Knowledgeable Type II diabetics? ? ? ? HELP!!!!?

Question

My Husband was diagnosed about 8 years ago. He tested for about 18 months. (He is terrified by blood and needles) Then stopped. He is on Glyburide-Metformin 5/500.

I keep him on a well balanced diet. Low on Beef and Pork. We found out very quickly what a change that made in the triglicerides.
In general he seems good, only once (that I am aware of) did his sugar plummet, I always carry snacks.

He WILL NEVER SHARE HOW HE IS FEELING. I need input from knowledgeable diabetics as to what to watch for. Are mood swings common? He is a moody up and down person anyway. Sullen.

We are both 65 and he has carried about 20-30 extra pounds all of his life. No matter how strict the diet he never drops below 200.
So I just work on keeping the diet reasonably well balanced and scheduled.

PLEASE I NEED INPUT AND SUGGESTIONS TO IDENTIFY INTERNAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CONDITION.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Maybe I am wrong on it being the triglicerides. It was from the result of the 3 month test C2a (Maybe that is not the name) The rating is one to 10 (being high)
We took him off of all beef and pork and it plummetted to a 7 in 6 weeks. The DR. was pleased. We eat small meals through the day. Holding down the carbs.
We eat small amount of whole grain carbs.
Veggies, fruits, fish, chicken, turkey, nuts.
Our appetites are very small now. No junk food.

All low sugar. I do not even keep sugar in the house.

Thanks for your responses.

Answer 1

I'm type 2 diabetic.
When I have a low blood sugar I start to feel unsteady and I get the feeling that solid objects are moving (if I lean on a wall for example). I lose my distance perception, so if I reach for an object I can often miss. I get slightly argumentative and also I cant think of words I want to use.
High blood sugar (thankfully really well controlled so not generally a problem) I just want to sleep. I tend to go off in a "world of my own" and not communicate in anything other than grunts. The couple of occasions this has happened my son has got me up and walking around to get the blood glucose down.
If you want any other help my contact details on on my profile;

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Diabetes is called a silent disease because its effects on internal systems is slow and gradual. That being said, you must understand that hypo or hyperglycemia can be accompanied by other symptoms. Fluctuations in mood and energy are common. Dizziness, headaches, inattentiveness, a dry mouth, frequency in urinating are also common symptoms of high blood sugar. It is imperative that he continue his medication and that he monitor his blood sugar regularly. Only then will he be able to see if the treatment is working or not. A very good test, which is usually performed every 3 months or so is called hemoglobin a1c, (Ha1c) which measures the patient's average blood glucose level in the past 3 months. This might be the test they performed (normal range is below 7). This test is more accurate than infrequent home testing with a glucometer.
Please encourage him to be more active. There is not a single thing that is more beneficial to diabetes than exercise. It can be walking for 20 minutes or so. Anything is better than being sedentary. You are both young and should participate in regular physical activity.
More serious medical problems and symptoms include hypertension and other cardiovascular issues, renal and liver dysfunction, as well as neuropathy (numbness and lack of sensation in the extremities). There are also a host of vision issues that may present in patients with high blood glucose levels. Finally, you are not alone. Look for support in discussion groups, the internet, and other places that offer guidance on treating for a diabetic. It seems like you are doing the right things on the diet front. Lastly, this is only an opinion and should never be taken in lieu of professional medical advice. Best of luck.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like you are doing a great job! If he has gotten his A-1C down below 7 that's terrific.

What does his doctor say about testing? I know it's a pain literally to have to prick you finger but is sure helps keep you informed on where your blood sugar levels are. There are lots of new meters that are virtually painless. If you have insurance they may not cover them, though.

That's a relatively low dose of meds so that is good,too. Make sure he is getting regular check ups so the doctor can keep a finger on it. I think you are doing that, though! The better control he keeps the better he will feel and that lessens the chance that he will have to go on insulin and lessens the chance for any complications.

IF the time comes that he has to go on insulin, it is not as bad as it sounds. Those shots are actually a lot less painful than the finger pricking. And remember that insulin is not that scary and doesn't mean you are worse necessarily, it's just a better way to help control the disease.

I have had it almost ten years (I am 59) and it took me a good five years to accept the fact that I had it and it wasn't just going to go away. I have been a lot better since then and I am feeling great. If he won't share his feelings and is, as you say, sullen, maybe he just hasn't really accepted it yet. I think if you just let him know that he can talk to you any time he is ready that's all you can do. If you bug him it may make him become even more closed mouthed. My husband was that way about his high cholesterol.

Do you know any other diabetics he may feel comfortable sharing with? Having some one to commiserate with could be good for him.

I am not sure about the diabetes causing the mood swings. It may just be a guy thing. Seems like a lot of guys don't want to talk about illness.

Is he exercising at all? That is really important. It doesn't have to be strenuous but a regular walk around the block as brisk as he can handle is a start. Maybe you could make it a thing you do together. That may help him to lose a few pounds. It's sure better for the diabetes if you have a decent weight!

Make sure he checks his feet regularly,too, and doesn't let them get dried out either. That's a prime spot for neuropathy to start. And get regular eye checks for the same reason.

Low blood sugars are a real pain in the butt. Glad to hear you carry snacks. And while eating a ton of sugar is not good, he can have some occasionally as a treat. It is just empty nutrition.

Did your doctor give him a booklet on diet? Are there classes near you that he and you could take together? We have an excellent Diabetes Center near me that has helped me immensely.

Regular dental care is also a must. Unfortunately, diabetics are susceptible to gum disease.

If he has high blood pressure and and/or high cholesterol he really needs to make sure he is doing all he can to keep everything under control but I am sure that you are already aware of that.

It sounds to me like you are doing a lot better than you think you are. It's just a matter of never letting up and realizing it just won't go away. Good luck, though, and keep up the good work!

Answer 6

Well, the physical feelings are different in everyone, I get very grouchy when my sugar is below 70. I have had to call and apologize for my behavior, and my kids have been taught to remind me to eat when I get that way. There are other symptoms, something I call hummingbird mode, when I can't sit still for more that a few minutes. I have so much energy that I have to be moving.

I am curious as to what type of diet you are on. I was taught to eat only a small amount of carbohydrates, balanced with protein. This helps me to maintain a level blood sugar. I wonder what the triglycerides have to do with it?

Answer 7

Something that catches my attention right away is that you never mentioned anything about consulting a doctor. I am sure that you have when he was first diagnosed, and is on the combination glyburide/metformin. But it is absolutely imperative that you remain in contact with, and consultation with your doctor. I don't know whether you are referring to your husband's weight as never below 200, or his blood sugar. I hope you didn't mean his glucose level. His weight at around 200 matches what my husband's weight was at that same age. He's had a bout of hepatitis since then and dropped to 185, which incidentally helped his glucose levels. But at 6 ft, and having lost some muscle tissue, he's looking a little too thin. Without knowing your husband's build, it's impossible to say if 200 is overweight. Incidentally, my husband eats beef, pork, chicken, fish, just about anything. It's the portion size rather than what's ON the plate that is important. We also buy only the leanest meats.
My husband is also type !! diabetic and we have him controlled on Glypizide and of course we don't go overboard on the sweet stuff. His last three-month mean glucose test came out under 7 which is fantastic. His daily glucose level ranges between 70something (morning test) and 130 after a meal) This is what you have to aim for. Your doctor needs to be kept informed, however, and even if you have to lassoo your husband to get him to the doctor's office, he has to have his general health reviewed, and his sugar checked in the laboratory at least once a year.
Your husband sounds like mine. I have to get right in his face and demand to know "How do ya feel? Are you having any foot problems? When sugar levels are strictly controlled, there is far less chance of seeing any of the serious manifestations of diabetes that afflict those who don't control their condition, or often don't even know they have diabetes till it's too late and their organs are destroyed. As a result, I fully expect my husband to live many more years and eventually die of plain old age lol. But one thing which our doctor insists I keep careful obseration on is the feet. Diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy results from some degree of damage to the tiny nerve endings, and the small blood capillaries that nourish them. This can result in different sensations such as burning, tingling, or numbness, and has to be addressed just as soon as they show up - if they ever do. I do my husband's feet once a week. Good foot soak, followed by sensation testing - "can you feel this? What about this?" etc. - a massage with moisturizing foot lotion, and a nice powdering, along with a toenail inspection and trim. LOL he says it makes him "feel like a king".
As for the mood swings you mention, it is highly unlikely that the diabetes itself has anything to do with it. But many men just do not take kindly to physical ailment of any kind. Somewhere in some primitive corner of the mind, I suspect the male of the species is affected by some kind of primal feeling that to not be in top physical condition and general strength, signals a "loss of status in the herd" LOL. I know that my husband is often mighty irritated that he isn't up to a full day of physical exertion out in the yard the way he used to be some years back. This kind of man feels angry about it, but frustrated because there is nobody, and nothing physical that he can direct that anger AT. It's just the march of time, and that does often manifest itself in a quiet withdrawal into himself, making him sometimes act sullen and moody. I got my husband motivated with a little simple exercise routine that includes some weight lifting and simple body movements, that we will increase slowly. It seems to be helping him in the mood department.
Basically, its all about keeping the blood sugar level as close to the non-diabetic levels as possible, daily home monitoring and remaining physically active. I often hear it being said that the sixties is actually the new forties, and these days, with a little sensible attention to health and fitness, it can be that My husband, in his early seventies, is actually in better physical condition than some of our forty-something friends LOL. Aim at feeding him positive information about both his condition and his capabilities, and just be observant, and ready to jump on any sign that he has an unusual ache or pain etc. And do keep your relationship with the family doctor active. All the best.

Answer 8

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