About diabetes coma?

Question

my husband has type 2 diabetes. He refuses to take his medicine correctly because of the side effects. He sees blinking lights on the sides of his eyes already, always hungary, thirsty, uses the restroom uncontrollably. He also complains his foot is numb. He has been told already that he has some liver failure. I know he can go into a coma, and I try to tell him but does anyone know how quick this can happen?

Answer 1

Not taking his medication can lead to more serious complications. Cant you persuade him to go to his doctor and discuss the problems he is having with his medication, there are more brands he could have.  

Answer 2

There is not "how quick" does it happen, it can happen whenever his body starts to "give up" on him. Such as now that he has a litte amount of liver failure. That liver failure might later get worst and he may die. So its better if he starts getting his pills everyday.

Answer 3

There is no time limit on when this can happen.  It depends on how bad your diabetes is, and how long you've let it go.

When you go into a diabetic coma from HIGH blood sugar, it has usually been weeks, even months, with extremely high blood sugars.

[You can also go into coma from LOW blood sugar, which is a hazzard you have to consider when taking insulin.]

Eventually, you get to the point of what is called DKA - Diabetic KetoAcidosis.  This diseas, is FATAL if not treated as an EMERGENCY situation.

What happens is, that as  the insulin level drops, the sugar level rises because the sugar cannot be taken into the cells.  Your body starts to literally starve to death, even though you may be eating like a pig!  You are always hungry, but never satiated. This causes a sudden and uncontrollable weight loss.

But your body, thinking that it is starving, starts to use up MUSCLE tissue (instead of fat).  This is called RHAMBDOMYLOSIS (sp?).  The muscle, being almost pure protein, give off many toxins as they are "eaten".  These toxins are too much for the system, so they, too, build up in the blood stream.

Eventually, the toxins get so high that the body can't function, and the patient goes into a coma.

AT THE SAME TIME --- these toxins are filtered by the kidneys.  But too many toxins in the blood damage the kidneys, that are already damaged by the too high blood sugar.  Thereofore, rhabdomylosis often causes kidney damage, if not treated quickly enough.  Probably liver damage, too.

In this case, the kidney damage is probably NOT reversible.  So now, the diabetes has caused kidney disease.

I know it is not possible for ME to say anything that will convince your husband that he is going down a road that will kill him in a slow and painful manner. That is going to have to be your job..  

I am VERY sorry you have to do this, but keep in mind that he IS your husband, " . . . in sickness and in health . . ."

BTW: The flashing lights in the eyes is probably NOT due to medication,  He is probably developing a dettached retina due to high blood pressure.

If he does not get this diagnoses  properly, he could go blind (another side effect of diabetes)

Answer 4

Besides coma, not taking your medicine and letting your sugar levels get to high can cause blindness.  I let me sugars go and quit taking my medicine and I nearly lost my sight, it was a huge wake up call for me to suck it up and take the medicine.  Your husband needs to talk to his doctor about the side effects and see if there is another medicine he can take.  He should really see an Endocrinologist for his diabetes care.  

Answer 5

Some diabetics can be lucky and continue on this path without a coma for quite some time.  But on the other hand it could happen in a number of hours once ketosis is happening.

Your husband is being very naive in thinking he can get away with not taking his medication properly or at all.  If he is experiencing very unpleasant side effects from his medication, perhaps the brand can be changed or perhaps an alternative can be prescribed.  But if its an issue of weight gain or low blood sugars, those side effects can be regulated and avoided through proper diet and care.

He needs to go to a doctor or a nurse who specializes in diabetes or better still an endocrinologist.  The problems he is experiencing are serious and in most cases irreversible.

PS I know I'm Type 1 not 2, but in the end the effects of elevated blood sugar from lack of control are the same for both.

Answer 6

From the link given below:

"In most cases, there is a history of excess thirst and urination for weeks prior to diagnosis. Excess urination and extreme elevations of glucose levels in the blood lead to dehydration throughout the body, including cells becoming dehydrated. The severe loss of body water can lead to shock, coma and death. Death rates can be as high as 50%."