Diabetes

[berni_mccoy]

My son has type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) and we saw at least 4 stories tonight that included something about people needing insulin. I can't tell you how scary the thought of not having insulin, sterile needles and other supplies available to manage blood sugar. Someone with Diabetes does not have days to survive... it's HOURS. We cried and cried at knowing what these people with medical needs are going through.

[phusion]

1. My dad has Type I

We know how it is too...

:cry:

[Nikki Stone 1]

2. I was struck too by the number of diabetics running out of insulin

This was an absolute crime

[Child_Of_Isis]

8. Most likely this is why the "druggies" and "looters"

were hitting the pharmacies. I wouldn't have a problem knocking out a pharmacy window if I were in that situation and someone in my family needed meds.

[berni_mccoy]

16. My wife and I discussed that as well

I'd be looting a pharmacy for my son in a heartbeat.

Insulin is only good for 30 days unrefrigerated (assuming you keep it at room temperature).

A big problem is with all the dysentery is getting alcohol wipes for finger pricks and shots and getting sterile needles to inject with. These are all absolute necessities if you have type 1.

You also need some fast acting sugar in case your blood sugar goes too low. With no food and water, this can happen EXTREMELY fast and death can result within an hour.

[Horse with no Name]

25. You can keep insulin at room temp

Didn't used to be an accepted practice but an open bottle of insulin can be kept for 30 days at room temp.

[Ladyhawk]

27. Low blood glucose feels awful...what a way to die. :( :( :(

With type 2, I'm not likely to die that way, but Jesus...those poor people...

[Pirate Smile]

28. Even Scarborough was saying how he would break into anywhere to

save his kids. What would be more moral - breaking in to get medication to save your kid or doing nothing? We all know the answer.

[expatriate]

33. I've thought of this too

when I keep reading about the vile "looters". Sure, there are some pinheads out there stealing things they'll probably never get to use, like TV's and computer games, but I think a lot of it is pure desperation. It hurts to even look at the looting threads when I think of how my son's life depends on those vials of insulin.

[FloridaPat]

35. They only expectd to be away a day or two. To have homes to go

back to.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. My mom is also Type I

Insulin has to be refrigerated as well...Even if these people have it, it can't be any good anymore. One diabetic was on pills and had been eating nothing but potato chips for three days in Biloxi.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. :^(

---------------------------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/liberalchristians.htm

[spuddonna]

5. Hubby and I watched on WWL last night...

Saw a rescue with an elderly man who had diabetes. They had spray painted red crosses on the roof and written diabetes and the Coast Guard was picking him up...

I was crying... but relieved. I hope he survived the lack of water that so many people are experiencing...

[Ladyhawk]

29. Water is so important for diabetics...what a horrific situation. n/t

[DanCa]

6. I have young onset parkinson

Without my medicine i can barely walk talk or stand. I can only imagine the horror those people are going thru.

[Ladyhawk]

13. (((((((((((((((((((( DanCa )))))))))))))))))))

This sucks so badly. I wish I had a magic helicopter with infinite amounts of water, food and medicines. I feel so helpless.

[DanCa]

19. I know especially with the ssdi check being so small.

I wish there was something we can do. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

24. Also, neither of us can do anything to physically help.

It's distressing.

I did manage to send a little bit to two organizations. I've cried. I screamed about the weed to everyone in my voice class today...couldn't help myself. :shrug: Most of them are Repubs and no one had anything to say. They probably think I'm a whackjob. OK, I might actually BE a whackjob, but I'm right about the weed.

[SeattleGirl]

36. Oh DanCa!

I didn't know. :hug:

[uppityperson]

7. I got my medicine refilled today, have 1-3 months to live without it

Not diabetes, but if I did not take my medicine, I'd have 1-3 months before I'd be dead. I try to keep several months on hand, at least 3 months, figure if it came down to it I'd ration it out and last a little longer. That is if I had it and didn't get seperated from it. It is scary, being dependant upon it, I feel very very very sorry for everyone especially with health needs.

[Ladyhawk]

10. Yeah, it's not just diabetes.

I wonder how long I'd live without my meds for various maladies...

[Ladyhawk]

9. I only have type 2 and the story gripped me.

High blood glucose is miserable and if you're type one, then you die. :( :( :( :( :( :(

[expatriate]

11. My son is somewhere in New Orleans

He is an insulin dependent diabetic and he has mental illness. Without food or insulin, or at least water, which can work short term to lower blood sugars slightly ...

Like everything else, this has been botched. I have never seen any response to a natural disaster so slow and so horribly disorganized.

I am now without hope.

[phusion]

15. Have you heard from your son?

:hug:

[expatriate]

21. No. It's a very difficult situation at best.

He is not a well man, and my contact with him has to be through other people. He is often out of sight for long periods of time.

I have been trying to raise anyone who might know, and am hoping for some word. Just watching the news and looking at every film clip and photo, hoping to see him.

[me b zola]

22. Oh, sweetie, don't be without hope!!

OMG, lean on us!!! Let us pull for you and your son!!!!

Please, believe in miracles, regardless of your personal beliefs!!!!

Please start your own thread, asking for info for your son!!:)

I understand the gravity of the situation for a diabetic w/o insulin. but I also know that the most beautiful little things are happening in the midst of chaos. Please start your own thread. That will give us a chance to send so many positive vibes around your son,.....

We are here for you :grouphug:

[expatriate]

31. Thank you

I have posted his information in the Louisiana forum - chances are a little better that the post will stay around longer, since GD is going at a great rate today. Also, more chance that someone from the area might know who he is.

Thank you for the kindness and support. It's been a long week.

[Ladyhawk]

30. ((((((((((( expatriate ))))))))))

I am so sorry. :( Yes, please start a thread and let us help kick it. There is still hope. Someone might have realized he had problems and took him under their wing...you never know.

[expatriate]

32. Thank you, Ladyhawke

I've posted, as suggested, in the Louisiana forum. MOre chance that someone who might know would see it there, I think.

[Ladyhawk]

34. Also, it might not need the kicking. I don't think anyone would begrudge

you, however, if you DID post it in GD.

[SoCalDem]

12. Diabetes is rampant in the af.american population

and without meds, lots will not survive:(

[flaminbats]

14. I can't imagine being a diabetic in New Orleans.

No coke or juice for insulin reactions, no food or water, no place to use the bathroom, no blood strips, and even worse..no insulin!! None of these people should be called looters just for staying alive. :mad:

[wli]

17. Type I isn't hours, it's faster dehydration and starvation.

Seriously, you should have seen onset. Things stop cold while the insult is still in progress and type I's last a month or so while hydrated and fed (best restricted to enough to prevent hypoglycemia) until they're diagnosed and medicated and so on.

[berni_mccoy]

20. That's not accurate... onset is different

The pancreas is still producing insulin. It's true that during onset, it takes about a month to build up to dangerous levels (I know, my son almost died from it).

But once the pacrease has completely stopped producing insulin, without a basal (background) dose of insulin (or long acting insulin), the blood sugar will sky rocket. You will be in Diabetic Ketoacidosis within 1-day without insulin.

[Barack_America]

18. Let's hope that these people are primarily Type II Diabetics

With a modest insulin requirement.

[berni_mccoy]

23. They weren't

One scene was a nurse screaming in the convention center for regular (fast-acting) insulin. A young girl was in advanced DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis, very serious).

[Nothing Without Hope]

26. People are also dying AFTER being "rescued" They need WATER too:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4569722
Thread title: 100 Dead after being rescued from roof tops

There are a LOT of diabetics among those people in the hurricane-sruck areas. It's awful to consider how many of them must have died from lack of insulin.