Why did the insulin die in my pancreas?

I have become increasingly disturbed at the amount of people using various search engines and as a result,  finding my blog. Usually, I feel very honoured if someone stumbles across my posts and finds value in them, however at the moment, I am really troubled that my posts are being scoured for clues or approaches to the best way to overdose on insulin, or even more sinister than that, how to help your child die a painless death, rather than suffer Type 1 Diabetes. The following are a handful of entries that have come through in the past 10 days..

• Will child die if I stop insulin
• I want to die insulin od work
• cruel giving needles to 2 yo t1 baby can I stop
• fasting type 1 diabetic, will I die
• type 1 is too hard when you are a parent
• is it kinder to stop insulin inject than keep child alive
• religion says I must fast for a week, is it safe
• i have lived the hard life, how much insulin to die
• 4yo how long until dead w/o insulin
• is it quick painless death for child stopping insulin
• t1 so depressed I want to kill myself and kids
• is Humalog most effective to put me in a coma quickly
• God is so cruel to make my life this hard.
• Ending life with insulin.
• Will DKA be a painful death for my son?
• can insulin od be detected in autopsy
• i want my daughter to die rather than be diab.
• quickest way to send son unconscious via rapid insulin
• im ready to die diabetes is killing me
• 17 yo no insulin for 3 days type 1.

There’s more, but I’m too distressed to publish them, AND, I don’t want to give the impression that I am endorsing FASTING, WITHHOLDING INSULIN FROM A CHILD, OR OVERDOSING ON INSULIN as an easy way out.

Obviously, I have been attracting this variety of searcher as a result of publishing a recent post about Diabulimia, and an infamous true story of two parents, who deprived their child his insulin after turning to prayer, and being swamped with promises of a cure from fellow believers.

I’m at a loss. I had no idea that there could be so many people who would consider killing their child, or themselves, because the daily battle with Type 1 Diabetes has become too overwhelming.

This year, a couple ceased their child’s insulin injections, resulting in her death. They were charged with manslaughter.

I have posted about the serious danger of depriving insulin before on this blog, and I will continue to repeat myself if it means that just maybe, a life could be saved.

 Whether they receive injections or an infusion from a pump, stopping your child’s insulin will result in a rapid decline. They WILL develop DKA, which left untreated, will eventually leave them comatose, and without medical intervention, a fatality WILL occur.

I also received an email, asking whether it was “true” if you decrease insulin doses little by little over a few weeks until it is completely phased out, will the body adjust to this new state of being.

I replied to this email personally, but for those who have also heard “the rumour” circulating around internet sites, I’m posting the “TRUTH” on my blog.

Your child’s doctor or specialist has worked hard at finding a dose that is perfect for your child. They have taken into painstaking consideration factors such as body weight, metabolism, hypoglycaemic tendencies…it’s a meticulous conclusion that is eventually drawn. You are then given the easy job. You are given a prescription, which has precise dosages for certain times of the day. The insulin is clearly labelled ,along with the doctor’s instructions by your pharmacist.

IT’s UP TO YOU, THE PARENT OF YOUR CHILD, TO GIVE THOSE DOSES, EACH AND EVERYDAY.

We must take into consideration, that, despite the phenomenal work that is being done around the world to find the elusive cure, for now, there IS NOT a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

HOWEVER, we are blessed and privileged to have the gift of INSULIN, which allows a person with Diabetes to LIVE. In the case of a child, who relies, and depends on their parent to administer their medication, it is their RIGHT to receive it. If they were given the gift of life, they can certainly continue living ,with good health and happiness despite the diagnosis. 

I have dealt with the horribly difficult days over the past six years. Lance was diagnosed when he was so young, I have been responsible for his insulin administration and full time care since he was a baby, then a toddler, then a little boy, and now an almost 8 year old. I am the first to admit, that there are times where there are most certainly unbearable and frustrating days. However, so would a parent of a child without Type 1 Diabetes!

Having grown up living with Diabetes, Lance accepts it and deals with it, because he KNOWS he doesn’t have any other choice. He KNOWS the feeling of when he has been sick, and as a result, has had high levels resulting in large ketones.

When he was a baby, and couldn’t communicate verbally with me, I have all of the horrific memories burnt into my retina. I have looked on in horror and desperation as he writhed in agony, entangled in the sheets..lifting his knees up to his tummy to try and relieve the nagging stomach cramping, then,seconds later, extending his legs out straight to try and relieve the leg cramping.  Despite syphoning litres of water and fluids into his system,I have seen his little body begin to dehydrate before my eyes. I have seen him bedridden and hallucinating. I have carried his limp body to the toilet whilst he excretes sugar saturated urine. I have sung every song I could think of in an attempt to soothe his crazed state, and I have massaged his head; I have seen the vein in his temple pulsing as a result of a violent headache. I have fed his hunger with the food that he desperately wanted, only to have it vomited back all over me. I have watched his eyes roll backwards in his head. Then the endless screaming, which would peak to forte, and then drop back again to mezzo piano. Replay that same scenario 50 times. Most horrifying of all, I have watched him teeter in and out of altered states of consciousness. Lapsing into DKA is not a tranquil, serene process. It is inhumane, agonizing and sickening to think of a child falling deeper and deeper into this horrible condition.

This was what my son went through when he still was making SOME insulin himself. He easily could have died a few hours later, according to the endocrinologist. I shudder when I think of the agony he endured, without being able to speak a word or express any emotion except for his screams…(which will haunt me for the rest of my days….)

Imagine the confusion, torment and agony that a child or teenager would go through, knowing that insulin could correct these nightmarish symptoms,yet you, their parent refused to administer it?

If you are feeling like you are not coping with the demands of your child’s diabetes, SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP.

If you go through with insulin deprivation, and you get the intended result, you will live your life knowing that you killed your child, and you’ll probably have plenty of lonely hours to think about it, as the law does not look kindly upon parents who neglect their children’s compulsory health requirements. Without a shadow of a doubt, this act would be classified as manslaughter first, followed closely by child abuse; two charges that DON’T look good together.

There is no need for a child to live a life of misery, just because they have Type 1 DIabetes. Organisations like Diabetes Australia and JDRF provide so much valued support and encouragement for parents and kids alike.

If you do have religious beliefs that require periods of fasting, it is in YOUR and YOUR CHILD’s best interest to discuss the situation thoroughly with your doctor. Some doctors will allow fasting in the case of  controlled Type 2 Diabetes, however, generally, anyone with Type 1 Diabetes (who would probably be known within a congregation as being dependent on insulin) would be strongly advised not to participate in fasting. It is almost a certainty that disaster would strike.

 We all know that Type 1 DIabetes is a heavy duty, royal pain in the butt at times. However, if you prefer to think of your child as dead than “suffering” with diabetes, then you need to read about how insulin was first discovered in a desperate attempt to save the lives of those with Type 1 Diabetes.In the mid 1900’s, once symptoms presented themselves, a sufferer would be lucky to live 3 days.The miracle of insulin to treat Type 1 Diabetes should be considered a gift from God, considering the limited technology available at that time. Sufferers who were dying, lying emaciated in hospital, pure skin and bones, their condition worsening every hour and not expected to last the day were started on insulin therapy. Weeks later, many were able to walk out of hospital, well on their way to a full recovery, thanks to the sheer and determined genious of the two scientists who fought day and night to find ”the cure.”

I know what it’s like to plunge the end of a syringe into velvety, dimpled baby flesh. It is heartbreaking, and it’s something that takes a lot of courage. In your heart, you know that you have absolutely no choice, so you plant a smile on your face, get ”it” over with as quickly as possible and give an abundance of affection and encouragement. I have learnt that despite their vulnerablity, young children are so resillient. They can deal with the most uncomfortable or painful situations, and just cope. As difficult as it is to associate a soft, cuddly baby with needles and pricking holes into their doll-like fingers, they soon accept daily “ouches” as part of life.  My son was so small, and he never used to cry when he got his shots, he’d frown and his entire body would jerk. Now, it is nothing for me to walk past Lance, complete with glucometer set up, and testing his own blood sugar levels.

If you are having thoughts of using insulin for reasons other than what it is intended for, I am providing some crisis phone numbers (Australia only) that provide counselling on a strictly confidential basis. I IMPLORE of you to use them if needed, as they are a valuable outlet for you to vent your thoughts without being judged or identified.

 Life Line Australia Crisis Line-13 22 14. 24 hour counselling service.

Salvation Army Crisis Line (24 Hours):03 9536 7777

Both of these organisations can provide you with support and can guide you to the most appropriate means of help.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, and also suffer from bulimia nervosa, (commonly known as diabulimia)-and you have not administered any insulin for a number of days and are showing symptoms of DKA, I plead with you to call an ambulance, but because I know that those with eating disorders are reluctant to seek medical advice, I have provided a link for a online support group. However, remember that you are literally playing with a life and death situation. You could easily black out and never wake up.

www.reachout.com.au      Information and support so you can get through your own tough times.

To be really honest, if you are neglecting your own health because you “have to,” that’s your choice.

My greatest fear and the reason for this post is for innocent, young children, who rely on insulin to live, but have a parent or guardian who is questioning whether they want to continue giving it.

For those who are feeling so desperate and feel that a life free of diabetes would be more rewarding than a life without your child, please have a look at these links.

http://pandagon.blogsome.com/2008/03/29/child-dies-because-parents-choose-prayer-over-insulin/

http://wcco.com/local/praying.parents.arrested.2.684930.html

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) – A woman whose diabetic son died after she allegedly
stopped giving him insulin injections was charged with child abuse resulting in
death.

Rebecca Ramirez, 26, was arrested Nov. 13, nearly three months after 8-year-old
Daniel Ramirez’s death. She appeared in court Monday for formal filing of the
charge and is free on $50,000 bail.

Prosecutors claim the boy died because Mrs. Ramirez failed to give him his
insulin. In the days before Daniel’s death, investigators said, his mother took
him to church services and asked a pastor to pray for him.

She wrote “Daniel healed” on her calendar and stopped giving the boy insulin,
investigators said. He died within three days.

When questioned, Mrs. Ramirez told authorities they misinterpreted her words.
“I meant prayed for, not healed,” she said.

Ramirez’ attorney, Gene Ciancio, said he had just been hired and was not
prepared to discuss his client’s case. Mrs. Ramirez’s next court appearance is
set for January.

AP-NY-12-02-97  

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