He says that he is diabetic and has low blood sugar, so he eats a lot of candy. We've noticed that he only throws up when he is upset, although he doesn't show any emotion (e.g., he didn't get to hear the Royals game on the radio on time). I've told his doctor, but he just says to feed him candy now and then. Dad forgets and then he comes upstairs to eat lunch with us, and he throws up right after we sit down at the table. This is getting frustrating. It doesn't happen every day, just about once or twice a week. When we question him, he says he's all right, then he sits down and starts getting nauseous. Then he goes to the bathroom and throws up, not always in the toilet. Then I have to clean it all up. This whole scenario is making ME nauseous. I thought I was done taking care of that kind of illness when my kids grew up and left home. What am I doing wrong? I need some suggestions to help get this under control. Thank you for any help you can give me and my husband.
-Something's up physically [make a log, take him in, get diagnosis. He SAYS he's diabetic? Is he really?]
-He's upset but not showing it? You ask him and he says he's fine... well, yuh. How many people his age are going to give you any other answer than that. If you want to change the situation you can't go by that.
-He's possibly not making good choices when he's alone "downstairs" [plan ahead -- he's not going to be able to be by himself forever]
-He misses the toilet [solve this logistically -- how about a wide plastic storage-type container that you can then pour into the toilet and rinse with water from the tub, also pouring into the toilet. You don't have to touch anything.]
Elders some times get up from a sitting position too quickly, their blood cannot circulate as quickly as someone much younger, thus it could make him feel lightheaded or dizzy, which in turn could make him feel nauseous.
You mentioned your father-in-law will get sick when he is upset... when a person is upset some people don't realize it but they could be clamping down on their stomach, and if acid reflux plays a role, it can make you feel like you could throw up.
All above in my post is just speculation from prior experience. Only a doctor can decide what is the medical issue.
Doctore investigation and diagnosis essential. down at your table.
But the vomiting may or may not be related to his diabetes. Is he on drugs or insulin? Is he taking what needs regularly? Try to carefully track when he takes his meds, what his blood sugars are (and the time of day they are taken) and what he eats, when. Do this for a few days and hopefully include a day when he is nauseated. Take this log with you when you take him to see his doctor.
If he needs a new doctor, consider a geriatrician.
???
Presumably, since you yourself have consulted his doctor and no doubt mentioned the diabetes during the conversation and weren't contradicted, he actually is diabetic. But if he's going low then he's not administering his insulin properly and - don't know whether you'll want to hear this? - you need to get your hands on it and sort him out.
But in any case, I couldn't agree more with the advice to make detailed notes of what's happening and march him off for a proper assessment. This is not normal, not even in diabetes, and could be serious.