JadeStar Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 My father in law has diabeties(type 2) and was diagnosed a few years ago. He is on meds plus insulin shots. He and my mother inlaw are away for the week visiting their daughter in another state. My sister in law imed my husband last night talking about how bad their father looks. He is very very tired and is short of breath. She said he couldn't do a simple task without becoming very tired and needed to rest. Hes very head strong and doesn't care alot about going to the doctors etc. He goes when he has an appoinment but even then he hates going. His hands will sometimes swell also. They have made adjustments in his insulin and meds before but to not avail nothing really seems to help. He has had a stress test done not long ago and things looked fine. She told my husband that she feels he is depressed and has just plain given up on trying to better things or even going to another doctor. I do know that over a period of time diabetics that take insulin it will eventually start to work against the body and can do damage to the organs. Can this shortness of breath and tiredness be comeing from the meds? Or the diabeties itself? I found something saying that about 60% of people with type 2 diabeties will die from a heart attack. Aslo there can be kidney failure, blindness, strokes etc. It did say that if you experience shortness of breath to seek your doctor right away. Its also possible that it can be heart disease as well. He just seems to have given up and has made comments such as, he wish something would come along and take him out of this world. Is there anyone here on LS that knows much about type 2 diabeties and if what he is experienceing may be coming from meds or the disease itself? Jade Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 You did the right thing when you read up about it. Nobody here is a better authority than a good medical site like Webmd. Get him to go to the doc. Just because he passed a stress test may not mean his heart is perfect; or maybe he's got something going on in his lungs. He should see a doc ASAP because shortness of breath is a bad sign. Link to post Share on other sites
Author JadeStar Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yeah he really needs another opinon I think. He is one of these stubborn people that back in his day (he is 73) that he was taught not to complain about nothing, just bite the bullet and go about your business, medical or not. I really think theres something else going on here, especailly with the shortness of breath. He couldn't even get up off the couch to go out to his truck to get something because he felt to tired and worn out. I understand that sometimes diabeties can take out of people but something just doesn't sound right. He says the docs he usally go to act like theres nothing they can do for him, makes me wonder if they know something they aren't telling him. Jade Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Any possibility that they tell him stuff that he just shrugs off or refuses to listen to? Link to post Share on other sites
Author JadeStar Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Any possibility that they tell him stuff that he just shrugs off or refuses to listen to? Thats very possible. For one, he doesn't eat right, exercise, or any of that the way he is supossed too. Never has. He takes his pills and his insulin shots etc, but never eats when he should. When people have diabeties, you have to follow certain guidelines. For example, he may eat breakfast 10 am, then not eat lunch till 2 pm then wait until about 8-9, sometimes 10 pm to eat dinner, he can't do that. His blood sugar will fall very quickly and then he wonders why. You can't tell him nothing. Then in the evenings he will sip on a mixed drink, such as say coke and whiskey mixed and he has other liquors as well. I'm asssuming his doctor knows this but not sure. He is NOT supossed to do that. For one liquor is pure sugar, and another hes not really suposse to be mixing alcohol with his meds. Some people never learn. I did find out about one of the meds he was on and it does or can cause shortness of breath but it said you still need to be in touch with a doc if that happens. Jade Link to post Share on other sites
lilmoma1973 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 When having diabeties you have to eat right and exercise to keep your insulin levels where they need to be.. I would suggest that you all trying to get him to the dr or make an appointment for him and your family take him so that they know he will go..Diabetes is nothing to play around with and if not treated the way it is suppose to can be dangerous to his health.. I hope he doesn't have any heart problems since you say that he is tired all the time with shortness of breath.. Did he ever smoke think maybe he has asthma or emphesyma ? Think it is possible could be COPD ? This is what my dad died with and can cause shortness of breath .. Good luck hope he stops being so stubborn and takes care of his self!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 So basically he has refused to accept any responsibility for his own health. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about this. He has very likely done himself irreparable damage and is now suffering the effects. Maybe if he has a little heart attack, it'll finally scare him into acting right. In the meantime, I suggest your whole family learn how to do CPR because you may well need it. Link to post Share on other sites
lovestobesexed Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Jade My husband has diabetes and a heart condition. He was having shortness of breath last month and I rushed him to the hospital. he had a heart attack, but I got him to the hospital before it, so he was all hooked up and was given nitroglycerin and morphine which brought him back. My husband too is stubborn, any sign of illness I have him at the doctor or hospital. The one time he would not go to the hospital, I called the ambulance. He was out of it, he was sick with the flu and his blood sugar rose to 41.9 he almost died. what a smuck he is. You only get one chance to live and I swear he is like a cat because he has about 6 lives left. Link to post Share on other sites
reader Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Hi all, I would like to hear more about what you are going through with family members who are diabetic. My husband is type 2, doesn't eat right, doesn't exercise and rarely checks his blood. He is a heart attack waiting to happen. His glucose was 237 the last time he checked it, usually once a week, then eats a bowl of ice cream. Pathetic! He has very bad mood swings and is on 2,000mg's of oral meds, He was on 1,000 until this year. I spoke to the nurse where I work, and ironically and tragically, I found out her husband, a Dr.! died of complications of diabetes. She said she had to remove herself from the situation, as she had a child to raise, she didn't move out, just removed herself. That's basically what I have done. I work and go to school, I have one child still at home in high school, and I have developed friends that I'm very close to. People who see him comment to me that he doesn't look good, but I can't do anything about it - I've tried it all. I finally suggested that perhaps he should leave - he said he would try counseling and starts next week. He is a brilliant and accomplished person, but he is in for a rude awakening from the counselor. I know her, and she is not stupid. My children are disgusted with him, yet they feel sorry for him because they see what is coming. 3 years ago, his doctor told him he has 10% nerve damage in his legs, and that he has lost 10 years he cannot get back. Wouldn't you think that would have been enough? I can't find anything on the 'net, nor could the nurse, regarding when a Dr. puts you on insulin. He is headed for it, I suspect within the year. He is overweight, all stomach, has skin discoloration, stomach problems, etc. associated with diabetes. I would appreciate any and all help you can give. Reader Link to post Share on other sites
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