Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Glucagon

This post is about something hopefully a diabetic will never need, but I wouldn't be without it.  Glucagon.  An emergency tool for when blood sugar is so low that you can't chew glucose tabs, swallow liquid glucose, or are unconcious.  Low carb helps avoid dangerous lows, but it can happen. There is always a chance of hitting a vein which can be very dangerous.  (This has happened to Samuel. It can turn a regular ol' day bad... fast!) Better safe than sorry. ❤️

There are 3 types of glucagon:

1) Glucagon kit ~ this is a liquid in a syringe that has to be injected into a vial, shaken, drawn back into the syringe, and then injected into the thigh (usually).

2) Gvoke ~ pre-mixed glucose that is injected (similar to above, but no mixing which people find stressful during a low blood sugar episode).

3) Baqsimi ~ glucose nasal powder that is sprayed into the nose.

Glucagon can be expensive, but all three types have savings cards (on their website) to get them inexpensively or even free.

I ask our Endo for our script to include 2 units ~ 1 for home and 1 for our to-go bag.  All three types need to be kept at room temp, so don't keep in your car.  Always make sure you and your family members know where it is and how to use it. For the one at home, I tape it to the inside of our kitchen medicine cabinet and label it "emergency glucagon" (see pic).