Hello my husband has recently been diagnosed with type 2 which I think explains his strange moods which began about 6 months ago. At times I hardly recognised him which after being together for more than 30 years was hard to cope with. I guess my question is, will controlling his blood sugar help this change in personality. So glad I found this forum as I am struggling to support him without asking him every 2 minutes if he's ok !
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hello, Husband just diagnosed
- Thread starter Suz
- Start date
- Status
Hi Annette, yes he does test his bloods but only twice/day, after reading posts here I think he needs to test more ? He is taking Gliclazide and Metformin.
Annette
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yes, if he has the strips (and being on Gliclazide, he ought to have), he should start a routine of testing, intensivley at first, then once he/you have worked things out, dial it back abit. Have a good scout around on here, there's loads of advice, and the newbie advice is very useful (Someone will eb along to give ti you soon.)
Lynn Davies
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi and welcome to the forum. Initially he needs to be testing before and two hours after each meal. This will tell you how the foods you eat affects your blood glucose levels. You are looking for no more than 2mmols difference.
As he is new his BG will be a bit erratic. The standard is between 5 and 7 before eating and below 8.5 afterwards. These are ideals and something to aim for in the future once everything has settled down.
As he is new his BG will be a bit erratic. The standard is between 5 and 7 before eating and below 8.5 afterwards. These are ideals and something to aim for in the future once everything has settled down.
Martin Canty
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Suz, sorry to hear about your Hubby...
Mood swings & depression are common symptoms of out of control & wildly fluctuating BG.... Apparently I was not a nice person until I got my BG under control.
Testing is a vital tool in getting those BG numbers under control as well as learning how foods affect him, unfortunately you will be in a period of experimentation for a while so hang on there!!!
Now, depending on how aggressive he is with diet & exercise, since he is taking the Gliclazide it's a good idea to both carry a meter & emergency Glucose Tablets everywhere; hypo's are not fun at all!!!
Mood swings & depression are common symptoms of out of control & wildly fluctuating BG.... Apparently I was not a nice person until I got my BG under control.
Testing is a vital tool in getting those BG numbers under control as well as learning how foods affect him, unfortunately you will be in a period of experimentation for a while so hang on there!!!
Now, depending on how aggressive he is with diet & exercise, since he is taking the Gliclazide it's a good idea to both carry a meter & emergency Glucose Tablets everywhere; hypo's are not fun at all!!!
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Suz, welcome to the forum 🙂 Hopefully, we can help you and your husband restore some marital harmony! 🙂 Can I suggest (if you haven't already done so) reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and also getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker? These will really help with your understanding and set you on the right track 🙂 Diabetes is a serious condition, but it is perfectly possible to manage it well with the right knowledge and a bit of hard work and compromise. Many people actually discover that the changes they make to bring their blood glucose levels under control actually end up making them feeling happier and healthier than they have for ages, so there is a lot to look forward to and a lot to gain from tackling this head on 🙂
Regarding testing, I would recommend reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S which explains how to use testing efficiently to determine your husband's tolerances for different things - these can vary quite a bit from person to person, so it's important to determine your own. A food diary, recording the amount of carbohydrates in everything eaten and drunk alongside the before and after test results will help you to find areas for improvement, or things that he is perfectly fine with 🙂 Using testing this way means you are not stumbling around in the dark wondering if what you are eating is actually doing you good or doing potential harm, so it keeps your diet flexible, but safe 🙂 If his GP baulks at the amount of testing he is doing, you can show him the diary and prove how it is helping to establish an appropriate diet - once they can see you are serious and using the information well they are usually more supportive 🙂
Regarding food generally, it's a good idea to limit the amount of carbohydrates generally, so less potato, pasta, rice, bread etc. There are loads of ideas in the Food section for good, tasty substitutes - it doesn't have to be all limp lettuce and celery! 🙂 What you are looking for is food that will release its energy slowly and steadily, so it doesn't 'spike' his blood glucose levels. A good general principle is described in the GL (Glycaemic Load) Diet - The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction.
Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions, we are always here and always happy to help! 🙂
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I think there can be a tendency to go 'all out' when first diagnosed, but it's important that the changes you make are gradual and sustainable - it's a marathon, not a sprint! 🙂 As time goes on and you both become more experienced you'll realise that, actually, it's a pretty varied and enjoyable diet (that is healthy for everyone, not just people with diabetes!), and there is still the possibility of occasional treats - really a lot of it is doing things in moderation, and thinking about things 🙂
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum Suz, although sorry you have to be here.
Just one other area to consider, in addition to diet, exercise and medication is driving. If he drives, he should check what the DVLA says here: https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving This is the responsibility of the driver, not their wife!
Just one other area to consider, in addition to diet, exercise and medication is driving. If he drives, he should check what the DVLA says here: https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving This is the responsibility of the driver, not their wife!
- Status