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Hi I'm new to this

Janspice

Active Member
Messages
30
Type of diabetes
Type 2
i hope I have done this correctly. I registered to find out more about diabetes and get to know others. I don't have diabetes but my daughter does and I am her full time carer. She also has a learning difficulty and other medical complications as well as Diabetes type 2 and is registered disabled. My hope is that once I get the hang of it I can show her how to use the site too. It would help her enormously and she may help some of you. My daughter does tend to feel as if she is alone with diabete. Is anyone else a carer?
 
Hi. Welcome to the site. I am sure you will find it extremely helpful. Quite apart from getting to talk to others in the same boat (or at least very similar vessels), I have learned about about Type 2 and about the best ways to get in control of it. You should definitely explore the forums (particularly Type 2 and the forums there, the Low Carb forum and the others you consider most relevant, but also look at the links on the home page and find out more about foods, about testing etc. Also, I don't know what age your daughter is but there are threads for kids and young adults...and she will undoubtedly find people to relate to. there's a thread or parents too. Also, while it may seem that learning difficulties identify people with specific problems so they can group together..I'd advise (which probably won't surprise you) that she interacts with whoever...anyone. I used to teach and manage a boarding house full of kids...and I have honestly never met anyone who didn't have difficulty learning in some way (myself included)! We are all variations on a theme really...one extreme to another, and no-one has everything sussed... a bit like diabetics really...but she will gain from the site, as will you...don't hesitate to post any concerns on the Ask A Question thread. You will always get answers. the important stuff to start with is..what's her current level (has she had an HbA1c test), does she test herself with a meter...do you have one? And what is her diet like. I have no doubt at all that really big steps can be taken by reducing certain kinds of foods, and the more you/she knows about the situation the more control you/she can take. Anyway - explore and let us know a wee bit more so we can advise you and your daughter, or at least offer some opinions for you to consider. Do say "Hi" to you daughter.

Paul

note you can enter info in the way I have (below) and others do...by selecting "signature" from the menu up by hovering over your name on the tool bar - its helpful for others to see what's what,and you can see people's approaches and progress at a glance.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. It would be great if your daughter could learn to use the forum as Im sure she would benefit greatly from the support it offers.
 
Hello Janspice. Welcome to the forum. I'll tag @daisy1 to give you some basic information. Ask any questions you may have - someone will answer.
I too am a Carer for my partner - who doesn't have Diabetes, just me who has it.
 
@Janspice

Hello and welcome to the forum Here is the information we give to new members and I hope this will help you to help your daughter. Ask as many questions you want and someone will be able to answer.

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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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.
 
Thanks Paul. You share my view on learning difficulties. My daughter has trouble crossing the road but her favourite TV programme is Eggheads and she answers more questions correctly than I do very often. Having said that her personal care is an area she is lacking in. She either starves herself or eats the wrong thing and gets totally confused by what she can and cannot eat. She is now 30 years old.
We were bombarded with books and pamphlets when she was diagnosed with Diabetes but they were more relevant overweight large adults. My daughter is roughly the size of an average 12 year old. Just when I think I've got I find I have it wrong again and I do panic a bit when her sugar levels are higher or a bit on the low side. I don't know if the brain tumour she has could effect her levels? It's very difficult resisting the urge to wrap her in cotton wool too. We both have flu at the moment even though we had the jabs and nurse each other playing "pass the tissues please"! I can't wait to get the hang of using this site o that she can be taught to use it too. I did say Hi to her from you. Thanks for responding to my first thread. Hi from Jenna.
 
4ratbags said:
Hi and welcome to the forum. It would be great if your daughter could learn to use the forum as Im sure she would benefit greatly from the support it offers.
Click to expand...
Thank for the welcome it's my aim to get her involved. I'm a bit lacking in techi area even though when I worked I sold configurations to manufacturing. I had to teach to use Facebook but having bought her an iPad for her birthday which she flys along with I think am probably underestimating her ability. I will introduce her tomorrow if she is up to it.
 
liam1955 said:
Hello Janspice. Welcome to the forum. I'll tag @daisy1 to give you some basic information. Ask any questions you may have - someone will answer.
I too am a Carer for my partner - who doesn't have Diabetes, just me who has it.
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for replying. I do get confused as I don't really know what my daughter levels should be she has so many things wrong with her little body and I think the doctors don't want to overload me with do's and don't' . Her blood sugar levels are quite high at the moment 14.6 two hours after supper tonight. According to the GP who I trust that's not too bad and she does have flu at the moment. I do have days when I wish I had trained to be a dietitian! She is not keen on excersize and I do try to get her out walking. Having said that she will shop till I drop. How do you get sugar levels down? My daughter is having a review next week and I have to send a record of her blood levels to her endocrinologist by email on Monday. This is to determine whether they should increase the dose of Gliclazide she is taking 80 mg am and 40 mg pm. When she had Leukimia I had years of keeping her calories up to maintain her energy levels and now it's the reverse. Do you find the cold weather send blood sugar levels up?
 
This site is great why did no one tell me about it before. It was a nurse at who told me to join when I called 111 the other evening for advice.
 
Hi Janspice. On the basic information that daisy sent you it gives the ranges for blood sugars - maybe might be easier to write them down and keep them to hand! With some diabetics usually blood sugars can go up with illness - mine go up and down like a yo-yo. Type 2 is best controlled with Diet, Exercise and sometimes Tablets. There are quite a few diets on the forum, you need to go to the top of the page and tap on FORUMS the scroll down to FOOD and NUTRITION, there you will see the diets, just tap on whichever interests you. Hope this is of some help to you.
 
Hi Janspice, while 14.6 after supper is a bit high and you will want that to come right down, I'd agree with your doctor - all things considered it's not crazy high. I get Liam's comment about levels going up and down like a yo-yo with illnesses...even just feeling a bit unwell, having a cold, a headache, a bit of a tummy upset....cold weather, hot weather, mood, tension and stress...Tuesdays...seems all kinds of everything has an impact! That said, the right kind of diet is what makes the difference. I have seen very little evidence, personally, that exercise makes that much difference - but there are others for whom it certainly does. I have followed the advice of other son aerobic vs anaerobic exercise and find no real impact from any of it, at least nothing worth noting .Walking is obviously good regardless, and the less sedentary the lifestyle the better. But it is food that makes the biggest difference. My own opinion, if you want to make a quick visible difference to levels - stop the following foods for a couple of days and compare previous test results : bread, cereal, potatoes, pasta and rice...and any kind of biscuit or cracker...manage that and I am certain you will notice the difference. After that, you can consider what's practical and achievable for your daughter, but the more you limit these kinds of simple carb foods, the lower her averages will be. So that you are aware, my levels have been a bit higher than usual over the past week or so as I am a but under the weather myself, and that happens. Also, while my usual after a meal (my system can take closer to 3 hours to settle again) is reasonable...if I eat higher carb content foods it goes right up again and 14 would not be unusual if I ate without considering content. If your daughter's levels aren't down much when she is next seen, they will probably increase the Gliclazide - which may well be effective for her. It wasn't for me. I was on 80mg originally to no effect, and then it was doubled - little change. It was only low carb dieting that reduced my levels to the normal range. I think the best thing to consider, therefore, is can diet make the difference (and if meds are helpful too then by all means). Good lcuk.

ps Paul said "hi" again.
 
Hello Jan from another mum of an adult child with LD (25yrs), diabetes T2, other medical issues. She also has a rare syndrome. I'm no longer a hands on Carer but am still very much involved with her care, in fact at present I am down in London (I visit her monthly) and doing the usual contacts with Social Services and the hospital where she lives.
You will find great support here, both of you. Your daughter will be made very welcome too and I'm sure there will be answers for any questions you have. I'm also T2 by the way, but not insulin dependent like my daughter.
 
Hi, and welcome!

You mentioned a brain tumour? Do you know where in the brain it is?

The reason I ask, is that the location may be very relevant. I have a tumour in the pituitry gland (not strictly the brain), and because it is a hormone producing gland, it most definitely has an effect on stress and bloodglucose handling.

Other locations might be affecting appetite, or memory, or many other areas...

I am not an expert, or a medical professional, but I spent a bit of time reading up on my tumour, and found that it explained a heck of a lot of things that I had been experiencing for about 20 years.
 
Thank you all for your kind words. I have lowered her carbs and after another high reading we took a long walk round the village with the dogs. Large poached salmon two med new pots and green bean and now prancing about in front of the WII. I have found that excersize helps to bring bs down on occasions. Thanks Paul I have taken on board your suggestion about carbs and will lower them still for next few days. Her tumour is on the right hand side of the brain and is called a meningioma(I think that's how you spell it) it's very large and apparently benign. It hasn't moved for some time which is good I just wish they would hurry up and remove it. It's caused by the radio therapy she had when she had her bone marrow transplant. It does effect her sense of taste on occasions and she has had several stokes in the past so there is quite a lot to look at when she gets poorly. Trying to make light of it I say she is like an exotic pet, she quite likes that. Doctor find her extremely interesting! Some are out of their depth, I think. She looses weight quickly and can look quite drawn when she does. She has a tummy but skinny limbs but is absolutely beautiful. Any ideas on snack between meals! Getting her to excersize is hard unless there is a pony to ride or drive. She came forth in the carriage driving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show disabled driving class last year. I do drag her out for walks with the dogs. She loves to dance and is really going for it at the moment. I did get her to have a look on this site today she thinks it's great too. She says high to everyone will set her up tomorrow. I find it hard balancing meals for her especially when her taste is off spec. Suggestions appreciated.
 

The must have been difficult for you both when your stopped being her carer. I have been trying to help my daughter become as I dependant as possible as I am sure you did. I set goals for her and the latest is to get her driving we are just waiting for her licence and them an assessment and then she can start lessons. She is already occasionally back seat driving. A bit like Hyacinth Bouquet.
 

I have been reading nutrition and recipes etc it's all very useful. Thanks for the advice. I have learnt so much in such a short space of time. I have re-written my grocery list and will try some of the tips I have learnt tomorrow. I will write them down as you have suggested. I now realise where I have been lacking and we are developing a plan together.
 

Great to hear about your daughter and her driving! Unfortunately, given the nature of the syndrome my daughter has, independence is not something that will ever be possible for her. We had an extremely difficult life when she was with us and although we love her dearly, we had come to the end of the road as far as caring at home was concerned.
I won't detract from your thread though
 
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