husband just diagnosed with type 2, need advice to help him

kr045 · 10-23-2007, 05:06 AM

My husband was just diagnosed yesterday with type 2. He's known for a while that he was at risk but did nothing to combat the issue. Today, he was angry when he was told no more soda (he drinks about two 2 ltrs/day). When I tried to discuss it with him, he completely blew me off. He doesn't eat much in the way of sweets, but his soda intake is crazy. He's also one for fried foods. He's overweight, but not obese, although his exercise is self-limited. I've been trying to get through to him on this for years with no luck. What can I do/say to help him realize this will be more serious if he doesn't accept it and start changing it? Is there anything I can say/do? He's currently on metformin for the type 2 as well as tricor for high triglycerides. (his triglycerides, the dr said, were supposed to be no higher than 150, 100 being ideal but his were 800 after a fasting blood test). This was all found due to the fact that he's blue from the chest up, and a new job he got wouldn't let him start work because they were concerned what may be causing his blueness. We're still not sure what's causing that. Anyway, any suggestions anyone can possibly give me one what to say/do to help him with this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Coravh · 10-23-2007, 07:44 AM

I am so sorry that you and your husband are going through a difficult time. Unfortunately, you can't force him to take care of himself. In a way, you both need to adjust your attitudes a bit. You say that he doesn't eat much in the way of sweets, but soda is the ultimate in sweets and 2 litres is a huge amount.

As I said, you can't force him to take care, but you can be there to support him when he needs it. Have you thought about joining him in some exercise?Maybe a nice evening walk after dinner? Every little bit counts and it will help him to have you along for the ride.

As for the blueness, while I am not a doctor, that sounds suspiciously like some sort of circulation problem. And that sort of thing can be common in uncontrolled diabetes.

I wish you both the best of luck. Sorry I can't be more help.

Cora

kr045 · 10-23-2007, 02:33 PM

Thanks for your response.

I walk every evening and have tried to get him to join me for a long time now. He says he doesn't like "walking without having a destination." I've suggested we join a gym together, but again, he says no, says treadmills, etc are more pointless than walking. I quit drinking soda years ago, he continued, says he doesn't indulge in many other bad habits, so he "has the right."

I suppose you're right, there's not much I can do on this. I'll continue to try and gently nudge him, so to speak, and hope for the best for now. Him seeming as though he thinks this is nothing though, I know it's going to wear on me in time and I'll get naggy.

I went online early this morning and got some information on other possible health issues this may cause if he doesn't control it and put it on his computer desktop without saying anything to him about it. I did notice a little while ago that he was reading through it so maybe it will help. One can only hope.

Thanks again.

Mark1e · 10-23-2007, 10:37 PM

Has he got a blood glucose meter? Doing tests after meals, drinking soda etc, will enable you husband to see how high his blood sugar is and what pushes it up there. Without that information, he is unlikely to make the right choices.

Mark

Lemonz · 10-23-2007, 11:19 PM

If he likes soda a lot then it's possible for diabetics to drink diet soda with no more carbohydrates than 0 - 1g per 100g (1 decilitre) of soda. Although it isn't generally healthy it can be a help to some people who have a sweet tooth, because then they don't feel so restricted, and the diet soda doesn't raise the blood sugar.