How to educate your parents

Type 1 and LADA
1

Hi everyone!
I was dx'd at 19 & I haven't lived at home since then so my parents don't know how to take care of me. I've explained it a few times & even gave them the books I had but I realized the other day when I was high & my mom asked if I need some juice that I need to better educate them. I'm wanting to make a kit with a card that has directions on what to do if I'm high/low/pass out, etc & have skittles/honey/emergency type things in it. So what would y'all include in this? How have y'all taught loved ones?

-Stephanie
thediabeticginger.blogspot.com

2

I might include that I'm on MDI.

3

My father was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia before I was, and he actually miseducated me. It was only when I came online that I discovered how WRONG everything he told me was that I began to gain an understanding of what was going on.

Since then, he still tries to "educate" me, which annoys me more than anything. It's almost like he wants the wrong information to be right. So I understand how frustrating educating your parents can be, because I can't get through to my father.

The first thing you need to do is make an information sheet to go in the kit. It should have a list of if/then statements. Say, "If blood sugar is below 70 and Stephanie is responsive, then give one juice box", or "If blood sugar is below 40 and Stephanie is unresponsive, then give glucagon".

I assume this box is really for emergencies, so it's unlikely you'll need insulin in there. You'll need a meter in there, glucagon, glucose tablets, maybe cake gel (it doesn't crystallize like honey does, but it works well, too). You should probably include some alcohol wipes in there, for cleaning off your fingers to test your blood sugar.

You'll also need a detailed list of instructions for testing blood sugar. Make sure your parents can follow it easily, so test it out on them. Maybe you can tape a cheat-sheet to the inside of your meter case of blood sugars and what to do for each range.

You'll also need a detailed list of instructions for giving glucagon. The same applies here as for testing blood sugar--and walking them through how to use glucagon a few times may also help.

Finally, you'll need a sheet of paper with important information on it--your insulin dosages, which insulins you use, your endocrinologist's phone number, any other medications you take, etc. This would be useful for them to bring to the hospital if you ever go for any reason, even if it isn't diabetes related. Including the fact that you're on MDI is very important here.

I wish you luck with this. At least, it seems like your parents are interested in being involved enough to protect you.

4

May I also suggest that if you use abbreviations in your instructions for your parents or other loved ones to put down what the abbreviations mean....things like MDI mean multiple daily injections and FBG means fasting blood glucose. I had a brief visit with a doctor who was filling in for my GP and this doctor didn't know what FBG stood for, even though he claims to be a diabetic specialist.

5

Educating anybody requires time and ongoing efforts.

Myself I would start with a MUCH better source to cure lows than either Honey/Skittles for example. Somebody well meaning is certain to grab for a SPOON (ie to give you said honey) and will give too little, get it all over you, and harm you (anybody) using a spoon, particularly if we don't "cooperate" with their efforts to get it in us.

In your place I'd consider other better options in that regard anyway. One candy, two, how many do you put into the mouth, give to somebody who is not entirely there??? Skittles being a candy coated with chocolate, not a spectacular idea either. Foods coated in chocolate prevents quick breakdown because of the fat content in the chocolate.

Anything which requires spoons, or counting on any level is not a good idea.

Soda or icing tubes would be better, in my view. Nothing confusing about quantity there. Sure you could use the little plastic bear in place of icing tubes, but honey gets hard pretty fast, in that bottle. The Glutose Gel tubes, the small icing tubes easy to get, use, and best of all, HAVE on us.

As for HIGHS, not going to happen, to the point THEY need to do much of anything. Even high, you can take care of yourself. Low on the other hand, that requires others help far more often.

6

First let me say, Good for you and your persistence in providing family with information. A kit is always good to have available at each place you spend significant amounts of time. I have one at all of my sons' homes and have shown them how to use the glucometer and glucogan kits they have. They have a card explaining just what you have mentioned (highs, lows, etc.). In my kits I have: a meter with test strips, glucose tablets or gel, Smarties, a glucagon kit (where I live close to them only), my instruction card, and a copy of my insurance card in case EMTs are needed.

Now, I want to warn you---I have tried for 31 years to educate my father and it ain't happened yet! LOL EMTs have told him multiple times that my lows are NOT due to my not being compliant, but rather due to type-1 being unpredictable. Since my mother's death, he doesn't even make sure when I visit that there are sugar-free drinks or sugar-free things such as jello when they make it. If I want anything other than protein and veggies (fruit, drinks, snacks, cereals, etc) I must bring them with me. So don't get discourages if they just never catch on. Make sure you have everything available and bring whatever you feel you might need with you.

Good luck.