Diabetes Info Needed

[CourtasanSatine]

My 18 year old brother is being tested today after last week's ER trip.I could use info of any kind(and my DBF is feeding me things too).Should I hid my private stashes of drinks and what else should i know or be ready for?

 

[Cruise04]

The best thing to do is to wait until he knows what level of diabetes he has. Then if possible, I don't know how close you live to him, go to his first few doctor appointments with him and encourage him - if the doctor hasn't - to see a nutritionist. That will be the best way to understand what he can and can't eat, what portions of what he can eat, etc.

If he has to go on insulin someone should learn how to give him the shots but mostly he will do it himself. Someone else should know in case he is ever sick or incapcitated and can't administer them at some point.

But my highest encouragement is to go to a doctor visit with him if you can. That way you can get information as a family member straight from the doctor. Also if he can find a Diabetes support group, encourage him to go to them. My husband has learned so much from the groups he goes to and it helps his mental state as well. Diabetics can get depressed - so watch for those symptoms and make sure if they start happening he talks to his doctor as soon as he can.

 

[Disney Doll]

Do a search on the American Diabetes Association website They have tons of wonderful information!
Make sure oyur brother is seen by an endocrinologist, who specializes in things like daibetes, thyroid disorders etc. Don't let his primary care physician convence you that he doesn't need a specialist. At his oyunger age, diabetes is going to eb a lifelong task for him to deal with, and he should start with a specialist right off the bat.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I don't think that you need to hide your sugar stash. If he is a diabetic, he is going to have to learn to moderate the temptations around him, and you can't protect him from it everywhere.

If he is a big soda drinker, you might keep some diet sodas around for him. I love Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Cherry Coke. Both taste a lot like the original to me (although it could be that I haven't had a real Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke in so long that I don't remember how they taste! )

The BIGGEST thing I could suggest is not to hover over him if you see him eatting something you don't think he should. Hopefully he will see a Nutritionalist and soon learn what he can and can not eat. It annoys the you-know-what out of me when my Mom feels she needs to comment on something that I am eating, with something like "Should you be eating that?" Grrrrr. Lucky for my Husband, he's never tried to say that. Hehehehe!

Anyway, good luck to your Brother! Diabetes can be very scary at first, but it is fairly easy to manage once you get the hang of it!

 

[Talking Hands]

Don't hide your sugar stash. If he has diabetes it is his problem to deal with not yours. If he wants to cheat he will. If he wants control then he will do what it takes to be in control. Family can be supportive but it is truely the responsibility of the person with diabetes to care for themselves and make it work.
(Note that this is with a normal person not a young child or person with mental handicaps)
BTW I am a 27 year diabetic and if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Keep the info coming and here's a couple of early questions:

Should he tell the girl he's seeing(not serious but may get that way)

Should I get info from DBF as well?(he works as a CNA)

 

[Talking Hands]

Whether or not he tells GF is his call. If he gets serious it would be important but probably not at this point.

You can get info from your DBF but as a CNA he really doesn't have that much. Better to get information from a Diabetes Educator which your brother should see as well as a certified nutritionist.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

update: no shots needed but the worst did come to pass