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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2009 1:34:16 GMT -5
Five years ago my husband was diagnosed with severe COPD. Four years ago he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. He's on 2,000 Metforium, 40 Glyspide, 96 IU am and 86 IU pm 70/30. He's really going down. I'm a nurse but don't know how long this can keep going. What can I expect next? He's getting weaker, spending less time out of bed and eating more. He weighs 260 now. I have asked the same question here also www.caring.com/questions/5-yr-ago-my-71-year-old-husband-was-dxd-w-copd-severe-4Looking for more answer Thank you Ammey
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Oct 6, 2009 7:34:11 GMT -5
Ammey; I've read your question and the response via the link you posted. Frankly it's very difficult to address that question in light of the very limited info. Personally I'm not a diabetic though we do have several members here who have both diabetes and COPD and another member w/o COPD but has Type 2 D and who has done AMAZINGLY well in managing it. Perhaps they can shed some additional light and info for you from that aspect.
I think you know, and it has been reaffimed, the need for exercise and the loss of weight. Also your husband sounds like he's suffereing from depression . Why does he remain in bed so much? He may need to have that issue (depression) addressed.
You've not mentioned what COPD meds he is on, only the Diabetes drugs. Also; is he on oxygen? Is he able to get up and around (or does he) at all? How tall is he btw? I guess what I'm politely asking is... how much "overweight" is he?
Now; let's talk about exercise and COPD. It can become a perpetual cycle. You can't breathe, so you reduce or quit exercising which leads to being able to do less. A vicious circle. But; and I'm sure you know, the more he does, the more he'll be able to do. Getting there doesn't happen overnight however and believe me it can be frustrating to exercise when you're having trouble breathing. But; you gotta keep at it. Did he get any exercise BEFORE his COPD diagnosis or BEFORE his Diabetes dx?
You said he was dx'd 5 years ago with severe COPD. Do you know where he currently is?
I'm sorry to ask so many Q's but like I said, the info is limited.
I will tell you something however..... we have a member here, on oxygen, in the very severe category, who spent 2 weeks this summer on a canoeing type trip. She did her share of paddling as well I might add for several hours at a time. Me; personally speaking, I'm very severe as well. I walk, I garden, I fish, (I'm not on O2 yet); I'm self sufficient. Spend the day in bed? Not a chance in H unless I'm ill!
So; maybe you could tell us a bit more about him?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2009 7:51:06 GMT -5
I would speak to his Doctors, he might be suffering from depresion.
I hope he feels better soon and gets some answers, I know if i stopped I would never get going, It's hard, it's hard to be a caregiver because you feel helpless, you also need to take care of yourself. I wish I had some answers, Jackie gave you many good pointers, best of luck.
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Post by spike99 on Oct 6, 2009 9:41:03 GMT -5
Five years ago my husband was diagnosed with severe COPD. Four years ago he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. He's on 2,000 Metforium, 40 Glyspide, 96 IU am and 86 IU pm 70/30. He's really going down. I'm a nurse but don't know how long this can keep going. What can I expect next? He's getting weaker, spending less time out of bed and eating more. He weighs 260 now. I have asked the same question here also www.caring.com/questions/5-yr-ago-my-71-year-old-husband-was-dxd-w-copd-severe-4Looking for more answer Thank you Ammey Hi Ammey, If possible, I'll try to help with your "T2" Diabetes questions... First, the cause of "D". Although many don't know the "exact cause / triggers" of T2 diabetes (re: genetics, lifestyle choices, being over weight, medical, stress, older age, etc, etc.), the many "D" experts will say that ALL these factors contribute to "D" progression within each unique body. Eliminate or "slow down" these factors and one lives longer (and has higher quality of life). Unfortuneatly, your husband has some things that cannot be changed. For example, age (being age 71), dramatic reduction in daily exercise (due to being in bed more often), dramatic increase in stress (emotional and physical - due to COPD) and medical drugs (like Predisone - which is known to over stress the pancreas and raise one's BG numbers). You or your husband cannot do much about these things. As a suggestion, let's try to focus on the things that one "can" change. For example, diet (food intake). They say the "average" middle age adult with normal pancreas function only needs 130 carbs per day. Carbs is the raw fuel that grains and sugar are coverted to - for one's digestive system to use as fuel. If wondering, the pancreas coverts sugar / grains / starchs into "carb fuel" (compared to Fibre fuel or protien fuel). (note: its much more complex then this but for now, let's "think like a simple pancreas"). With this in mind, less "carbs" intake means less "work" the pancreas needs to perform (to digest that specific food item). When the pancreas cannot `process` the carb amounts via its own natural insulin, one's BG (Blood Glucose) number goes up. To lower one's BG number, one has a few choices. They can: 1 - eat less carbs, 2 - find means to make one's internal "natural insulin" more effective (like exercise after each meal) or 3 - give the body medically created insulin (like insulin injections). Some folks ignore item 1, some folks try limited amounts of 2 and some folks can only use 3. Each body is different. But, I do recommend trying option 1 with option 2. For me, a Lower Carb "intake" diet of "75-80 carbs per day with 45 minutes of after meal exercises" works great. For some "D" folks, their body does best on 50 carbs per day. For some (like my T2 body), exercise after each meal dramatically lowers my after meal BG numbers. For more details about "tweaking" one's diet, surf below: Many drill down pages within: www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.phpLearning info within: www.diabetesdaily.com/wiki/Newly_Diagnosed_-_Type_2_DiabetesInterview with Dr Vernon (Lower Carb Diet): revver.com/video/268051/dlife-talks-with-dr-mary-vernon/Friendly Food Diet: www.diabetesdaily.com/wiki/Newly_Diagnosed_Type_2_-_A_Diabetes_Friendly_DietAs stated above, each T2 body is different. Some BG management tricks work great on some T2 bodies (like my body) and the same management trick won't work on others. If you can, do focus on the things one can change (like diet, exercise `even arm & leg movements while in bed` and dropping extra body weight). Or, eating 6 x large snacks each day (to create even food intake distribution during entire day) - instead of having 3 meals + 3 snacks each day. As many T2 folks say, "eat and exercise to one's BG meter". If its good on the body (from a BG number perspective), then keep doing it. If it's bad on the body (like napping after meals - which is a very bad thing to do), then stop doing this item. Always try to beat the BG numbers on one's BG meter (like its a video game). Thus, also allowing one to have a goal - and have some fun at it as well... (which works for me and my `new` T2 body). Good luck!!!! .
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Post by susanny on Oct 6, 2009 10:53:07 GMT -5
It sounds like you have your hands full with all this and then the worry, too. I hope we are able to help you.
I am on steroids, pred., and it caused me to become diabetic last Feb. With diet and exercise I was able to get my BG down withing normal limits. I don't know whether your husband is on/was on steroids, but that could be why is has diabetes now. As Jackie said, we really need more information to help you with the COPD part of your q.
Depression is a sneaky thing, and I think that men, from my experience, have a more difficult time dealing with illness. My father became very depressed when he was diagnosed with a disease. He didn't stay in bed because he couldn't sleep in it, but he didn't leave his chair that was his bed. He was always an outgoing person and became withdrawn. Unfortunately, his generation thought it a sign of weakness to ask for help with the depression. Heck, he didn't even want to go to the dr. when he got sick in the first place. So I can understand to a point how your husband is feeling, and you.
I hope Spike and Jackie's information is helpful to you and look forward to more info so we can try to help more.
God bless, Sue
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Post by the bear on Oct 8, 2009 20:30:07 GMT -5
Hi Ammey; I have type 2 diabetes too. You must get the weight off. I used to go 260 as well but have shed 50 pounds so far. You are a nurse so you should know the drill better than most people. May I suggest picking up a book either from a book seller or a library. The title is "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions" by several doctors, try to get the Canadian edition and covers the self management of Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema and other chronic conditions. I have been prscribed Metformin and take 3 pills on a daily basis. One at breakfast, one at lunch and one in the evening with dinner. The strength is 500mg each so that gives me 3 x 500 mgs = 1,500 mgs per day. A complete life style change is in order for your hubby to stay on this side of the grass. The book is also on Amazon and E-bay as far as I know.
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