Not taking insulin - What happens?

[OptimusPrime]

I haven't been taking my insulin for a couple days now as I really can't be fucked doing it. I'm type 2, and take two Metformin twice daily so I take four a day.

Is there going to be anything bad going to happen to me?

[Carlyle]

Well I have Type 1 and I have a "pump" for mine.. The insulin, in your case the Metformin, does what your pancreas can not when your diabetic, which is helping break down food. When I stop taking mine for long periods of time, (2-3 days) I end up in a coma in the hospital. I'm almost sure it would happen to you too if you haven't taken your pill.

[OptimusPrime]

I take my pills when I need too. Just not the insulin. I seem to be doing fine without the insulin though. Nothing too high, just in the general area.

[Carlyle]

Ahh ok sorry, I hardly know many people with Type 2. I just know its a bit different from Type 1. Mind me asking what you mean by "general area"?

[OptimusPrime]

Between 4-8. When I went into the hospital it was like around 50, and I wasn't in a coma.

[Carlyle]

That's pretty good actually.. the 50 part, is rather on the high side. Ok, sorry if I wasted your time. But you really need the insulin, so don't just not take it, if that makes any sense.

[OptimusPrime]

I take 6 in the morning, and *at this stage* supposed to be zero at night.

[Short Circuit]

Isnt it dangerous NOT to take your medication? I know I have not been on it long now, but I was told if I did not take it, serious things happen like your kidneys failing, or you could loose your toes and fingers! Nurse might have been BSing me, but is it worth the risk?

[Carlyle]

Kyle, that CAN happen. if your ranges are too high, you CAN lose things like toes, your kidneys fail, and your sight gets worse. But it will not always happen.. I kind of hate puberty though, since it has my range all over the place and its frustrating to keep regulated without fasting for large periods of time.. It isn't worth the risk. and Optimus, just do as your doctor says.

[Dimitri]

Ultimately this does not depend on what 'type' of diabetes you have but on the very very important question of how much insulin does your pancreas produce.

The only way to find this out is to do a test called C-peptide testing.

This test will then answer the question whether you can stop taking insulin. If your pancreas produces little or no insulin, then there is no alternative to insulin. Every human being on earth is insulin dependent. Either your pancreas makes the insulin, or you inject it. All Type 1 diabetics make little/no insulin, that's why for a Type 1, there is no alternative to insulin. (Well there is - early death.)

Some Type 2 diabetics still make lots of insulin. For these people, weight loss will help to improve their sensitivity to insulin. A low carb diet will also help them to maximise the insulin they already produce themselves.

But if you are a Type 2 who makes little insulin of their own, then no amount of weight loss, no diet, will stimulate your pancreas into making more insulin.

To give you a comparison, it's like the difference between someone who is a little short-sighted and someone who is totally blind. You can give one person a pair of spectacles, but spectacles will not help the other at all.

There is another issue here, which is, are you really a Type 2 at all? Many doctors immediately jump to the conclusion that if a patient if fat, they must be Type 2. But being fat does not prevent one from getting Type 1 diabetes. The C-peptide test will also help to establish this.

It is very important that you get the right treatment for your diabetes because uncontrolled high blood sugars can do terrible damage to your body, and kill you prematurely.

[OptimusPrime]

I had like ten blood tests while I was in hospital and they all came back as Type 2.

[NotASpyingRent]

Please continue taking your insulin. it can be detrimental to your heath if you do not.

[oceandude33a]

well thats dangerous. you can go into diabetic shock, then comma. i have diabetics collapse on me at the beach for having you insulin. so i suggest that you consult your doctor before you reduce, stop, or increase your meds

[georgiamay]

OP is banned, so there's no reason to keep this open. :locked: