Has anyone almost died from diabetic ketoacidosis?

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I just came home from the Intensive Care Unit at hospital. I'm newly diagnosed diabetic and I thought I had the flu. I kept thinking it would go away after a couple of days. Originally I took one shot of lantus at bedtime and tested once in the morning. Now I am so confused. I now have been given a endocrinologist but I can't see for a week. I know the lantus pen does not need to be refrigerated after opening. How about novolog? Always keep it in frig? Anyone ever have to use K-phos? It seems dangerous but obviously not as much as DKA. I live by myself and am afraid if I have a low in my sleep I won't wake up. I couldn't keep anything down me so I thought if I gave myself insulin I would go low, NOT wow I almost died. Just so confused and scared about everything now. I didn't realize when diabetic is sick sugar goes through the roof. Thank you anyone who replies fellow diabetics. Wow this disease sucks!
No, but I thought I was dying from lactic acidosis after taking Metformin for several years.

If you're type two, job one should be to get off the meds with proper diet and exercise. If you're type one, I'm very sorry for you and I would recommend following Allie Beatty's blog linked in my profile.

Can't help you with the insulin thing. It's been my life's goal to stay as far away from injections as I can. My mother (also a type two) didn't have the luxury of the Internet to help her get off the meds. She listened to her idiot doctors and was on insulin in a few years. I was not so unfortunate, I have the luxury of the Internet, and with lots of research, plenty of effort, and lots of trial and error, I have found that type two diabetes does not have to be all that bad. In fact, I consider it a wake up call and am actually thriving now. Much like I was twenty years ago... long before being diagnosed.  (+ info)

i've had DKA what means Diabetic ketoacidosis ?

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When I got dka, i didnt eat for like a week nor drink before for my sugar to go up, after i was admitted in the hospital the doc then found out that i had a bateria infection really bad one that cost my sugar to be at 395. They then got my blood sugar down, and on my way home gave me insulin as well as two type of diabetic pills. I am not taking any pills nor insulin my blood sugar is usually around 110 after eating and 121 after eating the most my blood sugar got to was 145 but that was after eating candys, chips and pickled sausage( just ate it all to try out my blood sugar to see how high it would go). In the morning it goes back down to less than 100. The most it went to tonight was 200 because i ate spagetti and meatball with 2 big glass of juice. Also keeping in mind I only drank 2 glass of water today and took no pills. I usually dont eat like this but I was just doing it to test myself.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes.

Diabetic ketoacidosis develops when you have too little insulin in your body. Without enough insulin, sugar (glucose) can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis may cause you to lose consciousness. Eventually, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but people who have type 2 diabetes may develop diabetic ketoacidosis, too. In fact, in a few cases diabetic ketoacidosis is the first sign that a person has diabetes. If you have diabetes or you're at risk of diabetes, learn the warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — and know when to seek emergency care.


Diabetic ketoacidosisARTICLE SECTIONS■Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
When to seek medical advice
■Tests and diagnosis
■Complications
■Treatments and drugs
■Prevention

Symptoms
Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms often develop quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. You may notice:

■Excessive thirst
■Frequent urination
■Nausea and vomiting
■Abdominal pain
■Loss of appetite
■Weakness or fatigue
■Shortness of breath
■Fruity-scented breath
■Confusion
More specific signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — which can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits — include:

■High blood sugar level
■High ketone level in your urine
Remember, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal. Seek emergency care if you suspect that you have diabetic ketoacidosis, even if you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes.

Causes
Sugar is a main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and other tissues. Normally, sugar enters your cells with the help of insulin. If you don't have enough insulin in your body, your body won't be able to use sugar for energy. This prompts the release of hormones that break down fat as an alternate fuel. In turn, this process produces toxic acids known as ketones. Excess ketones accumulate in the blood and eventually "spill over" into the urine.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually triggered by:

■An illness. An infection or other illness can cause your body to produce certain hormones, such as adrenaline. Unfortunately, these hormones work against insulin — sometimes triggering an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis. Pneumonia and urinary tract infections are common culprits.
■A problem with insulin therapy. Missed insulin treatments or inadequate insulin therapy can leave you with too little insulin in your system, triggering an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Other possible triggers of diabetic ketoacidosis may include:

■Stress
■Physical or emotional trauma
■High fever
■Surgery
■Heart attack
■Stroke
■Alcohol or drug abuse  (+ info)

Should my hubby seek emergency treatment right now for diabetic ketoacidosis?

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My hubby's blood sugar is 380 right now. It's been in the 200's and 300's for the last few months now.

For the first time today his breath has a strong odor. I know that the main symptom of ketoacidosis is a fruity smelling breath and it's very strong all of a sudden a few minutes ago.

He's noticed that today he's been soo thirsty and constantly drinking bottles of water.

He had 2 glasses of Ovaltine today.

Also around the same time I looked at him and noticed he looks like he's lost a few pounds and I've never thought that before. He's over 350 pounds already.

I'm wondering should he just make an appt to see his doctor or should he go to the ER? thanks.
Call the doctors office and they can tell you if it's an emergency or not. They may arrange to get him in quickly. Unless that Ovaltine was sugar free that was a bad move since his sugars are already high. Best of Luck.  (+ info)

My brother is a type I diabetic and ended up in the ER with ketoacidosis. Please help.?

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My brother didn't take his insulin for 4-5 days. He ended up feeling really sick and vomiting several times. When I came home, I saw how sick he was and called an ambulance. The ambulance didn't understand whether his blood sugar was too high or too low, but they gave him some kind of paste. When he arrived at the hospital, they gave him some insulin but his blood sugar didn't get in the range that they wanted it, so he was admitted to the ICU, where he has been for two days.

Here is the part that concerns me... Within the last two days, he hasn't been able to get his sugar under 220 μg/dL. In spite of this, the nurses had him on two IV's, one of which is a dextrose solution. The other was an insulin and saline (potassium) solution.

Question 1: If they are trying to lower his sugar, why are they pumping dextrose into him?

Question 2: Why is it taking so long to get his blood sugar to a normal level. He looks and feels fine. The doctor said it typically takes 3-5 days to gain control in a situation like this. Why?

Question 3: My brother doesn't have health insurance. He's applied but always gets decline because of his diabetes. In Texas, when he went to human services, they said that he didn't qualify because he's not "disabled." How do we get him some kind of coverage? We have to pay for his insulin (Relion 70/30) out of pocket from Wal-Mart. They won't even sell us the lantus without a prescription... What gives??

I'm not a diabetic, but I'm a chemist so I have a pretty good understanding of some things. But I need help with the questions I've posted above. Anyone with good knowledge, please contribute.

Thanks
  (+ info)

My friend has had diabetic ketoacidosis for a couple days now, and his blood sugar is like 280?

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I don't have diabetes myself, so sorry if I phrase this strangely. My friend has type 1 diabetes.

He hasn't eaten very much in the past three days, but still, even with his insulin pump temporarily set at 1.5 instead of like 1, his blood sugar and ketone levels don't go down very much. He's been drinking a lot of water...

He has a doctor appointment next week, but I'm concerned for him because for a while, he was just laying on his floor, sweating, chilled, and breathing heavily.

He changed his infusion site, and that helped a little bit, but...

Does anyone know what to do until his appointment? :( Is there anything we can really do besides continuing to check and hope it gets better. . .?
He needs to seek medical help NOW not wait until next week. He is producing ketones because he is not eating and his body needs the energy to keep alive so he is using the fat reserves and muscles to provide the energy he needs. Get him to the ER or A & E immediately  (+ info)

Best Fruit and Snacks For a Diabetic Patient?

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A friend of mine landed in the hospital with her case of Diabetes. Its suppose to be the bad case called Ketoacidosis. Anyways, I wanted to get a get well fruit basket done for her. It wouldn't be all fruit in it; there would also be magazines and snacks. What snacks and fruit would be best to give to her?? I know her diet is very particular at this point.
I have been a diabetic for 22 years so you can trust me. Bananas are about the worst fruit you can give a diabetic. They are full of starch. Why don't you just stay away from the food all together? Give her a basketful of things she can enjoy without having to worry about how the gift is going to affect her blood sugar.  (+ info)

Diabetic help: What should be the alternative way to do when metformin no more works?

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I have been a diabetic for 10 years.
I used to take 1 tablet of metformin 500mg together with foods 3 times daily, and my glucose level were well controlled.
Recently my glucose level are high, reading 13 - 16 mmol 2 hrs after 2 tablets of metformin and foods.
Any add- on medicine for me, or herbs to recommend?
Thanks.
I am going to be the bearer of bad news here.

If your body is no longer responding to metformin, it is because you are becoming tolerant of the drug. You can ask your doctor to switch drugs or ask him for a higher dosage. Unfortunately, the medications will eventually not elicit a response and you will need insulin.

The other possibility is that your body has already regressed into type 1 diabetes. Again, this requires you to use insulin.

On the brighter side of the road, insulin has come a long way. Managing diabetes with insulin is much simpler than it used to be. There are fast acting insulins and insulins that work over 24 hour periods. Plus, technology has given us multiple delivery systems and the insulin pump has revolutionized life for diabetics.

The best medications are exercise and diet. Try to run or walk every day. Running can drop your glucose over 50 points in a matter of minutes.

As far as herbal supplements, the Apple Cider Vinegar works. Look for the organic or sediment loaded apple cider vinegar. Just take a teaspoon in water before your meals. Just be careful because it does make it go low in between meals. .  (+ info)

why is it not allowed for diabetic patients to take their diabetic pills before a cataract surgery?

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why is it not allowed for diabetic patients to take their diabetic pills before a cataract surgery? what is the reason behind that?
thanks!
They are guarding against anything that might cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar. I was allowed to take everything except for my insulin the morning of my vitrectomy surgeries. Even so, my sugar still dropped during one of my surgeries and they had to give me something.  (+ info)

Where can I find diabetic recipes?

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I have a relative visiting soon who is on a diabetic diet. Does any know of any websites or sources for diabetic recipes? Thanks for your help.
Having had diabetes myself for over forty years, I have found that there really aren't "diabetic" receipes. Diabetics eat the same food as anyone else, its only that the portions have to be managed. A balanced diet of carbs, proteins, vegs and fruits (The same that is recommended for everyone.) I think you will find that your guest will be happy if you just prepare your normal fare. We can even eat a small serving of regular dessert occaisionly. Hope this helps.  (+ info)

Where can I find a diabetic Mince Meat pie?

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Every year, I bring my friend a mince meat pie and we just found out recently that he is diabetic.

Where can I find a diabetic mince meat pie or a good recipe for one?
You are a very sweet person for doing this!

See if this one will be okay:
http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Apple%20mincemeat%20pie  (+ info)

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