Re: How To Help A Newly Diagnosed Diabetic

On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:57:42 -0600, Ryan P
<rdeletethispaque@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

<snip>

So my question... is there a comprehensive website, or pamphlet, or
something to that effect that gives family members a list of things that
WE can watch for to help a non-complainer-type diabetic stay healthy? I
know that she has personal responsibilty to do this, but I want to know
what types of things I should be asking her to monitor symptoms.

Too late I learned now that *I* should look at her feet regularly (as
well as a doctor), I learned that she should have gone to an eye doctor
right away after being diagnosed, etc.

If anybody can give me pointers or point me in the right direction,
I'd really appreciate it, as I feel a sense of guilt for not knowing and
possibly having had a chance to save her toes.

Ryan, I've read the other answers, but I don't think anyone
specifically addressed your question.

Yes, you can go to the ADA website, or Joslin, or even my
blog and find lots of good information. But that's the
problem - there's a lot and you haven't the background to
sift through it all.

So I'll try to give some non-technical clues for you or the
family to be aware of. Obviously you need to try to be aware
of her test numbers - but she may not do the tests or she
may not tell you. So I'll just note some broad physical
indicators.

Of course, a lot depends on how much she is prepared to let
you interfere in her life and whether that is the right
thing to do. That is something only she and you can
determine.

This is not exhaustive and others may add to it or correct
it. And note that I am just diabetic, not a doctor.

1. Feet. No need to expand on that - you already know. But
make sure she does check her feet. If she doesn't, one trick
may be to buy her white sox as a gift. A past poster here
named Annette always wore white sox because they would show
any bleeding from an un-noticed wound on her soles when she
took them off.

Ask how her feet are nightly before bed. Other indicators of
possible problems are new feelings of pins and needles, or
numbness, or an odd feeling like walking on pebbles. Any
changes like those are a warning that it's time to see the
podiatrist or the specialist.

2. Eyes.

If in any doubt about eye problems, she should see an
ophthalmologist (not just an optometrist).

However, if she is experiencing rapid changes in blood
glucose levels, but not rapid or extreme enough to cause
hypo or hyper symptoms, they can cause vision problems. The
eyes are very sensitive to changes in blood glucose levels.
If she complains about her glasses changing focus through
the day, or blurry vision or similar, try to get her to do
some testing through the day to see if she is going high
after meals and then dropping much lower. The problem may
not need the eye doctor, it may need a change of menu or
medications.

Note that it is likely she will have some vision adjustment
problems if she improves her blood glucose control over the
next few weeks, as you hope she will now that she is being
treated. That is not unusual and should not be a cause for
concern. Check with the doc if it worries her.

3. Hypos or low blood glucose.

Moments of faintness, dizziness, nausea, shakes or similar
feelings can be an indicator of low blood glucose levels.
Try to educate her to test her blood glucose levels if that
happens. The usual treatment is to eat or drink something
with carbs or sugar, but not to over-do it. About 15gms of
carbs is the usual intake (some glucose tablets, or jelly
beans, or a glass of juice or similar - whatever is handy)
and then test again in fifteen minutes to see if the numbers
have improved.

If she feels a hypo coming, she should not continue walking
but find a spot to sit down. The hypo may not be severe
enough to be a long-term problem, but a resulting fall
could.

In addition, ask her to call you or the doc if a hypo
happens, at least the first few times until you or the doc
are happy that she knows how to handle it. You can help her
review her lifestyle to see what may have caused it.

That's enough from me; I'll leave it there for others to add
to.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
d&e, metformin 2000 mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com (ADA Accomplishments in 2008)
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (Drivers, Stepped Wells and Baolis)
.

Relevant Pages

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