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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.
Newbie!
- Thread starter DaisyLo
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi DaisyLo and welcome
Has your partner been diagnosed long and how do well do they manage it. Do you have any particular concerns that we can help you with?
Has your partner been diagnosed long and how do well do they manage it. Do you have any particular concerns that we can help you with?
Hello and thank you!
He was diagnosed 6 years ago and manages it really well. We have only ever had one serious hypo that required an ambulance which was extremely scary.
He does talk to me about it but doesn’t like to open up much and would rather not embrace it. So I’m here to get advice from other partners and carers and also just get an insight into other diabetics daily life and tips! Then I can gain a better understanding until he’s ready to start talking about it more.
He was diagnosed 6 years ago and manages it really well. We have only ever had one serious hypo that required an ambulance which was extremely scary.
He does talk to me about it but doesn’t like to open up much and would rather not embrace it. So I’m here to get advice from other partners and carers and also just get an insight into other diabetics daily life and tips! Then I can gain a better understanding until he’s ready to start talking about it more.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Well, he is really lucky to have a supportive partner who has the initiative and gumption to get more info as it is a condition which can have an impact on the whole family and not just the individual. It can be a fine balance as a carer/partner between being supportive and interfering so you might find yourself walking a tight rope occasionally. Good communication will be important. Many diabetics, particularly Type 1s have no idea of the impact their condition has on others and we have had a few members joined for advice and support because they were stressed and traumatised by a loved ones hypos, particularly if they were becoming frequent.
Do you know if he is on multiple daily injections (MDI) or a pump...which is a small device attached to the body which delivers tiny amounts of insulin throughout the day and night? Does he finger prick to test his BG before meals and at bedtime.... or does he not bother ..... or does he have a sensor on his arm which he can scan to get a reading.... this is called a Freestyle Libre and is a great bit of kit. It is gradually becoming more available on the NHS and really can be a game changer for helping you manage your diabetes.... He may not be aware of these technologies if he doesn't get much input from his Health Care Professionals.
Anyway, lovely to have you on board and I hope we are able to help you to help him.
Do you know if he is on multiple daily injections (MDI) or a pump...which is a small device attached to the body which delivers tiny amounts of insulin throughout the day and night? Does he finger prick to test his BG before meals and at bedtime.... or does he not bother ..... or does he have a sensor on his arm which he can scan to get a reading.... this is called a Freestyle Libre and is a great bit of kit. It is gradually becoming more available on the NHS and really can be a game changer for helping you manage your diabetes.... He may not be aware of these technologies if he doesn't get much input from his Health Care Professionals.
Anyway, lovely to have you on board and I hope we are able to help you to help him.
Yes it does have a huge impact on our lives and although he is the one with the diabetes, I’m the one who often spots his low sugars before him and has to make sure he corrects them. The night time hypos are the hardest when all he wants to do is stay asleep. He’s 2ft taller than me so understandably I can struggle when he is reluctant to cooperate but I know he trusts me and listens to what I’m telling him when he’s experiencing a hypo. It’s nice to know others feel it too because you can feel guilty talking about it because it’s not you with the condition but it does have an effect on a carer/partners life too!
He is on MDI and 9/10 times will check his bloods before he sleeps/eats and injects accordingly. We’ve discussed the libre but he’s really not keen as I think he sees it as a way for people to ‘identify’ his diabetes if there’s something physical stuck on him. I do think he needs to talk to the Health Care professionals more and get information on the alternatives out there. Hopefully this forum will allow me to see others experiences and make informed suggestions.
thank you!
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I found one of the most helpful things about being open was going on courses with other Type 1 diabetics. It is amazing how different we all can be but how much we can learn from each other and how much more normal you feel as a result of discussing issues face to face with people who understand. I found it refreshing how open some of the younger people were about injecting in public and that made me more confident to do it whereas before I would have gone to the toilet to inject, I now do it at the table when eating out.... although fat chance at the moment! It is not something to be ashamed of and maybe it is important for other people to see it so that the general public get a better understanding. If we keep hiding it from view then nothing changes and the perceived stigma continues or it appears to be something furtive, when it shouldn't be.
If your partner has night time hypos then a Libre might be very beneficial for both of you. I must confess I was a bit apprehensive about the idea of having something attached to me but I am a control freak and the huge benefit of the Libre helping me to control my levels better by providing more information far outweighs that concern to the point that I am now really excited and desperate to start the system which has unfortunately been delayed due to C-19 and the training classes being cancelled.
Anuway, lots of helpful people here with tips and advice and a sympathetic ear.
If your partner has night time hypos then a Libre might be very beneficial for both of you. I must confess I was a bit apprehensive about the idea of having something attached to me but I am a control freak and the huge benefit of the Libre helping me to control my levels better by providing more information far outweighs that concern to the point that I am now really excited and desperate to start the system which has unfortunately been delayed due to C-19 and the training classes being cancelled.
Anuway, lots of helpful people here with tips and advice and a sympathetic ear.
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @DaisyLo
Your partner is fortunate to have you looking out for him with regard to his diabetes. As others have said we are all different and it is a case of working out what our ever changing needs are for insulin. If this remained static it would be a lot easier, but it changes with so many different factors. A bit of a juggling act.
One thing I find most helpful from my OH is just his awareness. Initially I was expecting him to mind read, but over the last few years I have been more willing to explain what is happening. The outcome is that he understands more and so is more able to offer useful suggestions to the ever changing puzzle of working out what is going on.
He doesn’t fuss, but when we leave the house along with a check on keys etc, since my diagnosis we have added jelly babies and test kit. It is now just part of our new normal. When I hypo in the night I now only need to give him my level. He stays awake with me if I am below 3, otherwise he just drops off knowing I will wake him if things get worse p, but otherwise I will manage it myself. There are times when I get in a muddle and cannot drive home after a hypo, and he doesn’t complain when I ask if he could come and get the car, and me, from town. It usually ends up (before lockdown) as a good excuse for a lunch out.
Not sure any of that helps, but if you have any questions just ask. Happy to help.
Your partner is fortunate to have you looking out for him with regard to his diabetes. As others have said we are all different and it is a case of working out what our ever changing needs are for insulin. If this remained static it would be a lot easier, but it changes with so many different factors. A bit of a juggling act.
One thing I find most helpful from my OH is just his awareness. Initially I was expecting him to mind read, but over the last few years I have been more willing to explain what is happening. The outcome is that he understands more and so is more able to offer useful suggestions to the ever changing puzzle of working out what is going on.
He doesn’t fuss, but when we leave the house along with a check on keys etc, since my diagnosis we have added jelly babies and test kit. It is now just part of our new normal. When I hypo in the night I now only need to give him my level. He stays awake with me if I am below 3, otherwise he just drops off knowing I will wake him if things get worse p, but otherwise I will manage it myself. There are times when I get in a muddle and cannot drive home after a hypo, and he doesn’t complain when I ask if he could come and get the car, and me, from town. It usually ends up (before lockdown) as a good excuse for a lunch out.
Not sure any of that helps, but if you have any questions just ask. Happy to help.
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