August 8, 2001
Daily Care
Question from :
My 43 year old friend suffers from type 2 diabetes (I don’t know for how long) and is in prison. I believe that his condition is not good but salvageable. He assesses his health as poor, and he is overweight. Unfortunately, he is in prison where it is difficult at best to get a comprehensive understanding of his exact diagnosis and care program. He knows that proper diet is necessary to control his problem, but the prison has provided him with neither knowledge nor the appropriate foods in balance.
My friend takes insulin twice a day. His morning shot is 95 units of NPH and 20 units of Regular; his evening dosage is 85 units of NPH and 10 units of Regular. These are dosages that seem high to me. His blood sugar is measured three times a month. This, clearly, is less than adequate to understand whether the insulin is effective. He is frequently stressed and depressed which we think correlates to the diabetes.
Any suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated, even if only to point me in another direction.
Answer:
Have him see the prison doctor or nurse. If he cannot get access, then have him speak to his attorney or have him request an attorney from the warden.
SB
[Editor’s comment: See Management of Diabetes in Correctional Institutions, a Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association.
SS]