Type 1 Diabetes and Alcohol
Discussion
My ex developed type 1 diabetes a few years ago, and she also has some issues when it comes to controlling her alcohol intake (more of a heavy binge drinker than a chronic alcoholic). She's ended up in hospital several times over the last few years due to drinking to oblivion and then deliberately overdosing on insulin. Her blood sugars are all over the place at the best of times, she doesn't make much attempt to control them with diet, and alcohol obviously makes her blood sugars even more erratic.
I've been pushing for her to stop drinking completely, it's clearly a problem for her and her mental health, but the diabetes is now another good reason why I don't think she should be drinking. Last time a said that in a meeting with social services, they refused to back me up on it. Now, 3 months later, they're telling me they think the kids are unsafe in her care because of it, and I'm having to take her to court for full custody of the kids.
I know there's a few type 1 diabetics on here - just wondering what anyone's experiences are with managing blood sugars and alcohol? Is it possible to drink heavily and keep your blood sugars stable/safe? Is there any official guidance available relating to diabetes and alcohol? Anything I can use in court to back up my viewpoint about her drinking levels?
I've been pushing for her to stop drinking completely, it's clearly a problem for her and her mental health, but the diabetes is now another good reason why I don't think she should be drinking. Last time a said that in a meeting with social services, they refused to back me up on it. Now, 3 months later, they're telling me they think the kids are unsafe in her care because of it, and I'm having to take her to court for full custody of the kids.
I know there's a few type 1 diabetics on here - just wondering what anyone's experiences are with managing blood sugars and alcohol? Is it possible to drink heavily and keep your blood sugars stable/safe? Is there any official guidance available relating to diabetes and alcohol? Anything I can use in court to back up my viewpoint about her drinking levels?
In a word, alcoholic drinking with diabetes is plain concerning and to be avoided at all costs. My concerns and support really go out to you and your children. Your wife, as you know, is filling her blood vessels with sugar she has no way of storing in her cells (due to lack of betas) or liver resulting in a health spiral and hyper incidents.
Given the situation you're in, I would consider securing the best outcome for the children is a priority as their stress is probably big too. I'm very sorry your wife possibly has further health issues as a result of her illness. I'm guessing you have had the opportunity to speak to Diabetes UK? Assuming you have the BM kits at home, do they get used or also ignored?
Ah I forgot to add, continual non-management of type 1 can lead to Ketoacidosis which is where your body starts raiding its fat reserves for energy but in the process of metabolising them, your acid level increases in your blood leading to hyperventilating and a fast heart rate as your body attempts to 'blow' off the co2. vomiting also a feature as is a fruity smell on their breath. Basically, its very dangerous and needs A&E.
Given the situation you're in, I would consider securing the best outcome for the children is a priority as their stress is probably big too. I'm very sorry your wife possibly has further health issues as a result of her illness. I'm guessing you have had the opportunity to speak to Diabetes UK? Assuming you have the BM kits at home, do they get used or also ignored?
Ah I forgot to add, continual non-management of type 1 can lead to Ketoacidosis which is where your body starts raiding its fat reserves for energy but in the process of metabolising them, your acid level increases in your blood leading to hyperventilating and a fast heart rate as your body attempts to 'blow' off the co2. vomiting also a feature as is a fruity smell on their breath. Basically, its very dangerous and needs A&E.
Edited by kurt535 on Sunday 3rd February 09:03
To understand how alcohol effects the system will give you an idea of the problems.
Alcohol contains carbs, so a drink or two can raise blood sugar. After a couple of drinks however the liver and kidneys process the alcohol in favour of carbs so blood sugars can drop, rapidly. Couple this with poor hypo awareness and doing stupid things when drunk gives you an idea.
I'm T1 and drink most nights, up to about 10 units, my body is used to it, it's part of my diet and blood sugar is stable.
If I have a session, I'm very careful the following day while my liver recovers and is replenishing it's glucose store. From experience I know this is a danger point for me, my sugars can drop rapidly and inexplicably.
During a normal evening I'll check my sugar twice, once when I eat and once at bed time. I'll increase this if I'm at a party, drinking and picking at foods, things like peanuts and crisps can send sugars very high, then crash down if I over compensate. The following morning, I'll have a decent breakfast (toast, eggs, banana) be wary of exercise and keep checking my sugars every hour.
For me the problems are, snacking so unaware of carb intake, forgetting injections, less hypo awareness while under the influence, and the erratic way booze and carbs are absorbed.
To control diabetes takes discipline and stability. I doubt the diabetic clinic will discuss her case with you. But I would phone a diabetic clinic for general advice, mine is helpful without getting preachy.
Alcohol contains carbs, so a drink or two can raise blood sugar. After a couple of drinks however the liver and kidneys process the alcohol in favour of carbs so blood sugars can drop, rapidly. Couple this with poor hypo awareness and doing stupid things when drunk gives you an idea.
I'm T1 and drink most nights, up to about 10 units, my body is used to it, it's part of my diet and blood sugar is stable.
If I have a session, I'm very careful the following day while my liver recovers and is replenishing it's glucose store. From experience I know this is a danger point for me, my sugars can drop rapidly and inexplicably.
During a normal evening I'll check my sugar twice, once when I eat and once at bed time. I'll increase this if I'm at a party, drinking and picking at foods, things like peanuts and crisps can send sugars very high, then crash down if I over compensate. The following morning, I'll have a decent breakfast (toast, eggs, banana) be wary of exercise and keep checking my sugars every hour.
For me the problems are, snacking so unaware of carb intake, forgetting injections, less hypo awareness while under the influence, and the erratic way booze and carbs are absorbed.
To control diabetes takes discipline and stability. I doubt the diabetic clinic will discuss her case with you. But I would phone a diabetic clinic for general advice, mine is helpful without getting preachy.
Edited by PositronicRay on Monday 4th February 09:06
I attended a DAFNE course a few years ago where it was explained that after a heavy night, blood sugars can go down continuously for 12+ hours as the body recovers. Extreme highs (alcohol and food intake) and lows and lack of capacity identify and deal with them are a real risk. It can also be difficult for others to identify when a diabetic might be going low when they are drinking as the initial symptoms are similar.
Hi T1 diabetic here too (38 years since diagnosis) I used to like a drink - not regular but bingey on the weekend (maybe like your ex??). I presume your ex is having hypo rather then hyperglycaemia and getting admitted to hospital? I presume she does not drive? If she does drive, she will soon lose her licence on her current path. I used to run my sugars high when on a night out (not having insulin to correct for the drinking) and then correct on the morning after. I used to run a little high on the morning but not too excessively. Probably not best long term - but it helped from a short term point of view.
Ten years ago I started having retinopathy complications (retinal laser surgery, vitrectomy and injections in the eye) which saved my sight. Ten years later all is good except I now have cataracts (that's another story!
)
I have now cut my drinking massively - 4 - 8 units per week. I feel better - but I would say my control is not much better overall.
Diabetes is hugely personal in terms of control, but also the mental challenge. It was especially difficult for me during teenage years - I was convinced I would be dead by mid twenties - which psychologically meant making some poor life decisions. However, maturity and coming to terms with a regular rhythm in life means things are not so bleak I have a really positive outlook on life now.
I have found talking to other T1 diabetics helped me a lot - but not through organised diabetic support groups - that was too pressured and forced with no other commonality other than being T1. I am not shy about being diabetic (giving injections in the office, in restaurants etc.) and currently chat regularly with three other T1s at work. It really helps sharing ideas, what is normal, what is not.
One individual has currently got first signs of retinopathy - so I could share my experiences which helped him. My current high'ish' blood sugars in the early mornings has been solved through some discussion and slight changes in eating patterns...…. etc. etc.
Mike
Ten years ago I started having retinopathy complications (retinal laser surgery, vitrectomy and injections in the eye) which saved my sight. Ten years later all is good except I now have cataracts (that's another story!
)I have now cut my drinking massively - 4 - 8 units per week. I feel better - but I would say my control is not much better overall.
Diabetes is hugely personal in terms of control, but also the mental challenge. It was especially difficult for me during teenage years - I was convinced I would be dead by mid twenties - which psychologically meant making some poor life decisions. However, maturity and coming to terms with a regular rhythm in life means things are not so bleak
I have a really positive outlook on life now.I have found talking to other T1 diabetics helped me a lot - but not through organised diabetic support groups - that was too pressured and forced with no other commonality other than being T1. I am not shy about being diabetic (giving injections in the office, in restaurants etc.) and currently chat regularly with three other T1s at work. It really helps sharing ideas, what is normal, what is not.
One individual has currently got first signs of retinopathy - so I could share my experiences which helped him. My current high'ish' blood sugars in the early mornings has been solved through some discussion and slight changes in eating patterns...…. etc. etc.
Mike
mike9009 said:
Hi T1 diabetic here too (38 years since diagnosis) I used to like a drink - not regular but bingey on the weekend (maybe like your ex??). I presume your ex is having hypo rather then hyperglycaemia and getting admitted to hospital? I presume she does not drive? If she does drive, she will soon lose her licence on her current path. I used to run my sugars high when on a night out (not having insulin to correct for the drinking) and then correct on the morning after. I used to run a little high on the morning but not too excessively. Probably not best long term - but it helped from a short term point of view.
Ten years ago I started having retinopathy complications (retinal laser surgery, vitrectomy and injections in the eye) which saved my sight. Ten years later all is good except I now have cataracts (that's another story! )
I have now cut my drinking massively - 4 - 8 units per week. I feel better - but I would say my control is not much better overall.
Diabetes is hugely personal in terms of control, but also the mental challenge. It was especially difficult for me during teenage years - I was convinced I would be dead by mid twenties - which psychologically meant making some poor life decisions. However, maturity and coming to terms with a regular rhythm in life means things are not so bleak I have a really positive outlook on life now.
I have found talking to other T1 diabetics helped me a lot - but not through organised diabetic support groups - that was too pressured and forced with no other commonality other than being T1. I am not shy about being diabetic (giving injections in the office, in restaurants etc.) and currently chat regularly with three other T1s at work. It really helps sharing ideas, what is normal, what is not.
One individual has currently got first signs of retinopathy - so I could share my experiences which helped him. My current high'ish' blood sugars in the early mornings has been solved through some discussion and slight changes in eating patterns...…. etc. etc.
Mike
A good summary. Ten years ago I started having retinopathy complications (retinal laser surgery, vitrectomy and injections in the eye) which saved my sight. Ten years later all is good except I now have cataracts (that's another story!
)I have now cut my drinking massively - 4 - 8 units per week. I feel better - but I would say my control is not much better overall.
Diabetes is hugely personal in terms of control, but also the mental challenge. It was especially difficult for me during teenage years - I was convinced I would be dead by mid twenties - which psychologically meant making some poor life decisions. However, maturity and coming to terms with a regular rhythm in life means things are not so bleak
I have a really positive outlook on life now.I have found talking to other T1 diabetics helped me a lot - but not through organised diabetic support groups - that was too pressured and forced with no other commonality other than being T1. I am not shy about being diabetic (giving injections in the office, in restaurants etc.) and currently chat regularly with three other T1s at work. It really helps sharing ideas, what is normal, what is not.
One individual has currently got first signs of retinopathy - so I could share my experiences which helped him. My current high'ish' blood sugars in the early mornings has been solved through some discussion and slight changes in eating patterns...…. etc. etc.
Mike
Perhaps we should start a separate thread with tips and ideas.
T1 here of 23 years, I actually stopped drinking 8 years ago as my body couldn't handle it. I went through Uni drinking like a true student then a year after my body decided it couldn't hack it anymore and I got increasingly ill every time I drank. It got to a point where even a single pint would ruin me for a few days, making me vomit violently and sending my blood sugars all over the place, so just knocked it on the head and haven't been there since.
I am not diabetic but I know a few, certainly in the younger ones there seems to be a rebellion against it and wanting to just do what everyone else does and they think they can beat it, and to a point, it seems they can if its occasional but it can cause problems, or exacerbate them. Having had ambulances arrive for my sons (type 1) mate after him getting hammered and eating loads of crap, then redecorating our downstairs loo, having found him unresponsive and thinking he was dead.
Also, a friend at work, she is a lifelong T1 and was prone to going out and getting very drunk, she now has some problems with lack of feeling in her feet and she believes it was the boozing that made it worse, and its not worth it.
Also, a friend at work, she is a lifelong T1 and was prone to going out and getting very drunk, she now has some problems with lack of feeling in her feet and she believes it was the boozing that made it worse, and its not worth it.
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