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Questions And Answers.

M

MrRyanJames

Member
Messages
9
Ok.
I have done a lot of research on diabetes in the 18 years of diagnosis,
and I have seen things for my own eyes but one thing still bothers me that I still don't yet quite understand.
(I have no intentions on trying this)

Some people's pancreas still produces slight amounts of insulin.
But some women become diabetic for a period of time whilst pregnant.
what would happen if a diabetic that slightly produces insulin, just suddenly stops his medication?
I understand that ketones and Diabetic Ketoacidosis would accor if insulin isn't provided.
But to someone that produces insulin himself/herself would it be much of a problem?

Also
It has been on the BBC News that in a few years to come, diabetics that are struggling with their diabetes,
can be put up to have an artificial pancreas.
What are people's thoughts on this?
Do you think it would be successful or do you think it could cause problems?
 
If I stopped taking my meds (type 2 still producing insulin), my BS would very shortly rocket up, my eyesight would be pretty soon be effected and the nerve damage would increase. As they say been there and had the T shirt, due to meds no longer working.
 
Depends on the person.
Type 2 isn't always just the pancreas producing enough insulin. Could be the liver releasing too much glucose, the control systems not working well between liver and pancreas, the cells not being able to use the glucose...
All affects whether and how long it takes to stabilise the levels after eating. Also can be affected by exercise and probably stress.

The person you are talking about (if the cause of diabetes is correctly diagnosed) would presumably get a high spike after eating and it would take a long time to come down. Not a good thing. Might be ok if the food was taken regularly in very small quantities though - like a small bite of a sandwich every half hour - but that might not be enough to placate the liver.


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What's important is whether there is sufficient insulin to do the job.
During pregnancy women's insulin needs increase, they become more insulin resistant. Normally the beta cell mass gets bigger and produces more insulin, if it doesn't produce enough to overcome the insulin resistance and increased needs then she will develop gestational diabetes. After the birth insulin needs should reduce again .

If a person with T2 doesn't take needed medication (exercise/diet) then their levels will rise.( due in a large part to too much glucose being released by the liver) High glucose levels are toxic to the beta cells and this exacerbates the problem. Levels will rise higher.

People with T2 and high glucose levels can develop DKA . It is more likely, If the person becomes ill with an infection or illness and their insulin needs increase rapidly. If there is not enough insulin to stop ketones increasing then they may develop DKA.

If they develop high levels but have enough insulin to prevent DKA they can develop a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (sometimes known as HONK).
Blood glucose may be above 40mmol/l. The person becomes very dehydrated . This can lead to a coma and is a very serious condition.
Fortunately it's also rare . It sadly, can happen to elderly people who are unable to take care of themselves.
(though the link below says that some people are first diagnosed with this condition and that includes children and adolescents)

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/hyperos ... emic-state
 
I think it pertinent that the good people (and bad ones) on this forum don't try to find out. Retinopathy (my worst fear) neuropathy, liver failure are just some of the side effects along with ketones, hyper-hypoglycaemia, etc. Why would you want to take the risk? I don't to be honest, don't fancy losing a limb or my sight.
 
It's a bit like asking, what if I stick my fingers in a socket? It'll be live or it won't, why risk it?
 
martwolves said:
It's a bit like asking, what if I stick my fingers in a socket? It'll be live or it won't, why risk it?
Click to expand...

I'm sure that if you put you're finger in a socket it would be live any way but that has nothing to do with diabetes
my question was for educational's sake, like i said (I have no intensions on trying this)
I just needed to know about "what would happen if someone produces insulin, suddenly stopped taking there
medication" I would like to thank everyone that answered this question, it have been on my mind for quite
some time.
I'm still learning about diabetes although I have been diabetic for 18 years.
 
Thanks Ryan, an interesting point. Ask your GP or DSN next visit, I'm not sure anyone's able to give a qualified reply.
 
If you cease taking your meds, your blood sugars will rise to elevated levels that led to initial diagnosis. Depending on individual circumstances, this could be very rapid or over a period of days, depending how much your body still produces and how resistent you are. If left, you will feel very ill and complications can ensue. For some, if left, could ultimately lead to coma and/or death.


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Mo, I agree. The tragic but true reality of diabetes.
 
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