DH's sugar levels were 732......

[Iott Family]

he is in the emergency room now getting them under control. It has been a rough two weeks for him.DH just got out of the hospital from having a blood infection caused by a small cut received on the job. He went friday morning for a follow-up with the surgeon and the infectious disease doctor. The IDI doctor did some basic bloodwork and his sugar levels came back so high, we got the call this morning that he needed to go to the emergency room, so I contected our family doctor and he was meeting DH over there. Meanwhile I am at home waiting to hear what the plan of action will be. And you are all wondering why I am at home...well, we have four kids ages 4 months, 2 years, 8 years and 10 years and DH felt that it was best for us to stay home until he knows what is going to happen. The waiting is the worst, ya know!

Back history, Dh went in 3weeks ago for blood work thinking it was a thyrid problem. A week later he is in hospital for 48 hours on antibiotics for the blood infection and now this. They are now nixing the thyroid diagnosis and leaning towards diabetic. Dh is only 39 and a carb junky. This will be so rough on him and I feel so awful knowing this.

Thing is, never having dealt with this I am so overwhelmed. I dont know what to expect. What they will do to him. What the next step will be......and the waiting to find out these things is awful! I just know he has felt so terrible for a long time and after putting on 60 pounds he all of a sudden lost 40 pounds in a month, vision got bad, thirsty all the time....classic signs huh!

So just a little PD or even so advice would be great. Mostly im just waiting......I dont like waiting. We came so close to losing him with the blood infection, he had red stripes all the way up to his arm pit by the time he was admitted and the doctor said heart failure was imminent if it wasnt under control fast. Talk about shock factor!

Ok. Sorry. Im rambling. Thanks for listening!

 

[Cool-Beans]

732 is very high, but I've seen people come down and get back to decent health with higher readings. And I'm sure the doctors are doing everything they can.

There is a lot to diabetes, if that is what is causing this. Take it slow with the learning.

Prayers and PD for you.

Also a link, in case it is diabetes:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/search/show-documents.asp?mediaID=5&topicId=729&sortId=2

 

[Christine]

Hang in there, it will all be okay!

A friend of mine was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when she was in her late-30s. She was clueless even though she had all the symptoms. She would sit down and drink a 6-pack of Coke in a matter of hours and she was having dobule vision. Finally she passed out and when she got to the ER who levels were well into the 500s. I believe that it is usually the Type I diabetes that gives these high blood sugar levels versus the Type 2 (which can be controlled with diet only in some cases).

Anyway, once they get him stabilized they will get him on an insulin regimen and get him in with a dietician.

Good luck and I agree with your DH--the best place for you to be is at home!! Keep us posted.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I hope that everything turns out ok. P&PD

 

[luvdzne]

Sending you some prayers and pixie dust for your dh.

 

[pearlieq]

I've been there. We found out DH was diabetic when he was admitted to the hospital for an infection. His sugar levels were over 400.

It can get better. Sounds like he's got good medical care. He'll need to take good care of himself, but Type II diabetes can be controlled well in most people.

It can take a long time to get used to a new way of eating. Expect some real, actual grief along the way. You have to get used to the idea that you're not invincible anymore and that you can't do or eat anything you want anymore. It's hard but it does get better.

Lots of hospitals have classes and groups for newly diagnosed diabetics--it can be really helpful to learn the tips and tricks from people who have been there and to be able to comisserate with other folks in the same boat.

The good news is he's probably going to start feeling so much better! Before we found out about DH, he was always thirsty, he was always sick, he was tired all the time, and his eyes were failing, and he was getting headaches. Within a month of being home with his medicine, he said he felt better than he had in years. He's got tons of energy, isn't sick nearly as much, and his eyes are actually getting better!

Things you can do to help:

1.) Get the junk food out of the house. Even if it's "for the kids". It's horrible to be around all that stuff, especially when you're adjusting to a new way of eating. The kids can (and should!) live without it. They can always get an occasional treat away from home.

2.) Pick up a diabetic cookbook or two. His new diet will likely be reduced fat, and controlled-carb. You'll need to help him learn to balance carbs with protein to keep his blood sugar steady.

3.) Fiber is a great help in helping him use his own insulin better so that his blood sugar stays under control. Some products I really like are Thomas' whole grain mini bagels, Healthy Life hot dog & hamburger buns, La Tortilla low carb tortillas, and Quaker Weight Control oatmeal.

4.) Start stocking up on things he can eat. We like Jello no sugar added pudding cups, and Yopliat Light Thick & Creamy yogurt cups, nuts, hummus, baby carrots, and low fat cheese.

5.) Encourage him to exercise. Make it a family thing. Take a walk after dinner, play ball with the kids--no need to be an Ironman, just get moving! Exercise helps keep his weight down and also helps the body regulate blood sugar much more easily.

I hope he feels better quickly!

 

[Laura]

My DH was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 20, and admitted to the hospital with very much the same symptoms (sugar in the 600s, weight loss, thirst, etc). Ten years on, he's doing just fine, and his endocrinologist says he's her best patient. The Atkins diet craze has been a godsend for diabetics of both types; there are so many ways to enjoy one's favorite foods with less sugar now.

Don't worry. He's in good hands and the docs know what to do.

 

[minkydog]

Hugs all around. My little sis found out she had Type 1 diabetes when she was 35 in much the same way. She had all the usual symptoms,but thought she just had a virus. Then she really did get a virus which turned into pneumonia and that's when they discovered to blood sugar was around 600. It took about a week to stabilize her and then several weeks of adjusting to the new way of life. She is 41 now and leads a very active life-style--she's a sheepherder in Washington state, does Medieval reinactiment on the weekends, mends her own fences, drives a hay truck, goes primitive camping, and growns about 90% of what they eat. A very active lifestyle. she is also a carb junkie,but she has learned to adjust some of that by checking her sugars often and saving her carbs for those things she really craves(like a good glass of wine!)

Best of luck to you both. I know you are worried and with 4 little children, it's probably best that you are there with them so they won't be scared. You DH is in good hands now. We'll pray that they get things squared away fast and he can learn to live with this. I think once they get his sugar regulated he's gonig to feel so much better he's not going to believe it.

 

[pumba]

my mil is type 2 with insulin and her numbers were not on the finger tester which usually means more then 700......she also had an infection at the time and was taking meds for that and cortizone for her injury too. That made the numbers go sky high.
I am type two with no meds yet and I am under control with diet. I can have carbs and can have the occasional snack when I want a carb snack. I like chips and still do. I can have a dixie cup size of ice cream. WITh sugar in it. I only count carbs and have done very good with my A1C

They will probably advise him to go to a nutriionist and dietician for assistance and they helped me .....I could not believe I was a diabetic.....
Good luck to him and to you too

 

[MsDisney23]

Sending my Prayer's and some

 

[TexDisney]

Hope everything turns out okay.

The record I've seen (I work in an ER) is 1370. Patient recovered fine.

Matt

 

[Iott Family]

they gave him an IV solution with insulin and oral insulin??? and he is down in the "normal" ranges. They are going to keep him a few more hours to rest. he has an appt to see our family doctor tomorrow. he is finally going to get some much needed time off from work.....he went into hospital July 20-22 for the blood infection. Rested all day sunday the 23rd and has been back at work since monday july 24th working 10plus hour days every day since. We thought he might have time off atleast this past sunday but nooooo, his company insisted he work to meet deadlines. As a wife I know he needs some rest and down time. I wish his company realised this, too! Now he is getting some down time just not the way we had wanted!

I want to say thank you to everyone. Those of you who sent real life advice, you cant know how calming it was. And all the P and PD.....thank you. I know we are not out of the woods as its said BUT I feel like we are on a trail through those damn woods!!!!

I have a question......does anyone know what causes this to happen just so sudden and out of the blue. I admit he has not felt well for some time but there just doesnt seem to be an exact cause/effect. He has always been so healthy and fit.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have a question......does anyone know what causes this to happen just so sudden and out of the blue. I admit he has not felt well for some time but there just doesnt seem to be an exact cause/effect. He has always been so healthy and fit.

It doesn't usually happen out of the blue. The person has been having a problem for a while and doesn't know anything is wrong until they are very sick.

Glad to hear he is coming along well!

 

[lindakmonty]

I remember my grandmas sugar being over 800...scary! They were afraid of her going into diabetic coma...glad he got into the hospital safely so he can get it under control! Prayers and pixy dust coming now Very scary I'm sure!

 

[4formickey]

A lot of things can cause diabetes including STRESS.The time off from work will do him good and limiting his stress level. Family history will play a roll also as other factors. Thank God that you guys was able to catch it before any damage was done. The food choices now a days are very good and you can rest assure that everyone will be eating healthly without knowing that it is heathly food.

 

[Christine]

If it is Type I diabetes, then usually it means the pancreas has failed in some way so as not to produce insulin. I doubt that it happened overnight, but possibly in the last few years his pancreas may have begun to fail in the insulin production (if this is the type he has). Type 2 diabetes, from my understanding, is a bit different and it is more or less how your insulin receptors work (or something), I don't know, but I do know that the two types are different in some way.

 

[4disneyfans]

He didnt even know he had diabetes until he ended up in hospital because he had passed out. Now is doing just fine and had the diabetes completely under control. He does do two injections a day but handles it all much better than we had EVER dreamed he would. Good luck to you and your DH!

 

[toocooltobeMom]

I am so glad that your DH is recovering well. Diabetes tends to be overlooked by a lot of people in the beginning. For my mother who suffered type 2 for over 20+ years, she had always had it under control. Before her passing, she had always believed in annual check-ups regardless how healthy you might think you are. Knowing that it could run in the family, I am watching for any signs of pre-diabetic too.

Stay healthy and live happy!!

 

[disneymac]

Hi there - just want to send some prayers and pixie dust and also let you know that it's not that bad!

I've been a type1 diabetic for over 30 years and it's amazing the things that they know now! And there are also different types of insulin now that work differently and with a good endocrinologist he'll be able to find what works best for him and your lifestyle. I tried a few different kinds before finding the ones I'm on now that are terrific!!

Good luck - write down all your questions so you don't forget them when you get to the hosp or dr's office!

 

[da-winnie-pooh]

He needs an islet cell antibody test to determine if he's type 1 or type 2. Type 1's are usually younger, and type 2's usually have blood sugar under 250 at diagnosis. It is possible to be over 30, somewhat overweight and still develop type 1 diabetes. Ask me how I know. . . I also know that doctors tend to decide people are type 2 solely based on age. I almost died before I talked my doc into testing me for antibodies and putting me on insulin.

Prayers and PD are being sent your way!