A Miracle at Home: Facing Insulin Overdose

The use of insulin in my home was like common practice. I hadn't even contemplate the concept of death or coma when taking my insulin until that day. We all learn in the beginning the seriousness of giving ourselves injections but it doesn't always hit home until it happens.

The experience of insulin overdose is much more common than most of us think. In fact there are no real statistics on Insulin Overdose because it is estimated that about up to 60% of cases are not reported. Why? Its because most people are too ashamed or embarrassed to say anything. One of those "it happens but no one talks about it" sort of occurrences. But the images of that day still ring loudly in my head, and now I take my "injection time" much more seriously than ever before.

The Event:

It started while I was having a conversation with my teenage daughter. Even though I know that I shouldn't have been engaged in a deep conversation with her. Especially while I was getting ready for my injection, life happens and we don't always pay attention when we should. Both of my Lantus and Novolog bottles where new, as we all know that means the tops were still tightly on. I drew up my first shot which was my Novolog or fast acting insulin, 5 units and gave myself the injection. Than I loaded my long lasting insulin or my Lantus which was 45 units.

I was still engaged in conversation at this point, when I looked down to pull the needle out and noticed that one of the caps was still on the bottle. Having already injected both doses I new there was a problem. As I looked at the bottle I noticed the one capped was my long lasting insulin, the Lantus. This was a big problem. I new than and there that I was in trouble. The fear and goose bumps raced through my body. I had given myself 50 units of the fast acting insulin. How could I do that!

Immediately I raced to tell my husband who was in the basement at the time watching tv. He immediately told me to sit down, grabbed a 64 oz jug from the fridge, and dialed 911. He than proceeded to tell me to "chug the jug" of juice! I started to sip it and he immediately redirected me stating to drink it as fast as I can. I finished most of the jug by the time the ambulance arrived.

The ambulance driver told me that he was a quick thinker and probably saved my life. They also said that since I had drank all the OJ I didn't have to come to the hospital. They said not to take anymore insulin today, and eat lots of protein and I would be fine.

The Result:

While the end result of this incident could have been very bad, I was fortunate to have a well educated husband at my side. It is so important to have complete concentration when taking your injections. Also it might be wise to distinctly label the bottles of insulin if you take more than one. Learning to be safe when taking your insulin can save your life. Always call 911 if you think you have taken too much insulin. Its better to be safe than sorry. And don't worry if you do, get help immediately no matter how embarrassed or ashamed you are it's not worth losing your life over.