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81 yr old,Bedridden,sugars Up^

What the heck do you feed her after 24 hr fast,lots of Water,Glucerna and Medfornin500mg..Last read was 384.She has eat something that I  have here now...? Thanks for your help-ideas.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
Have you directed your post to the wrong person?
I do not need diabetic counselling.  

In fact people with diabetes do not have a insulin injection before eating.  It depends of which type of diabetes you have and what type of medication you get put on.  Not every diabetic is on insulin injections.

The other important factor as well as a well balanced diet is exercise and movement.  This is very difficult for people who are elderly and infirm.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You definitely need some diabetic counseling. As a diabetic you have to eat to keep your levels stable. Just because you don't eat doesn't mean your numbers will be low. Sounds like she may need insulin before she eats but the doc needs to decide. If you don't get right results you might need a second opinion. The most important is a balanced meal, fruits,vegetables and your meat.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
P2R are you testing the sugar levels on your mom with the prick test to draw blood from your mum's finger?  To be honest you should not be doing this umpteen times in the day.   How often did the doctor tell you to check your mom's sugar levels?  The poor woman will feel like a pin cushion.  

Write a list of the amount of medication your mom takes and when she needs to take them.  The brain doesn't function great when we are stressed to the nines.  Just relax, you are doing the best you can.  Don't obsess about the sugar levels so much and give the medication time to work.  

You can only do what you can do.  Getting stressed and worked up is going to help no one.  Easier said than done I know.

As regards your niece, give her duties to do, like washing dishes, laundry, vacuuming etc.  She still needs to earn her keep even if it is by doing some household chores.

And don't forget to keep that appointment with your doctor.

Hope you have had a better day today.
Best wishes.

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Avatar universal
Well after my post while mom was unwinding from the trip to see doc.I checked her level.It was 248 @ 5:45pm, I figured I would give her a cup of Soup. level was 361 @ 7:30 pm.,I gave her one 5mg Glipizide. Tomatoe Soup - this is most likely just as sugary as potatoes-peas or beans..Right? Well it's what she wanted & what I had on hand tonight.She ate I re-checked it was 373..Then I waited an hour re-checked..It Was 412 ! I called HHC then realized I was suppose to give her two 5mg pills x twice a day instead of One.I re-checked it said 'HI'..I waited 30 minutes if that long and  tested again it read 340..that was @ 11pm..She said "she feels pretty good".She's napping now..and I'm Ready to get that last test for the night..Worry~Worry~I'll be up all night again..I have Jury Duty in the AM and Must Shop for food/pay bills.I have my niece here and I showed Her HOW to Test.But I don't feel to much at ease having to leave.She can hardly come out of the bedroom..She's Majorly HOOKED to Her Iphone and Her FuBar Pets  :/  
HHC Nurse will be here sometime Tomorrow and She doesn't know Any information..and she's Not on top of Keeping Her Dry and Turned...This new homeless house guest is what caused some elevated stress for Mom & Me [The Things we do for Family] She better hit a lick at something besides playing phone tag..I'm really stressed and still ill I believe And  This is hard ...Thanks for your Shoulder to cry on jemma116 and everyone else too..Sincerely P2R
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4851940 tn?1515694593
The doctor should have explained to you that metformin is a slow release medication.  

My husband is on the 1000g of metformin, 1 to be taken after breakfast and 1 after teatime as well as an insulin injection.

Because my sugar levels are not so high, I am on 500mg of metformin that I take after my tea in the evening.  Metformin should only be taken after food.

We eat normal food, but keep off processed foods and try and avoid eating cakes, chocolates, etc, but sometimes we do succumb to temptation.  Fried foods and foods that are high in fat can also increase the sugar levels.
You can keep a food diary of everything that is consumed and that will help you to see how things are doing and what to avoid.

Keep off bananas they contain a lot of sugar.  Some people may be OK with half a banana.  A lot of it is to do with portion sizes too.

When the sugar levels are too low, have a digestive biscuit or a piece of fruit.

Fluconazole isn't an antibiotic, it is an antifungal medication.
You clearly have a medical problem and it is a good thing that the doctor is keeping an eye on you too.

Do you have diabetes too?  Unfortunately, once nerves are damaged through high sugar levels there is no cure.

If you are experiencing pains due to arthritic problems or damage through diabetes, an antidepressant called Amitriptyline is sometimes prescribed to help relax the nerves so as not feel the sensations of nerve pain.  

Do go and see your doctor in 3 days time like he suggests and get checked out.  Your health is just as important as your mum's.  If you are not well, who will be looking after your mum?

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So we got back from Dr. and He doubled her Glipizide to 10mg x2 Daily.I told Him of the information given by RN & HHC didn't sound right and Her levels were not changing much & that I did give Her 1/2 of a Medformin during the day before I fed Her- after Her Fast that did nothing over the weekend but cause Diarrhea.He checked Her Meter and of coarse Her-up'd Her med's and said I'll see Her in a Month..   Really?
  As for Me though He wants x-rays and CBC/Urine and wants Me back in 3 days..  Really?  All I need is Anti-biotic like the one mentioned above  Fluconizol.& neck & back Dr. like Neurologist to deaden nerves semi- permanent..   [ I wish ]     Well anyway that's what happened today..Guess I can ask other diabetic's here or somewhere else what their diet consist of When they are on a high or low test period..Sometimes words of wisdom come better from an individual rather then a cookbook,Ya know?  Thanks P2R
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
I have checked and had to convert the sugar readings that you gave.

384 mg/dl (American) = 21.33 mmol/l (British)
360 mg/dl (American) = 20.00 mmol/l (British)
341 mg/dl (American) = 18.94 mmol/l (British)

Although your mum's sugars have come down a little, this is still high.

Let me know how you got on with the doctor.  
Do keep in mind that a person with diabetes will have difficulty to control high blood sugar levels when they are ill and have an infection and as you so rightly say, also to do with the fact that the energy is not being used.

Best wishes.
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Avatar universal
Thank You..This what I'm needing ideas..I know Her Sugar Levels Where staying stable with Glipizide and diet..It's Obvious she can't exercise her Highs off.I have a feeling doc is going to be changing Her meds TODAY! This has been going on since Thursday..Last Week....Last year with the Lows there was no happy medium..was in Hospital 3 weeks. Again Thank You I made Her Porridge to eat before we leave ..Level was 341,360  don't know now that she's ate..what will read..Gosh t hate this..ARGH
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
If your mum likes porridge, that is a good breakfast to have.  You can either make it with milk or with water and add some fruit or a little of something your mum likes.  Porridge is very good because it is a slow release food and will not spike up the blood and then drop suddenly.  This is what happens when eating cakes, chocolate and sweets.

If your mum has had problems with urine infections and kidney disease, peanut butter is not a good choice because it contains purines which can cause kidney problems and to the formation of kidney stones.

Any type of food in small quantities is fine, but not highly refined and sugary foods.  Use brown bread instead of white.  If your mum will only eat white bread, then give her a small piece.  Vegetables are a good choice, just go easy or avoid peas and sweet corn.  Fruit is good too in moderation.

If your mum likes eggs, then these are fine.  Home made soups are good.
Don't bother with foods that are labelled "diabetic".  These contain chemicals and can lead to diarrhea.  Sugar free is fine, but to read the labels because sugar free can be laden with artificial sweetners and too much fat.

It is difficult with the soreness.  Do not use normal soap as these are not skin friendly.  Baby washes should be fine.  Sudocrem may help if the other creams and lotions from the doctor don't.  When the doctor comes, ask if the soreness may be from Thrush.  This can be a problem and an antifungal cream will help.  A one single oral dose of Fluconazole which treats fungal infections may help.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm very Thankful for everyone's input here.She see's her Dr.Tomorrow.Last year at this time She kept dropping to levels of 94-78-58..all the while I was trying to do as I was being directed.by the Dr. and HHC RN.from the first test that showed this drop.These lows were as the Ambulance was on it's way! It was Crazy and so very scary! She's only been Diabetic2 for a few years.Someone mentioned Infections will cause High test..[Kidney/Bladder Disease run in the family].I was also told by Her 'Home Health Care Nurse's' that Stress can cause Highs or Lows..This is 'highly possible' as I noticed another bladder/kidney[?] infection which caused yeast rash..[as told by hhc]  I am Hands on care giver & Have been for many years.I Love My Mother.I don't let her lay in soiled under cloths AT ALL!! But Her Bottom looked like it was on fire to me.Called the Dr. & HHC nurse came out.We used prescriptions cream and also Olive Oil & Monostat..Still has one place I choose to let air out -several times a day-before medicating..But thank God it looks and feels much better.[Once again as I was told] - since these crazy Highs -we've had  Commotion with an adult granddaughter Unexpectedly moving in.& the Holidays,excitement  IDK? if eighter of these situations make sense to you all...I was just wanting to know When any of You have such Highs..What Do YOU choose to eat or feed your Loved one that has this messed up Disease?I felt so bad with the fast..If you can believe this...I  was told all I should give her was MEAT  or PEANUT BUTTER  !!!   Okay this is what I was told when she had the Lows last year with the exception of OJ/Real Sugar/Candy.. This evening she had Chicken Salad Sandwich on low Carb High Fiber Bread,Glucerna [she didn't drink yet] water,coffee..I have Sugar free Pie and SF Ice Cream..Is this alright in your  Opinion if she ask for it tonight or even with coffee in the AM? Also what should I give her in the AM with Her Meds/Glipizide.- Her Appt isn't until 2:30PM..Her Nurse said " deee She's 81 and wants what she wants,at least it's Sugar Free'.I'm just here for ideas on What You Would Eat..If You Are Diabetic or have/had Elderly in your care.I'll definitely let you know Tomorrow what Dr.Has to Say or New routine..Thank You in advance.   P2R
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
That's right caregiver222 you are not a medical professional.  

There may be a very good reason why the person is bedridden.
A temperature reading, blood pressure reading, blood test and a urine sample would show whether there is any infection and the exact sugar levels in the blood.
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231441 tn?1333892766
COMMUNITY LEADER
scrambled eggs!
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231441 tn?1333892766
COMMUNITY LEADER
insulin would be the appropriate treatment to bring sugars under control.

low carb, but also need sufficient calories.

This needs clos coordination with her medical ream.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
A sugar level of  384 is extremely high.
When people with diabetes have extremely elevated sugar levels, it could mean that they have an infection if normally they are able to control their sugar levels.  

If sugar levels are not controlled when there is no infection present, they the medication may need to be increased and insulin may be prescribed as well.

Why was this person put on a 24 hour fast?  Even with high sugar levels a diabetic person should not be fasting unless directed by the doctor for a particular reason like getting a ultrasound scan done.

Try and get the person to urinate into a clean container so that you can observe to see if there is a problem with the urine.  A dark urine could mean blood or dehydration.  A dark cloudy urine may have blood and an infection.  A cloudy urine could indicate an infection.  A foul smelling urine like kidneys can also indicate an infection.

Check the temperature of the person.  Keep a record of the temperature and the sugar levels when you take them so that you can give this information to the doctor.

Call your doctor, explain what is happening and ask if they he can do a home visit.

All the best.

Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
You need to get under the care of a professional and not be treating her. A reading of 384 is unaceptable. 500 mg of metformin is not an appropriate treatment protocol.  There are lots of missing pieces here. You need to get her under the supervision of a physician or nurse-practicioner or nurse who specialized in diabetic treatment and instruction.
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