Method DKA / skipping insulin to CTB

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

Basically I'm type 1 diabetic and considering this method

I recently went a few days without taking any of my insulin. At this point I should have been quite unwell and needing hospital admission however unfortunately I did not get to this point. I felt awful but only had high blood sugars, no ketones (the highest my blood ketones got was 0.9 and it went away when I ate carbs even though I didn't take insulin for them), so I gave in and took my insulin again.

I think I would need to commit to minimal eating and near constant exercise in order to get high enough ketones, but it can be done.

However, DKA might be an unpleasant way to go. I have never experienced it as I was diagnosed before I got very unwell with t1d and started insulin before I got many ketones. I don't know if my stopping insulin recently was a proper attempt really; more not caring what happened, wanting to play with the risk of dying, wanting to be ill or for someone to intervene. But I didn't get ill enough.

Taking too much insulin is another option but too much SI I think; I tried even just making my blood sugars go low on purpose recently and I couldn't hold out not treating it. I think I'd have to slowly run them lower and lower so I then wouldn't get symptoms, I'd just get seizures and die.

But also, my cognition my intelligence is the only thing going for me, the only thing I have left that I'm living for and that I value as me. My life would be even worse if I lost that, if I survived but with brain damage.

I'm looking for some advice here, but I don't know if on anything specific - any of it, really.

Also I put this under methods so in suicide discussion, but I'm happy for suicide and recovery answers both here.

 

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

Idk if I've put this in the right place but any kind of advice or talking to me is good

 

[RoseGirl]

it'd be better to do the opposite and take too much insulin, then fast till you faint. How does it feel when blood sugars get too low?
High blood sugars are a slow and painful way to die. Involving like necrosis and stuff.

 

[title fight is cool]

I experienced DKA a few years ago, it was a bad experience, but it could have been worse. Take this with a grain of salt though, as everyone's experience can be different. At my worst my blood sugar was ~680 and I felt extremely fatigued and could barely walk, slightly disoriented, with a lot of stomach pain.
DKA happens over a period of time, so symptoms can creep up on you or be sudden as your body reacts; your toes, fingers, and limbs can rot. Your kidneys can also get destroyed. Overall I don't think the method is preferable due to the possible affects on your body, and the possibility of you being found while you're still alive.

 

[CatLvr]

Please do not do this. Without going into the whole long, sordid tale my husband died in an emergency room from DKA. It took him a couple of tries over a period of 6 months or so -- a couple of months long stay in an ICU and a LOT of pain and suffering along the way. I stood in the corner of that ER room, at the end, and watched him die. The thing is it doesn't kill you quick. And the mental and physical suffering -- it really messed with his mind -- is horrible, and the things they do to you in ICU to keep you alive are extremely uncomfortable, at best. It really is a horrible way to die.

 

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

it'd be better to do the opposite and take too much insulin, then fast till you faint. How does it feel when blood sugars get too low?
High blood sugars are a slow and painful way to die. Involving like necrosis and stuff.

I think survival instinct kicks in too much with this one.

I experienced DKA a few years ago, it was a bad experience, but it could have been worse. Take this with a grain of salt though, as everyone's experience can be different. At my worst my blood sugar was ~680 and I felt extremely fatigued and could barely walk, slightly disoriented, with a lot of stomach pain.
DKA happens over a period of time, so symptoms can creep up on you or be sudden as your body reacts; your toes, fingers, and limbs can rot. Your kidneys can also get destroyed. Overall I don't think the method is preferable due to the possible affects on your body, and the possibility of you being found while you're still alive.

What do you think is a better way?

 

[eliapoleon]

I think survival instinct kicks in too much with this one.

I've been in the ICU for both.

I was diagnosed with T1D because I randomly developed the disease a year and a half ago and went into DKA at 19, it was unpleasant but it could've been worse. This wasn't intentional, my body just decided to off my pancreas at random. The symptoms were terrible, I couldn't stand for more than a minute without my body feeling like I just ran a marathon, I felt so tired I was napping 3-6 times a day and still felt tired. I was so dehydrated, no matter how much water I drank, I needed more. My stomach hurt occasionally, I'd throw up once a day, have to pee three times an hour. Also couldn't eat, I didn't feel hungry at all. It was severe DKA so I had to be in the icu for a week, worst part was having an overactive bladder, I had to race to pee before I pissed myself. Not pleasant.

The Insulin OD was on purpose, I was dealing with a lot at the time and I had insulin. So I took too much, I ignored my symptoms and passed out. It wasn't painful at all but it was uncomfortable. The hunger I felt was exaggerated, all I wanted to do was eat, all I could think about was food. I smelt like acetone, I was sweating but also freezing at the time time, couldn't speak properly, I was shaking uncontrollably, could barely walk. I was also very confused. The worst part was feeling hot and cold at the same time, I didn't enjoy that. Unfortunately I was taken to the ER, was put in the ICU and had to be there for 4 days because my blood sugar kept dropping. My blood sugar did not go over 60 for 3 days

They were able to stabilize it and the highest it got to was 110 normal range is 80-120, danger zone is under 50 (for hypoglycemia) and over 290 (for hyperglycemia). I had to have some random person be in my room and watch me the whole time though.

Now low blood sugars are like a regular Tuesday, the symptoms are manageable, just fighting the urge to eat and feeling like you're hot and freezing at the same time.

DKA is so scary especially because of how long it takes. A week of misery.

 

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

I've been in the ICU for both.

I was diagnosed with T1D because I randomly developed the disease a year and a half ago and went into DKA at 19, it was unpleasant but it could've been worse. This wasn't intentional, my body just decided to off my pancreas at random. The symptoms were terrible, I couldn't stand for more than a minute without my body feeling like I just ran a marathon, I felt so tired I was napping 3-6 times a day and still felt tired. I was so dehydrated, no matter how much water I drank, I needed more. My stomach hurt occasionally, I'd throw up once a day, have to pee three times an hour. Also couldn't eat, I didn't feel hungry at all. It was severe DKA so I had to be in the icu for a week, worst part was having an overactive bladder, I had to race to pee before I pissed myself. Not pleasant.

The Insulin OD was on purpose, I was dealing with a lot at the time and I had insulin. So I took too much, I ignored my symptoms and passed out. It wasn't painful at all but it was uncomfortable. The hunger I felt was exaggerated, all I wanted to do was eat, all I could think about was food. I smelt like acetone, I was sweating but also freezing at the time time, couldn't speak properly, I was shaking uncontrollably, could barely walk. I was also very confused. The worst part was feeling hot and cold at the same time, I didn't enjoy that. Unfortunately I was taken to the ER, was put in the ICU and had to be there for 4 days because my blood sugar kept dropping. My blood sugar did not go over 60 for 3 days

They were able to stabilize it and the highest it got to was 110 normal range is 80-120, danger zone is under 50 (for hypoglycemia) and over 290 (for hyperglycemia). I had to have some random person be in my room and watch me the whole time though.

Now low blood sugars are like a regular Tuesday, the symptoms are manageable, just fighting the urge to eat and feeling like you're hot and freezing at the same time.

DKA is so scary especially because of how long it takes. A week of misery.

DKA still honestly sounds more doable from that description to me. Except the amount of time it takes, but maybe that means that you've got to be sure about your decision to carry through which sounds like a good thing.
I don't really want to die but it seems like I could play some music and have a happy calm peaceful end for the most part which seems better than all the struggle that is life

 

[eliapoleon]

DKA still honestly sounds more doable from that description to me. Except the amount of time it takes, but maybe that means that you've got to be sure about your decision to carry through which sounds like a good thing.
I don't really want to die but it seems like I could play some music and have a happy calm peaceful end for the most part which seems better than all the struggle that is life

Maybe but for me personally, Hypoglycemia is a lot more pleasant than DKA. DKA takes too long, experiencing all of those symptoms for 7-9 days is hell. It symptoms is doom and despair

Thankfully it isn't excruciatingly painful, it still sucks though. I'd rather feel extremely hungry, have cold sweats and tremors and pass out within an hour.

 

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

How do you reduce the symptoms? Painkillers, anti emetics? Diazepam might help make it less stressful too…

Maybe but for me personally, Hypoglycemia is a lot more pleasant than DKA. DKA takes too long, experiencing all of those symptoms for 7-9 days is hell. It symptoms is doom and despair

Thankfully it isn't excruciatingly painful, it still sucks though. I'd rather feel extremely hungry, have cold sweats and tremors and pass out within an hour.

Maybe different people different vibes then.
I think I might spend a week not worrying about money in the lead up and trying to give myself a bit of a send off.

 

[ShipSeeksHarbour]

Trying this again but reading back maybe it's just not going to work