EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Can anyone tell me if severe Diabetes is connected with mood swings/aggression? I am currently helping an elderly farmer, it's not a cruelty case, it is more based on general ignorance. No doubt he loves his dog in his own fashion. However, I find dealing with him every now and then more than trying. One day he is all friendly and can't do enough, the next he barely talks and is real moody. He suffers from severe diabetes and has to inject himself several times a day. I *think* I remember reading somewhere that diabetes and mood swings are connected but I am not sure anymore. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooandboo Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 When my sister (type 1 since the age of 7) goes *hypo* (sugar too low) she can get very bad tempered, verging on aggressive, completely out of character and out of her control if it drops suddenly. Usually she can recognise the warning signs and thankfully these days her sugar levels are very much under control. I should imagine that severe diabetes could be harder to control. (I'm not diabetic but react the same if my blood sugar gets low, I also get to the point where I can't think straight but food makes an immediate difference) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I have a colleague who is diabetic....if he's being moody we give him a biccy...works a treat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) Thank you So should I stick a sugar cube in his mouth if he gets aggressive/moody? Edited November 17, 2008 by EGAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooandboo Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Erm no, just in case he's just a mardy bugger by nature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 That's the thing, IF he is moody because of the diabetes then I can deal with it. If the reason isn't the diabetes then I would like to clog him one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinem Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 My son is type one diabetic and I would agree with all that's been said. lol at mooandboo's post You could try carrying some barley sugars (or similar) and offer him one if he's being moody. As an adult, presumably in control of his diabetes, he will accept or decline as appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Thank you for all the info, I will be getting *treats* for him now as well as for his dog . If he refuses them THEN I'll clog him one ;). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murtle Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Thank you So should I stick a sugar cube in his mouth if he gets aggressive/moody? yes - but duck afterwards....or run depending on his reaction. Or offer him a biscuit...or something chocolatey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 He's elderly, so I can outrun him any time unless I fall over his yapping dog on the way out *ggg* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owl Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 If he is running a low blood sugar, it will take more than a sugar lump. The sugar will give a quick lift but you need some more solid carbs like biccies, cake or a sandwich. By contrast, some people with diabetes can be vile and quite irrational if their blood sugar runs too high. The average GP might well say this is nonsense, but most specialist diabetes nurses know one or two like that. My late OH was bad-tempered if his sugar ran low, but utterly horrible if it ran high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGAR Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Maybe I should just ask him?? But then, I am worried he'd get peed off with me and tells me to leave. As it is not a cruelty case I wont have a snowballs chance in hell to help the dog then... It's catch 22 really.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooandboo Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 You could ask him about his diabetes in general (on a good day ) and see if he minds talking about it first. My sister always has digestive biscuits to hand in case hers goes low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) Oaty biscuits or flapjacks are good: very sweet sugary things tend to give you a sugar high for 10 mins then the high drops off and it's worse than before. Things with oats seem to give a more prolonged fix. Not that I have diabetes, but I do get blood sugar-y mood swings, bad enough that my husband for many years used to carry oat bar things whenever we went anywhere together! Edited November 17, 2008 by cycas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinem Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Oaty biscuits or flapjacks are good: very sweet sugary things tend to give you a sugar high for 10 mins then the high drops off and it's worse than before. Things with oats seem to give a more prolonged fix. Not that I have diabetes, but I do get blood sugar-y mood swings, bad enough that my husband for many years used to carry oat bar things whenever we went anywhere together! You're absolutely right about eating longer acting carbs after the sugar. So that's a pocket full of sweets and a couple of sandwiches in the other pocket then mooandboo - Good idea to find time to talk to him about the diabetes, he may not realise when his blood sugars are awry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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