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Lack of treatment

S

smo71

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello everyone, first time I’ve posted
Can anyone suggest the best course of action, my cousin has type 2, on metformin, which isn’t keeping her BS down. She has contacted her diabetic nurse who said she’ll probably need to go on insulin but not been given it yet.
She contact me last night in desperation - her meter could record her BS, just HI. I advised to to phone 111, she did and was sent to A&E. When there her BS were 32.4. She wasn’t offered any treatment just told to speak to her diabetes team, who are yet to answer her calls! What can we do? Having had an life-threatening episode of DKA myself, I’m extremely worry for her.
 
Hello and welcome @smo71

Running these levels is incredibly dangerous as you know - she needs to call her GP or head back to A&E, getting some support today before the weekend is important, as you know DKA can progress rapidly and is life threatening, so it's vital she is given further support today without waiting for her diabetes team to call her back.
 
I agree with @Juicyj that she needs urgent proper assistance with this. Have her BS levels gone down? Call 111 again if needed and specifically mention concern about DKA.
 
Hi and welcome,

because your cousin is T2, she may have somewhat different experience of high bg that a T1 might.

I’m adding a link about HONK to explain what I mean.
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/hyperglycaemic-hyperosmolar-nonketotic-coma.html

The risk of DKA depends on low insulin and high bgs, so if your cousin still has decent insulin production, then she may not develop ketones. If the hospital have just checked her for ketones and didn’t find them, then they may think she is fine. Whereas, if she has HONK, then she could get v ill without any ketones.

the link gives a brief description and a list of symptoms to look out for.

I hope she gets the healthcare she needs!
Please let us know how things go?
 
Hi. It's possible your Cousin isn't T2 but a mis-diagnosed T1. What sort of weight is he/she? If slim then that's a hint of being T1/LADA and likely to be generating ketones. Buy some Ketostix or similar brand from the chemist and check for ketones. I suggest A&E were irresponsible as they should have offered insulin anyway. So, let us know about weight, whether Ketostix show ketones and go back to A&E if needed.
 
I was about to suggest as the above.. at those levels if t1 there could be keytones

Ketostix are cheap and can get the from the pharmacy to keep an eye on them until manage to see go…. No keytones will me there is little immediate risk of DKA

As said above it could be slow onset type1 which can be difficult to diagnose as there can still be good insulin production

Or… I don’t know you or your cousin… if how close the 2 if you are it could be as simple as really poor food choices.. I only say this as I’ve done this myself

But it’s something they certainly need to see their care team for
 
smo71 said:
Thank you for the reply’s and advice. It seems my cousin has been misdiagnosed and is/has been type1. She returned to A&E and was thankfully given treatment. Now on insulin. Once again thank you.
Click to expand...

Ah good at least the correct diagnosis given and correct treatment

Now she can move on get used to her new life and hope fully stay healthy :-)
 
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