Newbie - Advice anyone?

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Dais99

Dais99

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Relationship to Diabetes
Hello guys! I'm new to this sort of thing, want to see if it's any help? I don't have Diabetes myself but my boyfriend does, need some help if anyones up for helping? Thank you! X
 
Hi there! If you have any specific questions this place is brilliant for suggesting things you might not have known about. Is your boyfriend on here too?
 
Welcome to the forum, Dais99. What sort of diabetes and treatment does your boyfriend have? Remember it's his condition, so ask him what help he wants from you, rather than offering unrequested advice / help.
 
Welcome, ask away there's a lot of knowledgeable people on here.
 
Hi guys, I try to talk to him alot but all he says is just not to nag at him. He's 17 and he's got type 1, had it for nearly 2 years. We go through periods where he really wants to try and others that he doesnt! If you have type 1, what is the 1 thing that you would want or need from someone to support you? X
 
Copepod said:
Welcome to the forum, Dais99. What sort of diabetes and treatment does your boyfriend have? Remember it's his condition, so ask him what help he wants from you, rather than offering unrequested advice / help.
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He's got type 1 and I know he uses a reader I think it's called Accu Check or Aviva Expert. I get so confused on the names and I want to help him but I feel like I'm nagging when I only remind him when needed
 
The Accuchek will be his blood glucose meter. Personally, just the support if I ask for it of my nearest and dearest is all I require without them interfering or nagging. 😉 The most likely scenario you may find with Type 1 is a hypo (hypoglycaemia) where the blood sugar drops below a certain level through too much insulin, not enough food, exercise or it can be literally anything! Typical symptoms include sweating, shaking, confusion and may possibly lead to collapse. I would imagine for the person seeing it it can be very disconcerting (I've always been on the other side 😉). Often people can treat their own hypos with jelly babies, glucose tablets etc but occasionally they may not realise what's happening. My OH is good at spotting what is going on and said 'EAT THIS' before she has thrusted something sugary in my hand. Depending on his control they're not that common but you will probably notice these over time and it is something to be aware of.
 
The one thing I struggle with is getting him to do his readings. When he's at work it's fine but it's the weekends where he just seems to not bother. Is there anything that anyone could suggest? X
 
Matt Cycle said:
The Accuchek will be his blood glucose meter. Personally, just the support if I ask for it of my nearest and dearest is all I require without them interfering or nagging. 😉 The most likely scenario you may find with Type 1 is a hypo (hypoglycaemia) where the blood sugar drops below a certain level through too much insulin, not enough food, exercise or it can be literally anything! Typical symptoms include sweating, shaking, confusion and may possibly lead to collapse. I would imagine for the person seeing it it can be very disconcerting (I've always been on the other side 😉). Often people can treat their own hypos with jelly babies, glucose tablets etc but occasionally they may not realise what's happening. My OH is good at spotting what is going on and said 'EAT THIS' before she has thrusted something sugary in my hand. Depending on his control they're not that common but you will probably notice these over time and it is something to be aware of.
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Yeah he's had these a few times. At first I was a bit worried but I now make sure we have snacks in the house for when he comes over. What are the best for his levels? I thought maybe full fat Coke and chocolate? X
 
Chocolate is a bit slow to get ones levels up quickly. A lot tend to prefer to use jelly babies as lots of carbs and easy to eat, myself I use wine gums or fruit pastels. Lucozade is another drink that's handy to have.

I also have a type of fruit biscuit / snack bar as a reserve once I have had the sugar hit.
 
Dais99 said:
He's got type 1 and I know he uses a reader I think it's called Accu Check or Aviva Expert. I get so confused on the names and I want to help him but I feel like I'm nagging when I only remind him when needed
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So, have you asked him what support, if any, that he wants? I have a couple of friends, one of whom I had to stay with for a week when homeless a couple of years ago, so it was difficult for me to be as private about when I ate and injected as in my own place. She recently stayed with me for a few days, and her occasional raising of topic of my type 1 diabetes was frankly annoying. If you will be passenger in a car he drives, I think it's acceptable to ask if he's tested before setting off, as that's a DVLA requirement, but otherwise, yes, it's nagging. Fortunately, my partner for 14 years never fussed (didn't drive himself, so valued my driving!), but then went off with a younger colleague, and I am not looking for another.
 
Yeah I suppose it is but I just worry because recently he went into hospital because it got so bad!

I know he likes it when I help him work out his carbs and things which make it easier
 
Dais99 said:
Yeah I suppose it is but I just worry because recently he went into hospital because it got so bad!

I know he likes it when I help him work out his carbs and things which make it easier
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Well, that's good - an indication of what is acceptable to both of you. What caused his attendance at hospital? Where was he seen - diabetes clinic / A&E / inpatient overnight?
 
Copepod said:
Well, that's good - an indication of what is acceptable to both of you. What caused his attendance at hospital? Where was he seen - diabetes clinic / A&E / inpatient overnight?
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He was taken in through a hospital in Reading, I think it was A&E. It was to do with his ketone levels as they were really high. He was kept over night but was only in there for about 2 days! It was so worrying that's why I get more worried now. Although I know it affected him and he got a bit scared I think so trys more now x
 
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