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brandibaby23 · Oct 7, 2008, 12:50 PM

HI My boyfriend was put in jail about a month ago for a probation violation a positive urine with four months left on probation. Anyway he understands he screwed up to an extent. For he is also Bipolar and marijuana is about the best medicine for him. SO he only excepts so much responsibility. Sorry for rambling My question is, the jail and nurses are not giving him his correct medicine (insulin) he is diabetic and his blood sugars haven't been below 200 since he's been there. The jail eats at 6 am and he is not allowed to eat until 9am when the nurses come in to give him his insulin. And his breakfast consists of frosted flakes and apple juice. His meal time at night is around 6pm he then gets a peanut butter sandwich at 9pm and he doesn't get to eat again until 9am the next morning. The peanut butter sandwich is giving to justify that he is giving a "Meal" but as stated in the prison handbook this is not considered a "meal". And at first they were trying to say it was his fault for his blood sugars being so high So they took his Food commissary and substituted that for the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Which by the way has not helped his blood sugars to drop any. They say they WILL NOT get his correct insulin he will use their "BRAND" which is not working. My question is is there anything I can do or anyone I can call to have this matter changed or investigated because it seems like neglect to me, his high sugars are detrimental to his future health and there is no need for this, and if their facility is unable to provide for "disabled" inmates then maybe they should send them somewhere that can. He isn't a bad crazed someone that deserves to die nor be neglected he self medicated and has to pay for his decision but anyway any options or ideas would be appreciated, He has 2 yougn children at home that need a few more good years of him yet.

brandibaby23 · Oct 7, 2008, 12:51 PM

Sorry his blood sugars have NOT been below 300 mg/l in a month not 200mg/l

bubblegumbubble · Oct 8, 2008, 02:46 AM

Each inmate has a counselor, who you should talk to. Also, have him give you permission to talk to his family doctor re: insulin. Maybe the doctor can call the prison and talk to the doctor there. There is a chaplain (priest, minister) at every prison, also. See if he is willing to intervene. If all else fails, talk to the warden or his assistant. If they don't straighten out his health problem, your boyfriend has a good lawsuit if something should happen. Another thing that I do is write letters to the editor of the local newspaper. It's amazing the responses you get. The county commissioners don't like their dirty laundry aired in public.

excon · Oct 8, 2008, 05:19 AM

Hello b:

I agree with the above poster. If the jail kills him, his estate has a good lawsuit...

However, if you want to STOP them from killing him, you need to hire a lawyer NOW - not after they kill him. That's all. That's the only thing to do. There's NOTHING else. The jailers could care LESS what you say or what his doctor says.

excon

JudyKayTee · Oct 8, 2008, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by brandibaby23

HI My boyfriend was put in jail about a month ago for a probation violation a positive urine with four months left on probation. Anyway he understands he screwed up to an extent. For he is also Bipolar and marijuana is about the best medicine for him. SO he only excepts so much responsibility. Sorry for rambling My question is, the jail and nurses are not giving him his correct medicine (insulin) he is diabetic and his blood sugars haven't been below 200 since he's been there. The jail eats at 6 am and he is not allowed to eat until 9am when the nurses come in to give him his insulin. And his breakfast consists of frosted flakes and apple juice. His meal time at night is around 6pm he then gets a peanut butter sandwich at 9pm and he doesn't get to eat again til 9am the next morning. The peanut butter sandwich is givin to justify that he is givin a "Meal" but as stated in the prison handbook this is not considered a "meal". And at first they were trying to say it was his fault for his blood sugars being so high So they took his Food commissary and substituted that for the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Which by the way has not helped his blood sugars to drop any. They say they WILL NOT get his correct insulin he will use their "BRAND" which is not working. My question is is there anything I can do or anyone I can call to have this matter changed or investigated because it seems like neglect to me, his high sugars are detrimental to his future health and there is no need for this, and if their facility is unable to provide for "disabled" inmates then maybe they should send them somewhere that can. He isn't a bad crazed someone that deserves to die nor be neglected he self medicated and has to pay for his decision but anyway any options or ideas would be appreciated, He has 2 yougn children at home that need a few more good years of him yet.

His personal Physician, probably his Endocrinologist, needs to write a letter to the facility advising the people in charge of his health care needs/requirements. The Physician can also request that he be hospitalized if that is necessary and appropriate.

I don't know what you mean by "correct" insulin - all insulin is basically the same with the exception of fast acting insulin. Maybe he's getting an incorrect amount, maybe he should be monitored more closely, but insulin is basically the same. My husband was a brittle diabetic and I always carried 2 insulin pens for him - one regular, one fast acting.

The insulin people receive in hospitals may very well not be the same as the insulin they take at home - but, basically, all insulin works the same way.

I've also never heard of marihuana as a "treatment" or medicine for someone who is bipolar - in fact, the internet indicates it's just the opposite, that marihuana can worsen the bipolar problems.

brandibaby23 · Oct 8, 2008, 09:28 AM

Thank you for you guy posts I have already contacted a lawyer. As far as the inulin being correct or I know they are mostly the same for MOST people but we have been through this we have went through many different "kinds" of insulin until we found what worked for him the BEST and that was what he WAS on not what the jail is supplying. As for his use of marijuana, I have read over 100's of times the benefits of "POT" for Bipolar disorder over that over organ damaging Depakote and LITHIUM both which he has tried with no progress The Depakote was doing NOTHING for him and the LITIUM made him a depressed crying zombie. The "POT" use really seemed to perk up his moods with smiles and a more optimistic attitude so I am fine with it if it makes him feel better because I personally don't know how it feels to have bipolar, and I personally don't smoke pot. But if it makes him feel better than I say have at it but know it is not legal.