Another ambulance ride Options

[gigem99]

In preparation for a new job, I have to have a drug test done (pee in a bottle). For some reason, I thought it needed to be a fasting test.

I went down to the lab about 11:00 am, and had nothing to eat since dinner the previous nite. Well, I saw on my CGM that I dropped below 80, but for some reason, I didn't grab my jelly bellies. Evidently, I was very unresponsive, and the next thing I knew, there were about 6 paramedics and 2 cops in front of me.

I was so stupid, when they asked me if I had diabetes, I couldn't even answer them. When they tested me, I was at 32. They started an IV drip of D-50 (very badly, I might add - my arm is horribly bruised), and by the time my BG got up to about 160, I was able to reason.

I have been that low more times than I care to admit - my personal worst was 17, and I was able to treat that one by myself. I don't know what happened this time.

They wouldn't let me drive, or even walk home (I live about a mile from the lab), so they took me home in an amubulance. I can hardly wait to see the bill - I currently have no insurance, so this is gonna be a killer.

This was really embarrassing. I've only had the paramedics called on me a couple of times in my 26 years with diabetes - this one was the worst, though. The young paramedics (they all looked younger than my kids!) assured me on the way home that I was good - they said they have had far too many battles with diabetics who were combative.

I am still at a loss to understand why I didn't pay attention to my CGM. Won't happen again (easy to say, now).

Tom

[Ricardo]

Hi Tom,

Sorry to hear of your experience.

The last time I needed professional help was about 40 years ago, when as a teenager and before CGMs and home BG monitors. I awoke to a low which I could feel, but for some reason decided to lie back down for a few minutes. When my mother could not awake me, she and a neighbor carried my limp body into a car and with a police escort, got me to a hospital. The emergency room was crowded and while I waited, my liver kicked in just in time to hear them say I had a 22 BG.

Today, there are just times that life gets so harried that after I note a low BG, my mind skips to the next thing on my To Do list, and I may be late in treating the low. Perhaps you had a lot on your mind that day and unintentionally ignored the low?

[gigem99]

.... Perhaps you had a lot on your mind that day and unintentionally ignored the low?

Ricardo,

I think that's precisely what happened. I was so concerned about this new job that I just spaced out my CGM. I still can't believe this happened.

The good new is: I went back this morning to do the pee test, and the folks there told me they didn't think I would get billed for the ride or the help. They had overheard me saying that I had no insurance, and they noted it, and they think they will let it pass. I sure hope so!!

BTW, when I went back this am, I made sure I was up over 200. I'm finally back to a normal range, but gosh....

Tom

[Liz]

Ricardo,

I think that's precisely what happened. I was so concerned about this new job that I just spaced out my CGM. I still can't believe this happened.

The good new is: I went back this morning to do the pee test, and the folks there told me they didn't think I would get billed for the ride or the help. They had overheard me saying that I had no insurance, and they noted it, and they think they will let it pass. I sure hope so!!

BTW, when I went back this am, I made sure I was up over 200. I'm finally back to a normal range, but gosh....

Tom

I have also ignored lows because I was doing something and didn't want to stop. This is why I now keep bottles of glucose tabs everywhere, so I have no excuse. I have also cleared CGMS alarms without even looking at the pump because I had my mind on something else.

I remember one time when the paramedics came to my job they asked to see my insurance card and wrote down some info. Nobody ever asked for it any other time, except when I was actually brought to the ER I guess. I actually always assumed ambulance/paramedic calls were paid for like police and the fire department - we were all entitled to use them. It never occurred to me that they would bill insurance or an individual! Maybe it depends on who shows up? I believe, although I'm not 100% sure, that it was a FDNY ambulance crew who asked for my insurance. The kids that showed up when I was at my sister's never did and I don't recall any paperwork from them either. I know there are volunteer ambulances and I can't see those charging people, either.