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Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
My brother was out of sorts two weeks ago.. he thought he had hemorrhoids.. and had no bowel movement for 9 days.. tuesday, he was saying he was hyperventilating..
wed. morning, not sure how he got up.. but he came into bathroom while i was in shower.. he was trying to have BM.. he speech was getting more slurred as the days progressed.. until that morning.. he was only like making groaning sounds.. not talking.. after a few awkward moments.. i got out of bathroom..
went to my office, where i work for my father.. i told him.. it was really bad.. and we should take him to a clinic *he has no health insurance, and neither to do i, work has been slow at our office, and it was dropped to help keep company going*
when i got home.. he was still standing in bathroom.. his eyes were glazed and he was drooling.. still only groaning instead of talking to me when i ask questions.. i realized, i could not get him to move.. much less get him downstairs into my truck by myself.. called dad.. he came over.. and we both realized... 911 was only option..
fast forward.. he was diagnosed with Diabetes.. blood sugar was 866!! normal is like 100.. two days was he was just in and out.. barely able to talk.. he had 5 drip lines!!!!
finally yesterday.. he was WAY BETTER.. able to talk and converse clearly.. but still a little weak.. BUT out of ICU!!
i had no idea about diabetes.. and all the warning signs were there.. we just missed them *he is also my roommate*.. i did not think he would make it.. and thank god he came out of room by shear will .. i would have gone work and NOT known that his condition was bad.. and would get worse!!!
he will make it.. just wanted to update/vent alittle.. thanks for reading..
skip
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, you guys were lucky and thank God your bother is ok. My husband is diabetic and has had several times when his blood suger fell below 50. The lowest I know of is 27. After calling 911 a few times I learned the danger signs and could recover him myself if I could get help. Learn these signs too. I have saved my husband's life more than once.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
pat.. it was the scariest thing i have ever seen.. he was still talking and aware on tuesday night.. by morning.. yikes!!
i need to research this thing.. and i need to check myself.. !!
he needs to change his eating.. he does not know how to cook.. and food is either fast food, take out.. or packages from convenience store.. so it will be very hard for him to adjust.. but he has too, if he wants to live
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, it can be controlled by food only but often required meds. Yes, very scary. When the blood suger drops below 50 the general thought is people lose the ability to think. This is true from personal experience. Also the ability to take action is lost. Signs are being glassy eyed, will verbally response to questions but not take action and lose of coodination. Once a person's blood suger returns to normal they will not recall what happened during the low blood suger episode. Scary, scary stuff.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Second Hand Pat
Skip, it can be controlled by food only but often required meds. Yes, very scary. When the blood suger drops below 50 the general thought is people lose the ability to think. This is true from personal experience. Also the ability to take action is lost. Signs are being glassy eyed, will verbally response to questions but not take action and lose of coodination. Once a person's blood suger returns to normal they will not recall what happened during the low blood suger episode. Scary, scary stuff.
exactly!! but my brother was running super HIGH.. 866 is just nuts!
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip sorry to hear about your brother. I went through something similar with my dad, specially cause he is stubborn. He didnt want to admit that he has diabetes, until he got really sick and his sugar level went sky high. At least now he takes his medicine and eats a little better. My brother tries to help him out and tries to help him out in what he can eat because he also has it. By the way you should check yourself out and see if you have it as well so you can take better care of yourself.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Glad to hear your brother is doing better. 866 is un-real. I did not think it could get that high. True, Diabetes is no joke. It can be a silent killer. It runs on my Dads side of the family, and have lose several Uncles to it...but not before the usual amputating of limbs because of it. I have had it myself for sometime. I just got over 5 by-pass heart surgery because of it. Also the numbness/tingling in the feet/toes is no fun as well. It damages your kidneys, can cause blindness... Everything heals slowly...sometimes not at all, and thats where amputation comes in. Yes it's no joke. It is hereditary, so would be a good idea for you to get checked out...and make sure your brother does what he has to to control it. All the best
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Bill, my husband is experiencing the slow healing. So far he is doing well in other areas. Hope your recovery is going well.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
thanks guys!!>. yes.. i am concerned for myself also, i am totally going to check myself also :)
i knew this was widespread. but i did not have any first hand experience on this..
i want to keep all my toes!
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
I can top 27 Pat, I had a 20 about a month ago. Unusual sweating is also a warning sign on the low end of the spectrum.
Good thing you took action Skip, I'm guessing at 866 your brother wasn't long for this world without it.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Keith, at 27 Tom was incoherent. Take care of yourself please.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip,
sorry to hear about your brother. Glad to hear that he is improving. I have diabetes for 2 years now. He will need to be real careful with what he eats. He should monitor his sugar a couple of times a day (glucometer). Fast foods is a definite no no. Also carbs (breads) will spike your sugar. Exercise also helps in reducing glucose levels. A good starting point in learning about diabetes id www.dlife.com. It's an easy sight, and has some good recipes. For me one of the key tricks is to keep your sugar level as stable as possible. Trust me, in the beginning it is a little overwhelming, but with time, experience, knowledge, and most of all a lot of discipline and will power diabetes can be managed successfully.
much health and success to your brother,
George
Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Second Hand Pat
Keith, at 27 Tom was incoherent. Take care of yourself please.
I wasn't any better. Having had it for 45+ years sometimes the odds of getting low just catch up to you. I once had a endocronologist tell me there are 100 things that affect blood sugar and if you can control 10 of them you're doing good.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
happy to hear he's doing well skip
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DLock3d
happy to hear he's doing well skip
he is for now.. i guess.. until he gets the uninsured MEDICAL BILL!!! BAM!! Heart attack!
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, get yourself tested. If your brother is overweight that is bad. If he loses weight his condition can improve and if he is very, very lucky even go away. It sounds to me like you are now "Your brother's keeper". You have to watch what and when he eats. You have to make sure he takes his medication. Many people who first discover they are diabetic are non-compliant with the Physician's instructions and that causes more problems. If your brother has problems with the medication and its effects and side effects go back to the Physician. If you have no medical insurance he may now be covered by Obama care. I do not take Obama care so I do not know what the coverage is. I do not know how "Public Assistance" works in Texas but in New York State there are people with "Public Assistance" or something like "Family Care Plus" or "Health Plus" that only get medical care, dental care and pharmacy. I am a Dentist in NYC and I work on poor people on Medicaid. The regulations and eligibilty for these programs vary from state to state. Please go WITH your brother to find out if he is covered and what he is covered for.
As for his uninsured medical bill they can often be settled by going to wherever he was treated, saying you cannot pay (And be able to prove it) and they might take a much smaller amount as settlement, maybe even as little as 10% or less. Those big numbers on his bill are to maximize payment from health insurers, they take less from most people whose insurance they accept.
If you would like to speak to me my cell is 917 698 1876. I do not always carry my cell so I will get back to you. I am a Dentist and I do not give medical advice but I might be helpful with the insurance minefield he may have to navigate. My email is burgred3825@yahoo.com
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Glad he came through it Skip. Now he just needs to change his lifestyle. Get yourself checked. I have lost my father and his father to it so I know I need to watch for it myself. And my children need to be careful too. The hospital will most likely accept a small monthly payment from him for the rest of his life. It is what they do.
Barb
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Hey skip
Hope you don't mind me chiming in. Just wanted to say that I'm glad your brother is doing better.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip
Glad he is well. I've been type 1 for 35 years. It's a HUGE life changing event! With a lot of life style changes and education, management, he will be OK!!
Joe
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Can anyone recommend a good diabetic cookbook?
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, you can get a glucose meter at Walmart for around $15.00. And they sell 20 test strips for $9.00. So you can test yourself right away.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ult...onitor/3555238
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ult...trips/10379492
Just fast for 8 hours overnight eating nothing and drinking only water. Then test yourself in the morning. I saw my uncle die from complications of diabetes and it's no fun. I don't have type 2 diabetes, but still test myself every few months to make sure my glucose level is below 100 after fasting. I wish more people would test themselves on a regular basis, especially if they are overweight and sedentary.
If you haven't had a yearly checkup by a doctor lately, then it's probably a good time to get a physical.
There is hope for type 2 diabetics. A doctor in England noticed that diabetics that had staple surgery would no longer be diabetics. He thought if type 2 diabetics would go on a strict, almost starvation diet, that they could reverse the disease. The results were pretty good. Read about it at the links below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/85...in-a-week.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...etes-diet-cure
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, glad to hear your brother is okay for now. I went though something similar about nine years ago while driving an bus here in San Antonio. Type 2 diabetic... Watch the food and take meds, depressed at first. Just be glad to be alive.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
great.. last week in the ER.. they did a CAT SCAN.. and found something abnormal.. so they were going to do a MRI.. since he was feeling much better and could go to MRI.. they found 2 spots.. my dad only told me that.. they are looking more.. he mentions.. possible light stroke or strokes.. in past.. :(
i will get more info later..
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Oh dear Skip, Hugs to you both.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Stay strong, the both of you. I hope I'm not crossing any lines, but I'll keep you guys in my prayers.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
thanks ya'll..
i was out of town yesterday.. so i missed the visit.. but will go today.. see whats up..
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
he is still in hospital..
they did a test to get average of blood sugar over the last few months.. it was over 300.. and it was confirmed.. he had 2 small strokes.. in the brain.. today.. they are going to check the back of the heart for damage.. and he will be taking insulin 4 times per day..
i told the counselor about some other behaviors he had.. and it kind of confirmed some thoughts the medical staff had.. when they were told he lived with brother.. they thought i was his "keeper".. like he was special.. i said nope.. not case..
so they are getting a social worker/behavior specialist.. to make sure there is no mental illness going on also..
i have to run to walmart to buy him his stash of needles .. and blood meter.. :)
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Hope all works out.
Both my wife and daughter are type 1 insulin dependant.
You got that right...no joking matter.
...Ralph
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Did the Hospital put your brother on some type of medical coverage? In NYC they would but I do not know what happens in Texas. That will take the worry of paying for treatment and medication out of both of your lives!!!
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip all the best for your brother.
As somebody who has spent a professional lifetime taking care of the surgical complications of Diabetes, you are right, DM is no joke. It requires considerable vigilance to health care on the part of the patient, which at first can seem overwhelming.
But with some practical life-style changes and adherence to a good medical regimen he should hopefully come out of this scary introduction to DM and get back to a "normal" life.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip I have taken care of thousands of dm cases make sure he controls it. Good luck and GOD bless. Jeff.
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Skip, it has been 5 days since you started this thread. How is your brother doing now?
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elliots
Skip, it has been 5 days since you started this thread. How is your brother doing now?
hey!!
he is home.. he came back on Saturday.. still kind of weak when walking.. looks like he was just done with a cross training work out.. LOL>>
he seems alot more awake and focused then before.. its a huge transformation.. not that things are leveled out..
i am staying on him.. to no let room get cluttered again.. he is taking meds.. and doing his own shots and keeping records.. my wife is helping him get his food prepared.. and reminds me to remind him.. about his meds.. esp at night.. :)
but its been only 3 days.. i hope he does not back slide.. going to call the hospital to see what was results of the clinical psy. eval they did on him for mental illness..
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
warlock4169
hey!!
he is home.. he came back on Saturday.. still kind of weak when walking.. looks like he was just done with a cross training work out.. LOL>>
he seems alot more awake and focused then before.. its a huge transformation.. not that things are leveled out..
i am staying on him.. to no let room get cluttered again.. he is taking meds.. and doing his own shots and keeping records.. my wife is helping him get his food prepared.. and reminds me to remind him.. about his meds.. esp at night.. :)
but its been only 3 days.. i hope he does not back slide.. going to call the hospital to see what was results of the clinical psy. eval they did on him for mental illness..
That's great news!
Hopping his full recovery Skip
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Very good news for a change. I do not know if you want to tell your brother that Diabetes is not just sugar in your blood, it causes the entire body to go deteriorate.. It can cause blindness, loss of limbs and a slow painful death. You know your brother I do not. I do not know what he knows about Diabetes or what his physician told him. Perhaps you want to tell him to make sure he does what his phsician says?
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elliots
Very good news for a change. I do not know if you want to tell your brother that Diabetes is not just sugar in your blood, it causes the entire body to go deteriorate.. It can cause blindness, loss of limbs and a slow painful death. You know your brother I do not. I do not know what he knows about Diabetes or what his physician told him. Perhaps you want to tell him to make sure he does what his phsician says?
He was told. And I keep stressing that information.. he is going for a check up and to make sure abcess is healing correctly
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
My brother was found dead in his apartment Friday morning. . He was late to work.. so my dad sent someone to wake him. Maybe was oversleeping.. guy went and got manager... thats when they found him. He had been sitting on edge of bed.and fell back on bed..
they are going to do a full autopsy. .
I think he reverted back to old habits that got him diabetes. ..
Didn't seen him since xmas...sister and i had dinner with him last Friday...he turned 40...
Last time I spoke or saw him.
Jus wanted to update this thread
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
Really sorry Skip, hugs and prayers to you and the family.
Pat
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Re: Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!
So sorry for your loss skip :(