Husband Refuses to Care for Himself - Diabetes Message Board

SusanGene · 10-18-2003, 05:26 PM

My husband takes 2 glcophage a day. Other than that he does absolutely Nothing to care for himself. He thinks he's impervious to serious illness. I can see myself alone within ten years or less. I don't Mind being alone; I just hate to risk my health at the hands of my older daughter without husband to protect me. She is one angry person. And I will miss him so.
He has cut his toe cuticle with nail clippers; last year it was a finger. It's pink, swollen and today had infection oozing onto his sock. It was getting So much better until 5 hrs of golf today. He calls me a "fatalist" as I nag him about amputations. Laughs at me.
So, there is our future. Not an enviable one. Non-existent, actually.
Thanks for listening. It is appreciated.

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Susan Gene

Silverspur · 10-18-2003, 08:12 PM

I am sorry, but there is nothing you can do to help your husband. He will have to accept his diabetes and take measures to take care of himself. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink! Same with your husband.

A person who does not take care of himself is only asking for complications sooner or later and they will not be a pretty sight.

All you can do is encourage him in a non-nagging way.

Take measures now to remedy the problems with your daughter. I am sure the two of you will be able to work out your issues. It is never too late to try.

Ron AKA · 10-19-2003, 10:02 AM

Susan,

How are your husband's BG numbers? Or, does he take them? It is very hard to manage diabetes if you do not test. Have you tried to get him into a diabetes education class? I understand the Joslin ones are very good.
[url="http://www.joslin.org/jnationwide/sites_nationwide.shtml"]http://www.joslin.org/jnationwide/sites_nationwide.shtml[/url]

Ron

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Type 2, diagnosed Feb 01, Prandin (GlucoNorm), Diet & Exercise

SusanGene · 10-19-2003, 10:11 AM

Hi Ron. He did the paper (needle thingy) test twice; last year. He is impossible. His last (second) A1C was 8% . If he doesn't understand it he doesn't worry about it or treat it.
I did a bad thing. I found a lot of Cipro pills and he is taking two daily. I put Glyoxide on the corner of the toe when he gets out of the hot tub. I have this helpless, alone feeling I have to shake.

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Susan Gene

Ron AKA · 10-19-2003, 01:42 PM

For a diabetic the A1C should be less than 6.5%. You have to somehow convince your husband that his condition is serious. Does his doctor not warn him? Prescribe a meter so he can self test?

With an A1C of 8% he is in the second highest stage of Type 2 diabetes and is likely at the point of not making enough insulin (glucophage or metformin will not stimulate insulin). See Table 3 at this link:

[url="http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010501/editorials.html"]http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010501/editorials.html[/url]

There is a lot of good information at these links:

[url="http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/beginnerguide.shtml"]http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/beginnerguide.shtml[/url]
[url="http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/"]http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/[/url]
[url="http://www.diabetes.org/type2/type2.jsp"]http://www.diabetes.org/type2/type2.jsp[/url]

You may want to print out some of the information and try to get him to read it.

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Ron

Type 2, diagnosed Feb 01, Prandin (GlucoNorm), Diet & Exercise