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Sis76

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Hi all I am not diabetic but my brotherinlaw is. He is type 1 and has had the condition since he was 6. He is now 32. He has been in and out of hospital for the last 4 months with stomach problems and he has not improved at all. He is saying that his whole body is burning and he feels like it is spreading. The hospital have been quite shocking with their treatment and have not properly diagnosed anything so he is really suffering and is saying he can't take it anymore. I don't know what to do to help my sister. It's horrible seeing them all suffering (they have two young children 5 and 2 year old girls). Has anyone had this or can they advice on what we can do. They have been to doctors and he has been in and out of a&e. I hope someone can give us some hope as I am really starting to worry and feel like there is nothing we can do. Thank you
 
Hi there @Sis76
welcome to the forum !! :)

I promise I am not trying to ask anything awkward --
digestive issues ??
burning as in ulcer type issue ??

how have his blood sugars been through this past 4 months ??
how has his control been over the past few years ??

sorry for more questions [[[[hugs]]]]

is he in direct contact with his diabetic care team -- ?? are they suggesting it is diabetes related ??

hopefully somebody with better support will be along -- we are heading in to nightime here so less members about
 
Thanks for your reply. It's hard when you feel so helpless. Ok. His sugar levels were so high they couldn't read them yesterday so was taken to a high dependency unit last night in an ambulance as they keep discharging him. His sugar levels are under control while in hospital. When he gets home he can't eat as he gets stomach pains. Even hurts when he goes toilet. He is in constant pain. He has rapidly lost weight over the past 8 weeks.
He was very over weight in the last 10 years or so and lost weight about 2 years ago and has kept it off.
I don't think he has a proper diabetic care team.
The hospital and doctors are saying that it is not diabetic related????!!!
My sister is now saying she is going to remortgage her house and go private or take him out to Turkey as she is losing faith in the NHS ☹️
We all feel at a loss.
Thanks again for your reply
 
Sis76 said:
Hi all I am not diabetic but my brotherinlaw is. He is type 1 and has had the condition since he was 6. He is now 32. He has been in and out of hospital for the last 4 months with stomach problems and he has not improved at all. He is saying that his whole body is burning and he feels like it is spreading. The hospital have been quite shocking with their treatment and have not properly diagnosed anything so he is really suffering and is saying he can't take it anymore. I don't know what to do to help my sister. It's horrible seeing them all suffering (they have two young children 5 and 2 year old girls). Has anyone had this or can they advice on what we can do. They have been to doctors and he has been in and out of a&e. I hope someone can give us some hope as I am really starting to worry and feel like there is nothing we can do. Thank you
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That does sound like a horrible situation for him..and consequently for his family. As @himtoo comment above...we need more info. I too am wondering if it is/is not diabetes related and would like to know what his diabetic team think (if indeed he has one). I would also like to know what medication he is on (and not just for diabetes) as these may be side effects. Are there any visible signs of anything on the skin? I can only suggest that, if affordable, he considers seeing a consultant privately (of course he shouldn't have to). I had painful skin issues due to being immuno-suppressed following a transplant and doctors didn't resolve it until I had a skin biopsy by a dermatologist who diagnosed a shingles related virus which was then sorted with the right drug. I would expect doctors to start a process of elimination in your brother-in-law's case..if not, he needs to ask about seeing a specialist (maybe he could be referred by his GP ?). I hope it get identified and resolved soon.
 
Thanks azure and pleinster! I am not sure who he has seen in hospital it's all very disjointed and notes are not being passed on. I am hoping to see him tomorrow to find out more and that will now be one of the questions I will ask about a gastroenterologist. Hopefully @donellysdogs maybe able to give me some advise, even if it is recommendations for a private specialist.
 
This does not sound diabetes related, however high blood sugars can have a very bad effect on any diabetic (especially long term effects!), make sure he tried to stabilise his blood sugars, other than that I am not sure what help I can give you, sorry for such little help, I agree that the hospital staff generally try to wash their hands with people due to overcrowding/understaffing, make sure you're very stern with whichever doctor he sees and explain the entire situation, I'm sure you've probably done so already! It's difficult to tell as it doesn't sound like a diabetes complication but could be, everyone's bodies handle it differently, make sure they don't take it lightly as this sounds very serious, hugs to you both!! hoping for some positive news for you soon x
 
Has he been tested for coeliac disease? Very common with type 1 diabetics.
 
Thanks samowen268 and chalup. Apparently on Monday they are doing a dye thing to see what's going on and a colonoscopy at some point. A doctor mentioned coeliac disease yesterday. The frustration is just not knowing. Will try and keep you posted. Thanks for all the love!
 
Hey. Just an update on what's been happening with the brotherinlaw. They finally did a colonoscopy and it seems he has a problem with the gallbladder. Not sure if it's gallstones but they are going to see how it goes before they make a decision on whether he will need an operation. It seems the diabetes was masking other problems and his spikes in sugar levels was confusing the whole situation!! Hopefully all will be well. Thanks to those of you who replied in my hour or need.
 
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