Help me understand!

dunny · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 01:55 PM

Hey I'm new. I don't have diabetes but I've become extremely close with someone who does have it. I've never been around someone with the disease before and so, I want to learn about it. I am a little nervous to ask him things because I feel that he's content with what he has to go through and I don't want to remind him of it anymore than he has to be. So I decided to look around online and ask questions through here.

It's silly but what can I do, as a friend, to take care of him? What are some things that I could keep around the house incase anything happened? Little things, like types of food or something. Please, any advice will help.

rzrbks · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 02:01 PM

You don't say if your friend is on insulin or not---------that's HUGE.

For someone on insulin Diabetes is different than if they're controlling with Meds.

In both cases he should checking his blood glucose(B/G) readings, if he is on insulin, much more often simply to be sure of where he is.

Support, positive attitude, is the thing that helps us most. Generally. we don't want nannies, but positive questions and asking for information is OK with most folks.

Understand that the psychological toll on people with Diabetes can be as demanding as the physical----so again, positive attitude is what most of us are looking for.

Penny · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 02:03 PM

Your friend might appreciate you talking to him about his disease. Sometimes people treat me like they are afraid I am contagious or that I have some fatal disease. I don't mind talking about it at all and like it when people care enough to ask me about it. The best thing you can do for him, is not to bug him about what he eats, he should know and won't appreciate you telling him he shouldn't be eating something. I would think you might keep some diet soft drinks or sweeteners around for him. By the way, welcome to the forum.

dunny · #4 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 02:19 PM

thanks - well yes he's on insulin. i mean i think, he tests his blood about 10 times a day. and occassionally i see him take his insulin shot. he's had this for a long time and said he finally is at a point where he's taking care of himself and really keeps up on it.

i just want to know if there is anything i need to know incase anything ever happened. like in an emergency, what do i need to know to help?

DaveC426913 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 02:27 PM

I'm with Penny on this.

1] Ask him to educate you on his condition. It is therapeutic for him to talk about it and will help him feel less alone.
2] Don't try to enforce any rules, such as food restrictions. He'll be very touchy about that.
3] Ask him to brief you on what happens when he gets a "low" and what you should do.

rzrbks · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

3] Ask him to brief you on what happens when he gets a "low" and what you should do.

That's a key one, to know what he would like you do IF/when this happens.

Quote:

1] Ask him to educate you on his condition. It is therapeutic for him to talk about it and will help him feel less alone.
2] Don't try to enforce any rules, such as food restrictions. He'll be very touchy about that.

I'm one of those who tells everyone within hearing range, who will hold still, ALL about Diabetes----mostly the people I work with are interested in what happens if I "Pass Out"

----I just tell them to shove as much chocolate as they can lay their hands on into my mouth.

Actually, the people I work with all know enough to do the right things

am1977 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-23-2006, 06:47 PM

I'd have to agree. Probably the best way you can help him is to be there for him when he needs you. Sometimes just knowing that someone is willing to listen is the best thing. Also, ask questions and let him know you are interested in his condition...that also can make someone feel like you care.

You are a good friend to be concerned

Aftiel · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2006, 10:06 AM

Hey Dunny,

You are a good friend.

Keep some regular Cocal-Cola in your frig for a bad low, should he have one.

He can give you the details on the symptoms, but the Coke will do the trick should that happen.

- Aftiel

Ayomi73 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2006, 09:03 PM

Hi, I haven't hung out at the forum in a while, and here I am, I just read all this answers and comments to your question, it's very cool to have all this advice. I am married with a diabetic T1 and it was all about communication, he would even tell me a lot about it when we were dating, and then, I asked tons of questions, still do, and every now and then remind him (now that we live together) not to eat something that may be a "sin" and he is tempted to try. He takes it well, and realizes how bad for a moment of pleasure, the consequences will be. So, just be alert like me. i'm always looking for more info than what I have from him, like this forum, and anything new I can find about it, calls my attention, cos I love him, and want to be aware of the most I can. Enjoy life, enjoy your being with him, you can handle it!

sydneya · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2006, 09:15 PM

How lucky your friend is. It's wonderful to have a friend that cares as much and wants to be there for him. I do think that communication is a must. Or at least watch him to see what he does when his sugars go low or high. The number one is having something with you that would benefit him if he goes low. We each have something that works for us best. Some people like coke, some peanut butter chocolate bars, some hard candies. If you can tell what it is have some one you. As you are with him, you will how he reacts to things. Just like with any other friend, see what he needs and be willing to help.
Most of all have fun and enjoy him.