Roommate Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet for a Roommate:

I need for you and other people around me to know that I have diabetes. However, I should not be and do not want to be treated differently.
Usually my diabetes is under good control, but I may have problems if my blood sugar gets too low or too high. To keep that from happening, I have to do certain things. It may help you to understand those things better if I tell you about diabetes.
Please know that diabetes is not catching.
When a person eats a meal, the food is broken down into different substances, is absorbed, and enters the bloodstream. One of these substances is glucose, a sugar. The body cannot function without glucose. In turn, the body cannot use glucose without insulin which is produced by the pancreas. My pancreas, like that of other people with diabetes, doesn’t produce insulin, so I have to take insulin shots every day. It’s mainly insulin, exercise, food and stress that cause my blood sugar to go up or down. Sometimes I have a low blood sugar or a hypoglycemic reaction.
Important: During a reaction for no apparent reason, you may notice any of these symptoms:
confusion
moodiness
irritability
incoherence
shakiness
glassy stare
I usually know when my sugar is getting low, but sometimes I may not, so I’m counting on you to recognize the signs. If the low blood sugar persists too long, I may seem sleepy and withdrawn. If any of these symptoms occur, please give me a sweetened soda or orange juice to drink or something from my “Low blood sugar food stash.”
If I resist, please be firm and make sure I eat something with sugar.
I should seem much better within 10-15 minutes, otherwise try giving me more food and call one of my medical contacts (parents, doctor).
Oh, and about my food stash, I ‘m not trying to be mean or stingy, but my food stash is my medicine. It needs to be kept separate from the food we can share.
If you feel uncomfortable about being around the shots and blood tests, let’s talk about it. The same goes for keeping an eye open for any emergencies. My diabetes is totally familiar to me but it may take a little time and experience for you to adjust. I understand and am fine with that.
If you ever find me unconscious, anytime, including after partying, or if I am sleeping longer than usual, and you cannot awake me, call 911 immediately.
Questions?