help...grandfather suffering type 1 need advice asap

3803 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by psdaengr, Jul 7, 2010

advice plz

Discussion Starter · Aug 24, 2009

hi, I really hope this is appropriate to post, but I dont know what else to do or who to ask. My grandfather is 84 yrs old with type 1 diabetes, he takes 4 insulin shots a day. He is really sick in the hospital and dying from ongoing heart attacks and heart complications and he cant keep his blood sugar regulated anymore, it keeps dropping really low. He can hardly walk, breathe, loss of bladder control and is suffering and keeps saying over and over again that he wishes he would die. I dont know anything about diabetes so thats why I have turned to u guys. What would happen if he stopped taking his insulin. Is there anyway to pass away painless from diabeties. I keep reading about diabetic comas but dont know enough about them. My grandfather is still fully aware and has is able to make decisions. I just thought that there might be an option that I could suggest to him so he doesnt have to live like this any longer. Thanks for your time and understanding, I hope I didnt offend anyone by posting this, I am only young and trying to help my grandfather and the nurses cant legally give me any information and one suggested for me to use the internet for my answers.

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shortaphrodite

· #2 · Apr 24, 2010

advice plz said:
hi, I really hope this is appropriate to post, but I dont know what else to do or who to ask. My grandfather is 84 yrs old with type 1 diabetes, he takes 4 insulin shots a day. He is really sick in the hospital and dying from ongoing heart attacks and heart complications and he cant keep his blood sugar regulated anymore, it keeps dropping really low. He can hardly walk, breathe, loss of bladder control and is suffering and keeps saying over and over again that he wishes he would die. I dont know anything about diabetes so thats why I have turned to u guys. What would happen if he stopped taking his insulin. Is there anyway to pass away painless from diabeties. I keep reading about diabetic comas but dont know enough about them. My grandfather is still fully aware and has is able to make decisions. I just thought that there might be an option that I could suggest to him so he doesnt have to live like this any longer. Thanks for your time and understanding, I hope I didnt offend anyone by posting this, I am only young and trying to help my grandfather and the nurses cant legally give me any information and one suggested for me to use the internet for my answers.

Hello sweetie,

You sound really scared and worried and your grandfather is lucky to have you. Stopping taking insulin will cause you to die-eventually but it would be slow and not nice. I would strongly NOT recommend this course of action, although I can understand your grandfather's comments of wanting to die. Poor chap.. I think the best you can do dear, is sit with him, hold his hand, reassure him and just by being there will help. Nature will take its course and if he is having a lot of heart attacks, that is not so good and he may pass on soon anyway. In New Zealand we have a saying: Kia kaha. It means "stay strong". So give your grandfather as much love and support as you can and look after yourself too.

All the best,

Lisa

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misha09

· #3 · May 2, 2010

I am so sorry about your Grandfather. It sounds like he has a lot of problems. Is he in the hospital or nursing home? You can withhold insulin which would bring on a coma due to high blood sugar but it would be a long drawn out process and I don't think I could do that. Talk with his Doctors and discuss all the options. What if we do that? What if we do this? It's good that you are there to help. All my best.

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Richard157

· #4 · May 2, 2010

I agree with what the others have said. Since your grandfather can still think clearly, he can choose to not take his insulin, if that is what he wants. Does he give himself his own shots?

I am 70 and have had Type 1 for a very long time. I have thought many times about what i might experience in the years ahead. I might face the same situation your grandfather is facing now. I think I would want to hang on as long as possible and see the faces of my loved ones every chance I had. Your being there for him is a wonderful gift. I wish you and your grandfather the very best.

Richard

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deafmack

· #5 · Jul 7, 2010

advice plz said:
hi, I really hope this is appropriate to post, but I dont know what else to do or who to ask. My grandfather is 84 yrs old with type 1 diabetes, he takes 4 insulin shots a day. He is really sick in the hospital and dying from ongoing heart attacks and heart complications and he cant keep his blood sugar regulated anymore, it keeps dropping really low. He can hardly walk, breathe, loss of bladder control and is suffering and keeps saying over and over again that he wishes he would die. I dont know anything about diabetes so thats why I have turned to u guys. What would happen if he stopped taking his insulin. Is there anyway to pass away painless from diabeties. I keep reading about diabetic comas but dont know enough about them. My grandfather is still fully aware and has is able to make decisions. I just thought that there might be an option that I could suggest to him so he doesnt have to live like this any longer. Thanks for your time and understanding, I hope I didnt offend anyone by posting this, I am only young and trying to help my grandfather and the nurses cant legally give me any information and one suggested for me to use the internet for my answers.

Hi, and welcome to these forums. I am sorry to hear about your grandfather. Even in this late stage, your grandfather should not have to be in pain. The doctor needs to prescribe medications to keep your grandfather comfortable and pain free. You also need to know who has medical power of attorney for your grandfather. That person will be able to make medical decisions for your grandfather and to be able to talk with the doctors and make decisions that are in agreement with your grandfather's wishes. I applaud you for wanting to help your grandfather and I know you feel trapped by not being able to do anyting. But know this, just being there for your grandfather is the most important thing you can do. Your grandfather knows this and is happy you are there.

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psdaengr

· #6 · Jul 7, 2010 (Edited)

From what you describe, he really ought to be in hospice, not a hospital. If your grandpa really wants to die as quickly as possible, the fastest way to do this would probably be to have him discharged, and take him home.

While he is in a hospital, unless he is incompetent or unconscious and you have health care power of attorney, you have no authority to withhold, administer or change food, medicine or any form of medical care for your grandpa, regardless of his expressed wishes. He has the right to refuse food and request pain medication. If he is coherent, you should ask him if he wants to have extraordinary measures withheld, and if so have a DNR order executed.

While he is in the hospital, his insulin is most likely being administered by staff. If you are concerned about the quality of his BG management, you should contact the resident endocrinologist.

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