Question for Diabetics..

[MYOR]

My boss says he takes a shot for his diabetis every morning but by the time I get to work on many occassions he is starting to slip into a diabetic trance.. How is this possible? It has to be at less than 3 hours that he has taken his shot by the time I get to work:Idontknow: He says he really doesn't feel when its happening.. actually, I notice it and MAKE him drink OJ. In the beginning he would argue with me that he was fine.. but now when I bring him the OJ he just drinks it..

Help me understand this..

Thanks...

[JMJ]

He likes to watch you bring him OJ. Smart guy. Diabetes = diabetis......JMJ

[MYOR]

JMJ graemlins/spanka.gif

Nah I don't think so... He has gotten a warning about his "episodes" disrupting work.. (yeah my co really cares about his health :rolleyes: )

[Leslie]

I am not a diabetic but my father is. If your boss is becoming out of it by the time he gets to work he is NOT managing his disease properly and probably is NOT communicating with his doctors. I suspect his dosage is not sufficient - but that is for the doctors to decide. Your boss should be demanding the best specialists to manage all of his needs (dental, feet, cardiovascular, eyes - so important) as there are specialists for all aspects specific to diabetics. He may also not be on the correct insulin formula. There are 2 types that made from pigs and that made from humans.

My father has gone blind in one eye and when his doctor in NJ could do no more he was sent to the best diabetic eye surgeon in NYC at Presybeterian - I cannot sing the praises of this man enough as he has been able to save the sight in my fathers one good eye (as well as just being a jewel of a person who cares deeply about his patients) - I go into this because it is imperative that people manage their disease and work with their doctors and if you are not happy with the service you are receiving, find a better doctor.

[ December 03, 2003, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Leslie ]

[imported_Gman]

Please explain this diabetic trance. I have a coworker who was recently diagnosed with diabetes who tends to drift off when I am talking to him and no I am not that boring. He will look away and sometimes mumble a few words under his breath.

-G

[MYOR]

Diabetic trance. he first starts looking sleepy and tired.. If you ask a question he answer your question very slowely.. Then he starts babbling about things that have nothing to do with what was asked or repeat himself.. He'll be sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, and when you try to call him he can't even open his eyes(This is when he is really far gone)..

One time he was drinking water by the cooler and when I walked by he had an empty cup held to his mouth as if was still drinking water.... I could not get him to move(I didn't want anyone else to notice).

GMan if your co-worker is usually very alert, then it may be an indication his sugar is low..

[ December 03, 2003, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: MYOR ]

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Gman:
Please explain this diabetic trance. I have a coworker who was recently diagnosed with diabetes who tends to drift off when I am talking to him and no I am not that boring. He will look away and sometimes mumble a few words under his breath.

-G That's not diabetes. He just doesn't like you. Get a clue.......JMJ

[Leslie]

Originally posted by Gman:
Please explain this diabetic trance. I have a coworker who was recently diagnosed with diabetes who tends to drift off when I am talking to him and no I am not that boring. He will look away and sometimes mumble a few words under his breath.

-G Your brain is saying one thing and your body is saying something else. For each person its manifests its way differently. Basically your body is reacting to the amount of sugar in its system that is off - BUT your brain continues as if nothing is wrong and you have no idea why people are looking at you funny and asking you questions like "are you all right?". This will annoy people and they can become belligerant (sp?) and that's when you need to get them some juice or something.

True story - two friends (roommates in college/also grew up together) where mad at each other. One morning girl a awoke to find girl b staring at her with a nasty look on her face. She stuck her tongue out and turned over. She turned over again to see if she was still staring and she was, but this time her arm dropped to the floor, girl a knew something was wrong jumped up found a piece of gum and tried to get it into her mouth to chew it for the sugar. Girl B fought her, punching the works until the sugar got into her blood stream. Thankfully as I said they grew up together and they girl b knew how to react.

[Leslie]

Gman, the only reason this occurs is because people are not managing their disease properly. It doesn't have to happen.

May father was put on insulin years before it was necessary because he was not managing his disease in the begining when diagnosed when it could have been controlled with diet and exercise. Ask him now does he regret that mess as he hits dialysis 3 times a week and waits to be called for a transplant. This disease is doing a number on people of color who are not getting themselves diagnosed and/or not taking enough care to manage their situation.

[MYOR]

Leslie in the beginning he would fight tooth and nail, yelling at us telling us we were crazy.. My co-worker and I had to close the door to his office and stay there untill he finnally drank the damn juice..

One other time I had too keep on clapping my hands to make him open his eyes. And hold the cup to his mouth so he can drink. I am very calm in these situations but my co-worker once peed her pants thats how nervous she was becuase he gets REALLY BAD..

Now when I see him getting bad I just put OJ infront of him and he drinks it.. He doesn't fight us anymore... graemlins/conf44.gif

[ December 03, 2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: MYOR ]

[DJ Rated M]

Originally posted by MYOR:
Diabetic trance. he first starts looking sleepy and tired.. If you ask a question he answer your question very slowely.. Then he starts babbling about things that have nothing to do with what was asked or repeat himself.. He'll be sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, and when you try to call him he can't even open his eyes(This is when he is really far gone)..

One time he was drinking water by the cooler and when I walked by he had an empty cup held to his mouth as if was still drinking water.... I could not get him to move(I didn't want anyone else to notice).

GMan if your co-worker is usually very alert, then it may be an indication his sugar is low.. trust me...that's not a good feeling when you feel like that. you should always carry some hard candy in your pocket or the glucose tablets.....

you can feel like this if you don't eat for a long time too....

[MC]

I don't know if you remember or not, but I posted a topic about my sister being rushed to the hospital. Well she was the same way. Her knees where always hurting her, and always she looked very bloated. Unfortunately, she hit rock botton that day, her sugar level was in the 40's, and it should have been in the 100's. They had to give her an insulin to wake her back up. So maybe your boss has low sugar, and that's why he keeps slipping in and out. Thank God she is good now she goes to dialysis every other day. She looks better, and she says she feels great.

[Leslie]

Originally posted by MYOR:
Leslie in the beginning he would fight tooth and nail, yelling at us telling us we were crazy.. My co-worker and I had to close the door to his office and stay there untill he finnally drank the damn juice..

One other time I had too keep on clapping my hands to make him open his eyes. And hold the cup to his mouth so he can drink. I am very calm in these situations but my co-worker once peed her pants thats how nervous she was becuase he gets REALLY BAD..

Now when I see him getting bad I just put OJ infront of him and he drinks it.. He doesn't fight us anymore... graemlins/conf44.gif Get in his ass about what is going on. Seriously, one day you and your co worker take him to lunch and discuss what is going on and hold him accountable for managing his health as that is not your job. He should be damn thankful you are able to remain calm and have an idea of what is going on and care enough to look out for him.

My friend that I spoke of earlier was diagnosed as a juvenile and had at times punched both of her parents as they struggled to get her to ingest some juice or candy. Of course when she gets to her senses she would be profoundly sorry, but again, people have no idea what they are doing when this is going on.

[MYOR]

Originally posted by Leslie:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by MYOR:
Leslie in the beginning he would fight tooth and nail, yelling at us telling us we were crazy.. My co-worker and I had to close the door to his office and stay there untill he finnally drank the damn juice..

One other time I had too keep on clapping my hands to make him open his eyes. And hold the cup to his mouth so he can drink. I am very calm in these situations but my co-worker once peed her pants thats how nervous she was becuase he gets REALLY BAD..

Now when I see him getting bad I just put OJ infront of him and he drinks it.. He doesn't fight us anymore... graemlins/conf44.gif Get in his ass about what is going on. Seriously, one day you and your co worker take him to lunch and discuss what is going on and hold him accountable for managing his health as that is not your job. He should be damn thankful you are able to remain calm and have an idea of what is going on and care enough to look out for him.

My friend that I spoke of earlier was diagnosed as a juvenile and had at times punched both of her parents as they struggled to get her to ingest some juice or candy. Of course when she gets to her senses she would be profoundly sorry, but again, people have no idea what they are doing when this is going on. </font>[/QUOTE]We have talked to him Leslie. The man even cried about how he feels bad we have to go thru this.. But I don't think he is doing all he should.. I'm just glad this happens while he is at work and not driving or home alone..

Thanks for our help Leslie. BTW, He will need a transplant.. The doctor has told him already.

[Leslie]

MYOR I completely undertand. I have gone through the same thing with my Dad and it may take him going on dialysis and seeing how thick it really gets with regard to survival for him to wake up. Hard headed men!!!! mad1.gif

[MYOR]

Wow this is the first time I had to look out for him 2 times in one day.. and its not even 12.. That is NOT GOOD :(

[andrea]

Originally posted by JMJ:
He likes to watch you bring him OJ. Smart guy. Diabetes = diabetis......JMJ NOT FUNNY!!!

My aunt has diabetes and she went into a diabetic coma. For a while, my cousins used to stay with her because of this fear that she would slip into a coma again. My mother told me that even if she took her insulin shot, she was still in danger because her sugar levels were not stabalized. She is always sleepy. This is what happens to your boss, his sugar goes up and down. He might need to increase his insulin shot. My cousin now has diabetes and is taking pills. My aunt now has had an amputation up to her knee. This is a horrible disease.

[DJ George Bates]

I am also diabetic... he isn't managing the disease correctly...

His dosage is definately to low...he needs to check it because that trance you mention, he may not have someone around to catch him...

check his blood sugar level while he's like that...it's not cool.

[Gigi]

Feeling a need to share - Sad admission but true story: My Dad (God rest his soul, now deceased for nearly 3 years) died due to diabetic complications.

He lived with his wife (a woman whom he married when I was 23, thus I don't refer to her as my step-mom) who was "supposed" to help in caring for his health. (??? I question if she really did)Anywho, one time she went down South to visit her family and I stayed with him at his house in Brooklyn. At the time, I was working in West Orange, NJ - a good 1.5 hour commute. I would call him every morning while at work to make sure he was up and had taken his pills which regulated his sugar. One morn, I call and get no answer. I haul ASS out of NJ and drive like a bandit to Bklyn, arriving there in less than 45 minutes to find him in a diabetic coma state. While talking with 911 operator, I'm attemting to feed him orange juice without his choking. We get to the e/r and before drs see him, he's coming to and literally having to calm ME down b/c I was an emotional wreck, feeling like something could have gone terribly wrong which would have been my downfall. He's the one with the diabetes and I'm the one crying like a baby, with Daddy telling me not to worry b/c he knew how much I loved him and that I was doing a great job working with his ailments. I miss my father something AWFUL. After he died, I suffered with grief depression and anxiety attacks for nearly a year.

Myor, tell your co-worker to stop taking the condition for granted and ask MORE questions of the doctors about how and why his sugar is so unstable. His health is important and it sounds like he's not taking it seriously. He may be dealing with forms of depression which are just as life-threatening as physical ailments. There are also hotlines and support groups for him to contact because you or other friends/family may not be there for him when he needs it.

[Bold Soul]

My Ma was a brittle diabetic from a botched surgery that claimed her pancreas. It definitely is a disease that requires strict management.

[ December 05, 2003, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Danny Gardner ]

[sammyrock]

He needs to adjust his insulin to say a "Sliding Scale" which means after doing an acu check in the morning,depending on his blood sugar level,thats how much insulin he needs to take..example if its 150 he only needs 3ccs of insulin,and if it ova 200,then 15 ect.People over take insulin which can cause major fatigue and "trance like" feelings.I know cause Ive been taking insulin for years now.And most important he needs to have a complete breakfast.If he miss any meals then the liver provides extra insulin to the bloodsteam,causing the blood sugar to fluctuate to a high level.In this case all he has to do is eat,and the blood sugar goes back to normal levels till his next dose.I hope this helps.

[JoelS]

Hi,

I'm diabetic (but I don't need shots), my brother and mu Mom are diabetic too and they need insulin shots twice a day.

I have no problems regulating my diabetes, 2 pills a day and no sugar and everything is alright. At the beggining I used to have hypoglicemia (exactly what you described) once every 2 weeks : ie- not enough sugar, meaning that I took too much of the pills or/and didn't eat enough...

My brother and my mom have lots of dificulties regulating their diabetes, my brother tends to not have enough sugar and have hypoglecemia quiet often and my Mom has too much sugar, (she feels nervous, tired, has muscular pains and have other problems like bad blood circulation, high blood pressure because of it.)

It's is hard to regulate the insulin shots and what you eat to have a constant glycemia. (always the same amount of sugar in blood) Normally the body does it alone but when you're diabetic it doesn't work anymore.

(ie insulin is an hormone produced by the pancrea that help reducing sugar in blood by storing it inside the cells, especially in the liver. when the pancrea does not work, blood's sugar rate goes high the roof, cells canno't properly absorbe it using insulin and they burn themselves and die instead of burning the sugar. When you don't have enough sugar : bad regulation of diabetes' pills or insulin shots and food, you don't have enough fuel to make the cells work)

(It might be not the most scientific way of explaining diabetes but you must got an idea.)

Peace,
Joël S.


Originally posted by MYOR:
My boss says he takes a shot for his diabetis every morning but by the time I get to work on many occassions he is starting to slip into a diabetic trance.. How is this possible? It has to be at less than 3 hours that he has taken his shot by the time I get to work:Idontknow: He says he really doesn't feel when its happening.. actually, I notice it and MAKE him drink OJ. In the beginning he would argue with me that he was fine.. but now when I bring him the OJ he just drinks it..

Help me understand this..

Thanks...

[danny webb]

MYOR, here is what you need to do, when your boss is in this 'trance like' state, check his blood sugar levels, as from what I have read above I am still unsure whether this is Hyperglaecemia or Hypoglaecemia, if his blood sugar is low (Hypo), he needs sugar, if it is higher than it should be (Hyper) he needs more insulin.

You must clarify with him what his blood glucose levels are at these times, as High blood sugar (with me) makes me drowsy, lose concentration & gawp around misty eyed, people get mixed up very easily between the two conditions.

If he is Hypo, (low blood sugar), this is much more debilitating, in that the level keeps dropping until he collapses, only then will his liver release the stored glucose it keeps for emergencies (only when he is unconscious will this happen).

If your boss administers himself with his insulin, and keeps getting low blood sugar counts at roughly the same time, he must adjust his dosage to less insulin(I have been trusted with this for the last 18 months and am only 3 years diagnosed). he may be playing stubborn, trying to prove a point, but the reality of diabertes is that each sufferer is completely different from the next, and tough though it is, he needs to look after himself, or get a personal nurse (guess which option most of us have to do).

it may be a cry for help that he is mis-managing his illness, but he will only hurt himself, as no body really can help him, but him.

tell him to buck up his ideas, or he will suffer some major complications, which will need more looking after than a few jabs a day.

Firstly though you must establish which way he is sliding, then tell him to take less insulin or more.

In the UK I was told within days of my diagnosis, that within the next 6 months I should know more about 'MY' illness than the doctor, as it is far too specific for each patient to generalise.

it is still difficult to manage the desease, especially with a hectic/changing lifestyle (DJ/Producer/promoter), but he will have a much harder time if his liver packs in.

it makes me sad that he doesn't look after himself more, maybe you could contact his clinic, for if he really harmed himself it would be bad for you to be held/ or feel in any way responsible.

PM for more.

[jcapeverde]

Originally posted by Leslie:
Gman, the only reason this occurs is because people are not managing their disease properly. It doesn't have to happen.

May father was put on insulin years before it was necessary because he was not managing his disease in the begining when diagnosed when it could have been controlled with diet and exercise. Ask him now does he regret that mess as he hits dialysis 3 times a week and waits to be called for a transplant. This disease is doing a number on people of color who are not getting themselves diagnosed and/or not taking enough care to manage their situation. In my case, I became a diabetic from the anti-rejection meds. I got a transplant 3 years ago. I have a good endocrinologist who I visit often and changed my insulin until we came to a combination that works well. With regular exercise, your father should be a good transplant candidate. Make sure he eats correctly and watches his fluid intake between treatments. You never know when that call may come. I got mine on my birthday after almost 3 years on dialysis. One thing, tell him to keep a bag packed like they say. When my call came, I had to rush around throwing things in a bag to take to the hospital,LOL Good luck to your father and you.

[FemalePhenom]

hey, my dad is diabetic, talking to him on the phone now about your question...

at first, he said it depends on what medication your boss is taking because some medicines like Novalin (sp) peaks after 2 hours or so.

the medication my dad takes now does not peak, but he said if a person goes into a diabetic trance, they could start seeing things in the air, repeating themselves, etc., basically the things you said your boss experienced ... but then I kept reading your response to my dad, and he said something else is possibly happening if your boss is going that deep into a trance. Possibly, he is not taking his medication, needs to change his current medication, or is doing something else that is taking away from the effect of his medication.

hope this helps smile.gif

[DISKOQUEEN99]

I have a coworker who usually goes into diabetic shock at work. Luckily, we work at a hospital. Un fortunately, he's usually drunk when it happens. Once, he'd gone into shock when we were in our dept alone. Thing is, I didn't know he was in his area until his ride called asking his whereabouts. I went and looked and he was sitting in a chair; looked like he'd sweated all the water out of his body. I shook him and he was unresponsive. When he did open his eyes, they rolled back into his head. ER doctors came up and attended to him. We all keep candy and juice in the fridge in the dept now.

As far as your boss goes, if by some chance he's faking some of the episodes, it's probably just likes you and wants the attention. That'd be a shame though; to use a condition in that way.