Hi am Simon cares for dad

Hi am Simon and my dad is 84 and has type 1 diebetic.
We have all noticed over the past year that the diabetes has effected my dad's right leg a lot worse.
My dad is a keen or was gardening person for years but since his leg has got worse he is unable to walk very far and unstable so he has lost his independence a lot even taking his grandaughter out I think himself not been able to do his garden has had a lot of effect on himself..
I have brought him a calf blowup like you have in hospital that he uses and he his walking is very bad now.
Am disabled myself having had multiple spinal surgerys for scoliosis and also I now look after my mum who has wet macula so she is going blind in her left eye and has to have injections everymonth in her eye.
I have moved back into my mum and dad's as they looked after me for 48 years so now it's my turn it has its draining effects on myself also.

Simon

Pipp said:

Make sure you are getting support of the GP and diabetes specialist team, too, @Simonw74 , especially as you have your own disabling condition.

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Many thanks for your reply

I currently just plod along ans am also on antidepressants myself

I jist emailed my dad's local GP for help with insoles or shoes that my dad can wear that wouldn't have such impact on his independence and also trying to get information for the machine that you can put to the top of your arm and it being more accurate than what my dad does at the moment as sometimes he might forgot due to age and then might have a hypo so this seems like a great bit of equipment that can help my dad get his independence back and get out to his garden he loves
Seeing him not been able to do the hobby he loves breaks my heart but trying to get anywhere with his GP or the HQC is impossible
I thank you again
Simon

EllieM said:

Hi Simon and welcome to the forums.

As a UK T1 your dad is 100% entitled to a freestyle libre (or dexcom) to keep continuous track of his blood sugars. You should be able to send readings to your phone as well. It's made a big difference to my life as a T1 (I've had issues with hypos in the past). Who looks after your dad's diabetes care? It's disappointing that they haven't already offered it to him.

And your parents are very lucky that you are helping them but please don't forget to look after yourself too.

Once more welcome.

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Hi many thanks for your kind comments
He goes to the diebetic clinic but it's once every few months or so. As the dexcom hasn't been offered to my dad am not sure if this is due to my dad not asking or if its the nurse not telling him about it.

We tried to get our GP to ring us yesterday to talk about neuropathy shoes for him and tbh they were confused about this and asked us to ring again next week to speak to the doctor we know well.

I worked as a Operating Department Practitioner for some years before I had 13 Major spinal surgerys and had 29 pedicle screws and 2 eighteen inch rods inserted into my spine so I am quite up on the medical side of aspects of health bit not so much on diebetics as I was the one handing instrumentation devices to the surgeon so not many people I came across was diebetic as the anesthesiologist was there to do all that...my dad is stubborn to say the least hates going the GPs etc probably due to the way he grew up and being a army veteran.
Also he has had a triple heart bypass and a stroke and we keep telling him off about the tablets he is on as sometimes he won't take them (Yes completely wrong) but try telling him otherwise.

He looks after his own diebetics and Tbh he test in the morning but apart from that am unsure when he does it again,He has a few hypos not every day but sometimes in the night or when he hasn't eaten breakfast so I always just cook him and my mum something just to make them eat so at least I know he has eaten something.

Am disappointed they haven't either that thru haven't recommend the system I was going to write a letter to the GP but I am completely rubbish at writing good worded letters. So anyone that can do a well addressed letter please do I can fill the information about him self it's just one to ask about the system and I will also send it off to the QCC for my area and my local MP..

Am lucky to have them in my life I have 2 brothers bit its me that does everything and woth a 9year old daughter its can be hard on my mental health issues but as long as they are fine and healthy that's all that matters
Regards Simon

EllieM said:

More people use the Abbot libre than the dexcom but both are now prescribed in the UK. My understanding is that NICE recommends that all T1s have them but some health areas are being slower than others in rolling them out. (They are both very similar, your dad should find both helpful,I certain;y did).

Does he go to the diabetic clinic on his own? Is it at the GP surgery or at a hospital?

Am not sure whether the GP can now prescribe the libre or dexcom or whether you have to wait for a hospital doctor to confirm? Will let the UK T1s get back to you on that. If he's not up to using a smartphone he'll probably need a libre and a reader. (Most people use smartphones to access the readings).

Of course, there is a bit of age discrimination potentially happening here. Your doctor may think that your dad is too old to be able to cope with new technology???

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Hi again thank you

He goes to the GP for his diebetic check
He goes and has his eyes tested with slit lamp and also his feet checked.

I take him there but with GP confidence I could go in with him but some people like my dad will go in by himself.

He has the pen injection machine and then he puts a little blood on the strip test and that gives him a reading.

When the Dex came out and was advertised I looked into it for him but since reading today that it's rolled out in my area I do myself believe that it would be beneficial for him regardless of his age as myself age is a number and a health condition isn't.

I have looked into the NICE recommendations as being a pre hospital worker and as you have said its rolled out accross the area so I believe regardless of age my dad should be entitled to this.

I believe that you have to fight for one to be frank and the GP doesn't tell you about this or recommends it when people go unless you ask about it.

So I will fight for his cause about this as I would rather know his blood sugar levels are right and not get into a hypoglycemic episode that can cause death especially being the age he is.

I do know of a freind that was found to of died of this being on his own and going into a coma

Again I appreciate your help it's the neuropathy pain in his right foot and not being able to do the hobbies he could do a year ago

Like medication can cause neurological symptoms like this but the Dr's don't tell you about this or believe reconsider the tablets people are on that can reduce this

Apologies about the spelling my dyslexic in me.


Simon

This is my spinal pic