Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jen on February 27, 2012 at 5:05pm

I also don't see the point of carrying a glucagon kit around with me on a daily basis. I do take one when I'm travelling out of town overnight, but even then I pretty much just tell anyone I'm travelling with that if I ever pass out or don't wake up in the morning to call 911. I don't think strangers would know what it is nor how to administer it if I passed out on the bus or something. And by the time I'm low enough to need it, I'm probably way too mentally incapacitated and physically uncoordinated to figure out how it works and/or inject it properly, no matter how simple it is.

If/when they come out with a glucagon kit that's like an EpiPen (self-contained, automatic, and almost foolproof—I won't say foolproof because nothing is foolproof ...), that's easy for complete strangers to administer, then I'd probably start carrying one around on a daily basis.

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Permalink Reply by smileandnod on February 28, 2012 at 7:08am

I've been Type 1 for 25 years and only started carrying a glucagon kit in the last 6 months. I started carrying it after I had several super fast drops where glucose didn't respond fast enough. I've only ever had to use a glucagon kit once and my husband gave the injection when I was at 28 because I was still dropping so fast that I felt like I was about to pass out.

My logic with carrying the glucagon is that if I'm out with my husband, he can give me the injection. If I'm at work, I leave it on my desk and a few people at work know what it is. I figure if nobody knows what to do with it, hopefully the first responders will use it. If I was alone and I was not responding to glucose and still dropping, I'd inject myself if mentally able.

Maybe it's a sense of false security, but it does make me feel not as defenseless to have it with me.

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Permalink Reply by Cherise on February 27, 2012 at 3:52pm

Right now this is what I carry:
Diabetic Supplies include: my meter (which also programs my pump. I have the OmniPod), 50 to 100 strips (depending on if I just opened a new bottle or not), 2 to 3 extra pods (never know when there will be an error), extra insulin, glucagon kit, something for lows like candy bar or something else, glucose tabs or gel, something low in carbs for snacks, back up battery because if it it goes out I'm out both a meter and a way to program my pump, and ketone test strips.
Non-diabetic supplies: tylenol/ibuprofen, vitamins, eye drops for contacts, contacts case and solution, hand sanitizer, lotion, and gabapentin (for my peripheral neuropathy). This is carried in a large purse but thinking about getting a backpack if I start working at this job. Then I will also have my lunch, extra snacks, and probably a book or notebook for something to do on breaks.

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Permalink Reply by T1Forever on February 27, 2012 at 4:32pm

Are you having pain from the weight of your bag? That's a lot of stuff.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on February 27, 2012 at 5:02pm

I forgot about my syringe holder! I don't use it any more but it's in a drawer in case I need it!

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Permalink Reply by LaGuitariste on February 28, 2012 at 12:23am

Très élégant!

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Permalink Reply by Buckley83 on February 28, 2012 at 12:46am

Ha this kills me every time I see it acidrock!

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Permalink Reply by kiva on February 27, 2012 at 9:01pm

I'm a minimalist kinda guy. For the day, I just carry my One Touch case. Room for a couple syringes, fast acting insulin, spare lancets, alcohol wipes (for when water isn't available). There's even room for some glucose tabs. With the built in belt loop I just hang it by my side when out and about.

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Permalink Reply by Scott E on February 28, 2012 at 6:54am

I like your approach, but lancets and alcohol don't exactly fit my definition of "minimalist". I re-use lancets all the time. And if I find myself running out, I'm sure I could squeeze my figertips really hard and reopen and old fingerstick site!

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Permalink Reply by Jesus Ingles on February 28, 2012 at 10:29am

Ouch, but I don't mind spending the extra $10 - $15 a month for lancets. I get a good deal for a pack of 100 of them at ADW. If I reuse a lancet it might be once or twice at the most. And that is with me testing 3-4 times a day.

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Permalink Reply by kiva on February 28, 2012 at 5:23pm

Yes, LOL . . . having a lancet or two and some wipes certainly runs counter to being a "minimalist", however I can guarantee that my current lancet has some mileage on it and in the past I've found dried out wipes still in the package in the side pocket.

It's amazing that the cheapest thing about diabetes is the lancets and yet I use them till the tips look like ten penny nails. LOL

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Permalink Reply by Scott E on February 28, 2012 at 6:06pm

I figured out earlier that I probably get at least 100 uses or so out of a lancet (8-10 tests a day, 2 weeks per lancet). It's too easy to reuse them (the lancers are even made to be re-cocked), and changing them is an unnecessary pain.

If I changed it every day, that flimsy piece of plastic that grasps the lancet in place would surely be broken in no time.

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