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hi everyone............ im the wife of a Type1 diabetic

mr55tsteven5on

mr55tsteven5on

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Insulin
Ive floated around reading posts from this forum for such a long time, thought i would say hello... :) its amazing to read so many stories that i can actually relate to - none of my friends really understand what its like living with a diabetic (ive done so for 15 years now), especially one that has been so prone to erratic levels. My husband has been a type1 since the age of 14, and over the years has suffered lots of ups and downs in life generally because of it. He is 38 now and in the last few years has managed to gain better control despite the fact he is losing his hypo awareness. even still, this year alone i have had to call paramedics for him twice as he has slipped into seizures during the night due to low levels. Even though i have witnessed this so many times now over the years, it still terrifies me every time. Ive got to say i have found this site quite supporting in the sense that it has helped me realise that we arent alone, cos sometimes that how it feels..... hopefully others understand what i mean - Its not just the diabetics that need support, sometimes spouses and family need a wee bit of help too.

Sorry if im rambling a bit.... its not something that i can get off my chest that often.

x
 
Not rambling at all, we do forget that our wifes/husbands & partners are unsung hero's :)
 
thanks noblehead :) As much as i love and adore my husband, it can be a little stressful at times to live with. ive never known him any other way though so i wouldnt change it for the world
;)
 
Hi and welcome. Occasionally I've seen posts from long-term T1s who are still using an insulin regime they started with but which may no longer be the optimum as technology moves on. HCPs are not always good at updating patient's regimes such as insulin types, needles, carb-counting and so on. As you read the forum you may know whether your husband is following the best insulin regime, but I think it's worth checking. Apologies if I'm teaching you or your husband to suck eggs but worth seeing whether the risk of hypos can be reduced further. Maybe your husband does get excellent support but do ask any questions in the T1 forum if not sure
 
hi daibell - his insulin regime was reviewed and changed about 2 years ago after a particularly bad episode of hypos. since then he doesnt have as many hypos as he used to which is great, however he is in a fairly physical job and still gets caught out easily. he is also checking blood sugars more and more these days cos of the lack of hypo awareness. the diabetic clinic have been keeping closer tabs on him recently too which is good :) thanks for the advice tho - will check out other parts of the forum.
 
hello and welcome to the forum. just by introducing yourself and saying hello can make such a difference, we are all here to help each other out. I have a child and she has helped me out with a few diabetic hypo's in the past and she's a teenager now.:angelic: it's just the two of us.
Have a good look around and remember to take care. of your self too.
With best wishes
 
I have empathy with you. I am actually the type 1 though...

However, I do know that a severe hypo for me is not so scarey as for the person that has helped.

I have had really good hypo awareness since going on my pump. My hubby never even knows at night if I've gone low.

Many, many years ago I would sometimes literally be screaming "help me, help me, help me" and running round the bedroom, hall and be really horrendous. Not every occasion but they were scarey for my hubby. He didn't know how to help me because I would also be so anti hypo stopper...

Since the pump 4 years ago I have had one hypo that needed ambulance, and that was because I was being so ill top and bottom end and couldn't take anything liquid or food.

It is horrible for the person dealing witha hypo,but honestly my pump has improved my levels so fantastically thatI have to recommend that your partner considers one.

I have a really active, physical job too and it has allowed me to reallyget to grips with my levels. Again night hypo's have complety changed for me.


Loving life
 
donnellysdogs said:
I have empathy with you. I am actually the type 1 though...

However, I do know that a severe hypo for me is not so scarey as for the person that has helped.

I have had really good hypo awareness since going on my pump. My hubby never even knows at night if I've gone low.

Many, many years ago I would sometimes literally be screaming "help me, help me, help me" and running round the bedroom, hall and be really horrendous. Not every occasion but they were scarey for my hubby. He didn't know how to help me because I would also be so anti hypo stopper...

Since the pump 4 years ago I have had one hypo that needed ambulance, and that was because I was being so ill top and bottom end and couldn't take anything liquid or food.

It is horrible for the person dealing witha hypo,but honestly my pump has improved my levels so fantastically thatI have to recommend that your partner considers one.

I have a really active, physical job too and it has allowed me to reallyget to grips with my levels. Again night hypo's have complety changed for me.


Loving life
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i had to laugh at the term you used - "anti hypo stopper" cos that is quite often my husband to a T... lol. I almost always see the hypo before he has realised it and years back we used to have had so many fallouts during his hypos. he would argue to the death that he wasnt hypo (quite often he would also be stumbling about, sweating profusely, slurring his speech or his eyes would be rolling about) and then when my back was turned or he thought i wasnt looking he would start stuffing a mars bar down his throat or gulp down some lucozade - complete and utter denial. he can laugh about it though thankfully as that rarely happens these days.
 
Totally agree that family of diabetics are forgotten angels that watch over us but get very little support or words of thanks actually.

There are support groups in hospitals and areas, but even at these the people that help and support us are not really supported.

Real shame. Lots of support here though for everybody. Much easier to find support now than when I was diagnosed 30 years ago.


Loving life
 
agree with you donnellysdogs - i am unaware of any support networks in my area (for diabetics, or for relatives of diabetics). for quite a long time i have truly felt alone when it came to dealing with it. My husband is an absolute gem though. he knows what kind of stress he has put me through over the years and at the same time, feels an element of guilt for it. i tell him not to be silly tho' - i knew what i was getting myself into as i knew about his diabetes long before we even became an official couple (i had already witnessed some bad hypos by that point). didn't put me off tho'.... over 15 years later and we are still as strong as ever :)
 
Some very lucky T1's around with great partners.. I had a psychopath partner at one time that said if I had a hypo he would get an injection loaded with insulin and finish me off!
Kicked him in to touch eventually!!

I must admit though that I have probably taken my hubby for granted sometimes. Not intentionally, but not saying "thanks for just being there for me".

He always offers to come to my appointments, though rarely I accept, but when I think about that.. Honest, I don't say thanks for offering. I just say "i'll be okay"...

Today I have scans, he offered to come with me... And seeing your response as someone who supports a fellow T1 has just made me realise how I responded... "No, I'll be ok" and yet the first thing when he speaks tonight will be to ask if it went ok. Not about his day etc.

This posting from you has really made me consider how I impact on my hubby. Thank you.


Loving life
 
donnellysdogs said:
Some very lucky T1's around with great partners.. I had a psychopath partner at one time that said if I had a hypo he would get an injection loaded with insulin and finish me off!
Kicked him in to touch eventually!!

I must admit though that I have probably taken my hubby for granted sometimes. Not intentionally, but not saying "thanks for just being there for me".

He always offers to come to my appointments, though rarely I accept, but when I think about that.. Honest, I don't say thanks for offering. I just say "i'll be okay"...

Today I have scans, he offered to come with me... And seeing your response as someone who supports a fellow T1 has just made me realise how I responded... "No, I'll be ok" and yet the first thing when he speaks tonight will be to ask if it went ok. Not about his day etc.

This posting from you has really made me consider how I impact on my hubby. Thank you.


Loving life
Click to expand...
Have you tried also that he may want to be there at the appointments with you to give you support. When it comes to my partner she always comes to the appointments with me so as she can get a better understanding of things and to support me. She also has Crohn's disease and I got to her appointments with her to help and support her and to get a better understanding of things as well


Type 2 diagnosed 24/01/2013.
NovoRapid, Lantus, Victoza, Metformin (sr), Simvistatin
 
No I haven't ever considered that. I just see that on the odd occasion I need support that I will ask for it.

I think because we met and I'd already had it for at least 10 years that I was used to looking after myself.

On odd times when I have been in hospital for exploratory ops or appointments I've never wanted him to take time off work.

He has taken time off work when I woke up and fell to floor in agony and couldn't stand etc, but I never want my ilness to affect his working etc.

No, in brief I've never even considered that he may want to support me at appointments. I just think my disease I'll handle it! When I need help I'll ask for it.

My dogs used to always be my biggest concern. That they were sorted for their walks and medication and feeding. Thats also another reason why I haven't got more dogs in my life now that my others have passed on because I'm too concerned that something will happen to me and it will be a lot of pressure on hubby to cope with me and look after our dogs.


Loving life
 
mr55tsteven5on said:
agree with you donnellysdogs - i am unaware of any support networks in my area (for diabetics, or for relatives of diabetics). for quite a long time i have truly felt alone when it came to dealing with it. My husband is an absolute gem though. he knows what kind of stress he has put me through over the years and at the same time, feels an element of guilt for it. i tell him not to be silly tho' - i knew what i was getting myself into as i knew about his diabetes long before we even became an official couple (i had already witnessed some bad hypos by that point). didn't put me off tho'.... over 15 years later and we are still as strong as ever :)
Click to expand...


If you clink on the area where you line in the following it will tell you where your local Diabetes Support Group is:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Local_support_groups/Find-a-local-support-group/
 
donnellysdogs said:
Some very lucky T1's around with great partners.. I had a psychopath partner at one time that said if I had a hypo he would get an injection loaded with insulin and finish me off!
Kicked him in to touch eventually!!

I must admit though that I have probably taken my hubby for granted sometimes. Not intentionally, but not saying "thanks for just being there for me".

He always offers to come to my appointments, though rarely I accept, but when I think about that.. Honest, I don't say thanks for offering. I just say "i'll be okay"...

Today I have scans, he offered to come with me... And seeing your response as someone who supports a fellow T1 has just made me realise how I responded... "No, I'll be ok" and yet the first thing when he speaks tonight will be to ask if it went ok. Not about his day etc.

This posting from you has really made me consider how I impact on my hubby. Thank you.


Loving life
Click to expand...

Thats terrible that you had a partner who treated you like that :0 i couldnt imagine how that felt. i think my husband is very similar to you in some ways - i too will generally offer to join him on appointments and quite often im told its not necessary.
 
That's interesting... Would your hubby offer to come toma appointment of yours? I do with mine, but I don't see it as supporting him...which obviously I am doing....I just do it literally because he's only been to GP 3 times since leaving school 30 years ago. So I go to just make sure that he remembers everything and asks the right questions.

At one appointment 10 years ago I went with him.... He swore after-never again.... The GP asked him...do you exercise......I actually laughed and commented.... Does it look like it?....oops,big no no!!

He has since slimmed down!!!

So I definitely can not be seen as supportive of him,unless I have my mouth sealed!!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
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