Newbie-dad recently diagnosed

[Ellie231]

Hi my dad (79) has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.. he's been struggling for ages but being a stubborn proud Yorkshire man (stupid) he has taken months of feeling so low before admitted he needed medical help.

He started being lethargic... Huge weight loss mood swings and toilet troubles (peeing alot and lack of bowel control)

He has taken the news really quite well considering... He has a hospital appointment for a colonoscopy which has been pre booked before the diabetes diagnosis.

My main trouble with him is his eating.. he's a very plain eater... Mince mash Yorkie puds sausage stew roasts that's his staples and won't venture to anything else remotely exciting.

I am worried for him.... But I'm not kidding myself that he could have caused damage to himself beyond help by being so silly!

His blood sugar level at routine GP blood test was 24?? He's on Metformin and seeing the GP and diabetic nurse weekly... We have a fab GP surgery that literally have an open door whenever you need them. And fantastic support to the whole family.

 

[Windy]

Hi Ellie, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your dad. Was the blood sugar at the GP from a finger prick test do you know? 24 for blood glucose is quite high. There's another test they do for HbA1c, which is a long term glucose test which gives a result something like 55mmol/mol - it has to be over 48 for a diagnosis of diabetes.
I'm glad to hear your surgery is so good and he's getting support.
Are you hoping to get him to make diet changes? I'm guessing that'll be difficult if he's set on eating a particular diet, but it's not undoable, but will need a fair bit of chivvying I suspect.
Also, it says you're Type 3c diabetic - is that right, or did you click on it by mistake? I'm assuming you're there as a relative, rather than a person with diabetes yourself? Welcome aboard either way.
Let us know what other questions you have, and we'll all try and help.
Kind regards, Sarah

 

[Drummer]

My own cooking is fairly plain - but the choices I make are all low carb. I can get mixtures of things for stir fries and stews, I make mash from swede and it makes great bubble and squeak, curries with cauliflower instead of rice.
The Metformin will not help his bowels if he is sensitive to it, but a change in his intake of carbohydrates could be lifechanging.
More energy for a start, and tastier food, fewer toilet issues - possibly better eyesight.
I find no problem in making meals with meat, fish, seafood, eggs or cheese as a base, then adding in low carb foods. I make sugar free jellies and have berries and cream with them.
Just the lack of toilet trouble might be enough to get him to make a change. I was taking Metformin for a few weeks, along with Atorvastatin, and I was so miserable with all that they caused as side effects that I have no trouble at all in keeping to the changes in carb content.