Hello Everyone!

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weeleesie

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Hi ladies and gents, I've come on here to get info and support on type 1 diabetes.

I'm in a new relationship and my boyfriend has type 1, which I don't think he controls very well (he's 28 and should know better!). There's been a few occasions where he's had a bad hypo (one of the times I had to call 999 as he was having a seizure), and this morning he was heading the same way although was still able to speak, but was twitching uncontrollably and acting in a drunk kind of way.

I guess i'm just looking for help/support on how to deal with this sort of thing. I was trying to force him to take some coke this morning to get his sugar up a bit, but it was a real struggle. I'm trying to read up on it, and I know a bit more info, but I still don't feel prepared for the hypos. I also don't want to over-react and for him to think i'm stressing over nothing, but at the same time I don't want to feel like i'm his mum nagging him to eat properly, test his blood etc etc.

Anyway, this is getting a bit long winded, I was just trying to say hi but I seem to have automatically offloaded my worries!!
 
Hi weeleesie, welcome to the forum 🙂 It can be difficult persuading someone who is hypo to do something, basically because they are not thinking rationally - it's also difficult not to appear as though you are fussing. Perhaps you could explain your concerns to him and agree some rules? He knows that he must have treatment when hypo, so agree what it should be (coke, jelly babies etc.).

How long has he been diagnosed? Sometimes it is more difficult if the person has been diagnosed since they were a small child, as they have grown used to diabetes and may also be relying on information about diabetes management which may be out of date. Does he attend all his appointments at the diabetes clinic? Does he know the reasons for it when he goes hypo? Just trying to get a feel for how he perceives it - some people rebel or try and ignore it, but unfortunately it doesn't go away.

If you want to learn about it, and things that may help him, try to get hold of a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It explains all about Type 1 and describes most (if not all!) situations you are likely to encounter and how best to deal with them.

Please feel free to ask us anything you are not sure of! 🙂
 
Wow, what a great looking book, thank you for the link! This looks like it could be my diabetes bible!! And thank you for the welcomes 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Weeleesie! 🙂
 
Hi Weelessie

The book is fantastic well worth getting imo 😱)

My partner is type 1 & has been for 30+ years. You'll no doubt see him around (Robster65). When we were trying to get his levels under control 18 months ago I started making notes of everything food and insulin wise that went in. Eventually by adding hypo treatments to carbs eaten at meals and dividing it by short acting insulin injected we eventually managed to sort out some ratios for different meal times.

Obviously these change from time to time, exercise, weather, stress all play their parts there :( But we do now have better control. A HBa drop from 8.1% to 6.3% It takes time but well worth it for both of you.

If you can get him to join here, it's amazing how many diabetics have never met any others and just knowing you're not alone is a great start.


I must add that Rob also wanted this change, after I'd told him I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. Sometimes you've gotta be assertive & be honest with them 😱)

Sarah
 
Hi weeleesie. Welcome 🙂

As Sarah suggested, it can take a bit of honesty and a verbal slap in the face to make some of us take things a bit more seriously, if not for our own sake, then for those who care about us.

I hope you're able to sit him down and explain your fears but be ready with some facts so that you can dispel a few of the myths and excuses he may well throw back at you.

There's a huge difference between good control and muddling through and it took a swift bout of eye lasering to get me to take it really seriously. Better that he tightens up his control now than later.🙂

I hope you can persuade him that it's a wise investment for you both.

Rob
 
Hi and welcome,

I agree and second all that has been said. The diabetic must want to change/control as in anything. I have sought many answers and well-rounded advice from others on here. I joined up in 2009(!) but I still wasn't ready to settle and lost touch with the forum for 18months. I am now back, ready to control, treat hypos and plan a family as well as have a long and healthy-ish life. As Rob has also mentioned the eye stuff, I'm going thru this at the mo and now I understand the importance of good control, just wished I'd done it sooner than believing I was invincible!

Have you suggested this site to him, to begin with it is great as you can be as anonymous as you please and even just browse as a guest but if he browses to start with to accept there are more of us out here and we have the same issues with control, hypos then soon he may be itching to reply to posts and BANG he'll be hooked!!!!:D

I also have the Dr Ragnar Hanas book, it is truly A1!!!! My DSN has mentioned 'Think Like A Pancreas' ...worth a read for anyone on insulin!!!!

Hang in there, sounds like you care very much to put up with the stuff us D's can throw at cha! Especially during a hypo. But it won't happen overnight, that I guarantee!!!
Good luck and if you have any queries, post away or you can even PM if you'd prefer.

Suze (T1 12years, diagnosed @18)
p.s - my o/h has saved my life from DKA and from a very disabling hypo 0.6 so he can offer some advice from a carer perspective too...)
 
Welcome to the forums weeleesie 🙂
 
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