New Here And In Desperate Need Of Help

[Alexandra100]

I will definitely be looking for the books recommended

Has anyone recommended Dr Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution"? IMO the diabetes bible, especially for T1s as Dr B has survived from childhood diagnosis to be 84 and still in good nick. I hesitated for a while before buying it, as it seemed rather expensive even 2nd hand, but it is a huge hardback tome, beautifully produced, nice clear print and well worth the money.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_a...ch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @samtyson, Thank you for being brave and posting about you, your husband and family.
Diabetes can contribute to making a person a real pain. (just ask my wife!).
I wonder whether your husband is angry or denying of his diabetes and the effects it is having on him. And as his partner, confidante, carer you are subject to the the real-life dramas of his denial/anger etc.
And stress might add to the difficulty of controlling his diabetes.
Whether couple counselling might have some place in this scenario I cannot say but it may be worth consideration.
As others have said if he would avail himself (or allow you to discuss aspects of his condition/treatment etc further) of the very considerable experience of people on this forum, not for professional advice or opinion, of course, but sharing of that experience, knowledge and emotion.
As a type 1 diabetic and sufferer of depression I also know that men sometimes have frustration as part of their depression symptoms and maybe some assessment along those lines ( which includes ruling out medical causes of depression-like appearances, certainly in my case) might be worth consideration via his GP/health team.
I assume he has had the relevant tests for causes of ED also.
Please keep posting, love, and think about any local or county diabetes associations which might offer you support.
Cherish the littl'uns, speak with your husband if you can, try to have some space to yourself to recharge your batteries.
Best Wishes.

 

[samtyson]

Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome... this forum has given me a wealth of information in the short time I've been here... also thanks for bearing with me at this difficult time.... yesterday we bought the Libre have also had lengthy discussions with his medical team who are going to assess for depression and also rule out other causes of ED

I have also spoken with the local PALS team about how his healthcare teams often seem to treat me as a partner and the lack of support I have received as his main carer

Does anyone know if we have to inform the DVLA he is now using CGM... obviously they know he's a type 1 already

Best wishes to you all

 

[Rokaab]

Does anyone know if we have to inform the DVLA he is now using CGM... obviously they know he's a type 1 already

No you don't (since all it actually is is a monitoring tool), however do note they do not accept CGM reading as actual proper tests, so before driving a proper blood test is still required.

 

[samtyson]

No you don't (since all it actually is is a monitoring tool), however do note they do not accept CGM reading as actual proper tests, so before driving a proper blood test is still required.

Thanks

No you don't (since all it actually is is a monitoring tool), however do note they do not accept CGM reading as actual proper tests, so before driving a proper blood test is still required.

Thanks for that will make sure he still does finger pricks x

 

[samtyson]

What's he constantly visiting hospitals/ telephoning GP's for? And how do his medications constantly change when not seeing a consultant?


Has your husband followed a course in carb counting and correct dosing? Not saying those of us who have don't have roller coaster days with blood sugar, but it sounds like with him it's worse than with most of us. Maybe there's room for improving?
Would it be worth it to invest in a Libre yourself? If your husband is willing to put a lot of energy in getting better control it would be money well spent.

Hope things will change for the better for all of you![/QUOTE

Sorry I'd forgotten to mention in the initial blog post his consultant at the time placed him on the Diasend remote monitoring program offered by our health trust at the time hence no consultant follow up for 3 years was just DN led

 

[Alexandra100]

Hi @samtyson, Thank you for being brave and posting about you, your husband and family.
Diabetes can contribute to making a person a real pain. (just ask my wife!).
I wonder whether your husband is angry or denying of his diabetes and the effects it is having on him. And as his partner, confidante, carer you are subject to the the real-life dramas of his denial/anger etc.
And stress might add to the difficulty of controlling his diabetes.
Whether couple counselling might have some place in this scenario I cannot say but it may be worth consideration.
As others have said if he would avail himself (or allow you to discuss aspects of his condition/treatment etc further) of the very considerable experience of people on this forum, not for professional advice or opinion, of course, but sharing of that experience, knowledge and emotion.
As a type 1 diabetic and sufferer of depression I also know that men sometimes have frustration as part of their depression symptoms and maybe some assessment along those lines ( which includes ruling out medical causes of depression-like appearances, certainly in my case) might be worth consideration via his GP/health team.
I assume he has had the relevant tests for causes of ED also.
Please keep posting, love, and think about any local or county diabetes associations which might offer you support.
Cherish the littl'uns, speak with your husband if you can, try to have some space to yourself to recharge your batteries.
Best Wishes.

Hello @kitedoc, please don't be offended, but could you possibly be a bit more sparing of the BOLD BUTTON? Maybe I am particularly over-sensitive, but lots of text in bold actually seem to hurt my eyes. I understand you use it for emphasis, but certainly in my case it is counter-productive, as I scroll past heavily bolded posts as fast as possible without reading them. I'm sure it isn't your intention, but lots of bold even gives me the impression of a certain arrogance, as if the BOLDED post was more important than anyone else's! I am hoping to be able to read more of your interesting posts in future (and also that you won't be too cross with me!!!).

 

[kitedoc]

Hello @kitedoc, please don't be offended, but could you possibly be a bit more sparing of the BOLD BUTTON? Maybe I am particularly over-sensitive, but lots of text in bold actually seem to hurt my eyes. I understand you use it for emphasis, but certainly in my case it is counter-productive, as I scroll past heavily bolded posts as fast as possible without reading them. I'm sure it isn't your intention, but lots of bold even gives me the impression of a certain arrogance, as if the BOLDED post was more important than anyone else's! I am hoping to be able to read more of your interesting posts in future (and also that you won't be too cross with me!!!).

Hi @Alexandra100, Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. What is I use normal font, italics, underline, or both ??

 

[LooperCat]

Hi @Alexandra100, Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. What is I use normal font, italics, underline, or both ??

FWIW italics are easier on the eye for me <3

 

[Alexandra100]

Hi @Alexandra100, Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. What is I use normal font, italics, underline, or both ??

@kitedoc, Thanks for being so understanding. My suggestion would be to save any form of emphasis for very occasional use, and then use underline or italic according to your preference, but not both. IMO emphasising too often and for large chunks of text greatly reduces the effect. I have to confess that I tend to use CAPS for emphasis, but I have been rebuked for this in the past, and I guess I'll have to rethink now. I'm not sure yet what I'll go for instead.