My New Toy

I got my new "toy" today and it is my Glucagon my epi pen for the diabetic world. So what is this medicine?

What is Glucagon?

Glucagon is a potentially lifesaving treatment for insulin coma or insulin reaction resulting from severe low blood sugar. If your child takes insulin, many healthcare providers suggest keeping glucagon on hand. Glucagon is a medicine that's different from insulin. It works by telling the liver to release sugar (glucose) into the bloodstream to quickly bring the blood sugar level back up. (from http://www.myhumalogchild.com)

As we are still in the process of researching, this is my get out of "jail" and emergency card to play when my sugar drops really low. I'm supposed to use it when I feel like the drop is happening - listen to my body - and pray that my diet can keep my sugar up so I don't have to use it. I did some research on the Lilly Kit that is made for this purpose.

But I'm also excited to have gotten a call today from my doctor's office. She contacted the endo specialist and they have come up with a treatment plan. This week the goal is to stay low carb and high protein and get back to normal. They want some stabilization time if they can get my body to do it. Next week I'll head into the doc's office to see there 2 options to try to treat this. Though I don't have 100% of the answers, I feel like I can breathe easier (even with a cold) because we are getting somewhere. This friday I'm meeting with my dietician Nicole and we are going to discuss marrying the diabetic low GI diet with the high protein need of the bariatric diet. I need a number. I need a plan. I want action and I think I'm going to fight for it! I'm going to do some research tonight and tomorrow on diets like these and ask her questions. I need a calorie point. I need an exercise point (calories to burn) and I need a strict plan to be able to follow it not so strict I can't breathe, but a path, a plan, options.

Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kit

The Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kit is small and portable, keeps all the items needed to administer Glucagon, and comes in a bright red case that is easy to recognize. Ask your child's healthcare provider about prescribing more than one Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kit for severe low blood sugar. That way, you can have one at home, at school, and wherever else your child spends time.

It's important that Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kits are in the places where they might be needed, that those who might need to administer Glucagon know where the kits are located, and that the kits are not expired. It's also important that you and any other adults who might need to help your child in a severe low blood sugar emergency are familiar with how to use the Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kit before an emergency rises.

Instructions for using Glucagon

Review these instructions so you can feel more comfortable about giving a Glucagon injection. You can alsowatch a tutorial to learn how to give an injection of Glucagon. Keep in mind that these are not full instructions. For complete instructions on how to give a Glucagon injection, please see the Information for the User.

1. Flip off the seal from the vial of Glucagon powder.
2. Remove the needle cover from the syringe. DO NOT REMOVE THE PLASTIC CLIP FROM THE SYRINGE, as this may allow the push rod to come out of the syringe.
3. Insert the needle into the rubber stopper on the vial, then inject the entire contents of the syringe into the vial of Glucagon powder.
4. Remove the syringe from the vial, then gently shake the vial until the liquid becomes clear. Glucagon should not be used unless the solution is clear and of a water-like consistency.
5. Insert the same syringe into the vial and slowly withdraw all of the liquid. In patients weighing less than 44 pounds, withdraw half the liquid (0.5 mark on the syringe).
6. Inject Glucagon immediately after mixing. The usual injection site is the top of the thigh. Inject the Glucagon and then withdraw the needle. Press an alcohol swab against the injection site.