Advice from Diabetics???

[shellb]

Just found out my FH is diabetic. His last 2 tests came back 7 and 7.1. This is scaring the crap out of me. He's going to have to go for an ACL test next and start monitoring with a glucose monitor.

 

Need your advice on the best type of glucose monitor? i.e. easy to use.

 

Suggestions on foods to avoid?

 

Suggestions on foods he should try to eat more of?

 

I want to get him back on the right track, while we can manage it with diet and exercise. He's done so well this far gradually giving up his love of candy, but it's gonna be a battle to fully give it up and change his eating habits. He's known as the "Candy Man" at work...need I say more.

[jajajaja]

He can switch to sugar free candies. They aren't that bad, but he really should try to change his nickname to the "reformed candyman."

 

Is he at the level that he has to take insulin shots?

 

His doctor should go over foods to eat/ foods to avoid. Potatoes, corn, carrots are all high in sugar. He will want to avoid white flour and switch to whole wheat products. This is pretty easy to do. My grandma is trying to control her diabetes through diet and she has been able to successfully do so. He definitely can do it! He just needs to relearn everything.

[jajajaja]

Oh and he definitely should schedule some time with a nutritionist.

[shellb]

No shots yet.

 

He will only eat potatoes in the form of french fries...but he has seriously cut back on that since we met. May 1-2 times a month now as opposed to every second day before. He will rarely eat carrots or corn or any other vegetable for that matter. He's been trying to have a salad every lunch, but loves his dressings. He also adds sauce to just about everything. I pretty much have him eating whole wheat everything when it comes to bread and pastas. We made that change a while back.

 

I've asked him if the doctor mentioned nutritionist and he said no. He's not one to ask questions though. I plan on going to the next visit with him because this affects the both of us. I don't want to bring it into the house if he can't have it.

 

Thanks for the tips.

[jajajaja]

It requires some change of diet, but honestly when you get down to it, it's not too tough. Sounds like you have a very good start thus far. He should be recording his blood levels to monitor how different foods are affecting the levels. Did the doctor provide any specifications on that?

 

I'm not diabetic, but a few years ago I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia- pretty much pre-diabetic. I have to regulate my blood sugar levels, which run low, otherwise I could have the adverse affect and end up diabetic. I spent some time with a nutritionist and also recorded my blood levels every 2 hours or so. It was tedious at first, but after awhile you will soon figure out how to keep the blood regulated. Good luck!

[shellb]

We purchased a glucose meter this evening to monitor. He has to check twice a day for a month and go for that A1C test. He's also been told to exercise and try to reduce cholestoral (apparently it goes hand in hand with diabetes control). I wish I had gone with him this morning to ask questions.

 

I definitely plan on talking to his doctor about getting him sent to a nutritionist. Right now he is joking about it like diabetes is no big thing and he'll cut back on sugar but is definitely not giving stuff up. I've tried to explain the damage it can do and how you need to identify the alternative food choices and be proactive. However, he's as stubborn as they come and thinks why deal with it when you can joke about it.

[Christine]

I think my grandma uses the one touch ultra, she got it about a year ago from my parents and she said it was much easier than the other one she was using...good luck-have you looked into getting some cookbooks for diabetics? I know they have a ton. My other grandmother has been able to keep from taking meds just by diet alone (I know totally different type of diabetes), but she just learned to cook differently and she lost weight and feels so much healthier now

[Polly....Prince]

Well Im not a diabetic myself but I work with them daily so heres my advice. To start he really should see a nutritionist they are wealths of knowledge! Second there are usually classes that are offered as well by local hospitals, I know ours has one weekly. Third I know your scared, but on a positive note... I just want to let you know it is something that can really be managed pretty well. Its hard and calls for several life long adjustments but its totally do able. As an ICU nurse I see the down side to not controlling it so the sooner he makes changes the better Its unfortunate that more primary physicians do not do more diabetic teachings...but there is a ton of info online at the AMA its website is American Diabetes Association Home Page Good luck!

[currier73]

Definitely get him to see a nutritionalist and just be supportive. He will make the changes when he is ready. The sooner he does the better. I have been a nurse for the past 15 years and it took my mother developing neuropathy and getting an infection on her toe and loosing it before she would listen to me. Catching and contoling the disease early is definitely key. Hang in there. He will make the changes when he is ready.

 

Heather

[LCBride2007]

I am a Type I diabetic, but it sounds like your FI was diagnosed as Type II since he's not going on insulin - or did I read incorrectly?

 

I use the One Touch Ultra - it works quite well for me.

 

Problem is, I don't have a different diet than anyone else - I eat all the crap I want! lol But I just adjust my insulin accordingly. I know diabetics that aren't able to do that though, so not sure I'd really advise that for him just yet. I do strongly suggest getting a endocrinologist and dietician/nutritionist that he trusts and is good. The complications from poorly controlled diabetes are no joke.