<p>Everything we have been told indicates that a someone with Type 1 diabetes can not live without insulin. I know when my D was diagnosed, it was very obvious she had a problem. The symptoms were uncontrollable thirst, and rapid weight loss, etc. There is no way someone could live with these symptoms for years.
I hope you are going to a specialist, and not relying on the opinion of your family doctor. It still sounds like Type 2 if it can be treated with diet and exercise.</p>
<p>I’m writing as the wife of a guy who was diagnosed with type 1 when he was 26. Diabetes is not a fun way to go, but it does help everyone in the family eat more healthy foods!</p>
<p>While obsessing over the numbers isn’t useful, the numbers are the tool to 'success" as a diabetic, so do take them VERY seriously.</p>
<p>The American Diabetes Association is now listing a “new” type of diabetes that they call “type 1 1/2”. It has some of the qualities of type 1 and some of type 2. (No, it makes no sense to me…) Maybe that is what he has?</p>
<p>springfieldmom,</p>
<p>Go to a specialist asap…Type 1 diabetes is the complete failure of the body to produce insulin. Which usually leads to death fairly quickly…It does not gradually come on. Usually it appears as an illness that pops up suddenly. I know of no one who gradually becomes a type 1. </p>
<p>And I know of no one who is boardline type 1… type 1 is usually all or nothing because it is the complete failure to produce insulin… not reduced or restricted as a type II. </p>
<p>Get another opinion befor your husband is hand mixing his own insulin… I cannot stress enough how important it is to see someone who is up on diabetes education. There are a variety of treatments available as there isn’t a consistent accross the board drug that works 100% for everybody.</p>
<p>Good luck…</p>
<p>^ I agree. Again, I would suggests the Joslin Diabetes center. They are up to date on all types of research for all types of diabetes.</p>
<p>Your husband can be tested for Type 1 antibodies. He should find out whether it is type 1 or type 2 because the treatment is very different. Type 1 is an autoimmune syndrome that results in destruction of the beta cells that produce insulin – although an adult can have a long “honeymoon” where there is still some production of insulin (children also have “honeymoon” periods but they are typically shorter), eventually the insulin production ceases altogether, and glucagon production also becomes inadequate. If he has type 1, diet is not the treatment – insulin is, and it allows for eating pretty much as you want as long as you take insulin to cover the “carbs” – and a longterm insulin to cover the “basal” needs for metabolism, i.e., apart from insulin for carbohydrate intake. You should see a diabetologist, i.e., a specialist. Our neighbor was just diagnosed with type 1, and she is 60 (she was initially treated as a type 2 – in adults, there is often that assumption, but her daughter’s endocrinologist (she has type 1 too) diagnosed her by having her test for antibodies; so far, she uses only longterm insulin – it is unusual to get type 1 after the age of about 40, but it does occur. There is an enormous amount of information about diabetes on the internet. A great source for general information is childrenwithdiabetes.com. There is also a good primer book, called the Pink Panther book, that is available online, produced by a diabetes center in Colorado – it is the book that parents of children with diabetes usually start off with.</p>
<p>I think a HA1c of 7 means an average of 150, not 140…(but I didn’t look it up to make sure); with type 1, it is doable if you test and count your carbs, but there will inevitably be highs and lows. A “normal” HA1c is under 6.</p>
<p>My DH was diagnosed with Type II a couple of years ago and may still be in denial.
“I don’t need to see a nutritionist.”</p>
<p>He’s on meds and I try to feed him properly but as much as he travels I really don’t know what he eats. I try not to nag.</p>
<p>“He’s on meds and I try to feed him properly but as much as he travels I really don’t know what he eats. I try not to nag.”</p>
<p>It is very difficult to travel and be good. How long is he gone for? could you pack some of his “snacks” (almonds, sf candies, etc…) to at least give him something good once in awhile. Consistently persisently lovingly do the little things to help him help himslef.</p>
<p>Sometimes he’s gone for a whole week (5 days) and sometimes it’s just a quick in and out of a day or two. He generally stays at an airport hotel and eats all meals out. Tough situation, esp. those “continental” breakfasts!</p>
<p>He does walk, however…sometimes for miles through airports. :)</p>
<p>scout59, great post My Mom is type 2 and we have a major family history. She is completelty off insulin and meds. Is meticulous about diet and exercise. And it is about carbs, not sugar. She also checks her blood sugar every day.<br>
She always had a sweet tooth and she has learned to ignore it.<br>
Of course, in her family there were those who did not take care of themselves and had amputations, blindness, etc. so she was highly motivated.
Good luck to the OP’s DH. I have other friends whose DHs are type 2 and refuse to control it. One of them has to have all kinds of treatment as he is losing feeling in his feet.
Remember, he is an adult and he makes his choices from here about how much or little he is willing to do to control it.</p>
<p>…“switched a couple hbp meds to hbp meds that were diabetes friendly and knocked like 50 bs points off daily readings in a couple days.”</p>
<p>I’ve been trying to get my doc to change my bp med. I’ve been on it for about 3 years and the only thing he did was increase the dosage. </p>
<p>Think I will search for a new PCP and look for an endocrinologist. I need to get back on that wagon!! </p>
<p>As far as foods - carbs are the thing to watch for. </p>
<p>Picking up the towel and fighting again…</p>
<p>Its difficult. Besides a constantly, Nagging Wife, I gotta read, what other men’s wives say. </p>
<p>I got a persimmon tree that has about 200# that is ready to eat. Each one is like a potato to me. </p>
<p>Partaking in a hoagie sandwich ranks, for me, almost next to xes.</p>
<p>Educating yourselves through the diabetes classes will make a big difference. Knowing how to get the proper mix of protein/fat/carbohydrates in his diet and when is important. Planning meals and snacks to meet everyone’s requirements for feeding both body and soul is important- be sure to learn how your usual/favorite foods can be incorporated (or not) into his diet. You just jumped into Diabetes 101, remember it takes time to get through all the material. There is a learning curve and a lot of information to process so don’t get discouraged early on. Go ahead and check out ADA and other respected groups’ books on the subject from the library and go to their websites. Read them and be prepared for conflicting advice, use the material to ask questions of your “health care team”.</p>
<p>I think it’s the conflicting advice that is most annoying. You sometimes feel if the “experts” don’t know what they’re talking about, what can the layperson do? And today’s “do’s” will be tomorrow’s “don’ts.”</p>
<p>For instance, some of them will assure you that sugar doesn’t “cause diabetes” so go ahead and eat it, just make those exchanges. Yet others will say that stressing your system by eating sugar will increase the rate at which the disease progresses. And my common sense tells me it’s not healthy to eat sugar instead of foods which are good for you. 
</p>
<p>Opie,</p>
<p>Let me add my sincere appreciation for your posts. I’ve seen some of the same issues and thoughts among my relatives. Amen, brother.</p>
<p>“For instance, some of them will assure you that sugar doesn’t “cause diabetes” so go ahead and eat it, just make those exchanges.”</p>
<p>the real problem with sugar is the exchange rate is so high… that is, you give up alot for very little. For example for every ounce of a soda, you have 1 teaspoon of sugar…That’s alot of carbs to take in without filling yourself up. That the empty calories aspect… alot of carbs with very little body satisfaction. If you don’t like sf soda, try iced tea… </p>
<p>So it’s really not that you can’t, it’s what you could have instead with all those carbs…</p>
<p>" Yet others will say that stressing your system by eating sugar will increase the rate at which the disease progresses."</p>
<p>the soda pop example puts 12 teaspoons of sugar in your body in one can, combine that with your meal and your blowing your bs through the roof. Essentially running the engine on high and wearing out the pistons.</p>
<p>“I think it’s the conflicting advice that is most annoying” </p>
<p>You have to consider that diabetes is different with just about everybody. That is why there are so many different treatments and medications. Each individual will react differently… that is why it is important to know if your md is “up” on things. Sometimes changes in meds or as someone else pointed out the timing when taking meds will result in great improvements in bs levels.</p>