Any advice

[Marie145]

Sorry to hear about your husband's stroke. It is hard enough looking after oneself but twice as hard looking after someone else. Just one thing nobody has yet mentioned, do it slowly. Wean him off the sugar in his tea and other things that have sugar, so his taste starts to change for sweet things. Then gradually lower things like bread. If he is hungry you can add a bit more natural fats. A piece of steamed fish with a nice creamy parsley sauce. Also it is not good to go from high blood sugar levels straight to low ones, as the body has to get use to it gradually to avoid damage to the eyes.

Thank you that is really useful advice and I am sure advice that should have been supplied by a doctor. I have got him on sweetners....and quote he says its ok....Now he loves hi porridge .....is it good with sweetner too...or fruit...but he is not allowed grapes or strawberries

 

[Marie145]

Can you get diabetes blood test privately as i am sick of my docs said he has to wait 6 months now...bloody ridiculous when he has had a stroke

 

[Marie145]

Hi Marie. I am sorry to hear about your husbands dx (diagnosis) I am afraid many of us receive little or poor info., but not to be told is absolutely shocking. It might take a while for it to sink in with your hubby ,hopefully not too long , I'm guessing he is scared as I know you definitely are.
For a sweetener in tea ,coffee etc I use Silverspoon granulated sweetener
View attachment 2749
I'm told It's not suitable for cooking , but in hot drinks I find it tastes exactly the same as sugar. Splenda is pretty good too but I do notice a very slight difference to sugar.

When your husbands ready he should find lots of reading I'm giving a link for helpful. I know you will for sure 🙂.
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/
Scroll down to the T2 section.
For future reference you'll find this in the pinned section called useful links for newly diagnosed in the newbies say hello forum .

Keep on asking us questions

Thank you that is really useful. Is there a particular one sweetner suitable for cooking? As I am happy to use in cooking...need to loose weight myself.

 

[Marie145]

Hi Marie. I am sorry to hear about your husbands dx (diagnosis) I am afraid many of us receive little or poor info., but not to be told is absolutely shocking. It might take a while for it to sink in with your hubby ,hopefully not too long , I'm guessing he is scared as I know you definitely are.
For a sweetener in tea ,coffee etc I use Silverspoon granulated sweetener
View attachment 2749
I'm told It's not suitable for cooking , but in hot drinks I find it tastes exactly the same as sugar. Splenda is pretty good too but I do notice a very slight difference to sugar.

When your husbands ready he should find lots of reading I'm giving a link for helpful. I know you will for sure 🙂.
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/
Scroll down to the T2 section.
For future reference you'll find this in the pinned section called useful links for newly diagnosed in the newbies say hello forum .

Keep on asking us questions

Thank you that is really useful. Is there a particular one sweetner suitable for cooking? As I am happy to use in cooking...need to loose weight myself.

 

[Marie145]

Hi Marie...the HbA1c blood test will give his average blood glucose levels over the last two to three months...so whether he fasted or not won't make any difference to the result...disappointing and infuriating you weren't given the diagnosis 18 months...perhaps you should raise with the GP and practice manager...what tablets is he taking...more often than not Type 2's are given Metformin...they do help but some who take them can suffer from side effects that include diarrhoea...gastric upset and flatulence...once your body gets used to them the symptoms are likely to subside...if not you can ask your doctor for the extended release form which is often kinder on your system...basically carbs are the enemy to us diabetics...food such as white bread...rice...pasta...some fruits those that are high in sugar...avoid processed foods or make sure you read the labels carefully to see how many carbs it contains...I used a book called Type Two Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...available from Amazon...so informative...takes you through her first year as a type 2 diabetic year by year...there will be plenty of advice from members on the forum...ask as many questions as you need to...nothing is consider too trivial...is your husband testing his blood glucose...did the GP supply any advice on testing...or the meter itself...testing is a great way of keeping an eye on your BG...and will show you how the food your husband is eating affects his BG levels.

Thank you I did not know that about the test they do....i asked....doc quote....you dont need ot know...OMG....I need knowledge to help him and I am not stupid I thought ....stupid doc.

 

[Marie145]

Sorry to hear about your husband's stroke. It is hard enough looking after oneself but twice as hard looking after someone else. Just one thing nobody has yet mentioned, do it slowly. Wean him off the sugar in his tea and other things that have sugar, so his taste starts to change for sweet things. Then gradually lower things like bread. If he is hungry you can add a bit more natural fats. A piece of steamed fish with a nice creamy parsley sauce. Also it is not good to go from high blood sugar levels straight to low ones, as the body has to get use to it gradually to avoid damage to the eyes.

Thank you great advice. I keep making sure he has a few slices of bread each day at lunchtime too. spuds for evening meal and i ban him during day.......what else is low in carbs as snacks?

 

[Lilian]

Thank you I did not know that about the test they do....i asked....doc quote....you dont need ot know...OMG....I need knowledge to help him and I am not stupid I thought ....stupid doc.

Not only is the doctor stupid he is not adhering to the duties of a doctor registered with the GMC. Work in partnership with patients.

• Listen to patients and respond to their concerns and preferences.
• Give patients the information they want or need in a way they can understand.
• Respect patients’ right to reach decisions with you about their treatment and care.
• Support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health.

 

[Dave W]

Since we found out you wouldnt beleive ho whis bread consumption has dropped. Damn doc when i said he east a lot of bread....quote....look at his sugar...i said that is NOT the main focus of his diet it is Carbs from Bread.....Since he has reduced bread....I have a back log of bread in the store.....makes me realise how much he has been eating of the stuff. He is following me and what I eat now. However I eat loads of fruit.

Careful with the fruit Marie, there's quite a bit of fructose (sugars) in some, particularly in the stuff from warmer climes. You might want to try Lidl high protein rolls for hubby, they are exceptionally low carb and are the only 'bread' that doesn't spike my BG.

 

[Bubbsie]

Thank you I did not know that about the test they do....i asked....doc quote....you dont need ot know...OMG....I need knowledge to help him and I am not stupid I thought ....stupid doc.

Very disappointing but not surprising Marie...of course you and your husband need to know...you can ask for a copy of the results...I am able to check my results online...might be an idea to see whether your surgery offers this facility...if you and your husband are going to control his diabetes...important to know his levels...I would be careful with the bread Marie...what kind are you giving him...I do eat bread but have high protein bread...Burgen...Tesco's high protein bread much lower on the carbs...and as Dave W has said be careful with the fruit...things like grapes are loaded with sugar...oops see you already avoid those...are you testing his BG with a meter?...a great way to see what effect his diet is having on his BG...I had similar issues with my GP...finally after two lengthy discussions and writing to him we have made some headway and I now have his attention...it takes some effort...you're not alone...I would seriously considering getting a glucose meter...and asking for a copy of his test results...or encourage your husband to ask for a copy...good luck.

 

[Bubbsie]

Yes I think you are right....he said course today. ....but didn't know where it was. Self education sounds a way forward. ..but convincing hubby will be even harder now. Book will come tommorrow and asking sister advice as

Marie...you can attend the course with him...I attended a DESMOND course and took a friend with me...may encourage him to attend if he doesn't have to go on his own...some find the course useful...due to other health issues...hospital appointments etc... I didn't attend the course until six months after diagnosis...so had already worked out my management plan...and didn't find it that useful...however some here have had much better experiences on the self help courses...you will learn a lot here from personal testimony...the advice & support has been invaluable for me...keep working at it...it is not easy (you know that)...but it does get easier once you can find what food/activity best suits you & your husband...keep at it...you will get there.

 

[Grogg1]

Also it is not good to go from high blood sugar levels straight to low ones, as the body has to get use to it gradually to avoid damage to the eyes.

I went from high on diagnosis to much lower within 2 weeks and my eyesight changed from slightly short sighted to perfect distance vision but needing reading glasses to even look at my phone. Stayed like this for 3 weeks during which time I went to optician for check up (all fine) and then returned to my usual prescription. I've had my first hospital eye check and thankfully all fine.

 

[Lilian]

I think it depends on whether there is slight damage already there, how long you have been running high, and high or very high. But it is always good to err on the safe side.