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Turns out my father is diabetic

Brunneria

Brunneria

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
21,877
Location
Lincolnshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
A while back, there was a thread discussing whether we should/could/would test friends and family with our BG monitors.

Well, I would like to thank whoever it was who started that thread because it got me thinking... And during a recent trip to stay with my parents, I managed to get my father to test. (He has brain fog and memory waffyness, pees several times in the night, and is so sleepy after big meals that we've banned him from driving home after meals out)

His pre-prandial was 6.1 and his 2 hour, after a low carb meal, was 8.2. They were kindly eating low carb because of me.

I left him with the meter and 50 strips.
His highest reading so far is 12.8 after eating out at a restaurant.
His fasting is usually in the 6s and 7s, sometimes higher.

The next hurdle will be getting him to go to the doctor - he's always taken total responsibility for his health, diet and exercise. Admitting that he isn't immortal may be a challenge for him.

So I'm posting this because while stabbing random strangers may not be a good idea, if you see a loved one showing symptoms, please don't hesitate.

The worst that can happen is that you waste a test strip.
 
Hope all goes well for your father, keep us informed on his progress.
 
It's just another thing to cope with! Having had some discussions about our ailments I'm sure you can deal with this one. Best wishes!
 
Thanks guys,

The good thing is that he has been following a genuinely healthy diet for decades (lots of veg, green smoothies for lunch, supplementing omega 3s, oily fish, broccoli ad infinitum...)

So he will do diet control like a pro.

He's off on hol for 2 weeks and is planning a determined testing regime and food diary. Also reading my diabetic books.
 
And for a while, we thought the waffyness was dementia, so if his mind clears with lowered BG levels, then this is GOOD news.
 
My dad was diagnosed at fifty, and so was I. These things are genetic so no surprise. I think it is a good thing to test friends and family provided you have enough test strips and lancets. There is a host of undiagnosed diabetics out there.

You know how to deal with it so I am sure you can be of great support for him.
 
Brunneria said:
The worst that can happen is that you waste a test strip.
Click to expand...


So true. I do occasionally test my family members (with new lancet obviously!), if diabetes is 'caught' early then the chance of complications is reduced.

At least your dad will have a good source of advice
 
Totto said:
My dad was diagnosed at fifty, and so was I. These things are genetic so no surprise. I think it is a good thing to test friends and family provided you have enough test strips and lancets. There is a host of undiagnosed diabetics out there.

You know how to deal with it so I am sure you can be of great support for him.
Click to expand...

My uncle was diagnosed at around 60. Died of heart problems.
Several great aunts ran entirely on sherry fumes until their 80s, which can be a sign of impaired glucose tolerance (!)
My grandfather had exactly the same symptoms my father is now showing, in his 70s (never diagnosed). Died of heart problems.
I'm the youngest in the family (40s), so I obviously get the gold star for precocious over-achieving, but then I've got other stuff going on too...
Just my sister, and we'll have a full set.

We are doomed, I tell you, doomed!
;)

Thank goodness for BG meters!
 
Wow..! It happens.. My old man was diagnosed T2 in his 70's. Word was an aunt was too on his side..
Years ago my mum tried to coerce me into testing my sister.. Neither of us would play..

To be frank, & with the utmost respect. Unless there are straight forward classic symptoms, I find it all a little like a gay guy telling me I'm gay but just don't know it yet..? Though in fairness I could still be gay.. But I think I would have worked that out by now....!

Though I do have a theory on T1 juvenile diabetes, I have noticed a district physical trait in D children since being involved in the JDRF thing. The same trait I had in childhood pictures.(no it's not weight related.) so I'm keeping an eye on my niece.. Though I haven't inflicted the meter on her & never will. I have discussed it with my sister....
 
Sorry to read that, Brunneria. But good on you for testing him, if it turns out he is diabetic, it means you have found out that much sooner.

Keep us updated ? Oh nd hide the existence pf the forum from you dad, I'd hate to have you behaving :D;)

Signy
 
Jaylee said:
Wow..! It happens.. My old man was diagnosed T2 in his 70's. Word was an aunt was too on his side..
Years ago my mum tried to coerce me into testing my sister.. Neither of us would play..

To be frank, & with the utmost respect. Unless there are straight forward classic symptoms, I find it all a little like a gay guy telling me I'm gay but just don't know it yet..? Though in fairness I could still be gay.. But I think I would have worked that out by now....!

Though I do have a theory on T1 juvenile diabetes, I have noticed a district physical trait in D children since being involved in the JDRF thing. The same trait I had in childhood pictures.(no it's not weight related.) so I'm keeping an eye on my niece.. Though I haven't inflicted the meter on her & never will. I have discussed it with my sister....
Click to expand...

A theory? Do share , please . I'm genuinely interested, given my family history of "D"

Signy
 
Brunneria said:
Well, I would like to thank whoever it was who started that thread because it got me thinking... And during a recent trip to stay with my parents, I managed to get my father to test. (He has brain fog and memory waffyness, pees several times in the night, and is so sleepy after big meals that we've banned him from driving home after meals out)
Click to expand...

Not on statins then?
 
Heathenlass said:
A theory? Do share , please . I'm genuinely interested, given my family history of "D"

Signy
Click to expand...

OK, but this is just an observation of T1 kids & "young adults" I have noticed since being involved in the JDRF thing.. Prior to this I never really mixed it up with other Ds..
This came about when I dug out some old Polaroid snaps from my childhood & looking at earlier pics my mum still has when I was pretty much a "toddler"... Then noticing some of the digital pictures on FB of the T1 daughter to the woman organising the first two JDRF events I was involved in. Then pics sent to Diabetes UK on FB regarding the fundraising "blood test selfies" ...
Now I'm no expert on photography & the different lighting conditions..

But it all seems evident in the eyes...? Or just below the eyes.. Maybe it's just the fact they don't get much sleep getting woken for blood tests..?
 
Jaylee said:
OK, but this is just an observation of T1 kids & "young adults" I have noticed since being involved in the JDRF thing.. Prior to this I never really mixed it up with other Ds..
This came about when I dug out some old Polaroid snaps from my childhood & looking at earlier pics my mum still has when I was pretty much a "toddler"... Then noticing some of the digital pictures on FB of the T1 daughter to the woman organising the first two JDRF events I was involved in. Then pics sent to Diabetes UK on FB regarding the fundraising "blood test selfies" ...
Now I'm no expert on photography & the different lighting conditions..

But it all seems evident in the eyes...? Or just below the eyes.. Maybe it's just the fact they don't get much sleep getting woken for blood tests..?
Click to expand...

You know, now you come to mention it...as I have mentioned before, there is quite a lot of Type 1's in my family, and certainly it's been remarked on that those in my generation, and the one below, that we all look similar. Up 'till now I hadn't really thought about it, as many of us have red hair and that's what people usually notice :rolleyes: But when I get the chance I'm going to dig out the family photos and have a closer look. Hmmmmm...

Signy
 
Dark circles under the eyes (in anyone) can mean a lot of different things.

Including food intolerances and leaky gut (where food and faeces leach through the wall of the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream). I think this happens with a number of different digestive problems...

I guess those things could easily have a knock on effect on the auto immune system

Please note, I'm talking from the point of view of being a child with huge dark circles under her eyes, marched to various alternative practitioners by my mother. I am not speaking from any form of medical qualification!
 
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