husband newly diagnosed

gaelicgrl · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:14 PM

I'm so glad to have found this forum. My husband is newly diagnosed (no idea if he's type 1 or 2 yet). His dad is type 1 (but he drinks and depends on his insulin instead of eating right and not drinking)... but it was his dad that tested his blood sugar the first time at breakfast last week. It was 586! By the time he got to the doctor it was over 600

. His doctor sent him home with 2 medications and said "go on the South Beach Diet and I will see you next week". Idiot. I called my GP who is also an endo, and he wanted to see him right away ... he ordered lab work and told us what we should watch for to make sure he doesn't go into DKA. We got it down (by fasting) to 385 the first day and since then it has bounced up and down from 385 to 144 back up to 400 after eating. We don't have health insurance (but should by the end of the week). I think I have read every diabetes book since Thursday. I was so furious at his doctor for being so casual about his glucose being over 600. I mean who knows how long it was that high? He has been feeling crappy and he has really bad blurred vision right now. I think he may have some eye problems from the diabetes. I think he has had it for a couple of months.
I think he is in denial... and is depending on me to tell him what he should be doing. I'm not sure how to get him to understand that he needs to read (he hates reading) and learn all these things on his own as well. I guess the denial is normal... I feel like he is acting like he has a flu that will go away.
UGH.
Thanks for listening!

MarkMunday · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:42 PM

gaelicgrl,

Welcome to the forums. I read your comment in the other thread. And my first thought was, with blood sugars that high and a father who is T1, your husband is most likely T1 too. In which case he should be on insulin, not metformin ....

Just my two cents worth,

Mark

Funnygrl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:48 PM

Yes, when I saw that he was over 600, and thought Type 1 also. I bet the endo will catch that and get him on insulin. Even if he was type 2, I doubt a knowledable doctor would use pills rather than insulin at least initially.

gettingby · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:56 PM

Welcome to the forums family gaelicgrl !!!!!!
It sounds to me too that your husband may be a type 1. I can't for the life of me figure out why a doctor would be so nonchalant about bg levels like that.

A major problem that you may be facing is getting insurance to cover the diabetes. Since his doctor has already diagnosed him as being diabetic, when the new insurance kicks in, they may say that they won't pay for anything diabetes related for a while. They may treat it as a pre-existing condition. Hopefully they won't have a problem with it or maybe you can "work" around it.

I would definitely consult another dr. Sounds like the one he has doesn't see the magnitude of the problem.
Ok, with all that said, again Welcome and happy posting.

Cinnabon · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 08:10 PM

Hey there gaelicgrl,

I have to agree with the others, sounds like T1. His best bet is to find a doctor that will initially prescribe insulin, even if they still insist its T2. As for now, Id keep an eye out for the carbs he is taking gin, as they are the most that affect the blood sugar. Keep us posted and good luck.

Eri's mom · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 08:13 PM

Welcome to the boards...
This is a wonderful group of ppl...they've all given me such great advice and support regarding my daughter who is a T1.

I can't believe how some docs are so uncaring about a persons health issues!!!

Hopefully your husband will give in and read some books, or at least just hear you out!!!
What a freaky week it must have been for you!!!
Keeping you and your husband in thought and prayer

gaelicgrl · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 08:22 PM

WOW you guys are awesome

Thank you for your input and support. Eri's mom, I read all your posts about your daughter and I just want to say that you are an excellent mom and I have learned to follow my gut and push the doctors (I have colitis so I went through a bit of it myself with doctors). I have 3 sons myself and I would be doing the same.
I agree from what I have read that he must be type 1. Today he seems to be doing better than this morning. He was actually at 121 just before dinner so maybe the drugs are working. But initally I was very agree that he was not given insulin right away. However, it's possible that my husband told the doctor that the insurance won't kick in for a few days and was trying to avoid a diagnosis on paper so that we can get on Health Net with no issue.
My husband is only 36 and he's very thin... not all overweight... so the first doctor said that he doubts the drugs will work because they seldon do in someone with sugar that high and weight that low. But I will say that eats horribly (well he used to..) late at night, too much sugar, too much fat... and worst of all no exercise. I think he thinks being thin lets you be lazy :p
Hopefully insurance won't be a problem and even if it is... his life is wayyyy more important than money.
Thank you all again and you have got yourselves a new member!

HeatherP · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 08:37 PM

Hi GaelicGirl, it's nice to meet you. I wish it were under different circumstances. It's amazing how complacent some doctors can be. It sounds to me like your husband has some rough times ahead. I think it's wonderful that you are so dedicated that you're willing to take up the sword, but I warn you that he has to take responsibility for himself at some point. Easier said than done, but don't let him expect you to be the one to manage his disease. You (and he) will find lots of friendly ears and info here so I'd encourage you both to visit and ask any questions you have as you are starting on a new phase of life, a.k.a. After Diabetes (lol!) Good luck, and please don't be afraid to ask questions and join in!

My big tabby boy wants to sit on me now....
HeatherP

DeusXM · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 03:37 AM

If your husband is indeed T1 then he will definitely need insulin because he will not be producing any himself. At the moment he sounds like he is in the final stages of developing T1, whereby the pancreas is still producing some insulin, but not enough. This is why the tablets are working becuase they are boosting the effectiveness of this insulin, but these tablets will be ineffective fairly soon.

I would also raise concerns about your husband's weight. If he is very thin and still eating unhealthily and not exercising, this would suggest he has been developing diabetes for some time - one of the major symtoms of diabetes is acute weight loss despite no particular reason for weight loss. When I was dxed at 14 I had dropped from 8 stone to 6 stone within 6 months, which is pretty dramatic, to say the least.

His eye problems are also a major warning sign for diabetes, though I would suggest that he does not have permenant damage (yet) and if he gets his sugar levels under control, he will find his vision will improve again.

As for his dad - I would point out that it is perfectly normal and acceptable (and indeed, even desirable in some cases) for people with diabetes to drink.

nantomsuethom · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 04:06 AM

Welcome to the forum family GaelicGirl!

As you can tell there are a lot of great people here and wonderful support.

I joined after my son was diagnosed and have learned so much from everyone here.

I am glad to see that your husband's bgs are starting to come down. Hopefully he will get the correct diagnosis and treatment soon.

Keep us posted.

Amanda_Jo22 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 06:15 AM

Welcome GaelicGirl!

I had a similar experience with doctors. I was dx'd at age 16, but they found my diabetes on accident, while doing some other blood tests. They caught it in an early stage, so they didn't do anything but send me to an endo, the only ped. endo in town. It took about a month and a half to get in. Even then, the endo said I was a type 2 (I was 93 lbs w/a family history of autoimmune disorders) and put my on meds...obviously that didn't last long (nor did the endo lol). You are doing a great job by becoming educated...that's the best thing you can do.

I don't know if you've read this book, but I wouild recommend "Diabetes Burnout" by William Polonsky. This was probably the best book I've ever read on diabetes. It goes into how the diabetic feels and how to help them through it.

Good luck and hang in there!

Lee73 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 08:03 AM

Hi Gaelicgirl,

Welcome (I also wish it was under better circumstances, but this is a great place for info and support).

My father and my sister are type 1. My father was diagnosed in his early 30s and he was thin (dangerously thin). My sister was diagnosed at age 9. She had gained weight prior to her diagnosis, but was by no means overweight. Then she lost weight dramtically (but also grew about half a foot, so it seemed fairly normal). I am not even remotely a doctor or nurse, but I would say your hunch about your husband being type 1 could be right.

In my family's experience I would say it is good to be pro-active with doctors when it comes to diabetes. Ask questions, challenge them, push them and get as much info as you can. Good luck. Keep us posted.

gaelicgrl · #13 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 09:44 AM

Thank you all again so much!
Deus, thank you for the insight. I was wondering why his sugar dropped so quickly and he still feels like ****. His sugar was 145 when he woke up today (Tuesday) but he has tingling in his fingers and toes. We bought new strips yesterday and since we started using the new batch the readings have been really low...but regarding his dad... he is not just an occasional drinker... he drinks rum and coke ALL day, from morning until night non stop. He just had his bladder removed Thursday and didn't tell the doctor about his drinking and now he is strapped to the bed because of the shaking... scary!
We'll see where this medication takes us. He has to get the lab work done this week and we'll know if he has a high ketone level or not.
I'm worried about his vision... he works in the entertainment industry and he has to watch tv for a lovinf :p so it's important that he can see!
You are a great group and I thank you for making me feel so welcome!

Amanda_Jo22 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 11:48 AM

Gaelicgirl, his vision problems are most likely a result from the crazy, unstable (and high) blood sugars. Once he gets on a treatment plan and becomes more stable, his vision should improve. Blurry vision is a symptom of diabetes.

gaelicgrl · #15 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 01:28 PM

Thanks Amanda

That make me feel better!
He has been calling all morning to complain... he went to work but he's having trouble seeing the screen. Of course his sugar is back up agan almost to 200 and he hasn't eaten anything today.
I guess its a rollcoaster ride after all.