYPOglycemic drugs [commonly called anti-Diabetic drugs rather than anti-diabetes drugs].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-diabetic_drugs
3. Why do You think that so many Scientists argue as to the substantial safety of 'water-soluble' vitamins [alike glucose] EVEN being extremely safe when in excess [ie excessive blood concentrations] ... and by what means do many Scientists often claim the body naturally & safely excretes, from the body, excess 'water-soluble' vitamins [alike EXCESS glucose] ?
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com @ 09:37hrs TUE.27.NOV.2007.
Barry,
i hope you are well. i am glad you asked for help, no matter how hard. i am a stubborn lady (hey, i'm a taurus) and it is so hard to ask for help, to admit that I need others and may need to change course.
i am sorry you had such a hypo, but glad there are angels among us.
hey, i miss hearing from you. i hope you weren't mad that i didn't like the post about "Can you tell."
I don't feel i am involved in self-destructive behaviors, nor do i know if you were referring to me in your last post, but you know, diabetes is a complex disease and there is so much guilt and blame and shame and murky areas that go into it at times, that i find the diabetes oc such a blessing--for those who understand us and support us unconditionally.
i am ever grateful for your kindness, sending me test strips when i needed them.
i hope we can meet in person someday. that would be, in a word, lovely.
Hi Amylia...........
I'll meet you at JFK, just let me know when.
Will Figgy be with you? He can meet my cats as well.
Nicholas........
Hello and yes, I have tried honey(fructose) many times for Hypoglycemia. It of-course works to correct the low blood sugar, I find however that sweetened cola will work much quicker.
Hi BetterCell, Colleen, Jenny, Scott K Johnson, Minnesota Nice, Scott, Seonaid, Amylia & AnyOne else ...
Surely slower recovery from HYPOglycemia is better [and reduces risks from relative-HYPERglycemia]?
http://www.tinyurl.com/ynpp4g
My understanding of this issue is summarized as a comment on the recent blog @ www.AlliesVoice.com
http://www.tinyurl.com/2jkky7
Why do You think that so many Scientists argue as to the substantial safety of urinatable 'water-soluble' vitamins [alike 'water-soluble' glucose] ie EVEN being extremely safe when in excess [ie excessive blood concentrations] ... because they are urinatable ... and what is the basis for so many Scientists endorsing further consumption of glucose / carbohydrates before the body naturally & safely stops urinating excess 'water-soluble' glucose from the body?
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com @ 13:32hrs TUE.27.NOV.2007.
Barry,
I love that song. When I come to NYC, I doubt Figgy will be with me, but I'd love to meet your cats. :)
And you're right about the filtered water--he's a smart cat and doesn't like food or water that's been sitting around. Who can blame him???
Take Figgy back w/you when you come to the States Amylia.....you have already both bonded with each other and I am sure that in Taiwan their Vet care must also be sub-standard.
They probably don't even know that Diabetes can exist in Felines as well.
Nicholas, it is my opinion that a slow or fast recovery from Hypoglycemia is totally dependent on the "severity" of the episode. There is usually a Rebound Effect that will take place after the Hypoglycemia has been treated, and that must be treated for as well.
As to water-soluble vitamins, yes.....the reason why most Physicians do not have a problem with that is because the excess will just be eliminated out of the Body via the Kidneys.
Addendum.............
Some of you might be wondering why I did not treat myself for the Hypoglycemia that I was experiencing .
I did!!
I had 6-8 sugar packets with me which I opened and took while in the store. However the rapidity of the declining blood sugar was acting much faster than what I took in.
Things were getting worse than better. It was at that point, that I thought it wise and in my best interest to ask for "outside help."
Nicholas w/o publishing your comments again, I will answer you by saying that I do not feel that a slower recovery from Hypoglycemia is better, especially if that state of Hypoglycemia is the level of near unconsciousness.
The second point is that (and I do not know where you got your information from) I am NOT on any Animal-Derived Insulins at this time. If I was, that would be more advantageous to me and many others w/T1DM since it carries the inclusion of C-peptide.
Hi BetterCell, Colleen, Jenny, Scott K Johnson, Minnesota Nice, Scott, Seonaid, Amylia & AnyOne else ...
Sweetened cola may work quicker than honey but this research reference...
http://www.tinyurl.com/ynpp4g
...suggests that slower recovery from HYPOglycemia is better [and reduces risks from relative-HYPERglycemia] irrespective of how severe the 'GM insulin shock'.
It appears from your comments that your insulin treatment is primarily GM insulin rather than beef / pig derived 'animal' insulin because ...
Given your consciousness throughout ... your 'glucose re-perfusion' of 6-8 bags of sugar suggests that the glucose resistance aka GM insulin resistance in your liver / fat / muscles is VERY low because whilst glucose was reaching your brain fast enough to stay conscious ... the 'bags of glucose' seem to be drained from your blood circulation all too rapidly by GM insulin ['pumping' / 'rebound pumping' glucose into your liver / fat / muscles] leaving relatively little for your brain irrespective of the 6-8 sugar bags.
Beef / pig derived insulin & c-peptide apparently increase glucose resistance as compared with GM insulin [that appears to reduce glucose resistance].
Please discuss the benefits of consciously INCREASING glucose / insulin resistance eg with regard to the comments in this research reference...
http://tinyurl.com/3aypqg
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com @ 23:45hrs TUE.27.NOV.2007.
Wow, how scary! I've only needed to ask for "outside" help once, but I put it off as long as I could. Asking for help from strangers is a humbling experience, for sure. I'm glad you were okay and had some capable folks nearby.
Hi Beth......
It really is a humbling experience, especially when any of us are so inclined to "care for ourselves."
I was at a point of losing consciousness.......the sugar packets that I had taken were "not working" fast enough. Basically the only choice I had at that point, was to ask for help or end up in an ER.
That's scary, but I'm glad you found people willing to help you and not judge you. I am impressed by that. I haven't had to ask for outside help before, but that's mostly because I don't feel it coming on until I'm face down on the floor or at the hospital. It sucks, but I am working on getting the CGMS to correct this!
Hi Cara..........
Thank you for your input.
I think that one of the reasons why I was able to get the help/support/concern/LOVE as quickly as I did was because all the people involved dealt with things like this in their personal lives. But they also were kind and compassionate.
It sounds as if you might have Hypoglycemia Unawareness Caro, as I do.
Unfortunately this is but one of many Complications that exist in T1DM and which is a part of the Illness contained within T1DM.
Fortunately, there was a "window of opportunity" which appeared before I passed out and which I used to ask for help.
This is a question that Nicholas recently posted to me:
BetterCell, in respect of your recent challenges with HYPOglycemia and experience of dealing with it successfully ... what is your opinion on 'Continuous Glucose Monitors' in helping monitor that there is enough glucose in the blood to continuously feed the brain ... and that it will not all be suddenly pumped 'away from the brain' and into the liver / fat cells by GM insulin [ie without the help of c-peptide to 'buffer' such a GM insulin induced shock]?
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com
Nicholas, I believe that the CGM Devices can be a helpful tool for many of us w/Hypoglycemia Unawareness and/or frequent episodes of Hypoglycemia. There is however, a cost factor to consider, since these devices/supplies are quite expensive and there has been a problem with Insurance companies wanting to take this product on.
As for your other question regarding the Liver and Glucose Storage, well that is one of the functions of the Liver to act as a storage depot for extra Glucose in times of crisis(Hypoglycemia). However if there is not enough Glucose stored because let's say the person w/T1DM has low COH Reserves due to a selected diet, then there will be a problem in the supply of the much needed Glucose.
There is also the Time variable to consider as well. How fast can the stores of Glycogen be released from the Liver?
Is the stress of the Hypoglycemia causing a disruption within the protective mechanisms of the Body to react in Time?
These a many other questions are involved regarding Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes.
This is a question that Nicholas recently posted to me:
BetterCell, in respect of your recent challenges with HYPOglycemia and experience of dealing with it successfully ... what is your opinion on 'Continuous Glucose Monitors' in helping monitor that there is enough glucose in the blood to continuously feed the brain ... and that it will not all be suddenly pumped 'away from the brain' and into the liver / fat cells by GM insulin [ie without the help of c-peptide to 'buffer' such a GM insulin induced shock]?
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com
Nicholas, I believe that the CGM Devices can be a helpful tool for many of us w/Hypoglycemia Unawareness and/or frequent episodes of Hypoglycemia. There is however, a cost factor to consider, since these devices/supplies are quite expensive and there has been a problem with Insurance companies wanting to take this product on.
As for your other question regarding the Liver and Glucose Storage, well that is one of the functions of the Liver to act as a storage depot for extra Glucose in times of crisis(Hypoglycemia). However if there is not enough Glucose stored because let's say the person w/T1DM has low COH Reserves due to a selected diet, then there will be a problem in the supply of the much needed Glucose.
There is also the Time variable to consider as well. How fast can the stores of Glycogen be released from the Liver?
Is the stress of the Hypoglycemia causing a disruption within the protective mechanisms of the Body to react in Time?
These a many other questions are involved regarding Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes.
This is a question that Nicholas recently posted to me:
BetterCell, in respect of your recent challenges with HYPOglycemia and experience of dealing with it successfully ... what is your opinion on 'Continuous Glucose Monitors' in helping monitor that there is enough glucose in the blood to continuously feed the brain ... and that it will not all be suddenly pumped 'away from the brain' and into the liver / fat cells by GM insulin [ie without the help of c-peptide to 'buffer' such a GM insulin induced shock]?
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com
Nicholas, I believe that the CGM Devices can be a helpful tool for many of us w/Hypoglycemia Unawareness and/or frequent episodes of Hypoglycemia. There is however, a cost factor to consider, since these devices/supplies are quite expensive and there has been a problem with Insurance companies wanting to take this product on.
As for your other question regarding the Liver and Glucose Storage, well that is one of the functions of the Liver to act as a storage depot for extra Glucose in times of crisis(Hypoglycemia). However if there is not enough Glucose stored because let's say the person w/T1DM has low COH Reserves due to a selected diet, then there will be a problem in the supply of the much needed Glucose.
There is also the Time variable to consider as well. How fast can the stores of Glycogen be released from the Liver?
Is the stress of the Hypoglycemia causing a disruption within the protective mechanisms of the Body to react in Time?
These a many other questions are involved regarding Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes.
WOW BetterCell, I haven't looked at blogs and then I peeked and so this and all I can is thank you for telling us...... Although of course I am sorry you went through this it REALLY helps me to hear of such kindness! And what the hell are you doing walking around without sugar - this is surrogate Mom screaming at you cause I care!
Hi Chrissie............
How are you doing?
You never read my Addendum, which is also in Comments. I had sugar with me. Here is what I previously published:
bettercell said...
Addendum.............
Some of you might be wondering why I did not treat myself for the Hypoglycemia that I was experiencing .
I did!!
I had 6-8 sugar packets with me which I opened and took while in the store. However the rapidity of the declining blood sugar was acting much faster than what I took in.
Things were getting worse than better. It was at that point, that I thought it wise and in my best interest to ask for "outside help."
12:35 PM
Hey Barry,
Angels do exist. Thank goodness people who have been touched by diabetes know how frustrating and terrible it is when you have to rely on others to pick-up the pieces of hypoglycemia. I imagine it wasn't this scary (or difficult to defend) in the days of UN-genetically modified insulins? Circa PRE 1983.
The Core Values of Whole Foods makes all the sense in the world: "We appreciate and celebrate the difference natural and organic products can make in the quality of one's life."
Funny how unnatural the insulin is that caused your blood sugar to go as low as it did! I'm sure if Whole Foods sold pharmaceuticals -- they'd sell the natural kind...that HAS C-peptide!
I'm so glad you're okay! I called to check on you but I think I have the wrong number. Whoever "Janet and Mark" are -- they've got my digits.
P.S. I thought Van Morrison was stage fright? That's an awesome video!! Great blog, albeit under terrible circumstances.
Hi Allie........Thanks for your visit.
In the "Days of UN-genetically modified Insulin," there were times (during sleep) when instead of waking up to visions of sunshine and sounds of the city, I would awake to sounds of an intercom system paging various Physicians and around me was the light of fluorescence rather than the Sun with a hanging bottle of D&W going into my veins instead of eggs and toast into my stomach. Hypoglycemia did also occur with Animal-Derived Insulin, however there were earlier warnings before it got to the level of unconsciousness except of-course during sleep when it did not really matter what kind of Insulin you were on.........because there was no alert Consciousness during that period.
Yeah, Van Morrison looks like he has gained too much weight.
Not good if you want to avoid Insulin Resistant Disease(aka Type 2).
Sorry about that, not reading the addendum...... Thank God you HAD eaten glucose. Doesn't it suck when the dam bg just falss and falls and falls? How am I? I am not going to gripe, but I am a bit frustrated with what diabetes is throwing at me. And I am sick of myself turning into an emotional yoyo. I have been testing basals AGAIN. I have written about this in a comment on my last blog entry. No fun - just more grief with hypos. And what was the point? I have had to return to the way the basal was set previously, except for 1 hour where I have increased the hourly basal from 0.2 to 0.25U. I only added 0.05U and I could have just as well adjusted my dinner meal bolus with that teeny amount b/c it is necessary immediately after dinner. LOTS of people are having trouble with their diabetes now. I bet it is a "season thing"; something to do with our bilogical clocks......
thanks for your encouragement the other day.. It really is great to have people who can understand what it's like and be able to offer up advice. Night time lows haven't been a frequent problem for me so I haven't made any permanent adjustments of my basal rate.. I think I had just over bolused at 4AM to lower a 250, and my basal rate is higher at that time so that probably caused it.
Hi BetterCell, Colleen, Jenny, Scott K Johnson, Minnesota Nice, Scott, Seonaid, Amylia & AnyOne else ...
Sweetened cola may work quicker than honey but this research reference...
http://www.tinyurl.com/ynpp4g
...suggests that slower recovery from HYPOglycemia is better [and reduces risks from relative-HYPERglycemia] irrespective of how severe the 'GM insulin shock'.
It appears from your comments that your insulin treatment is primarily GM insulin rather than beef / pig derived 'animal' insulin because ...
Given your consciousness throughout ... your 'glucose re-perfusion' of 6-8 bags of sugar suggests that the glucose resistance aka GM insulin resistance in your liver / fat / muscles is VERY low because whilst glucose was reaching your brain fast enough to stay conscious ... the 'bags of glucose' seem to be drained from your blood circulation all too rapidly by GM insulin ['pumping' / 'rebound pumping' glucose into your liver / fat / muscles] leaving relatively little for your brain irrespective of the 6-8 sugar bags.
Beef / pig derived insulin & c-peptide apparently increase glucose resistance as compared with GM insulin [that appears to reduce glucose resistance].
Please discuss the benefits of consciously INCREASING glucose / insulin resistance eg with regard to the comments in this research reference...
http://tinyurl.com/3aypqg
…Warm thanks; Nick c/o www.BetterCell.blogspot.com @ 17:32hrs TUE.04.DEC.2007.
Glad to hear that the folks @ Whole Foods were able to help you out!
It's "Days Like This," that require that we ask b4 we pass out.
As a T1 since the age of 8 - I've learned you gotta do what you gotta do. Obviously u have to!
Oh - the donuts sound fantastic! Like Homer Simpson, I'm now dreaming of the O-Nuts thanks to your description!
Kelly Kunik
You are so right about this KK, "you gotta do what you gotta do."
The people at Whole Foods were kind and attentive........most importantly, never made me feel embarassed about the Hypoglycemia.
Anytime you are in NYC, I will bake some great doughnuts for you.
BC -
Don't ever be embarrassed about getting help for a Hypo.
Crap happens and you did what u had to & are around to tell your tale.
I will take u up on your O Nut offer next time I'm in NYC! ;)
Kelly Kunik
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