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The Question
08/18/09 10:13 PM

"What might happen to my husband if his sugar reads warning over 600 and he refuses to treat it?"
Asked By: keantgh  
Category: Type 2

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Expert Answers (1)

08/19/09 09:23 PM

Dear keantgh, From the information you have given us, I will make the assumption your husband has type 2 diabetes. If he is not on medication, it probably means his blood sugars weren't very high at diagnosis. So, you may be worrying about nothing at this time. However, if he was prescribed medication but isn't taking it and the blood sugars are 600 or above, he could develop a condition called nonketotic hyperosmolar coma. This condition can be fatal if not treated. Most people with type 2 diabetes don't make ketones, so this type of coma is different than the one a person with type 2 diabetes gets. Let me tell you a little bit about it. Complications : Nonketotic hyperosmolar coma (nonketotic hyperglycaemia) is a type of diabetic coma that can cause death.The preferred term used by the American Diabetes Association is hyperosmolar nonketotic state (HNS). A lack of the needed amount of insulin leads to a serum glucose that is usually higher than 600 mg/dl, and a resulting serum concentration that is greater than normal. This leads to polyuria (frequent urination), which, in turn, leads to dehydration and concentrated blood that causes a further increase in blood glucose level. Ketosis is absent because the presence of some insulin inhibits fat breakdown. Neurologic signs including signs such as sensory or motor impairments, seizures or motor abnormalities, including flacidity, depressed reflexes, and tremors.Vomiting can occur. Mental functioning becomes impaired. Ultimately, if un-treated, it can lead to death. Treatment involves: Slow hydration (giving of fluids). Replacement of electrolytes and intravenous insulin. Anticoagulants Encourage your husband to discuss this with his doctor. Encourage him to not let his blood sugars get this high. Test, don't guess....
Answered By: Janice Fisher
Accreditations: RD, LD, PHD, CDE, BC-ADM
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Community Answers (6)

08/25/09 12:07 PM

I just want to thank all of you for your kind letters about my husband. He has not changed yet but I am prying that he does. I suppose that is all I can do about it. I really do appreciate your kindness.
Answered By: keantgh
FLAG
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08/25/09 07:17 AM

Your husband is in deep denial that he has a problem. My brother had a father in law that did just the same as your husband he lost both his legs. Your husband needs to understand numbers anything over 180 can do very serious damage to a diabetic. His life is on the line but the best thing you can do is make healthy food for him. The clock is ticking and I hate to be blunt but he is on a one way course at this monent and its not good My brother went into a coma with high numbers but he was taking his meds it does and can happen. My mom went blind before meters came out, thing is your husband has a chance to reverse this but something serous will eventually happen and he will be forced to do it right. I am truly sorry for his stuborness us men do that I was one of them but absolutely not any longer, I can no longer work do to diabetic damage hope he wakes up for all your good.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
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08/20/09 02:17 AM

Hi. I feel sorry for your husband. He is damaging his own self more each day. Some of us are just in denial (I know, I had high BP for a long time before I would succumb to taking pills, till I almost had a stroke). Luckily I was at the doctor for another reason and they found the BP 246/135 and that was the end of my denial and refusing of meds. Anyway, that sounds like your husband just can't admit that he has a problem. Now I am Type 2 also just diagnosed and I stick to my meds regularly and feel much better since taking them. Does he want to have dialysis and blindness, even if he doesn't die, all the complications he is leading himself to are very stupid. We all get older and the problems develop. I just hope you can get through to him that being on medicine is not the worst thing, those problems are much worse. Sometimes it will be when he does really have to get rushed to the ER or something that he will finally wake up and start his medications. Just because it is Type 2, doesn't mean it isn't bad, and he is just leading to it becoming type 1 if he keeps it up. Good luck and I hope you can help him to see what he is doing to himself.
Answered By: shuggyredbird
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08/19/09 10:59 PM

Hi, I am the one that asked this question about my husband. You see I am having a hard time dealing with this. He has been to classes and everything. He knows what is going on. He refuses to take his meds. He knows his sugar is at a dangerous level, yet he still will not go to the Dr. I don't know what to do. I don't know, I guess GOD is perhaps keeping him from going into a comma. I have no other explanation for it. It has been 3 weeks now since he tested and it read over 600. It read OVER 600, I don't know how high it really is. I am just beside myself about this. sometimes I just want to tie him up and take him to the ER. But I don't know if they would do anything because he keeps saying "I am fine, leave me alone." Maybe I could try to convince him to test again and if it is that high again, call the ambulance. Will they make him go the the hospital if they know he is probably not thinking straight? Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you for listening.
Answered By: keantgh
FLAG
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08/19/09 08:24 PM

All I can tell you is that 600 is beyond dangerous. He might be able to play that game a few days maybe a week before he has severe problems. He could go into a coma or pass out while driving it happened to my uncle with just 455. He must be a type 1 on insulin right. If he has insulin he better treat it or he is asking for severe consequenses. He needs immediate medical attention. Can I ash why he wont treat it and ask him how long he wants to be around this is no and I repeat no way to take care of himself. Just to mention a few things my mom went blind from high bs so I know what it does, my neuropathy is so severe I can no longer work those are just a few examples he better get serious and fast.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
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08/19/09 08:11 PM

All I can tell you is that 600 is beyond dangerous. He might be able to play that game a few days maybe a week before he has severe problems. He could go into a coma or pass out while driving it happened to my uncle with just 455. He must be a type 1 on insulin right. If he has insulin he better treat it or he is asking for severe consequenses. He needs immediate medical attention. Can I ash why he wont treat it and ask him how long he wants to be around this is no and I repeat no way to take care of himself. Just to mention a few things my mom went blind from high bs so I know what it does, my neuropathy is so severe I can no longer work those are just a few examples he better get serious and fast.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
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