my mums type 2 advice needed please

debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Hay well like it says really...Her last blood test was October 2013 :/ She has just gone from bad to worse...she hurt her toe in november.that's not healing.So she's now going to get her bloods done tomorrow.and an x ray on her toe..she has a blister on another toe..so she's to see a diabetes foot dr soon...I Managed to get her to the opticians today who's spoken to me (i had an appointment after her) She told me that shes going blind.... My mum is just not looking after herself..im so upset.Sorry just don't know who to turn to..I Need help to get her to see that she just can't give up on life shes only 68 it was a stress related illness not a weight one X
 

SueB743

Well-Known Member
Messages
376
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome, you have certainly found the right place.

I've tagged @daisy1 to provide the information for new members which provides some great stuff.

It sounds positive that your mum is going to go for the check ups which is a great sign if it's been nearly 2 years.

Let us know how she gets on. In the meantime diet is often the best place to start. Might be worth giving us an idea of a typical day so members can try and make suggestions to help.

Ask any questions you like
 
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debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
im on slimming world :) so i have pointed her in some direction But if i need extra help i will come straight here thankyou...But tbh her diet isn't to bad...she didn't get it through diet her hubby left her (my day) for her sister..it was all the stress that help her develop type 2 xx
 

scallion

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello debs73.

Empathy? - I have type2 and if I'm still around in 20 years, it could be my daughter posting to this site saying exactly the same things as you have said.. You are obviously really concerned about your mum, and you have found a great place to talk.

Are you alone in looking after her, or is there any other support you can count on?

Folk here probably have some phone numbers you could ring, even if just for a bit of one to one talking? (sorry, but I don't have numbers - "stay strong" is just a meaningless thing sometimes, but run with it until you get some good responses here, and you will.

Best.
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hay well like it says really...Her last blood test was October 2013 :/ She has just gone from bad to worse...she hurt her toe in november.that's not healing.So she's now going to get her bloods done tomorrow.and an x ray on her toe..she has a blister on another toe..so she's to see a diabetes foot dr soon...I Managed to get her to the opticians today who's spoken to me (i had an appointment after her) She told me that shes going blind.... My mum is just not looking after herself..im so upset.Sorry just don't know who to turn to..I Need help to get her to see that she just can't give up on life shes only 68 it was a stress related illness not a weight one X

Debs - I'm sorry you're having such a tough time at the moment. Did the optician, actually say she's going blind right now, or that she has some changes in here eyes that could result in blindness if not taken seriously and dealt with now?

Whilst it's not great to jump to conclusions, it feels like your Mum's bloods aren't going o come back in a great range. It doesn't really matter why she developed diabetes. Many of us are carrying weight when diagnosed, but not everyone, by a long chalk. Moving forward now, it's important to deal with the situation, rather then try to look back too far.

Does she take any medication and what's her diet like? For we T2s, irrespective of whether or not we carry any excess poundage, what we eat critical to how things go for us. It's usually hard fact that we have to eat in a different way, for some time at least.

If all these things have piled in recently - the realisation her toe isn't healing, the other blister and so on, your Mum may be in a bit of shock, but it doesn't sound like she has the luxury f taking time to get her head around her situation.

I do hope we are able to help your Mum in some way. Would she join in with the forum herself?
 

debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Hello debs73.

Empathy? - I have type2 and if I'm still around in 20 years, it could be my daughter posting to this site saying exactly the same things as you have said.. You are obviously really concerned about your mum, and you have found a great place to talk.

Are you alone in looking after her, or is there any other support you can count on?

Folk here probably have some phone numbers you could ring, even if just for a bit of one to one talking? (sorry, but I don't have numbers - "stay strong" is just a meaningless thing sometimes, but run with it until you get some good responses here, and you will.

Best.
im on my own my other 2 sisters live miles away xx
 

debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Debs - I'm sorry you're having such a tough time at the moment. Did the optician, actually say she's going blind right now, or that she has some changes in here eyes that could result in blindness if not taken seriously and dealt with now?

Whilst it's not great to jump to conclusions, it feels like your Mum's bloods aren't going o come back in a great range. It doesn't really matter why she developed diabetes. Many of us are carrying weight when diagnosed, but not everyone, by a long chalk. Moving forward now, it's important to deal with the situation, rather then try to look back too far.

Does she take any medication and what's her diet like? For we T2s, irrespective of whether or not we carry any excess poundage, what we eat critical to how things go for us. It's usually hard fact that we have to eat in a different way, for some time at least.

If all these things have piled in recently - the realisation her toe isn't healing, the other blister and so on, your Mum may be in a bit of shock, but it doesn't sound like she has the luxury f taking time to get her head around her situation.

I do hope we are able to help your Mum in some way. Would she join in with the forum herself?
no she won't join ive just managed to get her on facebook..she's on tablets but all that will have to change..she has the diabetes nurse in 28th july....but im going to push for it to be sooner.yes with her diet...she has neglected to eat a good 3 meals a day.so im making sure shes doing that..and she has cut her bread intake down....Thanks for advice guy's XX
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@debs73

Hello Debs and welcome to the forum :)

This information which we give to new members should help your mum especially as far as diet is concerned. You have had some good advice so far and if you ask as many questions as you want members will want to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 

JAY1JAY1

Well-Known Member
Messages
623
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
As well as cutting her bread intake try to cut her down a bit on other carbs ,spuds, rice and pasta and see if you can get her to eat a bit more fat , cheese bacon and eggs olive oil it will bring her blood glucose levels down and will help to make her feel better in herself. The carbs turn into sugar and add to the problem . I think you need to try to make her feel a bit happier with in her self .
I'm sure you both will get this sorted I wish you both good fortune and a better future
Keep well stay safe JJ
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
no she won't join ive just managed to get her on facebook..she's on tablets but all that will have to change..she has the diabetes nurse in 28th july....but im going to push for it to be sooner.yes with her diet...she has neglected to eat a good 3 meals a day.so im making sure shes doing that..and she has cut her bread intake down....Thanks for advice guy's XX

28th JULY? That is a long time away. Will she get her results before this?

@daddys1 's recommendation for the Trudi Deakin book is a good one. It could be a great buy for you both.

Can you manage to go to your Mum's appointments with her? When we're a bit upset, as she probably would be, we don't always manage to remember much of what we're told.
 

debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
As well as cutting her bread intake try to cut her down a bit on other carbs ,spuds, rice and pasta and see if you can get her to eat a bit more fat , cheese bacon and eggs olive oil it will bring her blood glucose levels down and will help to make her feel better in herself. The carbs turn into sugar and add to the problem . I think you need to try to make her feel a bit happier with in her self .
I'm sure you both will get this sorted I wish you both good fortune and a better future
Keep well stay safe JJ
nurse told her less carbs more protein.. :) xx
 
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debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
28th JULY? That is a long time away. Will she get her results before this?

@daddys1 's recommendation for the Trudi Deakin book is a good one. It could be a great buy for you both.

Can you manage to go to your Mum's appointments with her? When we're a bit upset, as she probably would be, we don't always manage to remember much of what we're told.
oh yes i will be going....we have a double appointment with the nurse on monday coming to view her blood test results her meds will need changing so im hoping the nurse will get that sorted....Thanks will look for that book x
 

debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
@debs73

Hello Debs and welcome to the forum :)

This information which we give to new members should help your mum especially as far as diet is concerned. You have had some good advice so far and if you ask as many questions as you want members will want to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Thankyou will do some research. And look things up more x
 
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Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi and welcome. Although stress is a factor, bringing any excess weight down is essential and a low-carb diet will help. She may need some medication and the GP should be advising on that. Does she have a meter? Using one is essential whatever form of diabetes you have. Do come back with more questions. BTW my own advice would be to avoid branded slimming products. Although the discipline can help, some of these plans have excessive carbs and still follow the out-dated 'reduce fats' mantra. Yes, proteins and fats are OK.
 
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debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
well she has taking things on board with what the opticians said to her.. Her last cigarette was 5am this morning :) so a great step...i to have given up..i need to but i think we can do it better together....... She had her bloods and x ray so now need to wait a week to get the results.....THANKYOU all for your support... I will keep everything on board. <3
 

kateincornwall

Well-Known Member
Messages
645
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
People who lie , animal cruelty , boredom and pineapple !
Hello and welcome from me too . What a caring daughter you are , your Mum is the same age as me and I consider myself to be middle aged, not old , so she has a lot of living to do yet . I`m so pleased that she has been told to cut down on carbs , its a good way to start making a difference to her life
 
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debs73

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Hello and welcome from me too . What a caring daughter you are , your Mum is the same age as me and I consider myself to be middle aged, not old , so she has a lot of living to do yet . I`m so pleased that she has been told to cut down on carbs , its a good way to start making a difference to her life
ive told her today how much i love her and will miss her so terribly as and when that time comes and i don't want it to be soon...we are like shadows really everywhere i go we go together...well apart from 6-9 am when i go to work lol ....But then she at mine washed up and go a coffee waiting for me......I Depend on her...No i don't see her as old.but that's just the way she feels...i suppose i would to if my body didn't want to work properly XX
 
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DeejayR

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,375
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Her last cigarette was 5am this morning
Hi Debs, well done, you're in the right place and you're not alone any more. I used to smoke and tbh your mum needs her comforts just now so don't think about getting her off the fags altogether just yet.
What she eats is more important.
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
ive told her today how much i love her and will miss her so terribly as and when that time comes and i don't want it to be soon...we are like shadows really everywhere i go we go together...well apart from 6-9 am when i go to work lol ....But then she at mine washed up and go a coffee waiting for me......I Depend on her...No i don't see her as old.but that's just the way she feels...i suppose i would to if my body didn't want to work properly XX

You may find her outlook on her age differently, once her bloods start to come into line. One of the most common symptoms people present with, at diagnosis, is fatigue, and who knows how long her bloods have been raised and maybe impacting on that.

Hopefully, as things move in the right direction she will begin to feel more well, and refresh her ideas on her "old age".