Insulin users- I REALLY need some help

[B~RAD]

So I've been home on break from college for a week now. My dad has type 1 diabetes. He doesn't take care of himself for the most part, weighs about 330 at a height of 5"10, and doesnt check his blood sugar regularly.

In the past week he has had 3 diabetic siezures where he had hypoglycemia. Last night at about 1am he had one and fell out of bed. He didn't have the strength to get back up. I checked his blood sugar and it was 56. He was still conscious, but had the mind of a child. I gave him some honey and grape juice, waited 5-10 min, checked it again and it was 42.

I wanted to call an ambulance and then while she was crying, my mom informed me that this was happening all the time while I've been in college. I couldnt believe this was happening. My mom thought it was no big deal since it had been happening often. I called 911 anyway and as soon as they got to our house, my dad somehow got the strength to get himself up onto the bed.

He's been type 1 for 20 years now.

I asked about my dad's insulin dose today. Obviously he's been taking way too much. But he said that when he was diagnosed that he's supposed to take 48IU of Humilin R and 48 of the other one (i forget the name) before his meals.

NOW this was 20 YEARS ago when he was told to take this much. After I've done some research, it looks like you're supposed to take a certain amount of IU depending on how many carbs you're eating. I asked my dad about this, and he was CLUELESS. Just knows that he's supposed to take 48+48. Can someone help me help my dad? It would mean everything to me.

From the research I've done, everyone is different as far as how much IU they should per 10 carbs they eat. Could someone enlighten me on what an average would be for a 330lb man? Is there a special doc he could go to to find out??

Thanks in advance

 

[BigJB]

Bro, I don't think this is a question that anyone here would want to or should touch. You should seek a professional's opinion on this A.S.A.P.

 

[Massive G]

He needs to get his ass to an endocronologist.
No offense intended but he needs to learn how to control his blood sugar-and if he is just popping a dose of insulin-I can't see him living out a normal life.
Insulin use is based on food and blood sugar readings -constantly tweaking it-epsecially today with the pens and diabetic pumps and log type slins out there blood sugar is much more controllable but he has to get some professional help.

 

[HawaiiMuscle]

No time to play doctor...

Agree get his butt checked out. He's really lucky! My old man wasn't. He died at very young 51 y.o. because he didn't keep on top of his BG.

Its really sad when your 17, all alone but you and your dad, and he dies right before your very eyes. Then you have to go pick out his casket and tell everyone at the wake and funeral what happened. You and your mom don't want to be in this situation. Get him the medical attention he deserves.

 

[loftros]

He should definitely go to an endo.....which he should see regularly anyways. Get him to test his BS every time he eats.......idk why any diabetic would want to use humalin instead of a combo of humalog/lantus(which i use) or a pump. I'm no doctor, but if he's that overweight his insulin sensitivity is most likely very weak. Make sure he gets his hemoglobin a1c level tested which tells you how well his bs has been controlled over a period of time.

 

[mekanikal]

Like everyone has been saying I think he should see an endocrinologist...and then more importantly he needs to fully understand the directions and medications he is scheduled to take from the endocrinologist, some docs just hand patients their script, others spend the time to make sure they understand..can repeat back their regimen and how to adjust dosing with glucometer readings, as a family member you and your mother can encourage him to be compliant with his daily blood sugar checks, medication administration, diet, and exercise. 48 units of regular sounds excessive, I would guess he would be on a basal dosage of longer acting insulin like nph, lantus, or glargine based of his h1AC and daily readings then take regular insulin prior to each meal according to a "sliding scale" based on a pre-meal blood sugar check. Then again, I'm no doc, I hope he gets things under control.

 

[Gunsmith]

make usre that he is not manipulating his insulin so that he can "cheat" , two men I work with do this and over the last year they ahve steadly upped the dose to keep up.

They take alot more then their supposed to so that they can eat shit at work , one day last year one of them took their shot in the AM and left for work , he got a flat and set him back an hr from getting to work where he normaly ate a honey bun and drank a coke. By the time he got to work his was VEYR VERY hypo.

point is make sure he is getting the right dose for a HEALTHY lifestyle

 

[Dragon_MD]

Bro I agree, he needs to see a good endo. Unchecked diabetes is a really really bad thing man. I wish the best for dad man. I hope you can get hi mto learn and take are of himself right.

 

[B~RAD]

thanks for the help so far guys. im definately going to look for endos in our area and try to get him in

 

[Gunsmith]

thanks for the help so far guys. im definately going to look for endos in our area and try to get him in

best of luck bro , i'll keep him in our prayers. My wife is a RN in the OR
here localy , she about had a fucking fit when she saw a bottle of Humalog in the fridge. But after showing her my research and plans for it she has calmed down alot.
She lost a patient (when she was doing home nurseing) from not taking his meds properly , and it was the insulin that got him. He had been lieing about his doses and she would check and have the Dr. make adjustments from her readings but the guy would not follow the correct dose.

get him to a Dr. and make sure things are getting used like they are needed