Diabetes anyone???

Limana68

Hi there
Just wondered if there were any more insulin dependant diabetics out there I could speak with????
My mumis diabetic and is having real problems keeping her blood suger on a even keel, shes had a few hypos and its quite scary.

Let me know
Thanks
Li xx

nurse_sue

http://www.patient.co.uk/display/16777364/
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
try these links
please
see ur practice nurse, nhs direct or walk in centre for acheck up its important
an infection can affect blood sugars as can new medication or even herbal preps etc changes in excersise or stress .its difficult i know but important to prevent complications that you can be as stable as possible .good luck

Limana68

Thanks Sue
My mums nurse dosnt seem to be doing much to be honest, but I am trying to persuade mum to change over to my doctors who are a bit better, anyway thanks for the links I will have a look.
Li

kitekat

Hi there are a few insulin dependant diabetics in my family,so ive been around it for a number of years.If your mums blood sugars are too low an she ends up in a hypo,maybe she should cut down the amount of insulin she takes by a couple of units and also ensure she takes enough carbohydrate type foods after she has taken her injection to sustain her blood glucose levels till the next injection.

binay

I think there are a few things to be looked into from what you have mentioned -

1/- has your mum recently been started on Insulin
2) Is she IDDM or NIDDM on Insulin now
3) Coexisting problems

anyhow as mentioned above - if she gets hypos - she has to reduce the insulin by a few units everytime . ( provided there is no change in her diet )
Normally Hypos are more dangerous than high glucose - and make sure you get some glucose / hypostop etc prescribed by your mum's doctor .

would be good if she can keep a diary of blood sugar levels and then visit GPafter a week with the table so that he/she can alter insulin accordingly.

No point in going to a Walk in Center or OOH service unless an acute attack as it is always better for routine things to see own doctor

Hope above helps .......

Angel777

Hi, you can get her a free blood glucose meter from www.lifescan.co.uk

If she tests 3 times a day before meals then you can take these results to show the nurse, that way she can have her insulin adjusted as it sounds like she is not on the correct medication/insulin.

Hope you get it sorted out soon.

PinkLady

Can I ask a stupid question about this please. My friend is diabetic - but I don't understand if it means there is too much sugar in the blood or too little? Does it mean that her body can't cope with sugar? Like being sugar intollerant? Sorry if these questions seem silly- I don't understand it all. thansk

kitekat

PinkLady wrote: »

Can I ask a stupid question about this please. My friend is diabetic - but I don't understand if it means there is too much sugar in the blood or too little? Does it mean that her body can't cope with sugar? Like being sugar intollerant? Sorry if these questions seem silly- I don't understand it all. thansk

If your friend is diabetic it means her pancreas is no longer functioning and her blood glucose levels will be extremely high.This is where insulin comes into play as it helps to keep her blood glucose levels as near to that of a non diabetics between 4 and 7.Diet and excercise also play a part in helping to maintain these levels,as does keeping a daily check on these blood glucose levels by doing blood tests with a blood glucose meter.Hope that all makes some sense.

PinkLady

Thanks - think I understand...
I worked with someone once who used to eat a mars bar when he felt ill. Wouldn't that make him worse?

kitekat

It would only make him worse if his blood sugars were already high,but if they were low it would help to stabilise them and stop him from going into a hypoglycemia coma,(hypo).

mr_rush

If your friend is diabetic it means her pancreas is no longer functioning
Not true actually. Her body may be less sensitive to normal insulin levels. If you want to find out about diabetes google diabetes uk and read up there, or even on wikipedia.