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Mums diabetes

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richard519

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My mum is 81 years old and is in final stages of dementia. She has type 2 diabetes.

Due to her dementia she has lost her swallow reflex and is refusing all medication and food and drink. Her weight loss is dramatic and I can see she is going down hill fast. Yesterday her blood sugar levels varied between 2 and 20 and in the early hours of the morning she was very close to becoming comatose. The doctors are monitoring her and the staff in the care home are doing everything they can for her. Due to her dementia she is in a secure unit. The care home have now requested a DNR order.

Clearly at some stage soon she is going to enter a coma and I need to know how long will she be in the coma before she passes away. Sadly my dad passed away at the end of July and I want mum's passing to be as dignified as possible.

Can anyone advise me as the doctors don't want to address this issue!
 
Hi richard, I'm sorry I have no idea about the length of time it will take but if you feel her time has come, then just let her go. I don't think it will be very long. DNR seems sensible. My mum passed away in April, no dementia but diabetes. She started to pass out now and then, we had a chat, her, us children, the nurse in charge and her GP and she said she was all for DNR. She was 93. One morning she was gone.

My husband passed away in June and he stopped eating and drinking the day before. Cancer, no diabetes, no dementia as he was only 55.
 
I'm really sorry to hear this, its seems like a really hard position to be in.....

are you expecting the high blood sugar to send her into a coma or low blood sugar.....?

for me, at 31, a lower blood sugar would be more dangerous medically and so this would definitely be the one to avoid at my age.....your mum, at a good old 81, may find her body struggles to cope with a high or a low.......in the end it might not be the blood sugar that is the main contributor......

sorry again to hear of your news....
 
I don't know if this will be of any help to you. My Mum was suffering from a brain tumour and slipped into a coma. She was monitored all the time and kept pain free with morphine. She stayed that way for 5 days before she quietly and slowly stopped breathing. It was a very peaceful and dignified end.

My thoughts are with you.
 
I had a similar situation with my father. He died a week after losing the swallow reflex. Semi comatose for 5 days. All testing BG should be stopped as should any other invasive treatment or medication other than pain relief. He was put on an intravenous drip just enough to avoid severe dehydration, and with analgesic added. The care home staff attended to personal care such as mouth cleansing, turning him on the bed to prevent tissue breakdown, and of course washing and changing incontinence pad. We already had an advance care plan in place to deal with end of life. He was able to hear us and aware of our presence until a few hours before he died. He responded to our voices by gently squeezing our hands.
It is hard to predict the exact timing of how long someone will live after becoming comatose as you have described, but generally no more than a few days. I am sorry you are going through this, so soon after the loss of your dad. If it is any consolation to you, my father's passing was peaceful and very dignified. I also noticed that towards the end he seemed to recognise me, and the look in his eyes was one of love and gratitude that I was there with him.
I hope your mother can have 'a good death' and that you can have happy memories of times when she was in better health.
 
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