Comments on: The Diabetic Partner Follies, Act 17 — Knowing is Half the Battle

By: Fernando Macias

Fernando Macias — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:22:03 +0000

Is it just me, or do other people have problems when it comes to ordering diabetic supplies through Medicare participant companies. If I want to order test strips of a particular brand, I can’t because I have to use their meter. I recently used a company that was so grossly negligent about calling me and delivering supplies that I think they should of lost their license. although Medicare won’t do that sort of thing to them. So I wrote my congressman and he wrote back saying he will keep me informed on the response of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as their process is currently ongoing. If there is any one else out there with similar problems I would like to here from you.

By: xzz0195

xzz0195 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:18:40 +0000

I’m new to the “D” world with a DX this past Decmeber as a Type II.

I know I have mood swings, and am trying to control my reaction to them. However, when I go low which I do sometimes, there’s little control one can have. It’s mostly a panic situation.

When I’m high or there’s a big swing low to high or high to low. I seem to loose patience. I become easily irritated and cranky.

I’m trying to learn how to maintain BG levels, how to react to the feelings, and in general how to live a good full happy life. This darn disease is a P.O.S. I’m not going to let it run me.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:10:56 +0000

My boyfriend (or should I say ex-boyfriend now…) found out he has type 1 diabetes right before we moved in together (about 3 months ago). At first he wanted my help, and allowed me in. Then moving in brought more responsibilty on both our ends (support for one another, finances, just balancing our careers and social life)..he then started to push me away more and more. He wouldn’t tell me when his sugar was low. When it was he wouldn’t even allow me to get him juice. The more he pushed me away, the more I wanted to be closer to him (and even felt needy). Two weeks ago he broke up with me (a night when his sugar was very low). Although we were fighting, I just don’t understand why he literally no longer wanted me in his life.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:48:32 +0000

Boyfriend: You need to test a minimum of 5-7 times per day – it is well established that diabetics can’t “know” their blood sugar level by “feeling.”

Sure, when blood sugar is extremely low the body reacts, but the whole point is to normalize your blood sugar within an acceptable range, and that can’t happen without testing.

The neuropathy developed because your blood sugar has been too high for far too long. If you don’t get this under control, bad moods will be the least of your problems – try amputation, heart disease, erectile disfunction or blindness….

Amy (T1) tests 10 times per day, I (T2) test 7 times per day on the average.

We often want to deny that we have a real, chronic disease by foregoing testing, but it just can’t be done. Diabetes can be managed, though, with work, discipline and knowledge.

Your girlfriend is NOT your mother, and you need to own this yourself, and do the work yourself. Until there is a flat out cure, you’ll be doing the work for the rest of your life – the kind of life you have depends upon how well you manage this.

Good luck, and get to work!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:18:39 +0000

A.G., you are an amazing person. I wish you all the best and that both you and your boyfriend have the brightest future ahead of you. Living with diabetes (Type 1 in particular) is a nightmare at times. But partners like you keep us long-timers going. I cannot imagine not having my fiance (husband in less than 2 months!) to help me battle this horrible disease.

You are awesome, and your boyfriend I’m sure loves you very much.

To the A.G.s of this world, thank you.

By: Sunil S Chiplunkar

Sunil S Chiplunkar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:03:15 +0000

HATS OFF TO AG for her dedicated love to her boyfriend. God bless them. I will suggest them to consider Ganoderma capsules as a supportive supplement. Hats off to Amy too for her service to diabetics worldover through her blog. The way conversations and research is taking place it will be perhaps only 10 years down the line when diabetes will get completely conquered by humanity.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:43:15 +0000

AG–my husband always asks me to check my blood sugar when I’m cranky, and 9 times out of 10 it’ll be high!

There’s always something new to learn with diabetes, and I hope you and your boyfriend continue to learn together.

Also, keep an eye on his bouts of depression. People with diabetes are more prone to clinical depression, so if his numbers improve but his mood doesn’t, you’ll know what to do.

By: Cara

Cara — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:20:19 +0000

Bless her. She’s having to live with diabetes too, and she doesn’t even have it. But thank goodness she just didn’t give up on him. She’s now willing to help and be a part of diabetes with him. And that will be such an improvement for them both. I wish them both luck, good health, and happy years together.

By: RichW

RichW — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:07:08 +0000

A.G.

I understand how your boyfriend feels during those low blood sugar bouts. For about a year now I have had these feeling of overwhelming dread when my blood sugar goes low. It’s a terrible feeling. I feel like I could jump off a bridge (well almost). I know it’s due to a chemical imbalance in the brain resulting from the low glucose levels in the brain. I can completely understand how a person with chronic depression feels. I’ve been diabetic for 25 years and the feeling of dread is a new phenomenon for me. Your boyfriend’s symptoms may change at some time. In the past I’ve had feeling of panic, paranoia, and just plain old fatigue. The continuous glucose monitoring systems can assist with avoiding those lows but I understand the expense may be too high. I wish you both a wonderful future together. It’s a tough battle but it sounds like you have it under control.

Rich