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Help husband in hospital with high blood sugar and hospital carnt get it under control

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
I hope you do have some answer's today - it must be worrying.
 
Hardy said:
I hope you do have some answer's today - it must be worrying
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Hardy said:
I hope you do have some answer's today - it must be worrying.
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Yesterday I got a few answers to my questions they are slowly open his insulin as not to cause hypos. For his weight loss they were trying to give him buildup drinks which seem to spike up his blood sugars so they are going to try giving him build up soups to get extra calories into him so hopefully by Friday things should be looking good on the diabetes side
 
Hardy said:
That sounds more positive
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I wish I felt positive I visited yesterday and they say his blood sugars were ok 9 In the morning but 20 something before dinner and high before tea and at 7 when they did them they say he has ketones (what ever they are) so I dont know what’s going on I’m just so worried he’s been in there 14 days and still not stable
 
Oh @Ibby I’m so sorry your husband is still not well. It must be exhausting for you. Ketones are a sign of uncontrolled diabetes (or sometimes a lack of sufficient food). If it was me, I’d ask why he wasn’t being given a separate fast-acting insulin before each meal. That would help keep his blood sugar down during the day.

Personally I think you need to start mentioning making a complaint.
 
Inka said:
Oh @Ibby I’m so sorry your husband is still not well. It must be exhausting for you. Ketones are a sign of uncontrolled diabetes (or sometimes a lack of sufficient food). If it was me, I’d ask why he wasn’t being given a separate fast-acting insulin before each meal. That would help keep his blood sugar down during the day.

Personally I think you need to start mentioning making a complaint.
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They give him some extra insulin sometimes when I’m there but ive just found out the man in the bed across from him is doing his menus and ordering him fresh orange.the nurse thought I was ordering his meals for him . So she going to keep an eye on what he eats
 
Right, well to be frank it sounds like his care is totally lacking. I thought they said they were ordering his food in order to control his blood sugar? How can they a) let this happen, and b) just let it continue? I feel furious on behalf of you and your husband.

The extra insulin they sometimes give him when you’re there doesn’t sound like what I’m talking about. It sounds like random doses to try to get his blood sugar down. What would be best, in my opinion, would be for your husband to have regular injections of a fast-acting insulin before every meal. This way his blood sugar wouldnt go high and importantly he would be able to use the food he’s eating. At the moment, even though he’s eating food, his body is unable to use it, which is why he’s losing weight, and why he has ketones. Ketones are potentially serious.
 
Inka said:
Right, well to be frank it sounds like his care is totally lacking. I thought they said they were ordering his food in order to control his blood sugar? How can they a) let this happen, and b) just let it continue? I feel furious on behalf of you and your husband.

The extra insulin they sometimes give him when you’re there doesn’t sound like what I’m talking about. It sounds like random doses to try to get his blood sugar down. What would be best, in my opinion, would be for your husband to have regular injections of a fast-acting insulin before every meal. This way his blood sugar wouldnt go high and importantly he would be able to use the food he’s eating. At the moment, even though he’s eating food, his body is unable to use it, which is why he’s losing weight, and why he has ketones. Ketones are potentially serious.
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I’m so worried he’s had a kidney transplant and after 2 weeks to still have high blood sugar i carnt under stand it why theve not it under control his other conditions see to be getting worse as they don’t seem to be talking to him and his speech is getting worse and he now asks me if he will ever come home
 
Good morning Ibby. So sorry to hear about your worries and that you are feeling lost when it comes to your husbands care. Does the hospital have a PALS service? If there is then have you tried to contact them? They are there to help people in your position and although they have been disrupted by COVID, they should be able to help.
 
Docb said:
Good morning Ibby. So sorry to hear about your worries and that you are feeling lost when it comes to your husbands care. Does the hospital have a PALS service? If there is then have you tried to contact them? They are there to help people in your position and although they have been disrupted by COVID, they should be able to help.
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That’s what my son has said but I’m not sure I just don’t know what to do any more it’s alright him saying do this do that but all I need him to do is come see and support me
 
Good morning @Ibby , sorry to be sticking my oar in late on in this thread.

However, I’m with @Inka here and feel so very cross.

If you don’t mind me saying, it’s time to step up the game. Ask when the doctor will be visiting your husband and say you’ll be there, or ask that the doctor visits your husband when you’re there. Make an appointment if necessary, this may mean ringing his secretary, explain your worries, don’t be fobbed off by anyone on the ward. Insist that someone from the hospital diabetes team, be it consultant, registrar or properly trained DSN visits him today. Be firm, but polite. Write down all your concerns and questions so you have them to hand , it’s so easy to forget things when stressed.

The line I’ve often found that has worked is to ask if they (whoever you’re speaking to) would be happy with the situation if this was their father / mother...would they be taking the same approach?

Oh and ask your son to go with you, tell him you both need him there. It’s time to put your boots on and kick some butts!

I hope things go better today and will have taken a positive turn. Sorry to sound bossy...not intended. x
 
Ibby said:
That’s what my son has said but I’m not sure I just don’t know what to do any more it’s alright him saying do this do that but all I need him to do is come see and support me
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I wonder if you contacted your G P to see if they can intervene on your behalf and try to get some information and ask what the treatment plan is moving forward.
If you outline all the concerns you have mentioned here.
I feel exasperated on your behalf at the poor care your husband is being given. To allow another patient to choose his meals is completely out of order and worth making a complaint.
 
Leadinglights said:
I wonder if you contacted your G P to see if they can intervene on your behalf and try to get some information and ask what the treatment plan is moving forward.
If you outline all the concerns you have mentioned here.
I feel exasperated on your behalf at the poor care your husband is being given. To allow another patient to choose his meals is completely out of order and worth making a complaint.
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I’ve rang the hospital this morning and they say his blood sugars have come down to 13 let’s see what that say when I visit only one person is allowed to visit and I can only have one hour so my son carnt come my husbands consultant in a diabetic consultant
 
Ibby said:
I’m so worried he’s had a kidney transplant and after 2 weeks to still have high blood sugar i carnt under stand it why theve not it under control his other conditions see to be getting worse as they don’t seem to be talking to him and his speech is getting worse and he now asks me if he will ever come home
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It’s perfectly understandable and reasonable that you’re worried @Ibby Anyone in your position would be. You’ve been more than patient.

I suggested PALS way back in this thread and others have suggested PALS too. If you don’t want to make an official complaint, you could still speak to the PALS team and get their support. You might find that them being involved helps concentrate people’s minds and get things moving faster.

I know it’s very hard to be pushy when you’re dealing with the upset of someone being ill. I would hope PALS could support you with navigating things and help you shoulder some of the load.

Can your son not phone the consultant? I completely get that you’d prefer him to come and see you and support you in person, but if he could phone then that might help too.
 
I meant to add, don’t forget to look after yourself too...eating well and getting enough sleep...easier said than done I know.

Hopefully your son lives close enough to visit and support you or you have friends around to talk to.
 
If your husband is in Scunthorpe general hospital, they do have a PALS service. So maybe you could ring them with your concerns and try to get some reassurance. They are there to help.

PALS (Patient advice and liaison service)​

nlg-tr.PALS@nhs.net
You can talk to PALS who provide confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers, and can provide information on the NHS and health related matters.
PALS
Tel:01724 290132
 
Lisa66 said:
I meant to add, don’t forget to look after yourself too...eating well and getting enough sleep...easier said than done I know.

Hopefully your son lives close enough to visit and support you or you have friends around to talk to.
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My son live 5 min away but dosent seem to want to come support me I don’t have any friends around but I do talk to them on the phone but not the same really.it’s easy said to I feel sick if I do eat and sick when I do .
 
Good to hear he will be coming home.

Are you confident with helping him with his diabetes management over the weekend and next week?

Has any sort of follow-up been suggested? Might the District Nurses be able to drop in?
 
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