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Ambulance Ride

Renee Stevens

Entry posted by Renee Stevens

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So, I had promised a couple of people that I would post a blog about what had happened to me last night.

 

I was simply sitting here, talking and laughing with my husband. I was on the couch, he was on his chair and suddenly he said I just collapsed and somehow ended up on my stomach on the floor, out cold and completely unresponsive.

 

Scary stuff... but I don't remember any of that, I only know what I was told later. He rushed over to me and I was breathing, but no matter how much he said my name, I wouldn't respond in any way, shape, or form. He ended up calling 911 and then proceeded to call my parents. He then had to lock my dogs up as two of them were plastered to my side and he knew someone would get bit trying to help me.

 

An off-duty paramedic (we're guessing because he was in his personal vehicle, not with the ambulance crew) and a cop showed up and the paramedic immediately put oxygen on me and and took my blood glucose level. The reading he got was 35 (in the 170's is normal I guess). He asked my hubby about juice and we had some Hawaiian Punch so the paramedic gave me a little of that and I started to come around. Problem with me coming around, I kept pulling the oxygen mask off and he had started an IV, which I tried to rip out of my arm and succeeded in bending the needle. My hubby finally got back by my head and kept talking to me, telling me to focus on him.

 

They gave me whatever it is they give someone to bring their blood glucose levels up and loaded me into the ambulance. My hubby rode in the ambulance with me, but I guess he had to ride up front where he could be buckled in. About halfway to the hospital, they tested my blood glucose again and it had risen slightly and gave them a reading of 50. I remember a lot of the trip to the hospital, especially me repeatedly saying "I'm scared."

 

I don't really remember getting to the hospital, but my vision went wonky like it does before I get a migraine and they gave me some other fluids and medications that were able to stop the migraine from hitting. I was given an EKG which came back normal and they also performed a CT scan. The ER Doc by this time I had heard that I had a history of seizures (up until I was 6 years old and then 2 seizures at age 18) and so she focused on that and only that. Said she thought I had a seizure, problem with that is that my mom has seen every seizure I've ever had, and typically I am completely out of it for hours upon hours after. This time, after they gave me the hawaiian punch and I started to come out of it, I was with it for the most part. I knew where I was, even if I didn't know why. I knew what I had done yesterday. I could talk to them and answer questions, so it doesn't gel with my family that it was a seizure.

 

Now, remember those low levels of blood glucose? Well, by the time they tested them at the hospital, they were reading 179 (which is normal). Someone, don't ask who because I can't remember, said that with everything they had given me, they typically see the levels shoot in the 300-400's before dropping back down and leveling out. And yet I never shot up that high. The doctor told my mom that she wasn't concerned about the dramatic low numbers of the original readings and that it must have been a malfunction in the machine. One malfunction I could see... Two malfunctions giving the same number I could even see, but for it to give two different numbers, I sincerely doubt it was a malfunction.

 

To be honest, they aren't 100% sure what is wrong with me. The doctor is saying seizure, even though she really never examined me, while my parents are saying no, it wasn't a seizure. I have to call on Monday to schedule an MRI and an EEG as well as get set up to see my neurologist just to double check things there. After that, we're talking that I'm going to go see someone and get thoroughly tested for diabetes (it does run in both sides of my family) and go from there.

 

I am extremely stiff and sore, but for now I am just living as normal and waiting to find out what all the tests will say. If you message me and don't get a response immediately, please forgive me. On top of my entire body aching, I am constantly tired.

13 Comments

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Fishwings

That sounds like a terrifying experience. I hope your specialists will be able to diagnose the issue soon. Best of luck Renee *hugs*

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carringtonrj

All the best to you. Glad you seem to be relatively OK after such a dramatic event. Hope they quickly find out exactly what was wrong with you. Take it easy.

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MikeL

Hopefully you are not diabetic, Renee.  I am.  It's both scary and a nuisance.  I have to test my blood glucose level twice daily and try to keep it between 70 and 120.  If it drops below about 50, I know it...a rather lightheaded feeling...which is when I treat myself to a Coke.  Otherwise, I avoid sweets and eat very little bread or pasta.

 

I've never passed out.  That would be dangerous, especially if it occurred while asleep.

 

I also have low blood pressure which folks with high blood pressure would love to have.  The big problem is it presents the same lightheaded symptom, so I have to do an extra blood glucose check before I raid the fridge for a Coke.

 

Best wishes.

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asamvav111

So the frog already cleared up what I was gonna say. *highfives Mikel* IDK what unit they are using but under no circumstances 179 is normal. Standard is 80-120 mg/dl or 5.5-7.8 mmol/L (Random blood glucose). Now, what you are describing above clearly seems like a hypoglycaemic attack. The Blood glucose level of 30 and 50 are both consistent with that. You mentioned they gave you an I/V, which was probably 25% Glucose solution and since you were out of it as soon as they got the glucose in you, it is almost diagnostic of a hypoglycemic attack. The blood glucose level of 179 at the hospital is consistent with the glucose load given. Also, if they had given you a Glucagon injection to raise blood glucose, it will cause it to shoot up that level.You mentioned being scared (sense of impending dread) also is suggestive of hypoglycemic attack. Now, what does complicate the whole thing is your history of seizure. I can't blame the doc but she must have had some justification for putting this as a seizure. The lack of consciousness is not enough to diagnose a seizure. The post ictal recovery, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, is absent. Did your husband notice any abnormal jerking or movement of any body part? It might have been an atonic seizure, if not. But again, Hypoglycaemic attack seems more likely as per your history. But, the question remains, even so what caused it? Were you on an empty stomach at that time? Stressing over something?  I think you need a proper work up. May be a second opinion will do you good. In the meantime however, do not ignore the EEG and CT. They will help rule out the differentials.  And in any case, do not stay alone for a length of time in any place. Keep bathroom doors unlocked. Inform a family member if you are going to the bathroom. Take rest. God bless. You will be back in shape in no time. Hugs and Chocolates.

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joann414

If it helps any Renee, I have had the same experience more than once.  Once I was in my closet and my hubby happened to be inside getting water after mowing the lawn and heard the noise.  Then one night I was in the bathroom washing my face, passed out and hit the side of the tub.  Both times it was hypoglycaemic related.  My dad died from diabetes, but I am tested regularly.  My doc questioned me endlessly about stress and encouraged me to eat fruit if I was staying away from sweets in my diet.  So, I eat at least one maybe two pieces of fruit a day.  I still get a little light headed at times, especially if I get over-stressed at work.  I grab a coke or juice and go outside into the fresh air.  But, maybe your docs can find how to alleviate yours.  Maybe it will be a one time thing. Hugs and prayers.

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Johnathan Colourfield

:hug: I have been through a very similar experience when i was 14 so i know what you are going through. I was completely out cold after getting out of the bath and my heart rate went down to like 30 :/ and the doctors never explained why - The only reason they told me was teenage hormones overacting with the heat and steam of the bathroom. Hope you feel okay soon Renee :hug:

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Renee Stevens

That sounds like a terrifying experience. I hope your specialists will be able to diagnose the issue soon. Best of luck Renee *hugs*

 

Thank you fishie!  It was, even at the time, and now that I actually have time to think about it and understand what was happening it's even more terrifying.  I'll be starting to look for answers next week.  :hug:

 

 

All the best to you. Glad you seem to be relatively OK after such a dramatic event. Hope they quickly find out exactly what was wrong with you. Take it easy.

 

Thanks Carrington.  I'm trying to be, but it's tough because we don't know what happened and not 100% sure how to make sure it doesn't happen again.  Will start making calls on Monday to see what I can find out and how soon I can get different testing done to figure out what's wrong with me. :hug:

 

 

Hopefully you are not diabetic, Renee.  I am.  It's both scary and a nuisance.  I have to test my blood glucose level twice daily and try to keep it between 70 and 120.  If it drops below about 50, I know it...a rather lightheaded feeling...which is when I treat myself to a Coke.  Otherwise, I avoid sweets and eat very little bread or pasta.

 

I've never passed out.  That would be dangerous, especially if it occurred while asleep.

 

I also have low blood pressure which folks with high blood pressure would love to have.  The big problem is it presents the same lightheaded symptom, so I have to do an extra blood glucose check before I raid the fridge for a Coke.

 

Best wishes.

 

That's what we're afraid of Mike.  My Grandma on my Dad's side is diabetic and not sure who, but my mom was saying that her family is known for diabetes as well.  Right now my only thing is finding out exactly what is wrong, and how bad it is.  Until we get all of the results back, I make sure I drink some juice to keep the levels where they need to be.  :hug:

 

 

So the frog already cleared up what I was gonna say. *highfives Mikel* IDK what unit they are using but under no circumstances 179 is normal. Standard is 80-120 mg/dl or 5.5-7.8 mmol/L (Random blood glucose). Now, what you are describing above clearly seems like a hypoglycaemic attack. The Blood glucose level of 30 and 50 are both consistent with that. You mentioned they gave you an I/V, which was probably 25% Glucose solution and since you were out of it as soon as they got the glucose in you, it is almost diagnostic of a hypoglycemic attack. The blood glucose level of 179 at the hospital is consistent with the glucose load given. Also, if they had given you a Glucagon injection to raise blood glucose, it will cause it to shoot up that level.You mentioned being scared (sense of impending dread) also is suggestive of hypoglycemic attack. Now, what does complicate the whole thing is your history of seizure. I can't blame the doc but she must have had some justification for putting this as a seizure. The lack of consciousness is not enough to diagnose a seizure. The post ictal recovery, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, is absent. Did your husband notice any abnormal jerking or movement of any body part? It might have been an atonic seizure, if not. But again, Hypoglycaemic attack seems more likely as per your history. But, the question remains, even so what caused it? Were you on an empty stomach at that time? Stressing over something?  I think you need a proper work up. May be a second opinion will do you good. In the meantime however, do not ignore the EEG and CT. They will help rule out the differentials.  And in any case, do not stay alone for a length of time in any place. Keep bathroom doors unlocked. Inform a family member if you are going to the bathroom. Take rest. God bless. You will be back in shape in no time. Hugs and Chocolates.

 

They explained all the levels in much more detail to my husband and my parents.  The being scared wasn't so much of an impending doom type thing, it was more that I when I came to I had guys I didn't know over me (the paramedics and cops).  It took a little bit before I started understanding things, but after that it seemed to calm a little bit.

 

My husband has seen seizures before (not me) and he's certain that wasn't it, plus like my mom said, she's seen me after every seizure I've ever had and this wasn't even close to how I typically am.  There's still a lot of questions to be asked, and very few answers at this point in time. It's definitely going to be a bit of an interesting time for the next little while until we get it figured out, but we will.  I'll be making calls on Monday to set up the other tests I need to have done, to see my neurologist, and to get a complete workup and go from there.  :hug:

 

 

If it helps any Renee, I have had the same experience more than once.  Once I was in my closet and my hubby happened to be inside getting water after mowing the lawn and heard the noise.  Then one night I was in the bathroom washing my face, passed out and hit the side of the tub.  Both times it was hypoglycaemic related.  My dad died from diabetes, but I am tested regularly.  My doc questioned me endlessly about stress and encouraged me to eat fruit if I was staying away from sweets in my diet.  So, I eat at least one maybe two pieces of fruit a day.  I still get a little light headed at times, especially if I get over-stressed at work.  I grab a coke or juice and go outside into the fresh air.  But, maybe your docs can find how to alleviate yours.  Maybe it will be a one time thing. Hugs and prayers.

 

After talking to my husband and a few others, I'm making sure to sip on juice throughout the day to hopefully help keep my sugar levels up.  Also, making sure I don't go for extended amounts of time without eating, because my grandma has told me before that she has to eat regularly or her levels can drop.  Though the hard part is watching what I eat and actually eating stuff that's good for me! lol... :hug:

 

 

I'm just glad that you're okay..... That's scary stuff...

Thanks PD!  Me too!! :hug:

 

 

Take care Renee and I hope you get some good news :hug:

 

Thank you Andy, I hope so too!  :hug:

 

 

:hug: I have been through a very similar experience when i was 14 so i know what you are going through. I was completely out cold after getting out of the bath and my heart rate went down to like 30 :/ and the doctors never explained why - The only reason they told me was teenage hormones overacting with the heat and steam of the bathroom. Hope you feel okay soon Renee :hug:

 

I don't recall them saying anything about my heart rate, but I might just not have been with it enough to remember and my hubby hasn't said anything about my heart rate.  I'm not sure what we're going to find out, but hopefully we'll have some answers soon!  :hug:

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