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Haven’t posted in forever but wanted to pass my father’s history. Dad has Type 2 diabetes and is on Levemir. Doctors don’t agree on to insulin or not to insulin and they don’t agree on what amount of insulin. For example; his primary doctor wants him on 5 units a day regardless (even at 140, 120, etc). Several doctors he has seen in larger cities (during knee and prostate surgery) say with his numerous medical issues, we need to let his sugar run high.

Well the primary insisted again and we had him start the 5 units a day. Needless to say father started having issues. He was staying dizzy, confused, couldn’t gain energy (as much as 83 year old can have), and was losing his balance. We moved his shot from mornings to night when he would probably eat more. Finally he had a fall where he bumped his head. After that, I begged them to take him back off the insulin because that was the only thing different.

We haven’t had any other incidents. With that being said, he does have an appointment with a neurologist to make sure nothing else is going on medically.

Hope she gets the help she needs.
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@answry Thank you for sharing let me know how things go with your dad.

Mom's primary doc and endocrinologist don't agree either. I am leaning more towards the primary care who also says lets let her run a little high and not to give her any insulin when she is lower then 175. Which is really the evening one since she was having the lows in the morning. I guess we have to see what happens after this infection clears up.
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Take her to a dietician.
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Find a nurse practioner CDE or Pharm D CDE (certified diabetes educator). For older people with problems, the goal IS NOT an A1c less than 7%. It can be 8-8.5%. However, since your mom has type 1, she must have insulin or she can go into DKA quicklyRemember her mealtime insulin (novolog or hum along) does not last long. It is imperative that she have her long acting insulin everyday. Also, infections increase BG even if the person is not eating.
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Mom's BS are going well, they put her back on her regular insulin schedule yesterday afternoon, with some tweaks of course. However she id being my stubborn about food today. As if that is possible, she does seem to be mentally off today. Behavior is very child like, doesn't see to understand things today. I know that can happen when they are in the hospital and all the stress of things lately, but is worrisome. Guess we shall see what the doctor says.
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Good for you to take her for evaluation. Those low blood sugars in the middle of the night, or at any time, are not good for your mom. Her fall risk increases- I know you know all this.
I too agree- keep her higher at night for awhile. Treat her infection, push fluids too. You can add Glucerna if she is eating like a bird to supplement.
Hope she feels better soon! Get some rest, daughter. 
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Tuesday, still at hospital. Here we are again mom's sugar is all over the place. They want her to be on an insulin drip. Sigh. Get this, physical therapist was in the room then I got there. I helped him work with her. He feels that she can go to rehab and with pushing get up and walking. Yes she is physically strong, but mentally does not want to.
They after that the nurse tells me the doctor recommends palliative care. So what does this mean, nurse says she will have doctor come talk to me. I am tired and have no fight left in me to deal with this right now.

Here I sit, waiting basically by my self since mom just can't understand.
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OK, now mom is in ICU, because they still are having issues with getting her sugar in control and want her on an insulin drip. Palliative care doctor stop in ICU put does not want to talk to me until tomorrow. Sign.
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Tattoochick
How exhausted you must be - hospitals and waiting for hours

I hope you can rest
How's mom tonight ?
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Thinking of you, Tatoochick. Take things day by day!
A lot has been going on with you and your mom lately. Glad she is being cared for.
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Hi Everyone, It is Wednesday (6/28) evening. I am home, mom is in ICU. They still can not get her sugars in control. I think everyone is just unsure as to why.

Talked to a palliative care doctor, can't say how I really feel about that. He was very understanding and mostly asked questions. He wants to give it a few days to see where mom is at and then he can recommend a plan.

Emotionally and Physically tired plus just unsure of what is happening.
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(((((((hugs))))) - hope you can get some rest tonight. Looks like the palliative care doc is unsure of what is happening too. Hope you get some clear direction soon.
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Thursday evening and tomorrow I sign my mom into Hospice care. The palliative care doc was very clear on how he spoke to her today. I do believe she understood and clear stated she wanted to left alone with out care and to die. They will stop her IV, antibiotics and her long lasting insulin. The will continue to mildly treat any high sugar levels but not the lows. With then why her sugar levels have been while under treatment, every feels it will be sooner then later that she will pass. Thanks for all the support and suggestions. I am sure I will be back to the forum through this whole thing.
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(((((((hugs)))))) such a hard time, but your mum is clear in what she wants which is good. Her sugar levels probably reflected that she was failing. Keep us updated.
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Tattoo
You've had a long haul but it must be some comfort that your mom could express her wishes - doesn't make it any easier though

We're thinking of you and praying for you in the days ahead

Where will mom be transferred - back to ALF or an in hospital unit?
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Thinking of you and your mom today, Tatoochick. Hard decision to make. Infection somewhere leading to blood sugars going haywire, unfortunately.
I am sorry this happened. We all support you 💯
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I hope you find comfort coming here, I can only imagine how you are feeling.
Although you can't physically see us here, we ARE!!
Probably going to face this soon with my diabetic dad...sending you strength, and good rest when you can.

Wow, when the end nears, do us loved ones go numb..does courage to get through it automatically kick in? Thankyou for sharing your journey with your mom tattochick.

Thinking of you girl and your mom. 

Big hugs
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@MsMadge Thank you for the kind words, she will be going to a Hospice Care center.
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Thank you everyone for the kinds words and support. You have no idea how much it helps.
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A hospice care center sounds ideal for your mother. I am so glad she was able to give an answer.

In the natural order of things, each of us loses two parents. We know and expect this in our heads. Our hearts have a harder time with that concept. Some losses come about more gently than others. I am sorry this has been such a challenging time for both your mother and you. I hope the rest of the journey will be kinder for you both.
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Tattoochick, I am so sorry to hear all that you and your mother are going through. I hope both you and your mother get some peace and relief soon. My thoughts are with you. Hugs. :)
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Can I scream now. I arrive at the hospital to sign the paperwork to sent her to Hospice. Mom is sitting up in the chair, eating her breakfast, has taken her meds. What is this? I don't know what to do. I am waiting for the Palliative Care doctor to come by.
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Er, scream in a good way?!?! I hope the palliative care doctor's visit is helpful - I expect s/he'll be able to explain why every good day is a bonus but not a trend, perhaps. I'm just smiling to think of your mother enjoying her breakfast :)
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Oh dear. I do hope you get some answers from the palliative care doctor. This must be very confusing.
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This is very confusing, it is hard to explain she is being compliant but she does keep asking to go home. Still waiting for the doctor. I almost feel like this is a show because she thinks she will be allowed to go home (not the ALF, but her home). Which is not an option as she was in between homes when all this started. Having a home built when she had the diabetic event in Jan 2016, was in a coma for four days. So she never really lived in that house for about expect for about a month didn't even unpack. She rented while it was being built. That house is up for sale and empty.
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Did I mention she is controlling? Sorry I feel like I am rambling as I have a bit of anxiety. She keeps trying to pull her IV off. Is this because she doesn't want it and still wishes to die or is this her dementia? Any one have this experience?
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Take a deep breath Tatoochick, it will work out. You are both together in the hospital and yes it's very confusing especially when you weren't expecting any of this.
See how things fall out- see how your mom is in a few days but explore palliative and Hospice as options.
Sorry you are going through this- it's so hard.
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I'm so sorry, Tattoochick. Having a loved one with dementia is a wild roller coaster. I pray that you both get some peace soon.
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Pulling out an iv or a feeding tube or a catheter, etc. is very common dementia behavior. It is something that doesn't belong there. Out it comes. Even if they have just heard an explanation of what it is and why it is there and seemed to understand it, three minutes later they've totally forgotten what this is. Is there any kind of garment that could cover the iv?

My husband was on hospice at home. The morning he died he had his favorite breakfast (although he hadn't been eating much lately), read the newspaper, and then had a particularly lucid day.

I think that toward the end the roller coaster effect is particularly in evidence, and it is hard to predict even the near future based on the present.

Hugs to you!
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So her lucid behavior for most of the day disqualified her for Hospice care. Which could means rehab and then to NH. However, her behavior of aggressiveness after the doctor visit could re-qualify her. She cursed out the nurse, an aid did pull out her ivs. I am exhausted. Left in limbo. No Hospice, no rehab will admit her with her behavior, her current ALF will not expect back in current state might after rehab. What? She still has an infection, her BS still in 400s, so what is the next step? Who knows tomorrow will bring it's own crazy. Brother will be arriving in am, maybe I can have a day off.
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