Carer of a Diabetic

[ab22]

Hi there everyone.

My name is Alisha. I work as a Healthcare Assistant for the community, I am a Mother of 2 children and I am also full-time Carer for my Mother.

My Mother was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes in May 2015. We are still getting to grips with everything and trying to find our feet so that is why I have signed up to the forum. I hope to chat with some of you lovely people soon and get some advice and tips that will help us on our way!!

Thank you 🙂

 

[Lynn Davies]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[Northerner]

Hi there everyone.

My name is Alisha. I work as a Healthcare Assistant for the community, I am a Mother of 2 children and I am also full-time Carer for my Mother.

My Mother was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes in May 2015. We are still getting to grips with everything and trying to find our feet so that is why I have signed up to the forum. I hope to chat with some of you lovely people soon and get some advice and tips that will help us on our way!!

Thank you 🙂

Hi Alisha, welcome to the forum 🙂 How has your mother been getting on? Is she on any medication for her diabetes? Please let us know if you have any questions! 🙂

 

[ab22]

Hi Lynn and Northerner,

Thanks for your welcome!! Northerner, my Mum isn't doing so well. Her glucose levels are all over the place. We are having real difficulty controlling them. She is on Metformin - Modified Release 75mg, twice daily. I am so meticulous when it comes to my Mum taking her medication. I make sure she takes it everyday at the same time but her glucose levels are still fluctuating.

As I said, we are still trying to get to grips with everything so we're not expecting it to be an easy journey at the moment. I'm just hoping that we get on the right path soon x

 

[trophywench]

What about her diet Alisha?

Are you aware she should be limiting carbohydrates in general, not just sugar itself?

So things like rice and other grains, anything with any flour in it, potatoes, a lot of fruits esp 'tropical' sorts like mangoes, bananas, pineapples - and oranges too. Oh and grapes are horrific! Drupes (cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots) and apples/pears aren't brilliant. Berries are a lot lower carb.

 

[Carolg]

Hi alisha and welcome to the forum.your mum is lucky to have you taking her condition seriously. My daughter is not my carer, and i am getting on a bit but the emotional suppirt she gives is fantastic even when she is juggling kids, dog husband and work. Well done, and don't be afraid to ask questions hear, or have a moan, laugh, or rant. Carol

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lynn and Northerner,

Thanks for your welcome!! Northerner, my Mum isn't doing so well. Her glucose levels are all over the place. We are having real difficulty controlling them. She is on Metformin - Modified Release 75mg, twice daily. I am so meticulous when it comes to my Mum taking her medication. I make sure she takes it everyday at the same time but her glucose levels are still fluctuating.

As I said, we are still trying to get to grips with everything so we're not expecting it to be an easy journey at the moment. I'm just hoping that we get on the right path soon x

I'm sorry to hear this, she must feel rubbish if her levels are all over the place as it can really affect your moods Is she testing her levels then? What you need to do is start a food diary, writing down the amount of carbohydrate (in grams) in every thing she eats and drinks. Doing this for a week or two will give you a really good and true idea of what her daily carb intake is. You can then look for areas where you can either reduce or replace the carbs with other things - there are lots of very inventive (and tasty!) ideas for low carb alternatives e.g. cauliflower rice/mash, courgetti spaghetti, sweet potato instead of ordinary potato etc. - have a look in the food section 🙂 Having worked out a more 'diabetes-friendly' diet you and she should then follow a programme of testing her blood sugar levels before and after eating, so you can discover her own particular tolerances for different things - we can vary quite a lot as individuals, so it's important to know what works well for you and what doesn't. Read Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for a better understanding about how to do this efficiently and effectively 🙂 I would also recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and getting hold of a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - all these will increase your understanding about diabetes and how to manage it well. It can be quite a tedious process to begin with, so you need to be patient - it's all about building up experience of what works well for your Mum and what she needs to avoid. The goal of getting those levels under control is really worth it as your Mum will feel so much better! 🙂

Do let us know if you have any questions, and how things go 🙂

 

[ab22]

Hi all,

Thank you so much to you all for the tips and advice you have given me so far!! Even though its just the start, it has already helped massively!! I have written all the tips and advice down on paper so that I can write up a "guidance" book that eventually will become full of advice and tips that will not only help us now but will continue to help us in the future!!

Thanks again to you all xx