General Chat

Thanks for all the info Lin. I will do that. FiL is on the ball, always checking BSlevels. His own Doctor came out in the week and said that his BS level could go up as high as 12 for a couple of days, but not to worry - I didn't know that it could drop at night so much as to cause him a problem - but it seems probable that that is what happened. What is so annoying is that at the weekend now you have to have an emergency doctor, I presume he was given all the info by the nurse who spoke to my husband and my MiL, The doctor was more interested in looking at his watch, and never asked about his diabetis at all. We will keep an eye on him, and contact his own GP on Monday, and he is really kind. Thanks for your concern and help.

Hardly reasurring Sally given your FIL's age. It may be as well to tell your MIL to keep her eye on his last sugar level reading of the day, before they retire, until he can see his G.P. The risk lies in this happening too often. You might also wish to discover whether his G.P, is qualified enough to deal with your FIL's particular problem, by that I mean that not all G.P's know enough about certain conditions/illnesses, unless it is their particular speciality. I know how easy it is to forget to check your blood glucose levels and even to administer your insulin. Only two nights ago, I realised I had eaten my dinner before I took my medication and I was taught that you take your Insulin first. It's so easily done and I am thirty years younger than your FIL..........memory does let me down at times. I'm sure this is just an oversight brought on by being over tired maybe. My best wishes to you all. Lin xx

UPDATE/ The emergency doctor has been, and although my husband gave all the information, and also my mother in law, to the nurse - the doctor just talked to him and asked him what had happened last week - no BP check, heart, questions on diabetis or anything - a bit of a waste of time really. I can only think that it could be the rise and drop in blood sugar, and thank you for the advice. Thanks to all who replied - its very upsetting when you get a real sweetie like my mother in law in distress on the phone. She will contact her own doctor on monday, and perhaps he will be of more use.

Nudge...

Sally, While you're waiting for your doc. you could ring NHS Direct on 08454647 (I assume you are in UK). It's a brilliant 24-hour service. They will answer the phone immediately and put you onto a trained nurse. If she can't figure out the problem she'll pass you over to a doctor. Good luck, Brian ;< 0 ))

Infection and/or deydration can be one of the biggest causes for unusual confusion in the elderly.

Sally, What Bev is saying makes perfect sense, Diabetics whose blood sugar is low, can become very erratic and not realise what they are doing. Could be that your FIL's levels were too low to get him through the night, it's vital to check them before retiring, in case you need a snack. Hope FIL is feeling better soon. Lin xx

The nurse has phoned, and will phone my MiL, for more details, and then tell her when the doctor will call......thanks again for help.... going round to their place now....

Thanks you two - I am worried because I have not yet heard from the Doctor and my MiL was frightened. My FiL does not know we have called a doctor. As you say Elaine, wait for the medical advice, but in the meantime I am reading all I can. Bev, I think you may be right, the doctor had told him his sugar levels might rise to 12 for a few days but not to worry. Thank you. I have major problems with my dad, who is 300 miles away and I am going back to stay with him for the forseeable future - so I am worried that there are problems now with my in-laws and I won't be here to help...

could be his blood sugar many diabetics get a hypo (low blood sugar) at night the symptoms you discribe could be that of a hypo does he test his sugar regulary??

All I can say is the doctor will give you a medically trained answer. Its difficult for us to do so as it can be hundreds of reasons, all mainly wrong, and worrying you unneccesarily. Sometimes if an elderly person is ill, its possible the illness can affect their mind . My next door neighbour was 80, and sound of mind, but once ill, (suffered with breathing related conditions) he would hallucinate, shout out and not be himself, he would revert to normal when getting better, same conclusion if he had an op. But everyone is different and it could be other causes which is making him act they way he is at present Elaine x

My MiL has 'phoned to say my FiL woke last night and was aggressive and shouting and that he's done this before. Both times he has not remembered doing it. He is not like this in normal life. He is nearly 90 and she, late 80's. He is on warfarin, BP tablets, diabetic and last week both were at the hospital with this sickness bug and he had to have a 4 hour intraveinous drip and an anti-sickness injection. He has shown no signs of dementia or aggression or memory loss before. Could it be the mixture of treatments recently? We have contacted the emergency doctor, and are waiting for him to ring back........UPDATE....