Hi Everyone!

Status
Not open for further replies.
V

Vics1985

New Member
Hi Everyone! My boyfriend has diabetes and has had for the last 13 years. Since we have been together, I have seen him have 2 hypos and the most recent was pretty scary! Was wondering if anyone has any advice for me as to how best to deal with this personally! At the time, the adrenallin has kicked in and I have done what I need to do to get the help that he needs and to be there for him, but it's the after effect that is what I am struggling with! If anyone has any hints for me then that would be great!
 
Last edited:
Hi, and welcome!🙂

Hypos can be scary, particularly for other people who are just seeing the effects. The thing to do is remain as calm as possible and check the blood levels using a meter - unless it's really obvious, in which case, treat straightaway and take the reading later. If the person is conscious, give some fast-acting sugar or glucose. People with diabetes should always carry something with them in case of hypos. Personally, I use jelly babies but there are also glucose tablets or sweet drinks like lucazade or regular (not diet) coke. If unconscious then you should ring 999 - don't try to give an unconscious person anything to eat or drink as they might choke.

Hopefully, your partner will recognise when his sugar levels are dropping low and can take action. Sometimes, when people drop low they can be aggressive and uncooperative, so you may have to be firm with them to persuade them they need to eat. It can take a little time to get back to normal after a hypo - you need to test the blood 15 minutes after giving sugar to make sure the level has gone up.

Hope this helps - and that it doesn't happen too often!
 
Easiest thing to administer is glucogel - which can be bought at any pharmacy or prescibed by his doc. Particularly if un-coopperative or unconcious as it can be rubbed into gum.
I have never thought about the after affect on others - how awful of me - I guess you just have to pat yourself on the back - do you feel traumatised? I guess my family have never known any different and just take it in their stride.
 
Like northener said dont panic cause if you do they will, another point is if you can get on a free first aid course it would be invaluable to you knowing how to cope with situations like this although they dont actually cover dealing with hypos/hypers but you would the confidence when dealing with this as well as with other accidents...
Also just run through it in your head again and again so its all fresh in your head and you can deal with it automatically.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the advice guys, think the worst thing is, both times it has happened while he is asleep. I know the signs for his blood sugar dropping, but when you are asleep, it's a lot harder to see/recognise them! LOL. The most recent hypo was really scary as I woke up to blood coming out of his mouth where he had bitten his tongue! The paramedics advised me that we can get glucogel so I am going to try and talk to my partner about it. I just know that he keeps his diabetes very close to his chest!
 
gosh Vic that must of been scary im still learning a hell of alot about diabetes things like biting tongue and having hyper dont even cross a novices mind . mind you your doing the right thing by talking to him at the end of the day the glucogel is there to benifit him
 
I think it's great you've come here to help your partner.

Would he allow you to go along to his hospital appointments? You could then learn more and be able to support him.

I wonder if he would come here and get some support for himself. I think everyone here has learnt things from others here. I know that i have learnt more from other diabetics via the internet than from any health care professional.
 
Hi there, its fab your are here to help your partner. I hope you find some useful info here.

Take care, and the very best welcome x
 
Hi there. Firstly, he's lucky to have someone who is keeping an eye on him! Hypos are horrible for us with diabetes and for those around us who often have to cope and treat them. Night time hypos are especially grim and quite dangerous and perhaps he needs to look at his insulin levels before going to bed to try and avoid them.

I have had type 1 for about five years and have only ever had two hypos where I have become unconsious. One was when I was in hospital following the birth of my third child by c.section, I took too much insulin afterwards and quickly became unconsious, the member of nursing staff that found me tried to give me lucozade orally which as Northerner has said, was absolutely the wrong thing to do. The second time I was at home and it was night time and my husband woke to find me with my eyes wide open but not responding to him. He called 999 but since then I always make sure that I have some Glucagon injections in the fridge and that people around me know how to administer them. It's not difficult, even my 10 year old daughter knows what to do if she needs to. Glucagon is what the paramedics would give to bring someone round if you called them anyway, they take about 15 mins to work and need to be backed up with some carbs. It might be worth thinking about?
 
Thanks again for all the great support that I have had from you guys! It really is fantastic to know that I can speak to people about it all! Things have been alot easier this past week. My partner and I have spoken about things and he is doing his best not to scare me again! LOL. It has scared me quite alot and I must admit that now, if I wake up in the night, I have to make sure that the tale tale signs aren't there! Probably a bit over the top, but when you have seen what can happen, it's worth the slight over exaggeration! I have stocked my fridge up with all the necessary drinks etc that I may need, my other half laughed and said that I was learning quick! Thanks guys sooooo much, it's down to you all that I feel that I have the support behind me to cope with this all so much better!!!!! 🙂
 
Vics your more then welcome everyone in here is soo fab and really do care, your like me i have a box full of gear in my fridge and drinks piled way high in my cooler fridge lol, being ott is good sometimes shows you care and your partner is lucky to have you xx
 
Hi my husband has been diabetic for 15 years and controls it really well. However over the few months he too has been having hypos in the night - 3 in total - and it has really scared me.I think I assumed that we were in control and all was well and this would not happen to us. The first time I called an ambulance as completely unprepared but since then have mangeed to administer some glucose stop. I have to say it has really shaken me and I have not been able to sleep properly as I am constantly watching for signs which sounds ridiculous...
 
clockwood said:
Hi my husband has been diabetic for 15 years and controls it really well. However over the few months he too has been having hypos in the night - 3 in total - and it has really scared me.I think I assumed that we were in control and all was well and this would not happen to us. The first time I called an ambulance as completely unprepared but since then have mangeed to administer some glucose stop. I have to say it has really shaken me and I have not been able to sleep properly as I am constantly watching for signs which sounds ridiculous...
Click to expand...

Hi clockwood, try not to get too stressed about night hypos. How does your husband feel about them? I've had a few, but live alone so there's no-one there to worry about me. I wake up the following morning feeling rough, but get through it. With his experience, your husband probably knows a lot of the steps he can take to help the situation. I take a meter reading before bed and if it's below a certain level I have a slow release snack like peanut butter sandwich to see me through the night. Is he on insulin? It may be that his requirements have changed recently to cause this - he should speak to his healthcare team to see if adjustments need to be made.

If he's unsure about things, ask the question here - there's so much experience and people are very willing to help whenever they can. Even with 15 years, it's surprising how much there can still be to learn! Best wishes.🙂
 
Welcome clockwood.

I figure you must be frightened. Lack of sleep will possibly affect your health too.
Has he talked this through with his diabetic team or his GP or is he in denial to the changes?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top