Shes had it for four years now. She in in her late 50's and she has always loved sugary foods, chocolate especially. For the first maybe 6 months or so she took her blood sugar and wrote them down but hasn't since then and it has been well over 2 years. I know she is depressed because I had been and am still struggling with it. I can see it in her eyes and the way she talks and acts. I'm a lot like her in many ways and I can see it. She drinks diet cokes like crazy and diet ginger ales like crazy, even in the morning and continues to eat unhealthy foods like chocolate swiss rolls, little packaged cupcake snacks, and other chocolate snack foods. I have never had the courage or heart to ask her why she stopped talking her blood sugar, but I'm sure it's the same reason why I never took care of myself for a long time. Point is, I coped with substance abuse, she copes with food.
I'm not sure what my question is, but was looking more fore feedback as to what people think?
Health For More » Diseases and Conditions » Diabetes
My mom has diabetes but doesn't take care of herself at all. Help?
(6 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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well you really cant do anything...she is being real selfish and taken life for granted you maybe need to do some research sit down and talk to her about it..Too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent or slow down diabetes problems..Sometimes people with diabetes can suffer damage to the blood supply to their legs. In some cases, the damage is so severe that they need to be amputated. This usually is after the person has had the disease for a significant amount of time, and does not happen to every one with diabetes - only a small percentage. Good control of blood sugar levels, and care of the legs and feet to reduce the chances of restricting circulation or causing injury helps towards keeping limbs healthy.
Posted 1 year ago # -
You know yourself that she can't be helped until she recognizes the problem. You have been there and done that.
diet drinks are not that bad for her. Much better than the regular sugary ones.
I too am into a chocolate cake mania at the moment. I just have to keep all that sort of stuff out of the house. Drives my hubby crazy as he can eat that stuff and feels totally deprived when I am trying hard to keep my cravings under control.
Sugar is as addictive as drugs or alcohol or cigarettes! It is just as hard to get the mind around the fact that we cannot have these foods as it was for you to handle the other substance abuses.
for your self education on diabetes read this site and maybe get some idea of what she is facing:
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetesPosted 1 year ago # -
you know what my kids hit me in the face with a brick a few days ago and sayed to me that i had to take better care of my self or they know that i was going to die and that the last few times i was in the er that they figured that i was not going home again. i was in a space that was not good for them. ok so i don't know what to tell you or what you want to hear but what they sayed to me woke me up and now i want to keep going for them and my grand child.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's important to understand that diabetes is very difficult and complicated and frustrating, and we all give up at times. Most people are not naturally disciplined, and it takes a lot of energy and diligence to manage it. Does she understand carbohydrate counting? The thing is, it's OK to have an occasional sugary treat as long as you don't eat that with a lot of other carbs. If she wants a big green salad for dinner followed by a Twinkie, that will work because her body can likely handle that level of carbs. As for diet sodas, that's great, those are harmless and a good tool to manage her sweet tooth. Encourage her to read labels more and to keep her carbs at less than 30-35g per meal. And also see if she'll commit to at least checking her BG every morning, then once that's a habit again you can try to get her up to 3x a day. Baby steps!
Posted 1 year ago # -
You can't change other people - even family members. You can express concern and suggest that she take better care of herself and that's it. Don't be a nag, just ask once then let it go for a while.
You should know tha tnobody could make you change your ways, and you can not change your mom's. Just be there and offer encouragement without being preachy. How about preparing a healthy meal for her and sit and eat together? Conversation flows easily when food is involved.Posted 1 year ago #
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