Comments on: The Diabetic Partner Follies, Act 10: When Partners Clash Over Doctor’s Care

By: Jack Sprat

Jack Sprat — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:51:29 +0000

There is so much information about Type II diabetes and much of it seems conflicting. Some say that diabetes can be reversed or “cured”; others say that it is a chronic condition. Usually the ones who say it is chronic are doctors (who may or may not have an agenda). I must admit, I find it suspect that the first strategy by most doctors is to recommend medication, often without giving a diet and exercise program a chance. As a result, many people with diabetes do not lose weight, exercise or change their eating habits because they think the medication is treating the disease. This makes me think the medical and pharmaceutical industry is using diabetes as a way to make money and not cure people. What is the real truth?

By: Misty

Misty — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:37:19 +0000

Your husband is most likely still in denial. Denial can last a long time for some people.

Some people just are not willing to change their way of eating and think nothing will happen to them.

His doctor may not be aggressive enough and/or has a non-compliant patient.

Some patients are not willing to give up/reduce amount of foods they love in order to bring BS under control or exercise on regular basis.

Your husband is the only one that can do anything about his diabetes. He can take pills until he turns to a pill but that will not solve the diabetic problem. It takes a lifestyle change in eating habits, portion control and exercise alone or along with meds to succeed.

If your husband is in control of what he eats, portions, and exercises, then you can start blaming the doctor for not being aggressive enough.

First of all put the blame where it needs to be, on your husband.

You can nag and nag but it will do no good. In fact the more you nag the more rebellous a spouse will be.

If your husband has not seen a “Diabetes Educator”, he needs to. The educator will go over the foods he likes, dislikes, explain how to count carbs, tell him how many carbs to limit his meals to, how many carbs for a snack, etc. In many cases we have to reduce number of carbs per meal an educator allows in order to keep our BS from going too high. I was allowed 42 carbs per meal but my body can only handle 32 carbs per meal (diet/exercise only control).

The best thing you can do on on the home front is to provide good nutritional meals, enough for two servings only when possible so there is no extra for second servings. Keep the kitchen free of no-no foods which will make it less tempting.

One thing I do is cook the meal, put extra into serving size containers and toss in the freezer for later before we eat. This eleminates second serving from being available.

Get your husband to join you in taking a walk after meals. Don’t tell him he needs to walk, just ask him to join you while you walk.

By: vicki

vicki — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 04:26:57 +0000

IMHO, a doctor who allows an A1C of 8.8 to continue IS doing the patient great harm. Even the ADA’s too-high standard is an A1C of 7, which will still allow complications to develop. And yes, putting him on steroids without adjustment of meds for the increase caused by those meds is clearly substandard also. I think you have a clear basis for complaint.

But first, can you get your husband to read a GOOD book on diabetes care? I would suggest Gretchen Becker’s book on type 2 diabetes called

“The First Year, Type Two Diabetes, An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed”

Your beloved may be well past his first year but it sounds like his diabetic education is sorely lacking.

Good luck!