wife in a coma

[big D]

Hi I dont have diabetes myself but my wife 34 yrs old is type 1 and has been in a dka coma for 3 days now, after a night of excessive drinking. She was found unresponsive the next day. At the ER her blood sugar was over 1000. She is slightly better today and I am sure she can hear me but has a very limited response. She seems to try to talk, but cannot even squeeze my fingers. She tries, I can see the frustration on her face, then she starts crying. The weird thing is, I was holding her in a sitting position so she could cough up some mucus when she deliberately put her hands down on the bed, lifted her butt completely off the bed and squirmed into a more comfortable position. I an scared to death I want my lady back. The doctors won't tell me S%$#t. I would welcome info and advice from anyone who has been through this regarding what to expect in the way of recovery. Docs have said they cant see any evidence of damage in the ct and mri. but they were expecting her to be more responsive by now.

[UpNorth]

Geez:( I really hope your wife will recover! And that's soon! But does seem like she's waking up anyways. I don't have experience of diabetic coma myself, never been that high, not even at diagnose- i caught my symtoms quite early... And i don't know anyone who's been in a coma either. So can't be much help there :s:


Keep us updated, and stay strong!

[lgvincent]

Everything is going to be okay. I'm certain of it. I have a friend who was recently in a coma and I think her blood sugar was over 1,500 when she was taken to the hospital and she's fine now so I feel positive that your wife is going to be fine, too. I'm praying for a quick recovery for her and comfort for you.

[ant hill]

G'day Big D, I am sorry to read this. :( this may take a wile to heal. Is she on a drip as this will get her hydrated like the water that you drink as that she is unable to drink at the moment. I suppose that you are at her bedside anytime that you can and of course I don't blame you mate.
Is she in hospital then she is in good hands. Have a rest or a drink yourself.

Keep us posted. :) :)

[davef]

Big D,

Sorry I can't comment on the situation other than to say that my prayers are with you and your wife. Do keep us posted, I'm sure that some of the great people here on DF will be able to give you more specific information, I believe that most members are based in the USA and with the time difference it will be a little while before you hear from them.

Stay strong, it can be very frustrating getting information in hospitals, I know from when my Father was very ill after a heart attack. I found that if you can find a friendly nurse that while the can't give you an "official" update they do have some information and can be a help in getting somebody to talk to you. Try take care of yourself, you need to stay strong and healthy for your wife, so food and rest are important, your wife has a medical team taking care of her, do you have anyone looking out for you? Also from my experience, be aware that your (and if you have family) emotions will be running high right now, you have to accept the various emotions in order to deal with them. I remember being both very worried and at the same time annoyed with my Father, it's normal to feel that way.

[KickStart101]

Hi Big D: I’m sorry to hear that happened to your Wife. I
Believe that she will be fine.

I was in a coma for 3 days also. My sugars were certainly
over 1200. The Drs. told my Parents that I wasn't going to
make it.

The only differences are that I wasn’t drinking plus I was
younger. I had woken up late for work and I had forgotten
to take my Insulin. I had a McDonald’s meal plus 3 pop during
the day since it was so hot and the water at work tasted awful.

I was 19 at the time. A younger body seems to be more resilient
to most types of abuse or accidents.

I’m just guessing but your Wife’s body may still be a bit
intoxicated since her blood was thick with glucose, it may
have caused the alcohol to take longer to exit her body.
That may be why she is having troubles.

I felt confused after coming out of the coma but I didn’t
have a problem moving my body. Normally everything
slows down when a Person is in a coma so the body can
repair itself. Needless to say though, having that much
glucose in a system is hard on the body.

I believe that my Boyfriend(Hubby now)being with me and
talking to me(even though I don’t remember anything he
said)was a Big help in bringing me out of the coma. You
are helping her a lot by being there for her. Thanks for that.
Take Care and take a break yourself when she is napping.
Good Luck and prayers for you both! ;)

[princesslinda]

bigD, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'm sure this is a scary time for you all. I can't offer any advice, but I do send well-wishes your way.

Perhaps when you wife is "back to normal" you can get her involved with the forum. There are lots of great people here ready to offer advice, support and encouragement. Please continue to update us on her progress.

[mzteacher]

big d,
i am so sorry for what you and your wife are going through right now....i am very glad you found us here for support and good wishes....we are all so fragile it seems....wishing her a speedy recovery,
susan

[caswellhb]

My thoughts are with you.
You must be in turmoil right now but know that you have so many people here thinking of you both.
Keep talking to her, play her favourite music, get her friends and family to talk to her. Above all get some rest and take care of yourself. I'm so glad you found us.
Please keep us updated.

Heather.

[Jan B]

Big D,

I don't have any specific advice or information, but want to wish you and your wife well. My personal "emergencies" since diagnosis, had to do with extreme lows, not highs. I look forward to meeting your wife through this forum after she has recovered. As others have said, please keep us informed.

Sending you all the love and strength you need,

[gettingby]

So sorry to hear about your wife, big D. I'm sure she will be ok as I have been in a similar situation. I was mistreated by my doctor for the first year after diagnosis. Slipped into a coma and was in and out of it for a few days. The doctors at the hospital were not sure if I would come out of it or if I would have any kidney function left. I'm happy to say that I did come out of it and have no kidney damage as a result.
I do know that my blood sugar was over 1000. I don't remember much of the time I was in the coma. My mother and one of my grandmother's never left my side.
It is gonna take a while for your wife to recover. Just keep talking to her and encourage her to hang on. Tell her she has a lot of new friends waiting to "meet" her on here.
My coma happened over 22 years ago. I'm doing fine now except for some high A1C's. I'm pumping now and hoping for the best. Hang in there and take care of yourself. Don't be upset if she has no memory of the coma or what happened directly before it. I have few memories of mine.

[6angels]

I can't offer any advice but I can offer lots of prayers and hugs

[deb wardle]

Hi Big D
I am sorry to hear of your wife being so pooely. You must be worried sick. i was in a coma for two days in April of last year, due too DKA. Like you my husband and children were frantic, but they wer assured by the docs that I was responding to meds and wad rehydrating. They said its was a matter of time and how quickley my body reponded as to how long i would be out of it. i am sure that this will be the same fo your wife. I hope she is well soonn. Take care.

Deb

[Alice]

Thanks for posting...we are here just for a shoulder...if anything! The good news is that she is receiving care in a hospital. Also good that you are with her to be an "advocate".

Do you know if her glucose level is dropping any? Please keep asking questions and I'm sure there is an endo on your medical team...(but I've learned to not assume)...Good luck!

[notme]

You certainly have have my prayers for you and your wife bigD. If nothing else, you have come to the right place for support. We all hope and pray your wife will be healthy again soon.

[Maddogg]

Ouch! So sorry to hear about your wife big D, your story brings back memories of when I was first diagnosed with the disease and I can vouch that having blood sugar over 1000 is definitely an unpleasant experience. I'm sure your wife will recover... but in the mean time, God bless!

[Nikky]

Stay strong Big D :)
I truly believe your Loved one will be fine. I have been in her situation a couple of times.
If having ketones and perhaps gas in her blood, moving is the last thing she wants to do when waking up. At those BG levels your cell doors are closed and every move feels like a battle.

You and your wife are in our thoughts and with hopes of a fast recovery.

[bucketmouth]

will be praying for you guys ...no worries she will be okay

[FatCatAnna]

I am the same as KickStart above and others - was in a coma for 3 days as a teenager (trying to pretend I wasn't a diabetic at the time). I managed to come out of it - but with some memory loss unfortunately - head was shaved of hair (due to tossing of head while in coma) - but other then that - still as crazy as ever. It did teach me a lesson tho' as to how serious diabetes is. It was very hard on my parents as well - as I'm sure it is for you.

Hang in there - we are all here for you!

[Isometric]

Everyone else has already given you great advice and support - I just wanted to add my prayers and well wishes for a swift recovery.