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Type 1: Help needed for my diabetic boyfriend!!

Katbaby22

Katbaby22

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Hello I'm Kat my other half is Nicky he's 25 and been diagnosed with type one diabetes his blood sugar levels are very high right now but have never been controlled he's just sat in my arms and cried. Can anyone give me any tips to help to bring his readings down last reading was about 15 mins ago and it was 30.9 it's coming down as it was 33.00 I know this is very high but recently he has been very high has been checked for ketones but he has none but they did find blood in his wee and it's being tested all this is new to me and I need some help and advice it's hard to keep him awake.. worried girlfriend here I've had some advice from paramedics. So I feel comfortable with some of the info given to me anyone got any tips please thank you xx
 
I will tag @Juicyj for you. I have Type 2 and so may not be of as much help as someone with Type 1 might be. I am from the USA and we use a different measuring system here but I think mine have been that high before I was put on insulin. Does your boyfriend take insulin?
 
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Hi @Katbaby22 unfortunately I cannot advise about the blood in his urine, however he needs to keep taking correction doses to bring his levels down.

Can you explain why his levels are so high, is he taking any insulin at all ? He is receiving any medical care right now ?

Running high blood glucose levels leaves the body open to infection as the glucose can feed any underlying infections, so keeping levels down is so vitally important. It might not feel the right time to think about it right now, but he needs to start taking control and to understand why he isn't looking after himself, running high is going to leave him feeling rubbish, so taking control will help him mentally and physically.

Let us know how you get on ?
 
Katbaby22 said:
So I feel comfortable with some of the info given to me anyone got any tips please thank you xx
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Get Nicky to contact his diabetes team and say that he is struggling to control his bg levels and they'll advise him on adjusting his insulin, over time he'll be able to adjust his insulin himself with confidence.

As a tip, if you want to buy him a belated Christmas present then get him the book Think Like a Pancreas, it's a great read and is simple to understand and covers most aspects of type 1 diabetes management.

Best wishes and hope it all works out well.
 
Hey he come down to 16 this morning and took some over rapid coz he was to high and now he's come down to low and is 3.3 and shaking and eating lots of sugar.. very worried girlfriend right here
 
Katbaby22 said:
Hey he come down to 16 this morning and took some over rapid coz he was to high and now he's come down to low and is 3.3 and shaking and eating lots of sugar.. very worried girlfriend right here
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Eating table sugar? Dextrose tablets are better to treat hypos with than just sugar, dextrose have a higher GI so work quicker. Lots of sugar might over treat the hypo and he'll just end up high again.

How much novorapid did he take to correct the 16? Does he understand his correction doses?

If he's over correcting hypers and over correcting the resultant hypos, control isn't going to happen. He'll just swing high and low. Think like a pancreas is worth a read, might give him a chance to come up with a plan for gaining control, rather than the fire fighting he's having to to at the moment.
 
He and you need to speak to the diabetic team. You have access to them right? They need to help you understand what is actually happening when he takes insulin. And what is actually happening when you eat sugar or food.

You can't do anything else before understanding those fundamentals. Everything else is based off that..

It doesn't have to be scary or difficult. But you need to get the knowledge first and have someone who can answer the questions you have properly.
 
Hi,
Most of the advice given above is sound, especially to contact the diabetic team, I dont know where you are based but if you are desparate I'm happy to give you the number for 24/7 team at Charing Cross hospital in West London wher I go, just let me know.
If I may add a few comments;
First, Nicky is very lucky to have you around, well done and keep up the good work! Second; based soley on my experience I'd say our bodies get through/ take a lot diabetic mistakes and so long as they eventually get less and less we carry on on relatively unscathed, so don't panic guys you will get control.
Final, I'm a newbie here but have been type 1 nearly 50 years, and doing ok so far.
 
Katbaby22 said:
Hey he come down to 16 this morning and took some over rapid coz he was to high and now he's come down to low and is 3.3 and shaking and eating lots of sugar.. very worried girlfriend right here
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It's good he's come down. Type 1 is a real balance - you/he have to aim just right to get numbers within range.

I second the recommendation of Think Like A Pancreas. It's brilliant. If Nicky is struggling with control, he needs to speak to his team and ask for help and more advice. If he hasn't been taught carb counting, then make sure he pushes for that as a priority. It's crucial for good control.

To treat hypos, Dextrose tablets or a measured amount of Lucozade or regular Coke is best. Again - it's a balance. Too much will cause a high, then he'll get stuck in a vicious circle. Treat, wait 10 or 15 mins, then test again to make sure his sugar has come up.
 
Hi

it's far easier to control bg levels eating small amounts of carbohydrate rather than large especially when bg levels are really high. Unfortunately, there's a far bit to know about using bolus basal insulin safely Most people usually get better results through using an insulin to carbohydrate ratio and then adjusting the ratio to achieve safer bg levels. The correction factor called the 100 rule is very good in calculating a correction dose of insulin to make bg levels drop to a safer bg target . Look at the NICE type 1 guidance posted on the Home page of the forum to find out about safe bg targets. and get Think like a pancreas.
 
The best emergency number for advice in NHS on 111. You explain the problem simply and they pass it onto a doctor who will call you back within an hour.
 
asparagusp said:
The best emergency number for advice in NHS on 111. You explain the problem simply and they pass it onto a doctor who will call you back within an hour.
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During a bank hol I agree.

However, I would have a good f2f chat at a table with bf and say your concerns and offer help and express a real interest in helping him to get balanced. Iffer to go with and learn at appointments.

Look up carb counting and going on a carb counting (dafne) course with him etc and genuinely understand that in future he may need to inject 15-30 mins before eating, understand how to count carbs and that as basics a T1 should always test before driving, waking up, before eating, 2 hoyrs after eating and before sleep and occasionally during the night..,

Get the book "think like a pancreas" and learn it between you!!
 
I' m glad you have contacted the paramedics that does sound like very high blood sugar.

This advice below pertains more to control in individuals with Diabetes, Type 2 having an acute episode of high blood glucose: He needs to avoid eating anything with carbohydrates in it until it comes down some more. Water may help also if he is wake enough to drink it. Walking around or riding a stationary bike may help too if he is awake enough not to fall while doing a little exercise.

The advice from moderators and individuals with Type 1 above was timely and well appreciated.
 
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Hi @Katbaby22 ,

I agree with @mahola in the 21 years I've known my wife. I can honestly say I've not put her through this.. (Or anyone else prior.)She knows the "basics" in the unlikely event I get hit by they proverbial "truck" & that's it.......

Get him on this forum.. ;)
 
Unfortunately peop's we have had a few folk that have only come to forumin times of going into Dka or desperation etc before seeking help from internet..

At least this partner is thinking ahead and to be honest I think we have concerned parents, concerned friends etc that are reaching out for help and thank goodness someone is....

It doesn't matter what we as individuals have done in 21 years etc..

I think its a bit too personal to ask why boyfriend hasnt joined forum.... different people reach for help at different times etc.... I am so glad that at least @Katbaby22 has joined and can find a way possibly to steer bf in right direction before he ends up in a desperate state....
 
I'm new to all this and I'm trying to help him as best as I can.. he struggles with it and I wanna be able to help him in the right way possible I've told him about the app and he's very proud of me wanting to know more about it and to help in anyway I can thank you though guys
 
Katbaby22 said:
I'm new to all this and I'm trying to help him as best as I can.. he struggles with it and I wanna be able to help him in the right way possible I've told him about the app and he's very proud of me wanting to know more about it and to help in anyway I can thank you though guys
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Do try and get him to join the forum, it's a friendly community as you've already witnessed, peer support is a great motivation to get on top of one's diabetes.

Hope it all works out well and best wishes to you both for 2017.
 
donnellysdogs said:
It doesn't matter what we as individuals have done in 21 years etc..

I think its a bit too personal to ask why boyfriend hasnt joined forum.... different people reach for help at different times etc.... I am so glad that at least @Katbaby22 has joined and can find a way possibly to steer bf in right direction before he ends up in a desperate state....
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41 years & counting DD.. :D

It was an invitation to join this forum, thus empowerment the T1 in question.. ;)
 
Agree with trying to get bf to sign up but am wary of Katy possibly thinking that her fella is total **** when she sees comments like "not put her through this"...

Even if BF read this post for himself it could make him feel bad too...

I guess I'm just a bit sensitive of how others could interpret things...


Not meant detrimentally to Mahola or Jaylee as I know you are both so supportive.

Just that I guess in a round about way I was also trying to be suggestive at what a partner could do to try and support and encourage whilst the diabetic made choices to join or not...
 
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