Looking for advice for my Mum

[TashG]

Hi!

I was hoping to get some advice for my Mum who has recently been moved onto Insulin (NovoMix 30). Ill try to keep it as short as I can
So, age 66 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 6 years ago and treated with tablets (Metformin).
Recently had heart attack causing a VSD (hole in heart) and whilst in hospital diabetes medication changed to insulin (NovoMix 30) plus tablets (Linagliptin).
She has just returned home after having the VSD closed and currently recovering. However, she is completely overwhelmed by the diabetes management. She has never been given any advice or support and now we have very little information about what she should or shouldn't be doing to manage this properly. I will be making her an appointment with her GP to discuss further. She has been told to measure blood sugars and take insulin after breakfast and after evening meal.

We are very unsure of when and how often blood sugar level should be tested?
She is also very worried about what foods to eat and avoid?
And whether snacks between meals should be avoided?
Are carbs ok in small quantities?
Are sweet treats, like chocolate/biscuits to be avoided 100% or is it ok in small amounts every so often?

Sorry probably some really silly questions, but completely new to this so just searching up guidance.

Thank you for taking the time read

 

[Inka]

Hi @TashG Sorry to hear about your mum’s heart problems. Going on to insulin at such a time must be hard. Definitely speak to her GP and get some individual advice for her. In general, I’d test first thing in the morning, before lunch, before the evening meal, before bed and at any time your mum feels ‘different’ or unwell. That’s the minimum number of tests.

Yes, your mum should definitely eat carbs. She should really have been told an amount to have per meal eg 30g, 50g or whatever. If she sticks to that amount, then her insulin should work well. It might need adjusting slightly, but keeping a regular routine of carb amounts when taking the two Novomix doses is important as it will mean more stable blood sugars, and reduce the risk of hypos.

As to what to eat, that’s hard without knowing your mum’s situation, but avoid sugary food and drink unless her blood sugar goes too low (hypo). If it does go low, she should have 2 or 3 Dextro glucose tablets and follow that up with some longer-acting carbs eg a digestive biscuit. Wholemeal is generally better than white products because the glucose from it gets into the blood more slowly.

I’m going to tag @Lucyr because she’s Type 2 (I’m Type 1).

 

[Lucyr]

Hiya and welcome. I’m sorry you’re mum has had such limited advice. Novomix insulin contains a mixture of long and fast acting insulin, so I’d advise against any dramatic diet changes and just try to focus on eating healthy balanced meals that contain a bit of everything (carbs, protein, veg). You’ll see from reading the forum that some diabetics follow a low carbohydrate diet but you do need more experience to do that whilst taking mixed insulin.

Testing before meals, before bed, and at any odd feelings or behaviours will help. If you can write these down along with a food diary and estimate of quantities then that will help to work out the doses that your mum needs.

The most important thing to read about to start with is how to recognise and treat a hypo (low blood sugar).

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your Mum’s heart attack, and her need for surgery. Any significant illness or surgery can cause some havoc in blood glucose management, so it may take a while for things to settle down.

Sorry that you don’t seem to have been given much clarity or advice to help with adjusting to insulin either. Hopefully you will be able to get some more appointments soon, though things are still difficult and quite stretched with the pandemic

T2 members here often recommend Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which has chapters that cover insulin.

Let us know how your Mum gets on, and keep asking questions on the forum. Good luck!