Serbian Romany boyfriend diabetes problems

[FaithElliott]

Hi there everyone, if someone can help with this it would be amazing. My name is Faith, my boyfriend lives in Serbia and is a gypsy, 26 years old with type 1 diabetes, diagnosed when he was 18. He is receiving even less healthcare than Serbians because he is a gypsy - he gets insulin free but that is the only service he gets. His bloo sugar is up and down all day - he eats a lot of white bread, yogurt, smokes, does not drink alcohol, no fruit, nothing like whole grains, a lot of pizza and bread based junk food - standard gypsy diet. You are a real weirdo if you do exercise in his village so he does no exercise. His sleeping patterns are erattic. 4 years ago he had a couple of flecks in his eyes and now he says there are 7 or 8, his feet are fine. He does not test his sugar levels himself - he has no equipment to do this, and his moods go up and down all day - from almost fainting to hyperactive. Can anyone advise me firstly: is there anything I can take him that is essential (strips/glucose monitoring...); I know nothing about diabetes help - do you think i should take him to an eye specialist in Serbia? Also, he is planning on visiting me in England soon, he cannot legally claim NHS health care here but are there charities that could help him. Does anone know anything in Oxford where I live? Thanks very much, Faith

 

[Natalie123]

Hi Faith, This is a really tough question. It seems to me that your boyfriend is really not getting the help he needs, but also, I hate to say, isn't taking good care of himself. He may not have had the education about diet that we get in the uk. Things that would help would include a blood glucose monitor, test strips and lancets. You can often send off for a free meter from the manufacturers, but the test strips are not cheap and can be bought from a pharmacy or online. I know that the Oxford Radcliffe hospital has exceptional diabetes care, if he wanted to be seen, I would imagine that he could be seen privately. People you could contact for advice would be diabetes uk, they have a brilliant careline and are very easy to talk too. It is important that your boyfriend realises that if he doesn't take care of himself, his eyesight could get worse, but if he can improve things it is not too late to avoid future problems. I do hope that this hasn't scared you, but it is best that I am honest. Feel free to ask me any more questions if there is anything you need. I can probably point you in the right direction to get a free meter and if you struggle to get one, I have a spare that you can have if that would help. Well done for joining us and trying to support your boyfriend, he is a very lucky man xx

 

[margie]

Its very hard to advise.

He would benefit from testing his blood, but blood testing strips are expensive so I have no idea how he would fund it.

I did an internet search and came across this web-site

http://www.romasupportgroup.org.uk/

I know nothing about them so please show caution if you contact them - but they do seem to be the kind of organisation you are looking for.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Faith

I feel for you, but unfurtunately I don't know the 'ins and outs' of how the system works for someone in your boyfriend's position, except that annual eye screening would be one of the 'essential' checks that DUK are currently campaigning for every UK diabetic to get access to.

From what you have said about his diet, it would be tricky (but not impossible) to manage with a hefty supply of test strips and proper SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose) routine. Without it, he must just be relying on guesswork which will be making things extremely hard for him. Mood swings and erratic BGs go hand in hand I'm afraid.

I'd suggest you call the DUK careline (0845 120 2960) to see if they have any advice for someone in your boyfriend's position.

 

[Robster65]

Hi Faith. Welcome 🙂

Can only echo what's been said already about a BG meter and strips (as many as you think you can afford?) which can be bought online or from a chemist, etc.

It seems to me as if the biggest hurdle may be the cultural side of things. If he is resistant to self-care then you have a battle on your hands but if he's keen to get things sorted, it's possible to educate him about the physical ins and outs of how insulin works and the effects of white bread, etc vs. healthier foods. The yoghurt is good. It shoudl slow down absorption of glucose. The junk food is, obviously, not so good but that's for you to try and persuade him about (sorry 🙄). 🙂

Wish you and him the best of luck and if we can help you to understand anymore, ask away.

I wonder if there are any books which have been translated into Serbian. If he can read English then there are several that would help him and you.

Rob