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Concerned about my mum

C

Cazxray

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Insulin
Hey there
My mum has been type 1 for 40 years. She also has MS. For the last few years she has become more hypo unaware and is having about 2 hypos a week at night. I don't live in the UK so it is only my brother who can go around and check on her. She doesn't tell her doctor about all the hypos and my brother and his partner are constantly checking on her and it is taking a toll on their relationship. I guess I am wondering if there are any people that can check on her. She also has depression and doesn't eat much at all. She hides this to all her friends and family. It's getting increasingly difficult for me and my brother
 
When I mean anyone who can check on her I mean district nurses, diabetes nurses? I am struggling to find much support?
 
I think it's time to have a carer from the social teams in your area ...they need to be trained for type one to make sure she is having enough ....this can be done by contacting your gp to be refered to the Ass. Adult social services

They can help with the care ....
Sorry I don't knew much more than that
 
Cazxray said:
Hey there
My mum has been type 1 for 40 years. She also has MS. For the last few years she has become more hypo unaware and is having about 2 hypos a week at night. I don't live in the UK so it is only my brother who can go around and check on her. She doesn't tell her doctor about all the hypos and my brother and his partner are constantly checking on her and it is taking a toll on their relationship. I guess I am wondering if there are any people that can check on her. She also has depression and doesn't eat much at all. She hides this to all her friends and family. It's getting increasingly difficult for me and my brother
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Hi @Cazxray

I've spent 3 years fighting the system with respect to my mother's care. In the UK right now the NHS are not interested in nightime care and will defer to a home care agency via social services. They probably will not pay for it leaving you or your mother's estate to foot the bill at around £15ph. Alternatively, if your mother is capable, have you thought about a personal safety alarm so that she can summon help by pressing a single button. (Service can be a bit slow so not sure it's the best thing for hypo type issues.)

I suggest, start with social services and find out what her local area will offer. I've had to bite the bullet and find a nursing home for my mother. I didn't want to do it but I was really struggling with the night time calls from the emergency services, and I don't have brothers or sisters to share the responsibility with. Maybe time for you to start thinking along the same lines.
 
Thank u for the replies
It has really been getting me and my brother down ; It is so hard accessing services etc.

My mum says that her GP thinks she is doing 'well' considering she has had type 1 for so many years but I consider having 2 serious hypos a week not doing 'well '

Thanks for your advice
 
Cazxray said:
Thank u for the replies
It has really been getting me and my brother down ; It is so hard accessing services etc.

My mum says that her GP thinks she is doing 'well' considering she has had type 1 for so many years but I consider having 2 serious hypos a week not doing 'well '

Thanks for your advice
Click to expand...
How old is your mum now?
 
Cazxray said:
Thank u for the replies
It has really been getting me and my brother down ; It is so hard accessing services etc.

My mum says that her GP thinks she is doing 'well' considering she has had type 1 for so many years but I consider having 2 serious hypos a week not doing 'well '

Thanks for your advice
Click to expand...
Someone needs to tell the GP. So as your brother is in the UK then get him to write to the GP and tell him of the situation . (Concern for welfare) The GP should then take action.
 
Cazxray said:
My mum says that her GP thinks she is doing 'well' considering she has had type 1 for so many years but I consider having 2 serious hypos a week not doing 'well '
Click to expand...


See if your mum can get a referral over to the hospital diabetes clinic, they will advise her on adjusting her insulin doses to reduce the amount of hypo's she is experiencing, they will also work out a plan of action to help restore her hypo awareness symptoms.
 
Cazxray said:
My mum says that her GP thinks she is doing 'well' considering she has had type 1 for so many years but I consider having 2 serious hypos a week not doing 'well '
Click to expand...

Does the GP actually know about the hypos?
 
Hi

Sorry to hear that yr mum has MS as well as diabetes.

Although social services could be involved Im not sure if it would help yr brother and his wife sleep any better because a carer would need to enter the house in the night to check on yr mums bg levels and so would end up waking yr brother etc up.

Unfortunately, lots of insulin dependant diabetics will have night time hypos every now and again but for yr mum to be having them twice per week means that bg levels are not high enough before going to bed and as such, mum is going hypo. Can your brother adjust the insulin or give mum some food containing carb before bed as that should sort the problem out for a while.

What insulin regime is mum using.........twice daily insulin or multiple injections using a basal and bolus insulin?
 
Hi and welcome. Yes, if you can, can you let us know the insulin regime she is on and I assume pens are being used. We may be able to suggest some questions to be provided to the GP if we can see some options.
 
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