My friend was given insulin from nephew without knowing if she needed it. My friend had been in bed sick very groggy and not taking her insulin. Can someone give her insulin 3x daily without checking blood sugar levels? Her family member had given her insulin not even knowing if she needed it or even checking how much was needed. Can this be lethal?
coma.. I'm not a Dr nor a nurse . I am just concerned. And was shocked to learn this family member was injecting this
Is she being treated by a doctor for her illness? I suggest you (or she, if she can) call that doctor's office for advice. Or, if she sees an endocrinologist or a certified diabetes educator, call that office for advice.
Would you/she recognize symptoms of low blood sugar and know how to treat that?
I give mom insulin twice a day, but we do always check her blood sugars before hand and adjust the dose a little as needed. She is on a mixture of short and long acting. There is a good baseline dose but we sometimes have to adjust up or down by a couple of units depending on the reading.
I would say, particularly if blood sugar is not well-controlled or if one is taking short acting or short/long acting mix insulin, it's always a good idea to check blood sugar readings before dosing.
Your friend could have bottomed out, or her blood sugar levels could have risen if insulin dose was not enough, or as a rebound effect if the dosing was too high.
I agree with jeanne, she should definitely follow up with an endocrinologist.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend's death on May 20th. Your friend had so many health problems that it will be difficult for us to determine how your friend died without an autopsy --getting insulin multiple times a day, the stage 4 lung cancer, or renal failure. Please continue to vent your feelings here as it is a terrible shock to lose someone at age 61.
I pray that God will give you the comfort and peace that comes from knowing that your friend is now in the arms of Jesus. "Let not your heart be trouble...I go to prepare a place for you....that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3
It's likely the stage 4 lung cancer would have been terminal no matter what, and it could have played havoc with her system too and caused her blood sugar to get out of whack. Not saying nephew was doing the right thing or that he wasn't because I don't know, but it sounds more than anything as though she died from the cancer. She also could have been on hospice care and receiving morphine for that if her doctors had determined that she was past the point of being able to treat it and if she was in a lot of pain.
At this stage, I would encourage you to just be gentle on yourself and allow yourself to grieve, but try not to dwell on the if onlys because that will just wear you out and bring you down. I bet your friend would want you to think of her and remember the fun times you had, and know that she is at peace and no longer suffering.
Lord now. Thank you all .
Giving too much insulin is more liking to cause hypoglycemia which results in: trembling, anxiety, palpitations (fast or pounding heartbeat), sweating, clammy skin, and hunger. Other possible symptoms of low blood sugar can be: dizziness, lightheadedness, chills, nausea, and lack of coordination. If the low blood sugar levels persist, more serious symptoms develop, such as headache, confusion, difficulty with thinking, and seizures. Eventually, coma may develop.
This website has more information about diabetes and kidney disease:
https://www.medicinenet.com/search/mni/diabetes%20and%20kidney%20disease
https://www.medicinenet.com/search/mni/hypoglycemia
https://www.medicinenet.com/hypoglycemia_symptoms_and_signs/symptoms.htm
I am glad that you are at peace regarding her death. God Bless.