Diabetes - Medical Help - update pg2 #24

[janette]

I know the DIS isn't the best place but need to know if I should keep after DH to do what I think he should

He has Diabetes Type 2, takes medication for it but doesn't do any other control measures. Tells me he tests his blood sugar but I don't think he does.

He's feeling bad, sick to his stomach and very thirsty. I know enough about Diabetes to know these could be a sign his blood sugar is out of whack.

Do I keep nagging and watch him do a blood sugar check? What should it be for me to insist we make a trip to ER? He doesn't have a good track record of taking good care of himself and sometimes waits for a crisis instead of taking care of himself like he should.

 

[luv2nascar]

I believe normal blood sugars are 70-110 range before eating and around 140 after eating. Hope he is better soon.

 

[Honu]

I'm sorry, Janette. I know you're in a difficult position here.

From his symptoms, his blood sugars are over 200mg/dL. If they are in the 200/250 range, he can probably get them down with his medication and a no carb/very low carb diet for a couple days. If it's over that, I would take him to the ER for an insulin shot to get it down now. He's in denial and it's very common, but that denial is going to cause him such problems down the line.

edited to add - I would go for anything close to 200, but I know how hard it will be for you to get him there.

 

[luv2nascar]

any update - has he taken his blood sugar?? did he let you see the number?

 

[janette]

Ugh!!! I tried to take his blood sugar. He barely let me do it and it got an error so still don't know.

He did admit he's never done it, the Drs office gave him the kit but he's never used it. He can't poke himself and won't let me do it again. Said he can't poke himself so won't test but did he bother to tell the Dr that. Said he is due to go back to the Dr and he takes medication for the Diabetes but doesn't alter his diet so not sure if it's doing much good.

Off to look for one of those testors that don't require poking.

 

[Swimnoid]

How new is he to diabetes? It can be a real shake up when you are first diagnosed. But he's in for a heap of trouble if he doesnt start taking care of himself correctly. For instance he needs to take his meds at the right time and according to the bottle directions (ie with or without food etc.) or they wont work properly. And he has to get his exercise routine set. I hope you are successful in helping him cope. Prayers and pixie dust your way!

 

[luv2nascar]

if you just stuck him hold his finger downward and squeeze it. you only need about a drop of blood to test. Hold the end of the strip in the drop of blood.

 

[pumba]

I was nervous about poking my finger too but I want to be around to see my grandkids grow up......I was surprised that if you pick the fingers on the side of the finger it does not hurt as much.....
Tell him to do it and then if he can to go for a walk or walk his treadmill......excercise is the best to lower blood sugar highs and also drink more water if he can....
I am type two but not on any meds.......my mother in law is type two with insulin twice a day.....i dont' want to do that.....so I eat (sort of ) right most of the time......and keep the carbs under control.....

Good luck

 

[Honu]

if you just stuck him hold his finger downward and squeeze it. you only need about a drop of blood to test. Hold the end of the strip in the drop of blood.

Yep. Have him try squeezing the finger again. Sometimes another stick is not required. Then make sure the machine says it's ready before you collect the drop.

If he objects, try getting the sample from the back of his forearm. Have him place his hand on a table, palm down, and set the lancet stick to it's highest poke setting. There are less nerves there and it doesn't hurt.

 

[DebbieB]

Diabetes can lead to some serious complications if left untreated - having to have toes amputated is common. It can cause heart, kidney damage. He has to take this seriously.

 

[janette]

He's not new to diabetes just doesn't take it seriously. As shown by the fact he's never tested his blood sugar. Diagnosed at least 2 years ago maybe more but only takes medication.

 

[janette]

He's asleep right now so I'll let him rest, could be just a virus but I just want to be on the safe side.

I'll try again on the testing, went to the pharmacy but they didn't have anything that didn't require poking. Isn't there something advertised like that?

 

[Amlee]

I'm sad to say this, but until something does happen that scares him into taking care of him self. He's not going to change.

My younger brother was just like your husband. He faught the diet, the testing and the meds. If it was brought up he would get down right mean about it. (Another sign of high blood levels) We realized that nothing was going to change his mind. We told him what would happen. His doctors told him what would happen. His wife begged him. My mother pleaded with him. But he refused. So we accepted the fact that one of these days he would die. We (the family) got together and decided to take the tough love appoarch with it. We didn't nag him any longer. BUT we didn't put up with his moods or him being sick. No sympathy for him. It was only after he ended up in the hospital with a gluecose(sp) level of 1000 that he woke up. Now he watches what he eats. Checks his blood levels like he is suppose too. But because he didn't do what he was suppose to have done in the beginning. He is now a 9 shot a day diabetic with congestive heart failure. My brother is just 29 years old also.

So tell your husband he can either take a little stick in his finger now. Watch his diet and do what his doctor tells him to do NOW. Or he can end up like my brother.

Something for him to think about.

 

[Swimnoid]

There are a couple of meters that take smaller drops and you can poke on your arm instead of your finger so it doesnt hurt as much. I just have the old fashoined finger poker and it isnt that bad. Hurts for like a second. As a previosu poster said, stick off to the side and it less painful.

 

[Honu]

He's asleep right now so I'll let him rest, could be just a virus but I just want to be on the safe side.

I'll try again on the testing, went to the pharmacy but they didn't have anything that didn't require poking. Isn't there something advertised like that?

The non-evasive (no poking) kits are not on the market yet and the cost will be high when they are.

He may have a virus, but if he does that also can elevate blood sugars. The thirst is a known side effect of his condition and means he is damaging his kidneys. When glucose levels are high, the kidneys will try to reabsorb the glucose from the urine. Because the kidney is already full of glucose, it passes the glucose out with the urine instead. It's a vicious cycle where the body keeps flushing out all the liquids consumed to clear out the glucose and it eventually dehydrates the diabetic. This is more likely why he is feeling sick.

 

[Honu]

I'm sad to say this, but until something does happen that scares him into taking care of him self. He's not going to change.

My younger brother was just like your husband. He faught the diet, the testing and the meds. If it was brought up he would get down right mean about it. (Another sign of high blood levels) We realized that nothing was going to change his mind. We told him what would happen. His doctors told him what would happen. His wife begged him. My mother pleaded with him. But he refused. So we accepted the fact that one of these days he would die. We (the family) got together and decided to take the tough love appoarch with it. We didn't nag him any longer. BUT we didn't put up with his moods or him being sick. No sympathy for him. It was only after he ended up in the hospital with a gluecose(sp) level of 1000 that he woke up. Now he watches what he eats. Checks his blood levels like he is suppose too. But because he didn't do what he was suppose to have done in the beginning. He is now a 9 shot a day diabetic with congestive heart failure. My brother is just 29 years old also.

So tell your husband he can either take a little stick in his finger now. Watch his diet and do what his doctor tells him to do NOW. Or he can end up like my brother.

Something for him to think about.

I'm sorry. It's a horrible disease. Has he ever tried to use an insulin pump? They seem scary at first, but they are such a wonderful tool in helping to gain control.

 

[janette]

Thanks all, hopefully I'll be able to get him to test again. It may just take a trip to ER but we'll see.

His Dad had diabetes (he passed away 2 years ago) and one of his sister's is now insulin dependant. I don't see what he thinks he's going to do if he doesn't take care of it now and needs insulin. If he can't poke his finger how is he going to do a shot?

Amlee, you are right that is what it takes but I keep thinking that maybe he'll wake up in time. He also has high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smokes. Basically a walking time bomb and he's 46. It's easier with kids and we decide when they go to the Dr and what treatments they have, some adults need to be treated the same way.

 

[kbkids]

I've got the Accu-Check compact - takes very little blood at all. Also, my lancet is an Accu-check Softclix. You feel it, but it's not that big of a deal. It really doesn't hurt at all.

Maybe it's just me, but I've never been afraid of that little pin-prick. I check it twice a day. Out of curiousity, wanted to check DH's one day. I was cracking up laughing by the time we were done. He kept arguing with me that I didn't need to, and when I finally convinced him to just let me try, he was like, "Oh, that didn't hurt." No kidding Sherlock!!

Diabetes really is very serious. My Father has it and was just like your DH. Took his medications but never altered his diet, didn't exercise. Big bowl of ice cream every night, fatty foods, etc. He had a heart attack on Christmas Eve two years ago, and the doctor told him that his uncontrolled diabetes had most certainly contributed. He ended up having 5 bypasses done the next day, and now definitely tries to watch his diet better.

 

[Amlee]

I'm sorry. It's a horrible disease. Has he ever tried to use an insulin pump? They seem scary at first, but they are such a wonderful tool in helping to gain control.

Thanks. It is a very horrible disease. As far as I know they haven't talked to him about the pump. But he just got through taking part in a clinic for the new type 3 and they believe he is actually a type 3 diabetic. They have him on all kinds of new meds. Which seem to be helping. He has now started to lose weight. Which is something he couldn't do with his other meds. His blood levels are the lowest they have been in years. He also has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both of which have started to lower since he has started on these new meds.


It's a lot easier with kids!!! That is another thing that made my brother wake up. My nephew then 2 went with his daddy to a doctors appointment. The doctor asked my brother if he loved his son? My brother was like yes. The doctor told him. If you love him and want to see him make it to first grade then you will change how you go about taking care of yourself. Now that really shook him up.

 

[Honu]

Thanks. It is a very horrible disease. As far as I know they haven't talked to him about the pump. But he just got through taking part in a clinic for the new type 3 and they believe he is actually a type 3 diabetic. They have him on all kinds of new meds. Which seem to be helping. He has now started to lose weight. Which is something he couldn't do with his other meds. His blood levels are the lowest they have been in years. He also has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both of which have started to lower since he has started on these new meds.


It's a lot easier with kids!!! That is another thing that made my brother wake up. My nephew then 2 went with his daddy to a doctors appointment. The doctor asked my brother if he loved his son? My brother was like yes. The doctor told him. If you love him and want to see him make it to first grade then you will change how you go about taking care of yourself. Now that really shook him up.

I'm glad the new meds are helping. As I said before, denial is common. They think that some day they'll get to the point where they'll really have to watch it, but for now they're fine. Even little changes can make big differences though.