Hi! Would love a little guidance! My mom was diagnosed with Diabetes about 3 years ago. She’s had health problems for years before that and was constantly on Narcotics that we thought were causing all kinds of paranoia and anger- thankfully she was able to get off of them. However, she drinks pop and eats chocolate bars whenever she wants (she’s on needle insulin before every meal!) and she treats us all so badly, yelling and accusing us of things that are in her head. She’s getting kind of violent too. We’ve all talked to her about watching her diet and she won’t hear it from us, because we are her kids, what do we know? It’s to the point I really want to give up because if she won’t try, what can we do but watch her constantly bounce between depression and anger.
Unfortunately this is an all too common reaction to a T2 diagnosis. I have a T2 coworker who refuses to even test his blood sugar. He knows I am strict about my diet (low carb)and have good numbers. I am quite frank and have told him more than once that diabetes will kill him if he doesn't change course. A mutual friend lost his eyesight due to uncontrolled T2. And yet last week at an office birthday party there he was eating a piece of cake.
Nothing can happen without a willing partner, so all you can do is keep reminding her and hope a light will go on.
If she won't listen to you, perhaps you can get her to go back to the doctor for more advice regarding the diabetes and depression? But when it comes down to it, your mom will have to make the changes for herself.
It's wonderful that you're looking out for mom, but it's worrisome as to who's looking out for you & your siblings. Keep yourself healthy & safe.
This is all too familiar to me--reminding me of my T2 mother who passed away at 85. In hopes of getting my elderly mom to take care of herself, I strongly encouraged her to try antidepressants. Which she refused. The outcome wasn't happy--she gradually stopped walking, lost her mobility & spent her last 7 years in assisted living and then a nursing home. Never able to walk again.
At some point with my elderly mom & step-mom, we enlisted the help of a geriatric social worker. These professionals were at least listened to, if not followed.
I wish I had a happier story.