Boyfriend with diabetes

[lala_b2018]

Hi guys,

I personally don't have diabetes but my boyfriend has T1. I have known him for 5 years and we have been together for about 2 years. I feel like I know a lot about diabetes but at the same time I still feel so lost. I try to help and make sure his sugar is okay and make sure that he is okay but it still feels like I am not doing enough. I know that his diabetes is his responsibility but I know that part of loving him is doing everything I can to make sure he is healthy. I know this isn't really much of a question but if you guys have any tips of dating a T1 diabetic and how I can make his life easier, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Gambit62]

Lala, don't make a big thing of the diabetes - whilst it can be life threatening its a condition that is very treatable and people live quite normal lives despite being T1 - they are the ones that are in control - your job is more to make sure that things aren't made difficult for them. I don't have diabetes either but there is a genetic strain that runs in my family so my grandfather was diabetic, my mother is diabetic and my brother is also diabetic. My mother's a bit of a nightmare but my grandfather managed his diabetes well and my brother is managing his well ... and trying to get my mother to change (despite being diabetic for 40 years) is just not going to be possible.

Never forget that your boyfriend is a person not a disease and its the person that counts.

[shahzam]

Lala!

He has impotence or not.

If he is ok. Then don't worry 😉.give him fibre much more and less carbohydrates.

He will be alright.

[lala_b2018 in reply to shahzam]

He does not have impotence.

Thank you!

[shahzam in reply to lala_b2018]

Then what's his HBA1C?

[lala_b2018 in reply to shahzam]

I am not sure. I will ask in the morning

[shahzam in reply to lala_b2018]

You didn't tell me about his HBA1C?

[lala_b2018]

Yeah that's what I have told him but he eats whatever he wants and then takes a bunch of insulin. I wish he would eat healthier so that he didn't have to worry as much. He is skinny but eats a lot of fried foods and I know it's horrible for him.

[TheAwfulToad in reply to lala_b2018]

Nothing wrong with fried foods as such. Depends what's being fried. Fried chicken, or bacon, probably OK. Chips or mars bars, not so much.

Do you cook? Meals with plenty of proper food - vegetables, meat, eggs - will be just fine for both of you, so you'll be able to enjoy the same things together.

To be fair to him, "taking a bunch of insulin" is what the doctor ordered. It is, frankly, completely unconscionable, but that's the fashion. Keeps a lot of people employed, I suppose, if you can maintain patients in a state of chronic illness without actually killing them.

Under those circumstances, it'll be a bit of an uphill struggle to get him to change his ways, but it's worth a try. It'll make life a lot more pleasant for both of you. Gambit62 is correct that he's a person and not a disease, but that cuts both ways: if he's going to be completely cavalier about his own existence, he's maybe not going to pay much attention to your wants and needs ... but that's up to you to figure out.

[boja51]

It’s ok to care but only he can control his sugar. What you can do know and understand low blood sugar. They can come on real fast. You can be supportive, but you can’t be responsible for his health. Know too that with blood sugar changes he can be real moody.

[Doug58]

Hi. I'm T2. I find that a low blood sugar level affects me more than a high level of sugar. I get headaches and feel rough whereas if I'm over my limit I'm still OK. Hope this helps and good luck to you both.

[pattibanks]

Hi, Lala:

I have diabetes T1 and my boyfriend is a God-send. When I go low he's always there for me to get what I need to come back up to normal. Don't make a huge issue out of it. Sometimes he keeps asking "what's your level" and it can get annoying. I know he cares and he also doesn't want me to go so low that he has to call 911. Just keep an eye on him. He'll show signs of low blood sugar, confusion, sweating and then get him some sugar. Keep it on hand. Put your arms around him and let him know you are there.

[alyapril]

Hi lala my husband and I are the 50 age mark. And I'm trying so hard to change our life styles but it's not easy. I think that when there is a problem, people often don't take responsibility for it and depend to much on GPs to find the answer, instead of looking after your body yourself, when it is save to do so. specially in the UK we take things for granted.