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Carer for a newly diagnosed diabetic

S

Skand

Newbie
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3
Hello everyone,

I am the father of a newly diagnosed diabetic.

I was wondering if anyone on this site with diabetes also suffers from other non related illnesses a nd the effect this has on the diabetes, especially those with type 2.

My daughter has a number of illnesses (5) 3 of which are life threatening and incurable and she has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She is 30 years old.

She has been on chemotherapy for 6 years and takes so many drugs it beggars belief.

Her Ketone levels always show low but the glucose levels are anything up to 26.1 which has reduced to 15 in 4 hours in one instance. Unfortunately her eyes are already showing signs of damage due to diabetes.

She is unaware that I am using this forum and hopefully it will remain so.

Any feedback is welcome.
 
Skand said:
Hello everyone,

I am the father of a newly diagnosed diabetic.

I was wondering if anyone on this site with diabetes also suffers from other non related illnesses a nd the effect this has on the diabetes, especially those with type 2.

My daughter has a number of illnesses (5) 3 of which are life threatening and incurable and she has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She is 30 years old.

She has been on chemotherapy for 6 years and takes so many drugs it beggars belief.

Her Ketone levels always show low but the glucose levels are anything up to 26.1 which has reduced to 15 in 4 hours in one instance. Unfortunately her eyes are already showing signs of damage due to diabetes.

She is unaware that I am using this forum and hopefully it will remain so.

Any feedback is welcome.
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A big hello and welcome :wave: . You are going through such an awful time and my heart goes out to you and your daughter. Illness, medication, stress, worry etc can affect blood sugar levels. Could you both see your doctor or a DSN, Diabetic Support Nurse to try and get some good practical help, advice and support? Its such a lot to deal with and can take its toll on the body.

With warmest wishes to you both :)
 
Hi and welcome to the forum

I bet your thinking 'What, ******* well else'!!!!!!!

It must be terrible for you all. I think your daughters situation will probably be very unique, not having other illnesses AND diabetes but the combination of what she is having to go through.

Many of us can give advice re bringing the blood sugars down to help the with the possible complications now and further down the line. The other illnesses, medication etc will also possibly be having an effect on her BG levels.

I'll give my two-pen'neth worth based on the type 2 but the other illnesses needs (thinking dietary restrictions) could well need prioritising???????

Basically, reducing carbs as well as sugar is in my opinion a must to gain control of your BG's. Everyone is different re what we can and can't eat and in what quantaties and belive it or not what time of the day. The only way to know how your body reacts to food for yourself is to 'eat to your meter' . Have a meal with only 1 carb element to it, 2 hours later test - if >8.5 initally (some people aim for <7.8 as their personal target), then reduce or eliminate the carb you ate next time.

I sincerely hope you can see some hope and light at the end of what must seem a very long dark tunnel.

Mary x
 
Hello again,

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately my daughter's body acts against her as the blood attacks all of the organs apart from the lungs. Her immune system is non existent and the muscles in her intestines work the wrong way. Her bone density is poor and she is always breaking her toes

She does not eat regularly due to her conditions as sometimes she does not have the strength. Her cholesterol level is 2.1 which is excellent so when she does manage to eat it is healthy food.

Does any one know if pain has an effect on the glucose readings. I mean excruciating pain especially when pethidine does not work.

On an average month we see 2 doctors, 2 nurses for bloods, 1 consultant and anything up to 3 specialists.

A liitle bit of information to everyone; My daughters diabetes was brought on by the steroids that she used to take for quite a few years, although she was told that the prediposition for acquiring diabetes must have been present from the outset.

Thanks again for your replies and help as we have been walking along this dark tunnel for 6 and half years and every light we have seen have been false dawns.
 
Sorry to hear of your daughter's condition. Obviously we cannot offer medical help but may point you in the right direction.

That glucose level of 26 is seriously high - it will cause problems around her body. If she can reduce it below 10 it would be helpful.

She does not eat regularly due to her conditions as sometimes she does not have the strength. Her cholesterol level is 2.1 which is excellent so when she does manage to eat it is healthy food.
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That cholesterol level is extremely low - if she is on chol reducing drugs, ask for a lower strength - we need a certain amount of cholesterol for good health.

If "healthy food" is starchy carb, it won't help her diabetes. Without other health problems, most of the T2 diabetics here have found reducing carbohydrates is the best way of controlling blood glucose. Trouble is most of the "easy" foods are high carb/sugar & you will need to know what she can tolerate. There are lots of low carb recipes on the forum. These tend to include more proteins & fats.

My favourites include a low carb "sponge cake" using ground almonds & coconut flour in place of normal flour. I can suggest a recipe when we know what she can eat. Jelly is possible, made from gelatine or vegegel & flavoured with no-added-sugar squash. Eggs & full fat yoghurts may be helpful.
 
Thanks for your reply.

Her cholesterol level is low because she takes after me, I am 58 (disabled) and mine is 3.2. She is not on any drugs for reducing cholesterol.

She has not taken sugar for many years due to her illnesses and we are aware of the foods that contain high sugar amounts.

The other problrem is that her body does not get the nutrients from the food that she eats and does not metabolise it correctly. It is so bad that when she physically vomits there isn't a smell.

We eat a good amount of eggs and she eats probiotic yoghurts now and again.

I think that on average her glucose readings are about 16 with the lowest being about 7.5. I have only seen it below 10 on 3 occasions.

When I say healthy food, I mean healthy food not just "starchy carb". The dietician was impressed by her "diet" which is what we have alwys eaten and the way it is cooked and what food is cooked in.
 
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