[mollymay]

My husband is a T1 diabetic. He has had diabetes for around 5 years. He has never been very open with me about his diabetes and I stopped trying to ask. But recently due to other relationship issues we have talked a little about his diabetes and he has asked me to learn more about it so I can help him. So my questiom for both those with diabetes and those living with someone with diabetes is what advice can you give me to help my husband. And also what i should not do. Im still not 100 percent clear exactly what help he wants so any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[Shalynne]

Welcome to the Forum, MollyMay! :welcome:

You'll find lots of info, support and the best kind of nosiness here.

Your husband is very lucky to have a spouse who is willing to learn and support him!

Getting straight to the nosy ... we need to know a little more before we can help you help your husband.

The Big Question is ... can he tell you what kind(s) of help he needs, and what role(s) he would like you to play?

Please read a lot, ask lots of questions and ... most of all ... please keep us posted!

 

[silvertiger]

Welcome! As a start, be sure to check out these sites:

Blood Sugar 101

LCHF for Beginners | DietDoctor.com

They contain a lot of great info about diabetes and the way to stay healthy.

Many of us here follow a low carb, high fat diet. It keeps your BG low and is heart healthy! Yes, you have been deceived all these years.

The Fat Question: Why fat doesn’t make you fat | Eat Naked Now

 

[Bluedolly01]

My advice would be to find out from your husband more about what kind of support he needs / wants.

What men see as support we women probably wouldnt.

Good luck.

 

[RobertIA]

My advice would be to find out from your husband more about what kind of support he needs / wants.

What men see as support we women probably wouldnt.

Good luck.

I will start by saying the above is very true. As a man, I know a little about this. My first suggestion would be to be careful. Don't let him get into denial. If you know little about depression and diabetes burnout, please ask because this can be important and there are books available that can really help.

Next, you cannot manage his diabetes. You can offer help and need knowledge about about hypoglycemia and whether he is aware when this happens. You will need to know which foods, drinks, or glucose tablets (he wants) and the amount will bring him back above 70 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). You do not want to have him eat or drink too much and drive his blood glucose into hypoglycemia.

He should teach you how to use his blood glucose meter and record the time and readings if he should be unable. You should know that if he is unable to talk - do not inject insulin, but test and find out what his blood glucose meter reading is and whether to call 911, if necessary.

Learn how to count carbohydrates. If you are the only cook in the family, you need to know this. I had to learn for myself because I was a widower at the time of my type 2 diagnosis.

Ask questions on the forum for additional information. Hopefully, now that he is starting to open up, he will answer your questions.

 

[RobertIA]

Sorry, in the last sentence of the second paragraph in my above post the last word should have been hyperglycemia or high blood glucose. I waited too long and could not get back to edit and correct it.