Hiys, I'm new here and new to diabetes. My wife just found out she's diabetic and itsipretty bad. She's disabled and I am her full time carer .she went doctors last week and after a blood test found out her reading was in the low 20's which apparently is very high and potentially dangerous. The biggest problem is medication, my wife also suffers with phobic anxiety disorder which in part means she is terrified of medication and the side effects. I am very frustrated and very very worried as shess pretty much refusing to take any medication. What can I do? Are there any medications without side effects or at least mild side effects. The nurse is very concerned telling us my wife is in serious risk of being hospitalised. Help
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Need help please
- Thread starter Pascall68
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Hi and welcome. I am sorry your wife is in this position, must be awful for her to be so frightened and for you to be unable to reassure her 
I’m certainly not qualified to comment on the medication and it may depend what type of diabetes she has, however a change of diet can make a huge difference. Carbohydrates are the enemy, especially pasta, rice, potatoes and bread (although many of us do tolerate Burgen bread). With veg, avoid root veg as that can be quite high but you will find all you need to know here so it’s worth having a good read and then asking any questions you might have.
Be careful with fruit, especially tropical fruit as it’s particularly high in natural sugar, a rule of thumb is no more than two small pieces a day.
Some people are ok with a few berries but the only way to know what works for your wife is to test her blood before she eats, then again two hours later and I am for a rise of no more than 2. You may not get a meter on prescription if she is type 2 so might be worth buying one, the most reasonable is the code free at around £12 with replacement strips only around £7 to £8 for 50.
I’m certainly not qualified to comment on the medication and it may depend what type of diabetes she has, however a change of diet can make a huge difference. Carbohydrates are the enemy, especially pasta, rice, potatoes and bread (although many of us do tolerate Burgen bread). With veg, avoid root veg as that can be quite high but you will find all you need to know here so it’s worth having a good read and then asking any questions you might have.Be careful with fruit, especially tropical fruit as it’s particularly high in natural sugar, a rule of thumb is no more than two small pieces a day.
Some people are ok with a few berries but the only way to know what works for your wife is to test her blood before she eats, then again two hours later and I am for a rise of no more than 2. You may not get a meter on prescription if she is type 2 so might be worth buying one, the most reasonable is the code free at around £12 with replacement strips only around £7 to £8 for 50.
KARNAK
Much Missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
WOW not nice mate, first of all welcome to the forum @Pascall68 and to your lovely wife. Its difficult to advise if medication is a problem but diet is a major factor of controlling Diabetes so read as much as you can within this forum. Other experienced members will be along soon to advise you, it would be helpful to know what diagnosis she has been given and any medication she can suffer, we are here for both of you so ask away.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
If your wife is type two, and lucky, then by reducing the carbohydrate she eats then her blood glucose levels will fall.
The most commonly prescribed medication is Metformin - which has horrible side effects for those unlucky enough to get them - some people take it and are fine. I wasn't one of them.
If you can get hold of a copy of the 2003 edition of New Diet Revolution by Dr Atkins there is quite a bit about diabetes in that - and all the advice on what to eat too.
The most commonly prescribed medication is Metformin - which has horrible side effects for those unlucky enough to get them - some people take it and are fine. I wasn't one of them.
If you can get hold of a copy of the 2003 edition of New Diet Revolution by Dr Atkins there is quite a bit about diabetes in that - and all the advice on what to eat too.
Ralph-YK
Much missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum Pascalel68.
Medication used will depend on which type your wife is. I'm on metformin, no side effects that I know of for me. This is only used with T2s.
You'll have to ask the nurse which type, and what course of action they recommend.
As diabetics it's carbohydrates we have to manage. However, any medication might have to be taken into account when working on your diet.
Medication used will depend on which type your wife is. I'm on metformin, no side effects that I know of for me. This is only used with T2s.
You'll have to ask the nurse which type, and what course of action they recommend.
As diabetics it's carbohydrates we have to manage. However, any medication might have to be taken into account when working on your diet.
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