Today we went to his dr. visit expecting just to have a follow-up and me tell him what his progress has been. WRONG! He started the visit by looking at his blood workup in silence and then he gave us a long medical explaination of how sugar works in the body, a very technical medical termed talk like he was lecturing interns. It took me a while to understand what he was getting at and I knew for a fact that my DH didn't get it! After he was done he showed us a graph that he had made of his blood sugar levels and proceeded to tell us that he has diabetes. I knew that he went through all of that to explain to my DH how important it is and not to take it lightly. Then he tells him that his blood pressure is too high and from now on he is going to take medication. His blood pressure was 157/81. Well, we got home with all of that information and I tried to get an idea of how he felt about it all and he said, "It doesn't matter,I doesn't care, I am going to die anyway so what's the big deal?"
The thing of it is I can kind of understand why he feels that way but I am going to have to make sure that he gets the medication he needs and he eats right(that will be next to impossible) because that is my responsibility but I know he is going to buck me the whole way and in a lot of ways I don't blame him. Does that make any sense? I am still going to TRY to get him to eat right by not buying some of the things that he likes to eat but I am not going to deprive him of everything I will just slowly change over some of the things to a more healty alternative. Does anyone have any ideas of what some of those alternatives might be. For instance, instead of chocolate candy bars..., or cookies..., does sugar free really mean sugar free? I have heard that it doesn't really mean that.
The good news to all of this, if you can call it good news is that now I have more of a chance of getting medicare to cover home health care because he has a more "medical" need than he did before. Crazy huh!!!
Almost every doctor can refer you to a registered dietitian...and that's your best chance to get a good grasp on this. Don't listen to us. My son's blood glucose was dangerously high when he was diagnosed..(he had experienced blindness the weekend before and was scared to death!) He has dropped 25 pounds and his blood gluclose is in the very good range (due to diet). HE of all people, met with a dietician. OF course, it's different. He doesn't have dementia, but the info he got was shared with me and his sister and we learned so much. What good foods are unlimited and which ones to avoid altogether. (I would never taste a sweet potato before..and he showed me the fried sweet potatoes and I could over-dose on them now.) He enjoys ice cream that is sugar free..(not the entire pint, mind you!) Portion control is so important. I am sure Medicare or your insurance will pay for the dietician visits.. and it's very interesting. I'm going to ask for an appointment with one here, since I have heart disease and understand how important diet is. We read magazines and listen to friends ideas...but for something this important, go to the expert.
Re: the diabetes. It's true that we all will die of something, but can you imagine tending to a blind person with dementia? That is one side effect of diabetes... along with amputation of feet and legs if it gets out of control. Do it for YOURSELF, since you're the caregiver. It will help to make your job somewhat easier in the long run. Nancy B*
Nancy B* is exactly correct. My son suffered from Juvenile Diabetes from age 13 - had to have laser surgery on eyes; had a stroke; suffered kidney failure and ended up having to have a kidney/pancreas transplant. He did follow a good diet - didn't help that much, but your DH most likely has Type II - and diet will play a big part in controlling it.
I'm interested in other opinions on this topic. I tend to lean toward an approach that isn't really "longevity-focused" anymore, so much as pleasing to Jeff. iow, I would not, in general, deprive him of things he enjoys in the interest of stringently keeping his bp down, etc.
On the other hand, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to greater problems which might result in greater discomfort and a reduced quality of life in the short run.
My guess is that I'd opt for a moderate approach--somewhere between strict control and complete disregard for concerns of diabetes, but that is not an illness I have a working familiarity with, so I defer to folks who might know better. (such as the ladies who just cross-posted with me, who have, apparently, been there!)
Vickie, I think you are right, I think it is type II and like I said I think the only way that I am going to change his diet is if I do it a little at a time but the main thing is to do it where he thinks he is not being deprived. Nancy B, I forgot about the sugar free ice cream, great idea!
I've had a lot of experience in this area, since Sid has diabetes. He sees a diabetes specialist, and it is mandatory in his office that their patients see the nutritionist once a year. Medicare pays for a yearly nutritionist visit. It is a complete waste of time for Sid - he remembers nothing of what she says, but I learn a lot. It will definitely be beneficial for you to go.
It is almost impossible to get Sid to follow a diet. As I said, he does not remember what the nutritionist said, so when he wants something and I tell him no, he argues and argues and argues. I cannot be the food police constantly. The moderate approach is the only way to go. I no longer worry about his blood levels being at optimum lows. As long as they are consistently at a moderate level, I let him eat what he wants. I monitor it constantly.
Everyone's body responds differently to different foods, so you will have to learn what spikes his blood sugar and what doesn't. Sugar free desserts are loaded with fat in place of the sugar. I let him have the real desserts a couple of times a week. Potato chips and pasta send his levels through the roof. The worst offender is a bagel. You will eventually learn what is best for him.
And yes, you are on the right track with the 'little at a time' approach.
Deb, keep a close watch on his glucose. If it is in tight control there is no need to deprive your dh of the things he loves, just use in moderation. Today we too got the BP lecture..you can use salt as long as you toss it over your shoulder.. I get my husband those Weight Watcher Ice cream treats. They are measured and quite good and that satisfies him. I also let him enjoy the Russell Stover sugar free candies..and not too many at a time as it will make for runs to the loo if you get my drift.. I can understand your husband's reply but at the same time, he does not want to feel miserable and end up with hospital runs because his BP falls too low or too high..I have been facing this in recent days despite our efforts.. Just try to plod along without saying much. You might consider the Weight Watcher's diet plans as they are healthy and often people on meds for diabetes or BP end up not needing to use them if they are at the right wt etc..might be worth a try.
Diabetes is one illness I think I would treat seriously, because it has been linked to AD - some scientists are convinced AD is type III diabetes (Google "Type 3 diabetes Alzheimer's"). There are clinical trials for treating AD with established diabetes medications.
If you keep his diabetes under control, it may have a positive effect on his cognitive functioning.
I also observed that my DH developed an incredible sweet tooth right about the same time I started noticing symptoms. He NEVER ate deserts or sweets. Now he'll order massive slices of cake and finish them off, and he'll order slices of cake to go - to eat later. He'll buy dozens of those golf ball sized fruity lollipops and eat them one after the other in the evening - for hours. Weird...
Here is a recent related article: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-02/health/29374272_1_insulin-amyloid-alzheimer
Joan, thank you for that information, I have just asked for a diabetic cookbook that has over 60 receipes in it for free. I didn't think about sugar free things having a lot of fat! He also has high cholesterol levels.:( I am just going to have to not buy what he shouldn't have (but slowly) so he doesn't know I am doing it. mary, I thought I read somewhere that diabetes was related to AD! I have always felt that diabetes was no joke, but now it's here and I have to deal with it too!!!! The other shoe just dropped!
Deb, I think most of us over 65 will develop some form of Type II Diabetes if we are more than 20 pounds overweight. Almost everyone I know does... and most control it with a low carb diet. In the Atkins diet, if you recall, (healthy or NOT)... it eliminates ALL carbohydrates and says you can enjoy bacon and other fatty foods and still lose weight. It's so NOT heart healthy, but for some reason, it does work toward a significant weight loss. Truth be told, I think we are not supposed to eat meat... not supposed to eat carbohydrates, not supposed to eat sweets not supposed to use salt..., and so that leaves... what????? raw spinach?? I chose to believe our real enemy is portion control.. ..for both thin people trying to gain, and fat people trying to lose. Not that I am walking that walk.. I'm just talking the talk.
As Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the patient loses all their sense of taste EXCEPT for the taste of SWEET. Nursing homes will often begin meals by serving a pudding, for example, first, to get the person to begin eating, and get the saliva and taste buds active.....and afterward, they will eat MORE of their veggies, protein, etc. afterward. Maybe the old saying: "Life Is Short, Eat Desserts First" makes sense after all.
i know we have beaten the bush many times with regards to medicines having some very nasty side effects and the good sense to weigh them against the benefits of their use. that said, my DH developed diebetes due to using seroquel /and then later zyprexa over a few months use. both of these drugs have known side effects of high risk of developing prediebetes or full hyperglycemic effects. of course we want to use these drugs to counteract some major issues we deal with but there are some consequences to some of the drug useages over time. seroquel has a pretty high risk of developing hyperglycemia as does zyprexa and probably a few of the others we use, but we can only know that by being aware of these side effects for each drug. after coming off both of the drugs i mentioned DH had to remain on diebetic controlled diets and blood checks for many months after. then after almost a yr his blood sugars came back down. just an idea that if they develop prediebetes or full blown after being dx'd it may be a good idea to check into all the meds they are on. just to be sure its not medicine induced as was ours. dealing with diet and blood checks is very hard to manage with AD as they do not usually want to be compliant in what we know they must do ie-change eating habits and eliminate sugars and carb controls. its all very complicated. good luck Deb. divvi
divvi, complicated is the word. If I was the one that had it, it would still be complicated but I would be able to eat right without complaining(too much) but since my hubby is the one with it OIVAY!!!!
Nancy B, I did not know about alzheimers victims going for the sweets.My DH now eats sweets like crazy.He always liked them but could eat just one serving,now I try to keep them out of sight.
My dh has diabetes. His doctor is allowing much higher glucose levels before going to insulin injections, than he would for an ordinary (non-AD) patient. I measure it about once a week and he has a quarterly check-up. We go for the diet sodas, and I make sugar-free jello and instant pudding, both of which he dearly loves. Since he does not understand the problem or the need for food control, I've found that the best way to prevent him from eating stuff that is bad for him is by not buying it, or keeping it hidden. It is very easy to hide stuff from him. Mostly a question of putting the stuff that he IS allowed to have right in front in the fridge.