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Type 1 Need to get my partner to understand

Alice_mariet

Alice_mariet

Newbie
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2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have been in a relationship with my partner for almost 2 years and we are soon going to be buying our first house together; my diabetes are fairly well controlled and I cannot remember the last time I went high or had ketones etc. My main concern is regarding hypos, I have very good warning signs and I generally can treat them myself but I am worried that he will not understand what to do or even realise that I am having a hypo. I have had many conversations with him about hypo’s but I’m scared that he is just not going to realise as if I’ve gone low and sorted myself out he would go “oh I thought so” but not do anything about it (I mean I have been shielding and part of the clinically extremely vulnerable and my concerns regarding that he knows despite not entirely conforming). What is the best way to tell them properly or make them understand? Or has there been anything to put in place to help them?
 
Alice_mariet said:
I have been in a relationship with my partner for almost 2 years and we are soon going to be buying our first house together; my diabetes are fairly well controlled and I cannot remember the last time I went high or had ketones etc. My main concern is regarding hypos, I have very good warning signs and I generally can treat them myself but I am worried that he will not understand what to do or even realise that I am having a hypo. I have had many conversations with him about hypo’s but I’m scared that he is just not going to realise as if I’ve gone low and sorted myself out he would go “oh I thought so” but not do anything about it (I mean I have been shielding and part of the clinically extremely vulnerable and my concerns regarding that he knows despite not entirely conforming). What is the best way to tell them properly or make them understand? Or has there been anything to put in place to help them?
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Hi Alice, I do get what you mean. I have explained it numerous times to my Husband and although he gets it, because I haven't had one that requires the assistance of a 3rd person, I'm sure he forgets other than 'give her something sweet'. That's great if you're conscious of course but not when you're unconscious (where I guess you'd be calling an ambulance anyway, or giving an injection of glucose but only if you're trained etc).

I'm guessing you mean what does he do about noticing when you are low and acting a bit 'weird'?? It can be hard for partners because many do not understand what is actually going on and can go into a panic, it's good to get him to watch a video or to speak with a Diabetes Nurse and so on, but could you buy or create a 'do this and watch for that' credit card sized card?, he could keep it in his wallet along with a packet of glucose tablets?
 
Hi, yes I understand. I'm lucky as my wife is pretty good at these things. Do carry an insulin card which you can get on the web etc. Make sure you have various hypo aids such as packets of Dextrose tablets around the house in known places. If you are unconscious he should call an ambulance and possibly put a sugary finger around the inside of your mouth; no solids of course. Tell him before you lose consciousness you may appear drunk and incoherent. I've never been full hypo yet so my wife has yet to be tested. As we sleep in separate rooms, I have a door bell push beside my bed which might help call her.
 
Hello, I’ve been with my potato bf for over 3 years. From the beginning I’ve always told him that I struggle with hypos. I said I just need fast acting carbs, like coke. When we first met, he bought an 8 pack of coke. As time went on, my hospital has leaflets about hypos and what should you do in an event of a hypo. He said he wanted to read it, so I gathered a few and stuck it on the fridge door. With other details like my name, DOB, medications, in case he needed to contact an ambulance.

Another suggestion would be that your partner joins you when you speak to your nurse. He can maybe voice his questions and concerns. My bf went to one session of DAFNE in regards to hypos, with me to ask questions or voice his worries. Hypos can be quite hard on our loved ones, especially if they feel helpless. (I don’t know if anyone watched the video that novo nordisk did on hypos, it was heart wrenching)
 
I was already diabetic when I met my husband, so he got told about hypos early on (in general terms), as I tell everyone about them (general safety service for me and educational for general public). During my first pregnancy I had some truly epic hypos at night (call the ambulance because he thought I was dead and/or dying) so he became much more competent then. He has rescued me from a few bad and not so bad ones since then, and both he and my adult children are fond of asking me if I'm hypo and bringing me glucose (can be irritating when you're just upset or tired:)).

But it's not rocket science to say.

If my blood sugar goes too low I may become too confused to sort out my own blood sugar, and you need to bring me a sweet drink and/or glucose tablets. If I go unconscious call an ambulance.

Make sure you've got a stock of emergency carb and he knows where it is.

Good luck.
 
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