Newbie - need advice

[lesley.p]

My husband was diagnosed as type one in December 07. He lost 2 stones over the period of about six weeks and was drinking loads. He went to gp and next day received a call to go to hospital. He had a bad virus October 07 and it took about four weeks to recover, but was never him self so when the diabetes symtoms started we just thought it was the after effects of the virus. The hospital have told him that this virus was probably the cause of his diabetes - he is 32. Since then he has adjusted and managed well. The doctors etc have said that he has a good diet but advised him to change to wholemeal bread and pasta which he has done. Since his diagnosis he has become very moody and he says he doesn't have the energy he used to or the "get up and go". The main problem at the moment however is his work. He has been at the same company for four years and has never had any problems until recently. Work have complained that he takes too much time off for hospital appointments although most of his appointments are made after work, only a few are where he needs to take time off. They have also said he is lucky to have a job with his condition even though diabetes has not affected any thing to do with his work (he is a team manager).
I am glad I have found this forum and any advice would be greatly apprechiated.

Lesley

 

[LittleSue]

Hello and welcome
What are your husband's blood sugar or HbA1c readings?
I ask because general lack of energy is a symptom of high blood sugar, though it can also be caused by low blood sugar (in this case likely more episodic rather than all the time). However, it takes time to come to terms with being diagnosed with a lifelong condition and this can lead to depression, and lack of energy is also a common symtom of depression.

As you may have already seen in other posts on the subject of employment, from a legal point of view diabetes is a disability. Which means his employers must not discriminate against him and must allow him time to attend medical appointments. Many diabetics do not view themselves as disabled per se (I certainly don't), I'm speaking of the legal/employment status. Mentioning this tends to wind employers up, and its not wise to overdo the discrimnation thing unless essential, but your husband keep this in the back of his mind and note any discriminatory practice. He could perhaps ask for a letter from his consultant (I hope he is under care of a specialist, not just a GP or practice nurse?) confirming that controlled diabetes shouldn't affect his abilty to do office work but is a lifelong condition which will require regular medical monitoring. It does not mean he will be frequently off sick or unreliable.

He may wish to provide his manager/employers with some information about type 1 diabetes so they know the facts - especially that it is not his fault and not caused by unhealthy lifestyle. Of course it is up to him how much he wishes others to know about his condition, which is his confidential information.

As to the virus, there is some evidence that type 1 may be triggered by a Cocksackie virus in people with the appropriate genes (not necessarily straight away). Apparently by the time of diagnosis most type 1's are down to just 10% of normal insulin production. All humans need extra insulin when the body is stressed (including illness) but usually the extra is produced automatically. But if you're already strugging to produce enough insulin, and catch a virus or infection, you can't produce the extra needed, so the blood sugar rises and diabetes symptoms appear. So, the virus he had last year may be responsible, or maybe he'd already been triggered and the virus in October just made it show up sooner than it would otherwise.
Hope this helps.

 

[Katharine]

He needs a lot of help to adjust to the diagnosis and treating it so must keep up his hospital appointments till he gets the hang of it all.

His blood sugars may be too high with the high carb food and this can make him lethargic or irritable and lose concentration. This can a big problem for diabetic schoolkids too, especially after lunch.

He could be quite depressed. It's my subjective opinion so this is not necessarily true in your husband's case but I think that men have more of their self esteem tied up with being rough and tough, physically fit and self sufficient. They still want you to find their socks though!

You never see John Wayne getting off his horse to check his blood sugar do you?" Well, I'm gonna blast those Injuns out of this here homestead and protect these womenfolks. I'll just have me 100mls of Lucozade first. I'm just running a tad low."

What have his blood sugars been like and is he talking about how he feels? (how bloody daft is this question. Do men ever talk about how they feel?) Well, if he isn't what do you think he is experiencing?

Welcome to the forum.

I hope we can all help and support you both.

Katharine.

 

[lesley.p]

thank you for all advice and making me feel welcom.

My husband's blood sugar is usually aroud 5. I dont think his lethargy and lack of get up and go is down to depression, he just seems unable to do the things he once could. He was doing work in the garden at the weekend and had to stop half way through as he was too exhausted, where as normally it wouldn't bother him as he is quite fit. Also the day after doing anything physical he always seems so tired and generally cant be bothered.

With regard to his employment he has mentioned the situation to them, gave them information from his consultant, but has never had any sick days except one week when first diagnosed. They have even said that another employee has type two diabetes and he never has time off for appointments. I dont think they realise there is a difference.

He has a consultant that he sees on a six monthly basis, but our gp is excellent and we seem to learn more and get more advice from our own gp and the diabetic nurse at the practice rather than the hospital.
He is on lantus and novorapid.

Thanks again
Lesley