Hi all new to all this my Dad is insulin dependent and has dementia, my mum who is his main carer is currently in hospital after a nasty fall. Myself and my sister are looking after him but wondered if you could point me in the right direction to get advice regarding how many units etc he should be having. Thanks
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Bit of Advice
- Thread starter Helens32
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
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Hi and welcome.
Unfortunately insulin usage is a very individual thing and can vary hugely from one person to another.
Are you able to consult your mother?
Which insulin(s) is he on? ... There may be just one or two different ones which do 2 different jobs.
Is your Dad Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic?
Have you tested his blood and got a reading and if so what sort of level is his Blood Glucose at the moment?
I would suggest that you ring 111 for medically trained advice on how to proceed particularly if his levels are quite high as you are unlikely to be able to contact his GP, nurse or clinic today and we are not allowed to give dosing advice as it is potentially very dangerous.
Unfortunately insulin usage is a very individual thing and can vary hugely from one person to another.
Are you able to consult your mother?
Which insulin(s) is he on? ... There may be just one or two different ones which do 2 different jobs.
Is your Dad Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic?
Have you tested his blood and got a reading and if so what sort of level is his Blood Glucose at the moment?
I would suggest that you ring 111 for medically trained advice on how to proceed particularly if his levels are quite high as you are unlikely to be able to contact his GP, nurse or clinic today and we are not allowed to give dosing advice as it is potentially very dangerous.
Docb
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Helens32 and welcome to the forum. Alannah and Rebrascora are spot on. I'm assuming you have some sort of idea of his insulin regime but you need to get up to speed quickly on the details and a call to whoever is managing his diabetes care (GP to start with who may pass you onto a diabetes clinic) needs to be made as soon as possible. That's the only place, other than your mother, where you can get advice you can rely on. Just to repeat, bad advice can be very dangerous. If you are at all worried, call 111.
- Relationship to Diabetes
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If you are having difficulty getting hold of clinical advice the Diabetes UK helpline may be able to refer your to a phone conversation with a Diabetes Specialist Nurse. You can call 0345 123 2399 Mon-Fri 9-6.
Hope you manage to get some useful pointers. Must be a very stressful time for you.
Hope you manage to get some useful pointers. Must be a very stressful time for you.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I'm very sorry to hear of your parents' position - hope mum gets well again soon.
At least for dad's sake - you've been sensible enough to try and seek proper advice - and I also hope you'll get that soon too.
It has made me think - as a 71 year old mum, married to a 73 yo dad who could learn within a few months (cos whatever he says I absolutely don't think his brain can possibly be firing on all cylinders all day every day come what may) how my pump works I expect - but won't have any intuition to go with that - so how do I - or any of us - plan for someone needing to look after either or both of us?
Nowt to do with the original post, but I certainly need to ask some questions too - so thanks very much for reminding me I'm no more invincible myself than the average teen/ 20 yo !
At least for dad's sake - you've been sensible enough to try and seek proper advice - and I also hope you'll get that soon too.
It has made me think - as a 71 year old mum, married to a 73 yo dad who could learn within a few months (cos whatever he says I absolutely don't think his brain can possibly be firing on all cylinders all day every day come what may) how my pump works I expect - but won't have any intuition to go with that - so how do I - or any of us - plan for someone needing to look after either or both of us?
Nowt to do with the original post, but I certainly need to ask some questions too - so thanks very much for reminding me I'm no more invincible myself than the average teen/ 20 yo !
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