Help for my Husband

[Buttercup1988]

Hello there

I have joined this Forum to get some help.

My lovely Husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2013. He lost two stone and his number came down to 46.

He hasn’t put any weight back on but his most recent test was 103mmol. Obviously this is high but he will not take any Metformin etc as he is convinced it killed his Father off. He ended up in a cocktail of drugs….

These last few months my Hubby has been having dizzy spells and ends up in bed and sick for two days. Then recovers. He says it’s Vertigo but I’m not convinced. If he puts his head upside down it triggers this dizziness and then the vomiting. Three times this has happened in three weeks. None of the times were because he looked under something it just comes on. Last Saturday we had a Chinese takeaway and then he was off. This happened a few weeks ago too. So I can see the pattern.

I don’t know what to do for the best. And I am getting more and more worried about him. Hence me coming in here. I would be grateful for any kind advice and thank you in advance.

All the best.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello there

I have joined this Forum to get some help.

My lovely Husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2013. He lost two stone and his number came down to 46.

He hasn’t put any weight back on but his most recent test was 103mmol. Obviously this is high but he will not take any Metformin etc as he is convinced it killed his Father off. He ended up in a cocktail of drugs….

These last few months my Hubby has been having dizzy spells and ends up in bed and sick for two days. Then recovers. He says it’s Vertigo but I’m not convinced. If he puts his head upside down it triggers this dizziness and then the vomiting. Three times this has happened in three weeks. None of the times were because he looked under something it just comes on. Last Saturday we had a Chinese takeaway and then he was off. This happened a few weeks ago too. So I can see the pattern.

I don’t know what to do for the best. And I am getting more and more worried about him. Hence me coming in here. I would be grateful for any kind advice and thank you in advance.

All the best.

Welcome to the forum
It sounds as if your husband need some medical intervention as that is an very high HBA1C and without either medication or some changes to his diet which sounds as if it is not happening if he is having Chinese takeaway as that would be a high carbohydrate meal.
Those symptoms are very worrying, check this link to see if anything sound familiar as it could be dangerous and would need immediate medical attention. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/diabetic_ketoacidosis?
I am not trying to scare you but urge you to eliminate that as a cause of the episodes.

Looking at his diet is important as a high carb regime will increase blood glucose. However if he has not changed anything for the time when he managed to reduce his level then it could be that is is now not producing his own insulin or enough insulin to cope with the carbs he eats and may now need medication to manage his levels.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Buttercup1988, Welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your husband are experiencing. It's really difficult to see a loved one in pain so I understand your concern.

Just wanted to double check, his reading of 103, was that his HbA1C number that he got from the hospital or a reading from a blood glucose meter that was done on the spot?

If it's his HbA1c then his numbers are quite high and I'd be inclined to get some medical support. It would be best to book an appointment with his GP but a call to 111 as soon as you can for advice would also be a good way forward.

I know he doesn't want to use medication but with numbers that high, he may need medical help to bring them down to a safe range. As a type two, it may then be possible to manage things with a change of diet but that depends on a few things so it's worth having a chat with someone for advice.

Do keep us updated and feel free to give us a call on 0345 123 2399 where you can speak with an adviser directly.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Those symptoms are very worrying, check this link to see if anything sound familiar as it could be dangerous and would need immediate medical attention.

I agree, especially that the dizziness and nausea might well be caused something other than diabetes (which might nevertheless raise blood glucose), though for all I know they're possible symptoms of hyperglycaemia.

Regardless, we're amateurs speculating with little information: he surely needs to see someone (or at least call 111) who can give more grounded advice.

 

[Buttercup1988]

Hello Leadinglights and Cherrelle. Thank you both very much and thank you for my warm welcome.

I think we need to have a serious talk and review it all.

It was indeed the Blood Test at the Doctors as they still screen him every 12 months and we check his eyes and feet etc.
It. was 103 mmol.

I will read out your replies to him and have a chat later today. Many thanks.

 

[Buttercup1988]

I agree, especially that the dizziness and nausea might well be caused something other than diabetes (which might nevertheless raise blood glucose), though for all I know they're possible symptoms of hyperglycaemia.

Regardless, we're amateurs speculating with little information: he surely needs to see someone (or at least call 111) who ca

 

[Buttercup1988]

Hi Bruce. Indeed. We need to have him assessed again I think. His GP has referred him to the ENT department at the Hospital to check for Vertigo etc. I am convinced it’s to do with his Bloods as it’s happened three times in last few weeks even when he hadn’t tipped his head upside down. He’s a Builder so he does have to look under things. But he is getting it anyway. Many thanks.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Bruce. Indeed. We need to have him assessed again I think. His GP has referred him to the ENT department at the Hospital to check for Vertigo etc. I am convinced it’s to do with his Bloods as it’s happened three times in last few weeks even when he hadn’t tipped his head upside down. He’s a Builder so he does have to look under things. But he is getting it anyway. Many thanks.

As mentioned we are not medical experts and the high blood glucose does need addressing but have a look at this link as the symptoms sound quite similar. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menieres-disease/

 

[runner]

Hello there

I have joined this Forum to get some help.

My lovely Husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2013. He lost two stone and his number came down to 46.

He hasn’t put any weight back on but his most recent test was 103mmol. Obviously this is high but he will not take any Metformin etc as he is convinced it killed his Father off. He ended up in a cocktail of drugs….

These last few months my Hubby has been having dizzy spells and ends up in bed and sick for two days. Then recovers. He says it’s Vertigo but I’m not convinced. If he puts his head upside down it triggers this dizziness and then the vomiting. Three times this has happened in three weeks. None of the times were because he looked under something it just comes on. Last Saturday we had a Chinese takeaway and then he was off. This happened a few weeks ago too. So I can see the pattern.

I don’t know what to do for the best. And I am getting more and more worried about him. Hence me coming in here. I would be grateful for any kind advice and thank you in advance.

All the best.

Hi, like the others I would certainly recommend getting medical support/advice. Could he possibly be type 1.5 (LADA). I was initially diagnosed with T2, lost lots of weight, took my Metformin and glycoside. But numbers still high. turns out I'm T1. or T1.5 and now on insulin. Apparently it was my sensitivity to the insulin that confirmed I'm T1 rather than a T2 needing insulin, and the C peptide test carried out concurred with this. My hubby gets occasional dizzy spells and its apparently a build up of crystals in his inner ear. Sea sick tabs were prescribed, but I'd get medical advice first. Good luck.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

My hubby gets occasional dizzy spells and its apparently a build up of crystals in his inner ear.

Sure, but there are apparently lots of causes of dizziness (and often no cause is found and it just subsides). Sensible to seek medical attention (such as ENT) to try and check some of the causes.

 

[Buttercup1988]

Hello all and thank you all for your responses.

I have been doing some researching etc and I can’t get my head round the figures….

My Hubbys last blood test came up as 103 mmol/mol. So what is that in mg/dL please? The chart that comes with our Sinicare finger prick Monitor only goes up to 33 mmol!?

It would mean his reading would be 1854 on that basis. Is this right?

Many thanks again

 

[Bruce Stephens]

It would mean his reading would be 1854 on that basis. Is this right?

No.

103 mmol/mol is an HbA1c measure, which is (roughly) a measure of the average blood glucose over around the last 3 months. Our glucose meters measure blood glucose right now (in the UK those units are mmol/L and in the US they use mg/dL), and they're not really convertible. (You can convert between mmol/L and mg/dL (multiply by 18, or divide to go the other way), or between the new mmol/mol and the older percentage.)

It does make some sense to ask what an HbA1c of 103 mmol/mol would make your average blood glucose, and that seems to be over 16 mmol/L or over 290 mg/dL (so really quite high), but I wouldn't read too much into those. They're different measures and they don't exactly convert.

(I'm taking those from the chart (which I haven't verified) on https://diabeticmuscleandfitness.com/how-to-convert-average-blood-glucose-into-hba1c/ )

 

[Leadinglights]

I think you are confusing two different things, The 103mmol/mol is the result of his HbA1C test which is an average of blood glucose over the previous 3 months
The reading from a finger prick is a moment in time and is normally in mmol/l in the UK (elsewhere uses mg/dl) normal range would be 4-7mmol/l before meals or fasting and no more than 8.5mmol/l 2 hours post meal for somebody whose diabetes is well managed but if not then can be in the teens or higher which can then be dangerous.

 

[Buttercup1988]

Right. That’s makes more sense. Yes I have confused the two!

Phew!

His finger prick test just now was 33. He had food an hour ago. I am getting my head round it now.

Many thanks!!

 

[Bruce Stephens]

His finger prick test just now was 33.

Presuming that's from a UK meter that's very high. Most of us would feel quite unwell at that kind of level. (Indeed I'm not sure whether my meter would ever show 33. I think it goes to HI around then.)

 

[rebrascora]

That HbA1c result of 103mmols/mol means that your husband's diabetes is currently poorly managed and needs some urgent attention in the form of medication and dietary changes. I would expect that he is probably needing to go to the loo more frequently and is drinking more as a consequence and may be feeling quite fatigued at times.... perhaps dropping off to sleep after a meal?
Metformin or other medication will not have killed his father but failing to manage his diabetes well could well have done. Tablets alone will not manage his diabetes. He needs to make some lifestyle changes and I would say, sooner rather than later with an HbA1c that high, especially if he is determined not to take medication. He is putting his eyes, feet, kidneys and heart at risk if he buries his head in the sand. Making dietary changes can be a very powerful tool with diabetes along with increasing activity levels, so if he is adamant about not taking medication then he needs to stop the takeways and cut right back on his carbs (bread/rice/pasta/tatties/breakfast cereals/cakes/biscuits and even fruit) and get out for a brisk daily walk if he is able. That might sound a bit harsh but it is what many of us do to manage our diabetes some alongside medication if we need that too.
I hope you are able to help him to see sense. The thought of losing our independence due to failing eyesight or amputation is enough to keep many people here on the forum on the straight and narrow. Those high levels are putting him at risk of serious long term complications.

 

[Buttercup1988]

Presuming that's from a UK meter that's very high. Most of us would feel quite unwell at that kind of level. (Indeed I'm not sure whether my meter would ever show 33. I think it goes to HI around then.)

Yes it’s a U.K. Monitor. A Sinocare. it is high. I did a second test ten mins later and it just said HI. Trouble is he doesn’t feel unwell. He never feels thirsty or needs lots of trips to the loo. He doesn’t have the usual symptoms and his other GP Diabetes checks all come back good. Including his Kidney and Liver etc.

 

[Buttercup1988]

That HbA1c result of 103mmols/mol means that your husband's diabetes is currently poorly managed and needs some urgent attention in the form of medication and dietary changes. I would expect that he is probably needing to go to the loo more frequently and is drinking more as a consequence and may be feeling quite fatigued at times.... perhaps dropping off to sleep after a meal?
Metformin or other medication will not have killed his father but failing to manage his diabetes well could well have done. Tablets alone will not manage his diabetes. He needs to make some lifestyle changes and I would say, sooner rather than later with an HbA1c that high, especially if he is determined not to take medication. He is putting his eyes, feet, kidneys and heart at risk if he buries his head in the sand. Making dietary changes can be a very powerful tool with diabetes along with increasing activity levels, so if he is adamant about not taking medication then he needs to stop the takeways and cut right back on his carbs (bread/rice/pasta/tatties/breakfast cereals/cakes/biscuits and even fruit) and get out for a brisk daily walk if he is able. That might sound a bit harsh but it is what many of us do to manage our diabetes some alongside medication if we need that too.
I hope you are able to help him to see sense. The thought of losing our independence due to failing eyesight or amputation is enough to keep many people here on the forum on the straight and narrow. Those high levels are putting him at risk of serious long term complications.

Thank you Barbara. I appreciate your input. Many thanks.

 

[rebrascora]

In that case, it may be that his levels have been this high for a long time and his body has got used to it, but levels that high are really dangerous. Without insulin to bring them down, I would be recommending someone go to A&E if their levels were in the 30s. His blood will be thick and syrupy and it is too late when something bad happens.

We often disagree amongst ourselves about various approaches to diabetes here on the forum but I think we would be pretty unanimous in saying that your husband is playing Russian roulette with levels that high and not taking any medication or dietary action to manage his diabetes. It is his choice of course, but these spells he is getting could well be an indication that is body is no longer coping. I really hope you can talk some sense into him for your sake if not his.

 

[Buttercup1988]

Just thinking and looking at his Medical Records Online. Is his Cholesterol important in all this? There are four different readings on his Notes. so I don’t know which one is important. Serum Cholesterol Serum HDL Cholesterol. serum Cholesterol Ratio or Se non HDL Cholesterol Level!

Any advice is gratefully received as always. Thank you.