To think the majority do not realise the reality of living with type 2 diabetes

[TheBogQueen]

I've been visiting my dad. He has had type 2 diabetes for 10 years. He is obese but at 64 unlikely to lose the extra weight.

He takes a cocktail of medications all with side effects, the metformin affects his kidneys, he is always extremely tired, he has osteoarthritis which stops his exercising apart ftom a daily walk.

He frequently feels unwell. Always looks exhausted. Cannot walk faster than a slow pace.

I feel sad for him - he is still young enough to be active and enjoying life - - yet thus condition is just so debilitating. His knees and hips are now painful.

I wish there was harder hitting information about this avoidable condition. I think if people realised the reality of living with type 2 diabetes they may be more careful about their weight.

I know I am trying hard not to get too fat

It's actually quite upsetting. Poor dad

I didn't think osteoarthritis could be caused by diabetes.

Sorry to hear that. My DHs best friend was just diagnosed alongside the heart attack he already had at the grand old age of 37. It's really really shit.

It's a horrible condition, my husband was diagnosed 10 years ago. But it doesn't sound like your dad's diabetes is well controlled. Why can't he lose weight? 64 is not old at all - many of his symptoms are due to his obesity not his diabetes. Has he got a proactive diabetic nurse?

I agree, 64 is young these days. Even losing a few pounds would benefit his health.

I have seen on diabetes sites advice to get a glucose monitor- if he doesnt already have one to see how high blood glucose goes 2 hrs after meals as you can then see if you are eating something that is raising it too high. Also that metformin doesnt have that much affect so you also need to do diet changes.
The drugs may have side effects but high blood sugar affects so much

It's years of learned behaviour. My mum has stopped biscuits/ bread and tries with meat and salad.

She asked fur an appt with a dietician but thus amounted to a sort if group clinic where people were being urged to cut down on bread and beer. My dad takes neither.

He is naturally a sedentary person, emotionally overeats (like so many if us) and I think the meds make him tired and demotivated when it comes to exercise, coupled with the arthritis.

Am sad fir mum too - she loves walking and I think was hoping fir an active retirement as a couple

Osteoarthritis need not be a barrier to exercise. He should ask his GP for a physio/specialist exercise referral. The symptoms you describe aren't necessarily caused by diabetes itself, they are signs that a lifestyle change is required. Would he consider something like the 5:2 diet? With medical supervision, this has been effective for many type 2 diabetics, in both weightloss and sugar control. If he can lose the weight to get off the pills, this will improve his health significantly

Yes I asked mum if he tested his blood - unsure whether type 2's do this? Dr has not mentioned it.

He's so stubborn anyway, we aren't really sure what dr is saying to him apart from when he was read the riot act last year and had to start his daily walks .

It's hard to lose weight when you can't exercise, no? Vicious cycle for the old guy. My dad is 72 & terrified of diabetes (only had a pre-diabetic diagnosis which was bad enough for him).

Thus is the sort of advice he doesn't seem to be getting. I do 5:2 myself and it may suit dad.

They just seem to fiddle with his meds. He doesn't get much more input

But it has scared me.

I am determined to stay a healthy weight.

Thanks fur the suggestions - will speak to mum about it (dad will not discuss it the stubborn old man)

I lost 3 stone last year (after a type 2 diabetes scare). One of the things that helped me was weighing out portions of things like pasta, rice etc and re-educating myself to eat smaller (normal!) sized portions. It's very easy to get into the habit of overeating carbs - that could be something worth trying?

My dad also has type II he's 82 and fairly active - he has no choice as he gets pins and needles due to poor circulation, he's in pain and has to move constantly, his feet are numb, he takes a massive amount of medication. He tries to eat less carbs but he doesn't feel it's worth it to give up the poison.

My dh is 60 and he's doing the 5:2 diet. We were worried at first that 'fasting' (not really as he gets 600 calories) would cause problems with his blood sugar but so far it seems to be ok and he has lost weight.

There's some information here about exercising when you have osteoarthritis which might give you a few ideas.
It does sound as if he should be getting more help and advice though. Dh, my mum and my BIL all go to regular diabetic clinics where they get checked out by a nurse and can talk about diet etc.
I know what you mean about trying not to get fat, I'm the same. I'm determined not to be the next member of my family with diabetes.

He could do alsorts of supported exercise! Especially something in the water. Our local pool has a session for those trying it get back into exercise when overweight. It is a screened off session and shirts are permitted to avoid too much self consciousness .

Also look at join diabetes uk if you/he is not already a member, diabetes is a condition where the individual can really make a difference to their quality of life, and progress of the disease.

We are just in the dark about it. I wish there was more info about it.

( There's no way he would ever get in a swimming pool.he's a grumpy old man)

There is lots of information available on the internet from charities like Diabetes UK. Calling their Careline might help as well.

www.diabetes.org.uk/Type-2-diabetes/

64 is really not old and he should be making simple changes to help himself, along with the medication.

He should be aiming to walk for at least 30 minutes a day, although he might need to build up to this.

He needs to look at his diet and his portion control. I am a firm believer in everything in moderation! That doesn't hold for 'diabetic foods' which are a big con.

Doing the 5:2 diet might not be advisable depending on his medication and should be discussed with his GP.

He is likely tired, not due to his diabetes medication, but due to having a high blood sugar, so it is the diabetes itself, or as a result of the obesity.

Ultimately, as hard as this might be for you, this is HIS disease and HE needs to take responsibility for it and I just don't get the impression from your posts that he wants to do that, compared to what you want him to do. I do mean that gently and hope you can find some middle way to deal with this as a family.

I just don't get the impression from your posts that he wants to do that, compared to what you want him to do. I do mean that gently and hope you can find some middle way to deal with this

That's the heart of the matter. We worry about him, we try to help him but he refuses to think about it.

Wow a three stone loss is fantastic!

I would love to hear of a weight loss system geared to grumpy old baby boomers who were never supposed to get old and fat.

Equally I'd like stronger warnings to young people. I don't think people really get the reality

I have type 2 diabetes.

It doesn't stop me from doing anything, I am fairly healthy, I don't feel tired or look unwell.

I regularly run (including marathons), I'm a normal BMI and I do eat the odd cake or biscuit.

Diabetes itself is serious but a healthy lifestyle is possible, I think there is a lot of misinformation - it's not all about overweight people.