General Chat

My grandson has been diabetic since he was 4.Started off on 2 injections.He is 15 now and has 4.Two fast acting and 2 slow.We have had many a scarey moment with him.He learnt to inject when he was 6. Annie

Carol I would have to be ever so inventive if I did. Its knowing the needle is in the room....his phobia is really bad. I told him he will have to face up to it eventually, but for now the doctors are willing to keep him on the pills and diet.

Teressa, Could you not give him the injection, the needle is really tiny cannot even feel it. I was told initially that after a heart attack they like to put you on Insulin as it reduces the risk of another, but after 6 yrs I am still on it. Find it easy as I have more control in keeping my levels down. Carol

I am sure my Hubby will be just fine in coping with this new lifestyle. But I have to say that he has been passing blood very occasionally over the past 18 months. I have nagged and nagged but he would do nothing about it. (Men are so stubborn, or is it that some men are just plain simple scared) The Dr is worried that damage has been done to his kidneys, because he has had untreated Diabetes for nearly two years. Hnse my post to warn others of getting regular health checks.

Hi Jenny I was diagnosed just before Christmas. It all started with a tooth extraction - the Dentist took my BP before giving me a sedative. It was 260 over 160 - very high. My doctor saw me straight away . I started taking an ace inhibitor Ramipril and then a calcium blocker for my BP. Also a water tablet. After lots of tests my blood sugar level was very high - I take Metformin 3 times a day ( he must eat it with food else he'll get upset tummy's ) and my blood sugar levels seem to be at 13 at present - BP is coming down too...... last reading was 160 over 140 ( which is good for me ) and I'm only 41. I'm trying hard to change my diet and introduce 30 mins exercise a day .... excercise helps bring your blood sugar levels down. I use a bllod sugar tester called Accu - Chek ........ it costs a fiver at the chemist ( my doc gave me mine free and prescriptions are free too ) Once over the initial shock of it all I'm gradually getting used to the changes. Keep nagging him though lol...... Much happiness Debi -x- 4got to mention I'm awaiting a CCG and a chest x ray ....... now this bit is scary but the doc says it's a matter of precaution with BP incase of damage!!! He'll also be told to look after his feet - apparently sometimes you feel thinks less - so these will be checked regularly , as will his eyes at the diabetic clinic

Jenny , your hubby will be okay --don`t worry. My Dad has been diabetic for 20 odd years now. Did you know that sometimes the age when diagnosed can be divided by 7? Ros xxx

Carol, my OH was diagnosed after his first heart attack, he had been diabetic for years and not known it. He is on the highest does of all three pills now, 4 gliclazide, 3 arcobase and 5 metformin a day.... He needs to be on insulin really but he has really bad needlephobia and passes out at the sight of one.

Many thanks to all of you for your replies. I was just about to post that Hubby had to go to Drs to pick up an emergency prescription for Metformin. He takes his first one tomorow with breakfast and does this for three days. then he has to take one at breakfast and another at teatime. He is due to see Dr again on Tuesday and also the nurse, who suggests I go with him. I have no wories about food planning. I will take great care in helping him. But what I am delighted with, Hubby has gone a whole week without his normal 5 pints 4 nights a week. He usually goes out 4 nights a week. He has not had a drink for a whole week, and is at home with me every night. This has really shocked him, and I can now see a complete change of lifestyle for us and I really welcome it. Jenny x

It will be a new lifestyle for him, but its really down to healthy eating..not a cut out everything diet.

After having a heart attack 6 yrs ago I was diagnosed with diabetes was put on Insulin straight away even though I was a type 2, also take Metformin. Like Val said I have had no problems. Your husband really must try and lose the weight, that really affects diabetics. Wish your husband well. Carol

Careful diet...that is the most important, Drug treatment, probably Gliclazide, Arcobase and Metformin. They all control, enhance or encourage the production of insulin in the body. Try not to worry too much..though you will have to get used to some of his moods...when my OH's sugar gets low, he can be a bit 'snappy' or even be foul. Don't take it personally, make him a coffee and get him soemthing to eat. Watch his fat and carbohydrate intake, its not just sugar, its any energy which is converted to blood glucose. I recommend a monitor, about £20 from your chemist, so you can see any changes. Regular blood tests are important as are eye checks, so make sure he attends the diabetic clinic. Make sure he gets his exemption certificate for his prescriptions, ALL diabetics prescriptions are free.

Hi Jenny I am diabetic I take metformin tablets 3 times a day Linda

I should think that he will start on tablets (Metformin) as my son was diagnosed last year and his blood was 11 after fasting. My husband has been a diabetic for 25 years and was on tablets for 15 he then had a heart bypass and ended up on insulin. There is no problem with either. My husband is 70 and son 42. Please dont worry. Val

I have posted this because of Computer Carol's thread. Please anyone that is worried in case they think they may have Diabetes go and get a simple blood check, or it could cost you your life. Jenny.

Diabetes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Husband has just been told he is Diabetic. Two years ago he was told he was 'borderline' and needed medication for high Blood Pressue and needed to loose around 4 stone. He persueded the Dr at the time to give him a month to lose weight rather than have to have treatment for BP. He never went back to the Doctors although I have been nagging him constantly. This last 6 months he has shown even more signs of all not being 'well' and it has woried me sick as he kept on shouting he 'was fine' Finally he went to the Dr's Monday. Later in the day Urine sample taken into surgery, three hours later a phone call from the Dr to ask for him to go for blood tests. Blood test taken yesturday at hospital, and told to see his Dr in a weeks time. He has just had a phone call from Dr. telling him to go to the surgery asap. Blood sugar level 13. The Dr is worried because he had fasted for 12 hours before the blood test. Can anyone tell me what kind of treatment he may have to have? I am presuming he is type 2 Diabetic. Thanks Jenny. x

Please look below. Jenny.