Type 1 My wife was diagnosed in March this year.

[Paul69]

My wife was diagnosed as having type 1 in March of this year 2013. In the beginning she coped with her diagnosis brilliantly and her diabetic nurse recognised this and places her on Dafne course within the first 4 months of her diagnosis.
She was going through the honeymoon period at this time and her BS levels were easier to manage after completing the Dafne course and she experienced less hypos. However I feel she has passed through the honeymoon period now and her BS levels are no longer as stable. She has now become very withdrawn and will not speak to me about how she is feeling. Could anybody please ofer me any advice on how to help her get through this as I really want to support her through this difficult time.

 

[mrman]

During my honeymoon period I think I was a bit in denial still, so, when it ended became very similar to how you described your wife, withdrawn, moody, not wanting to socialise etc. think it was because through my honeymoon phase thought theyve got this wrong,i can't be diabetic, then, end of honeymoon period and felt worse for a period of time than when I was originally diagnosed. Could be a fee things, body adjusting to becoming solely reliant on injcted insulin, the swings in levels while tweaking ratios who knows. Eventually did go to the docs and was on anti ds for 6 months which helped me through. Not saying your wife needs them,but, would advise to discuss with dsn,gp. Eventually, when things did settle sugar wise felt alot better, but, still have the odd "episode" usually when levels too high/low but very brief ones as they are soon in range again. Through it all I have had amazing support from family and friends and of course very suportive, and knowledgeable members here. Maybe suggests she joins as out certainly helps me to chat to others with the same issues as it can feel extremely lonely at times even with a supportive structure on place.

 

[Paul69]

During my honeymoon period I think I was a bit in denial still, so, when it ended became very similar to how you described your wife, withdrawn, moody, not wanting to socialise etc. think it was because through my honeymoon phase thought theyve got this wrong,i can't be diabetic, then, end of honeymoon period and felt worse for a period of time than when I was originally diagnosed. Could be a fee things, body adjusting to becoming solely reliant on injcted insulin, the swings in levels while tweaking ratios who knows. Eventually did go to the docs and was on anti ds for 6 months which helped me through. Not saying your wife needs them,but, would advise to discuss with dsn,gp. Eventually, when things did settle sugar wise felt alot better, but, still have the odd "episode" usually when levels too high/low but very brief ones as they are soon in range again. Through it all I have had amazing support from family and friends and of course very suportive, and knowledgeable members here. Maybe suggests she joins as out certainly helps me to chat to others with the same issues as it can feel extremely lonely at times even with a supportive structure on place.

Hi Brett
Thanks for your response. I think you are correct when you say it's the body adjusting and her having to deal with the realisation that her diabetes is not going to go away. I have suggested that she contacts her Diabetic Nurse / GP for advice but she wants to get through it on her own and says she can't keep contacting the nurse every time she comes to a new crossroads as she passes through each new phases. I know she is apprehensive as she doesn't want them diagnosing her with depression were she will need further medication. She has always been very active and independent and it is very difficult for her to deal with at the moment. My wife regularly reads the forum but I don't think she speaks with others in the same position as her, I think it will help her to speak with forum members such as yourself as this may help understand she's not the only person going through what she's going through at the moment and that myself and other family members are here to support of her.
Thank you again you've been very helpful Brett.

 

[noblehead]

There's no reason whatsoever for your wife to face this all alone, ask her DSN or GP that she been seen in the hospital clinic and she'll get to speak with a diabetes consultant to discuss her control, we've all been through these difficult periods and there's no shame in asking for help.... believe me!!!!

 

[Daibell]

Is your wife on the Basal/Bolus regime and hence at least able to have flexibility with the injections? Some posters are on an insulin mix which can give rise to problems of control. If there are specific problems with injections or swings we may be able to help a bit with more info but I appreciate it may be due more to depression which can make discussion difficult

 

[Paul69]

She is as she is a shift worker so has to be more flexible with her insulin.