Any info appreciated

[Ellibird]

Hi
My Mum has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after going in to Ketoacidosis, she spent a week in hospital and was very poorly. She’s home now and still very weak and trying to come to terms with things, I want to help her do this but am totally clueless on diabetes and feel useless. I would be glad of any help even on the basics of if too high or low. My Mum is 69.

 

[Kaylz]

i assume she has already started insulin? What insulins has she been given?

If she goes low (below 4) then you need to treat with fast acting carbs, generally you are taught 15g fast acting carbs and then test again after 15 minutes and if still below 4 repeat the process, things to treat with could be glucose tablets, jelly babies, small carton of fruit juice, mixer can of coke etc, just be sure that it's the 15g and measure sweets out in advance etc if uncertain

If high then it would generally need a correction dose of insulin, this needs discussing with her team though as we aren't allowed to give dosing advice as it could be dangerous as we all have our own individual correction factors

In respect to you asking for help on the basics it may be better for you to ask specifically what else you would like to know to make it easier for us to answer, no criticism meant on your current post though!

Oh and should have started this reply with Hi and welcome to the forum 🙂 LOL
xx

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Ellibird, welcome to the forum,

Sorry to hear about your mums' diagnosis. It can be overwhelming at the beginning but it does get easier.

We have a wealth of info on our site which may be of use. This page talks you through how to test and what the numbers mean https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.

This page shares insights on what to eat and why https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-1-diabetes.

The most important thing that your mum has is your support which makes the world of difference 🙂. Have a read through and let us know if there are any questions you have.

 

[Ellibird]

i assume she has already started insulin? What insulins has she been given?

If she goes low (below 4) then you need to treat with fast acting carbs, generally you are taught 15g fast acting carbs and then test again after 15 minutes and if still below 4 repeat the process, things to treat with could be glucose tablets, jelly babies, small carton of fruit juice, mixer can of coke etc, just be sure that it's the 15g and measure sweets out in advance etc if uncertain

If high then it would generally need a correction dose of insulin, this needs discussing with her team though as we aren't allowed to give dosing advice as it could be dangerous as we all have our own individual correction factors

In respect to you asking for help on the basics it may be better for you to ask specifically what else you would like to know to make it easier for us to answer, no criticism meant on your current post though!

Oh and should have started this reply with Hi and welcome to the forum 🙂 LOL
xx

Hi
thanks for your reply, yes your right I will be more specific in my next post lol that was just an opener the questions will be coming thick and fast next time

 

[Kaylz]

You can add any specific questions you may have to this thread if there are any at the moment 🙂
xx

 

[Ellibird]

Ok thanks so last night her reading was just below 4 so she was told at hospital she should have the jelly babies(4) and small can of coke . Is it both or either and also this was reading was taken before her bedtime dose of insulin. So my question is do you still take the planned dose of insulin or wait till her levels have risen to a normal level ?

 

[Inka]

An important thing to add is that your mum’s numbers will be brought down gradually. So don’t look here and think that’s she’s not doing as well as others. It takes time to get blood glucose down and doses of insulin adjusted. She’ll gradually feel better as her blood sugar comes back to a more normal range, and her body is able to use the food she eats once again.

The things that helped me most was the recognition that Type 1 is an auto-immune condition and not my fault, and that my job is to now take over what my pancreas used to do. There are a couple of excellent books that might help: Think Like A Pancreas by Gary Scheiner, and Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. Ignore the title - it’s informative for older adults too.

 

[Ellibird]

Hi Ellibird, welcome to the forum,

Sorry to hear about your mums' diagnosis. It can be overwhelming at the beginning but it does get easier.

We have a wealth of info on our site which may be of use. This page talks you through how to test and what the numbers mean https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.

This page shares insights on what to eat and why https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-1-diabetes.

The most important thing that your mum has is your support which makes the world of difference 🙂. Have a read through and let us know if there are any questions you have.

Thank you I will have a read through these

 

[Ellibird]

An important thing to add is that your mum’s numbers will be brought down gradually. So don’t look here and think that’s she’s not doing as well as others. It takes time to get blood glucose down and doses of insulin adjusted. She’ll gradually feel better as her blood sugar comes back to a more normal range, and her body is able to use the food she eats once again.

The things that helped me most was the recognition that Type 1 is an auto-immune condition and not my fault, and that my job is to now take over what my pancreas used to do. There are a couple of excellent books that might help: Think Like A Pancreas by Gary Scheiner, and Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. Ignore the title - it’s informative for older adults too.

Thank you

 

[Inka]

Ok thanks so last night her reading was just below 4 so she was told at hospital she should have the jelly babies(4) and small can of coke . Is it both or either and also this was reading was taken before her bedtime dose of insulin. So my question is do you still take the planned dose of insulin or wait till her levels have risen to a normal level ?

Usually it’s one or the other of those. The sole aim is to raise the blood sugar so there’s no strict rule - she has what she needs to get back up into a safe range. She doesn’t need to delay her bedtime insulin as that’s a slow-acting insulin. However, if she’s by herself, I’d never inject when low as it’s important to be fully able to concentrate.

 

[Inka]

She should have been told a number to go to bed on and whether she needs a bedtime snack eg some people are told never to go to bed below 8, some 10.

The biggest thing she can do if she’s not already is carb count. The fast-acting insulin (meal time) is inextricably linked with carb intake.

 

[Ellibird]

She isn’t carb counting as such but is having a 1/4 plate carbs 1/4 plate protein and half plate vegetables at meal times and taking insulin before she eats

 

[Inka]

That sounds reasonable 🙂 Sticking to the same amount of carbs if she’s on fixed doses for meals will help keep her blood sugar more stable.

If she’s getting a lot of lows at bedtime, it would be worth her speaking to her team.

 

[Ellibird]

Thanks Inka

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Ellibird

Sorry to hear about your Mum’s diagnosis, but very pleased that she has you around to support her. It is a lot to take on board at the start but it does get a lot easier, and just becomes part of a new ‘normal’ life.

The night time insulin will deal with the glucose that your mum’s liver is trickling out all the time to keep her going whether she eats or not. The quick acting insulin (meal time insulin) deals with the glucose from the carbs your Mum eats. These all get changed into glucose once inside and later on it will help your Mum to learn carb counting as she will then be able to adjust her dose to match what she wants to eat.

The Ragnar Hanas book is really helpful, whatever your age. It is very clear and has practical suggestions.

It takes time for things to settle especially as your Mum was so poorly at diagnosis.
Keep firing questions as they arise and we will help where we can.

 

[Ellibird]

Welcome to the forum @Ellibird

Sorry to hear about your Mum’s diagnosis, but very pleased that she has you around to support her. It is a lot to take on board at the start but it does get a lot easier, and just becomes part of a new ‘normal’ life.

The night time insulin will deal with the glucose that your mum’s liver is trickling out all the time to keep her going whether she eats or not. The quick acting insulin (meal time insulin) deals with the glucose from the carbs your Mum eats. These all get changed into glucose once inside and later on it will help your Mum to learn carb counting as she will then be able to adjust her dose to match what she wants to eat.

The Ragnar Hanas book is really helpful, whatever your age. It is very clear and has practical suggestions.

It takes time for things to settle especially as your Mum was so poorly at diagnosis.
Keep firing questions as they arise and we will help where we can.

Thank you 🙂