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Boyfriend with type 1 diabetes, has rash, losing weight

S

Saravastu

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi folks,

Hope you can help as I don't know much about this subject.

My boyfriend has type 1 diabetes, he's developed a rash (eczema like) all over his body at first but now seems to be on his limbs, especially the folds. It's really itchy. He's very thin also. Last night he was on night shift and felt really ill, nauseous and hallucinating.

His diabetes is mostly well controlled apart from the odd night out drinking.

He refuses to do the ketone tests.

His diabetes nurse doesn't seem to have a clue.

Do you think the rash/ weight loss/ feeling ill could be down to diabetes or insulin allergy? It is it more likely a common allergy.
 
Hi @Saravastu and welcome to the forum.
There is a list of possible skin conditions that diabetics may have to contend with. See if you can identify your boyfriend's one from the list. It would be best for him to see his G.P. or go into a Walk in Centre to get a diagnosis.
http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/re...s/skin-conditions-diabetes-what-you-need-know

I am bumping your post up to see if a Type1 will have some suggestions about his weight loss, illness including nausea and hallucinations and possible ketones.
 
Hi @Saravastu :)

I suggest you persuade your boyfriend to see a doctor and get a diagnosis. The rash could be an allergy, but it could also be any number of things. You mentioned weight loss. If his sugars have been normal and he's been eating normally yet has still lost weight, then he might also want his doctor to rule out coeliac disease. Occasionally people with that develop a rash.

The hallucinating sounds scary. Does he have a temperature? Could it be an infectious illness causing the rash?
 
I know he's Type 1 but he could also have a hypoactive thyroid which would account for weight loss. The doctor can carry out blood tests.
 
the symptoms you describe do sound as though a visit to his GP is warranted.
hopefully you can persuade him to go @Saravastu

a warm welcome to the forum to you as well. :)
 
Saravastu said:
Hi folks,

Hope you can help as I don't know much about this subject.

My boyfriend has type 1 diabetes, he's developed a rash (eczema like) all over his body at first but now seems to be on his limbs, especially the folds. It's really itchy. He's very thin also. Last night he was on night shift and felt really ill, nauseous and hallucinating.

His diabetes is mostly well controlled apart from the odd night out drinking.

He refuses to do the ketone tests.

His diabetes nurse doesn't seem to have a clue.

Do you think the rash/ weight loss/ feeling ill could be down to diabetes or insulin allergy? It is it more likely a common allergy.
Click to expand...
Just a guess? Yer bloke may not be a well controlled as you think... The "odd night out drinking" is not the only "cardinal sin" with diabetes.. Does he drink beer/lager? Bit carby!
Weight loss can also be attributed to a form of "diabulimia"? little, none or not enough insulin. Either basal or bolus to cover the carbohydrate... "Nightshift" & "nauseous" guessing high BS again... I sense you don't have the full picture?!

My advice? Get him on here to talk. First hand info is better to deal with.. ;)
 
Last edited:
Cheers folks, yeah I don't always get the full picture! Don't think I'll get him on here, took me ages to get him to the docs and they told him everything we knew already. Yeah, he does have a lot of lager. Today he had lots of jaeger bombs .

I'll look diabulemia up.

Cheers folks.

Looks like a mint forum, very helpful.
 
I cook a lot for us. I'm vegetarian so most of it's ok I think, could probably cut down more in tatties and pasta though!
 
Aw thank you so much guys, it's a worry, I'm wondering if it even just be exhaustion from night shifts. But yeah, he does eat normally and I watch him take his insulin most times. I'll ask him to go back to the docs for the thyroid test hadn't thought of that
 
catherinecherub said:
Hi @Saravastu and welcome to the forum.
There is a list of possible skin conditions that diabetics may have to contend with. See if you can identify your boyfriend's one from the list. It would be best for him to see his G.P. or go into a Walk in Centre to get a diagnosis.
http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/re...s/skin-conditions-diabetes-what-you-need-know

I am bumping your post up to see if a Type1 will have some suggestions about his weight loss, illness including nausea and hallucinations and possible ketones.
Click to expand...

Haha,

He'd been to see his Gp..... they informed him it was indeed a rash and that was about it. Said he may never find out what was amusing it and gave him antihistamines.

From the skin rashes on the list, it looks like some of the yeast infection pics but more like eczema. As it's mostly on his legs now it would point more towards circulation.

He says his bloods have stayed between 4-8 pretty much all this week. Can you have problems with ketones even if blood sugars are ok?
 
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