I have a good friend who was diagnosed in Spain 13 years ago. Basically told nothing, just "don't eat sweets and cakes"!! He returned to Ireland a couple of years later, was put on Metformin and given no further instructions. Not even a blood sugar monitor! He has a monitor now, but no knowledge of why and how to use it. He sometimes tests his blood once a day!!! He is now on heavy dosage of Metformin, plus anti depressants and god only knows what else. He had a knee replacement last year and takes no exercise at all. He is extremely overweight, but eats NOTHING. He is just resigned to the fact that he'll be diabetic for life and because his stupid GP doesn't give him any guidance he's getting worse. His mental state is not good.
I am pre-diabetic and have it under control. I have spent hours online educating myself and now I despair at how I can get it over to my friend just what he's dealing with. He's fed up about me going on about diet. I'm certain his biggest problem is lack of nutrition, he has a cuppa soup for breakfast and maybe just a small plate of salad for lunch and dinner. He doesn't drink coffee, tea or water, gets his fluid intake from Diet Coke. I know he's frightened to eat, but how can he control glucose levels when he doesn't even understand how important testing is?
He doesn't use the internet, doesn't trust what it tells you! He will only listen to "proper medical advice". Medics have just told him after 13 years that he shouldn't be eating pasta, rice etc!!!!!!!! I'm certain if I could get him to look at this site it would open his eyes, but he won't. I am really concerned for him, especially his mental wellbeing.
Can anyone point me in the direction of any online source which has ALL the relevant info on what exactly Type 2 is, why and how often testing should be done etc. etc. If I could print something off from a reputable source, he may just read it.
It's great that you care so much about his welfare. Unfortunately it's often the case that we can't get through to someone about diabetes, depression, alcohol/drug use, smoking, gambling, or other things like that. This isn't just about diabetes IMO.
No one has ever succeeded in getting through to a person with one or more of these issues by pressuring them.
Your friend likely has mental health issues including but not limited to depression, and the brain effects of high BGs over time. I know, I've been there. High BGs make you feel so fatigued and brain-foggy you can't function at the best of times, let alone when a friend is trying to get through to you. High BGs make an anxious person more anxious, and more likely to build a protective wall around themselves to not let anyone in.
When I was that sick, what I needed more from a friend was help to put on a load of washing, wash the dishes, and pick up meds from the pharmacy. Once practical things are sorted, then the person in crisis has a chance to think about other things.
Re the internet - could you buy him a book, or borrow one from the library? Leave it with him without saying anything. Before the internet we used books, magazines, brochures, pamphlets and newspapers for info about things like this. I still do, in addition to the internet.
He fears being given the wrong info. This is normal and understandable.
I agree with you and everyone else that LCHF and eating to your meter is the *best* approach for someone in his condition... but... even an orthodox diet with a bit less pasta etc would still be better than what he's doing now.
His GP is capable of promoting that kind of plan, in conjunction with providing medical care within his orthodox medical approach that would improve your friend's quality of life.
If you did make an appointment to see the GP, I think that would be viewed negatively, for privacy reasons, and if your friend found out... well. I don't know about Ireland but in NZ there is a way to send a one way message to someone else's GP by sending them a letter. They don't have to respond or take it into account but it is legally possible to send them a letter if you have serious concerns about their welfare. I recommend framing what you say in terms of orthodox medicine only.
It's standard medical practice if Metformin is giving someone GI symptoms over a long period to offer them slow release met, or Gliclazide, or something else. You could find printed material about this from an official source and give it to your friend. Printing anything off the internet is likely to be rejected.
He may be eating as little as you say, or he may be secretly eating other things as well. I probably would be if I were him.
Best of luck and you are a good friend for caring so much.
