Need advice for my husband.

[Ilovecake]

This is my 1st posting. I am a carer for my husband wo has mental health problems and has developed T2 diabetes. I think my question has been answered. Is it common for blood sugars to go high due to illness and anxiety. Husband started with Bell's palsy on Sunday and I can't get his blood sugar down, it is currently 13.9. He takes 500mg of metformin and has just been given steroids for palsy on top of all other medication. Does anyone have any advice /ideas please?

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi @Ilovecake and welcome to the forum.
I have moved your post and created a new thread for you as it may have got lost where you posted it.

 

[Deespee23]

What is he eating?

 

[azure]

@Ilovecake Steroids often put blood sugar up too. How high is his blood sugar?

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Steroids are never good for diabetics. I think he needs to see the GP to discuss medication options and the conflict with the steroids. He should have a low-carb diet to help minimise the blood sugar

 

[chalup]

@daisy1 I have tagged daisy to send you information about diabetes and diet. For now to help get his sugars down just try to cut out the worst of the starchy foods such as bread, rice, potato, fruit, root veggies and pasta. The things to stick with are meat, poultry, or fish with steamed veggies or salads, cheese, nuts, avocados. Here is a link to the low carb program on this site that will help you get his sugars down. Good luck and welcome. Low Carb Program - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb/

 

[Ilovecake]

His blood sugar is 13.9, eating is tricky at the min as he has Bell's palsy so left side of face including mouth which is paralysed. Porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch and he tried a meat pie for tea.

Thank you chalup for welcome and link.

 

[Freema]

How about whey protein with cream in mixed with Almond sugarfree milk

 

[Liam1955]

@Ilovecake - Hello and Welcome to the Forum .

 

[pleinster]

His blood sugar is 13.9, eating is tricky at the min as he has Bell's palsy so left side of face including mouth which is paralysed. Porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch and he tried a meat pie for tea.

Thank you chalup for welcome and link.

Hi. I very much agree with comment above regarding steroids. The steroid I was on (and still am to a lesser extent) post transplant CAUSED my diabetes not my lifestyle or anything to do with weight etc. I got my blood sugars down from 20mmols plus top about 10mmols purely by reducing carbs - but it was not until my steroid was dramatically cut (at my request) that I got it down to normalish levels. That steroid is prednisolone (very common treatment for palsy)..well known now to bring on diabetes for those on it for more than a few weeks. My initial diagnosis was called "pre-onset diabetes" and now "steroid induced diabetes" Type 2. I believe acyclovir is less of an concern - ask about alternatives. Did he have Type 2 before treatment with the steroid? Anyway - more importantly, without going into too much detail a good way to get his level down is to find alternatives to high carbohydrate foods. My levels only stay acceptable if I avoid certain foods (among them porridge, most soup which is also generally with bread, and pastry such as usually covers a meat pie! - sorry). Find alternatives if you can. Research low carb diets. I avoid cereals, bread, spuds and pasta among other things. I am not saying make him miserable but just cut carbs where you can. So - in short (which I struggle with!) - avoid (if possible) steroids, stress and carbohydrates. Good luck.

 

[daisy1]

@Ilovecake

Hello and welcome to the forum To help you to look after your husband, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

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 well over 210,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.

 

[Ilovecake]

Hi. I very much agree with comment above regarding steroids. The steroid I was on (and still am to a lesser extent) post transplant CAUSED my diabetes not my lifestyle or anything to do with weight etc. I got my blood sugars down from 20mmols plus top about 10mmols purely by reducing carbs - but it was not until my steroid was dramatically cut (at my request) that I got it down to normalish levels. That steroid is prednisolone (very common treatment for palsy)..well known now to bring on diabetes for those on it for more than a few weeks. My initial diagnosis was called "pre-onset diabetes" and now "steroid induced diabetes" Type 2. I believe acyclovir is less of an concern - ask about alternatives. Did he have Type 2 before treatment with the steroid? Anyway - more importantly, without going into too much detail a good way to get his level down is to find alternatives to high carbohydrate foods. My levels only stay acceptable if I avoid certain foods (among them porridge, most soup which is also generally with bread, and pastry such as usually covers a meat pie! - sorry). Find alternatives if you can. Research low carb diets. I avoid cereals, bread, spuds and pasta among other things. I am not saying make him miserable but just cut carbs where you can. So - in short (which I struggle with!) - avoid (if possible) steroids, stress and carbohydrates. Good luck.

Oh heck, carbs have been a large part of his diet. A little history he had T2 diabetes about 8years ago and with diet and exercise he lost 5stone and was clear of diabetes. Four years ago due to stress at work he suffered acute psychosis and was sectioned upon release he was doing well then developed post psychosis depression and tried to take his life. He was retired from work as any stress could cause another psychotic episode. Being clinically depressed and not even able to make a cup of tea at first he put on weight. His type 2 returned a year last April however his mental health is hindering his ability to make the right choices, his is going to the gym 3times a week. Boxing Day last year he contracted pneumonia and sepsis and we have struggled to control the diabetes since, he was in ICU and is lucky to be here, and now this palsy. The steroid he is on is prednisolone only for 10 days. I work full time but it's half term so I am going to research some recipes and healthy menus and gradually sneak them into his diet. You seem very knowledgable thank you so much it's been a hard few years and just when I think we have turned a corner we get tripped up!

 

[Ilovecake]

@Ilovecake

Hello and welcome to the forum To help you to look after your husband, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

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 well over 210,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.

Thank you for the above info, I will follow links and try to get my husband on board.

 

[Ilovecake]

@Ilovecake - Hello and Welcome to the Forum .

Thanks Liam and WOW am loving that smile hahaha!

 

[Oldvatr]

Oh heck, carbs have been a large part of his diet. A little history he had T2 diabetes about 8years ago and with diet and exercise he lost 5stone and was clear of diabetes. Four years ago due to stress at work he suffered acute psychosis and was sectioned upon release he was doing well then developed post psychosis depression and tried to take his life. He was retired from work as any stress could cause another psychotic episode. Being clinically depressed and not even able to make a cup of tea at first he put on weight. His type 2 returned a year last April however his mental health is hindering his ability to make the right choices, his is going to the gym 3times a week. Boxing Day last year he contracted pneumonia and sepsis and we have struggled to control the diabetes since, he was in ICU and is lucky to be here, and now this palsy. The steroid he is on is prednisolone only for 10 days. I work full time but it's half term so I am going to research some recipes and healthy menus and gradually sneak them into his diet. You seem very knowledgable thank you so much it's been a hard few years and just when I think we have turned a corner we get tripped up!

The Atkins diet uses pre-mixed food supplements that may be suitable for LC diet. Atlkns II is more LC than the original first plan.

 

[chalup]

I have tried the atkins products and find that they do affect my blood sugar quite a bit. It is however still much better than very high carb foods.

 

[Oldvatr]

I have tried the atkins products and find that they do affect my blood sugar quite a bit. It is however still much better than very high carb foods.

Its a half way house type of solution, Not ideal, but may help with the transition. Watch out for cost since it is usual that home made is cheaper with better control and is the way to aim for.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Sounds like hubby has had a tough time. You too as a Carer. Good for you to look and research more at time off!

If you got a blender things like blueberries and yogurt or a few cherries and plain greek yogurt blended may be an option.

I got a superb sb3 cuisinart soup/smoothie blender machine. (It even cleans itself). Due to bad digestion I mainly eat soft foods. Although smoothies can be high carb they don't have to be that bad.... and are delicious and give me the iron that I need for anaemia too. I add in spinach, carbonated water, yogurt, blueberries, avocado, spinach, tinned peaches.
I do change ingredients to say raspberries or sometimes tinned pears or swop spinach for brocolli...
It makes 6 big glasses that we have over 3 days. Each glass is normally between 22-27 carbs depending in exact ingredients weighed out.

I also add in whey protein powder as I cannot eat meat.

I cannot have much soup due to not being able to process onions, garlic or tomatoes but I can manage broccolii and stilton soup.

Bells palsy will improve but on a long term basis he (you as well) did achieve a lot to go undiabetic for a while.

However, at the moment with steroids and Bells it is important to look at overall carbs and lowering them but just checking as well that he gains enough iron and all round nutrition. A smoothie can help and does not have to be overliaded with carbs if they are home made....

Theres good lovely soft food like fried courgette with soft eggs too. I have this with overcooked brocolli or twice a week with butternut squash to ensure I get enough Vit A..

Good on you for caring. Its tough. I admire you..

 

[pleinster]

Oh heck, carbs have been a large part of his diet. A little history he had T2 diabetes about 8years ago and with diet and exercise he lost 5stone and was clear of diabetes. Four years ago due to stress at work he suffered acute psychosis and was sectioned upon release he was doing well then developed post psychosis depression and tried to take his life. He was retired from work as any stress could cause another psychotic episode. Being clinically depressed and not even able to make a cup of tea at first he put on weight. His type 2 returned a year last April however his mental health is hindering his ability to make the right choices, his is going to the gym 3times a week. Boxing Day last year he contracted pneumonia and sepsis and we have struggled to control the diabetes since, he was in ICU and is lucky to be here, and now this palsy. The steroid he is on is prednisolone only for 10 days. I work full time but it's half term so I am going to research some recipes and healthy menus and gradually sneak them into his diet. You seem very knowledgable thank you so much it's been a hard few years and just when I think we have turned a corner we get tripped up!

He has been through a lot...as have you! While our situations differ, I do know what it feels like to think you have turned a corner to get hit with something else...it wears you down. It can also put pressure on even the very strongest relationships...it's like "health" becomes the biggest thing, the conversation, the hurdle etc etc...but you clearly want to do everything you can for your other half. I have no idea what I'd do without mine! It is crucial to refuse to let it all dominate all the time. We can only do what we can and support each other..while we get on with living our lives as normally as possible. Don't get me wrong..I can be one grumpy, cynical ....anyway, you need to change scene when you can. Good news - there is a lot of evidence to say that the impact on blood sugars from prednisolone is minimal in short courses. Now, your partner was diabetic before this treatment and so stopping it won't rid him of that BUT it will probably make keeping it down easier as the steroid causes spikes and raises the average etc. You will not regret research into low carb eating. I would say that using a self-testing meter and recording levels before and 2.5 hours after a meal will reveal exactly what to avoid for him personally. In fact a meter is the greatest weapon he can fight it with. The response on this site is excellent; it really helped me head in
the right direction. I found it very helpful to engage in the Type 2 forums; there's a lot of support there and as you learn you can feel quite useful contributing as you can support others with what you know. So, don't hesitate to ask - anything. Good luck. Paul