How dangerous is it to be out of insulin?

Question

I am a diabetic and I ran out of insulin Thanksgiving and my doctors office is closed for the weekend...
How do I get more or do I just wait till Monday?

I didn't realize I was out till I couldn't find my extra bottles anywhere...
I thought I had an extra bottle in the frig and I didn't, so I was caught by surprise...

Answer 1

I would go to you pharmacy and explain the situation. They will probably give you enough till you can see your Dr.

Answer 2

Yes, what you heard is true. It first will cause the blood sugars to fall dangerously low, then the person may lose consciousness, have seizures, go into a coma, and possibly death. Many that have had an over dose simply fall into a coma for several hours, I have had that happen to a relative of mine. It all depends on how much insulin was taken, and if the person is a diabetic or not. Those that are not diabetic can have a more serious reaction. My doctors have always told me that hypoglycemia is extremely dangerous and they worry about it more than having a high blood sugar reading because, you can have a lot of high readings with no immediate damage, but just one bout of hypoglycemia can kill you. And yes, you can have permenant brain damage from a seizure or coma. And just for your info..The other poster is wrong...the most drug of choice to euthinize an animal is a barbituate called pentobaritol. It kills in less than a minute, insulin takes longer and can cause seizure and actually make it a horrible death. Right now I work with a vet and am doing my last semester for my own vet degree, and we have never used or recommended using insulin purpose. It has never has never been recommened to us in any of my classes for this either.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Perhaps I may be too late with this advice as you may have sorted it by now. However, I'm going to add my 2pence anyways

It is very dangerous to be without insulin. As you consume more food, the body's ability to break it down lessens as the insulin runs out. The sugars in your body then become very concentrated and the particles are too big to get into the cells where they are needed. As this happens, the cells try to find elsewhere to gain their energy. This is when they turn to your fats stores. (which is why when diagnosed with diabetes, weightloss is one of the main things a dr looks at) But this is the most dangerous part. As the cells get their energy from your fats stores, a bi product called Ketoacidosis is formed. This is poisonous, and if not treated quickly, can be fatal. It causes the nausia, and vomiting of stomach content and stomach bile, which is the strongest acid, of which can burn it's way up your throat.

My suggestion is get down to your nearest A+E (or ER, depending where you're from) Take an empty bottle of each insulin you use, and explain to them what has happened. Then will be able to give a stat dosage and then enough insulin to get you through until you can get your regular prescription from your doctor.

And in future, always check and make sure you have enough insulin for what you need and some spare, especially over holiday time.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

ANY pharmacy would give you an 'emergency supply' of insulin. You need to ask for it. Also, ANY doctors office has an on-call doctor covering for the practice, so call your regular doctors' number. By-the-way, when did you figure out that you were going to run out of insulin? Next time call your doctor before a holiday. And NO, do not wait until Monday. If you are diabetic, then you should really know why.

Answer 7

How dangerous is entirely up to how much you need it to regulate your sugars. If you must take it daily, regardless, you can't afford to go with out - serious stuff can happen. Don't wait till Monday. If you're doctor is not available, go to an emergent care or ER if you have any of your old prescription info available take it along it should smooth out the process of getting enough to make it through the weekend but make sure you call your Doctor's service and leave a message so that you can get an appointment as soon as possible. Good Luck

Answer 8

It is very important to keep taking your insulin. You should
contact your regular pharmacy (who provides your medication)and see if they will give a cover vial of insulin. Or go to the local hospital and see if they will give you a prescription.

My husband and I were away from home, hubby had taken a new full vial of day insulin and night insulin. Some how the day insulin vial shattered, we had to go the closest hospital, give them all his details and his diabetes card number (as proof of being a diabetic), he was eventually given a cover vial of insulin and a prescription.

Good luck

Answer 9

It is really dangerous to run out of insulin you could wind up in the hospital if you don't go to the pharmacy and tell them your out and need some NOW! Do what these other people are telling you to do now!

Answer 10

Aspen dreamer it is deadly dangerous to be without insulin. unfortunately you live in USA. In India you will not face such problem. Also it is much cheaper as well excellent in treatment compared to USA. Many Medical Tourists from USA are in India for treatment. Next elections you people must vote only when your country make Medicines and Health Care available to one and all and 24 hrs at practically cheaper. Fight for your rights now. I am really feeling bad for the kind of people to go and explain pharmacy or wait for doctor's to give appointment to patients etc etc. Send Bush and your Medical officials to visit india & Learn from here.

Answer 11

if you are a type 1, it is extremely dangerous. still dangerous if you are a type 2 but more so for type 1.

you can go to an emergency room and be seen. explain your situation and they should be able to help you. probably write a script--and if you need they can give you a shot depending on your levels.

always be prepared.