Any medical people here? I'm a bit concerned about my friend.

Ivey_Queen:

whateverfood:

Anaphylactic Shock can be deadly, which is what this reads like. Mom is type 2 

 

Hmm? Anaphylaxis and diabetes are not related in any way.

OK, I'm apparently using the wrong word- sorry.  I hate medical jargon!  It's too damme long, too complicated even for doctors to say, and I've only come across 3 or 4 in the medical profession that could actually put what they wrote on my mother's chart in layman's English...

A Diabetic "crash" is potentially lethal, regardless of what the AMA calls it, especially when severe heart disease is involved.  I hope this has clarified my previous statement.

Editing to add:

I found the word (Hypoglycemia) I should of used; sorry again for the confusion:

It is very important to recognize hypoglycemia and be prepared to treat it at all times. Headache, feeling dizzy, poor concentration, tremors of hands, and sweating are common symptoms of hypoglycemia. You can faint or have a seizure if blood sugar level gets too low.

These seizures are potentially lethal, as all seizures can be.

She need to be seen by a Doctor STAT!  Sound like she could be going into a diabetic coma.  She could even be experienceing acute renal failure.  PLEASE get her to the ER!  And please keep us posted on her condition.  Prayers going up for her...  ~Jeanne

I have many of the problems your friend has. I too have a kidney transplant, mine is 24 & 1/2 years old...PTL!!!. But my kidney problem started as a result of strep throat as a kid; I'm now 61. I am on insulin shots 2 x a day plus various other meds. But I do know to eat on schedule so I can take my shots.

Is she on insulin? If not, IMO it sounds as if she needs to be on it or some meds. Does she have any family close that you could advise of her condition?  

I have many of the same problems as your friend, including the diabetes and the transplant. Mine is 24 & 1/2 years old...and I am so very grateful for it. But the kidney problem started years ago when I had many bouts of strep as a kid, I'm now 61. I take 13 pills a day, + 2 insulin shots... It can be rough at times. A friend's husband is also diabetic and he was told to drink some purple grape juice to bring his blood sugar back up. That's what I now do, and keep little bottles in the fridge for that very purpose. It works faster that OJ and it really doesn't take much...

Hope she gets help real fast. You are being a really good friend. Does she have a family close by that you would be able advise of her health problems? It doesn't sound as if anyone else knows about this.

I'm very concerned about your friend.  Please let us know how this turns out.

I'm not a medical person but I did work with a developmentally disabled gentleman for many years who had diabetes.  If he had displayed the symptoms you have described, I would have called an ambulance.   She needs to be eating meals on a regular schedule, as well as snacks.  Please help her get help before it's too late.   

 Thank you everybody! My DH and I drove up to her apartment. She had eaten something by then and took a short nap. She seemed more alert by the time we got there. She was embarrassed to let us in because her house was messy, and she was in her nightgown. I talked to her on the phone on my drive home, and she was alert and conversive. I also talked to her some more about learning to manage her diabetes. She said, "I do manage it. I check my blood sugar daily". I told her there was more to it than that, and reminded her that she needed to be taking in a consistant amount of carbs, with her meals spaced a consistant amount of time apart.

She was very appreciative that we checked on her. She never married, and her closest family (a sister) is 600 miles away. So she only has friends to depend on.

That's a good idea about the grape juice.

Thanks for your concern! I need to keep a closer eye on her. 

 I was happy to read this update.

Thank you for the update, GrandmaK.  She's lucky to have you for a friend. 

 I'm very glad that your friend is doing better, but please to press her (gently) to make an appointment with a nutritionist and get some guidelines on how, and how often, she should be eating.

 Debbie, You are a dynamite friend. A call to her physician's nurse might result in her going in to see the doctor. You're not asking them to give you any protected information. You could just let the office know that she needs to be seen ASAP.

So glad she has you!