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Original poster

DH has sweet smelling breath, and bedroom smells

419 replies

QuickNC789 · 07/05/2021 08:42

I noticed last night when I got home from work that DH’s breath smells very sweet. I also noticed it again this morning when he kissed me before going to work.

This morning our bedroom smells exactly like when you’ve been drinking the night before and wake up and you can smell the alcohol in the room.

I’ve read before that a pear drops smell could be a sign of diabetes. BUT he doesn’t have any other symptoms. In fact, over the last six months he’s been putting weight on as he’s had a really stressful time at work, gave up exercising and has been eating a load of chocolate and biscuits etc.

So I would definitely say he hasn’t got low blood sugar!

Can anyone think of what it might be instead please?

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 08/05/2021 07:16

I really hope you get him to the doctor today.

rainbowstardrops · 08/05/2021 08:37

This must be so stressful for you OP. I imagine your DH suspects that you're right and with his health anxiety and other issues, he's too scared to test or take it further.
I really hope you can persuade him to at least get it checked out. Good luck.

Ninkanink · 08/05/2021 08:54

@Finzi I was feeling pretty combative last night, sorry!

@QuickNC789 if he starts to feel unwell, complains of headache, or becomes confused/disorientated and/or groggy, or doesn’t seem himself in some way, you need to take him to A&E. As others have said, ketoacidosis is extremely dangerous and he will need medication or it will become very serious very quickly.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Diabetes General health
Ninkanink · 08/05/2021 08:59

Also please keep trying to get him to see the GP. If he can get a long term blood test (HbA1c) from a colleague at the hospital that would be good.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 08/05/2021 09:08

Sympathies, OP.

I am married to a similarly exasperating and irresponsible man.

A loving spouse would not want to see you so distressed and would go and get checked out just to reassure you.

ElphabaTWitch · 08/05/2021 09:10

Diabetes. The breath is a massive possible sign. Get dh to gp I should think.

NotReallyTheVicar · 08/05/2021 09:26

It turns out his paternal granddad had Type 2, I don’t know if it’s hereditary?

I don't think it's hereditary as such but does have some familial factors. neither of my parents had it's but all of my siblings do, oddly I do not have it.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 08/05/2021 09:36

Do you know anyone who is diabetic who lives close by?
They might be able to give you a blood glucose monitor and a few test strips.
If he's resisting at least you could check if it's dangerously high or not.
Mine was 19 when I was diagnosed (should be 4-7 ish normally but can get slightly higher/lower in a non diabetic on occasion but not usually any higher than 9 ish)

drspouse · 08/05/2021 10:59

This is dangerous. Very very dangerous. It's something to deal with TODAY not faff around with getting a meter from the chemist.
If he won't see the GP ring 111.
If he won't go to an appointment or do anything then I would be objecting to him doing anything else. This must be done TODAY and FIRST.
Definitely no driving the DCs. I'd take away his car keys.
No you will not be doing his washing/shopping/cooking because he isn't listening to you.
Ask him if he had a heart attack would he not go to the hospital because "there was too much on at work".
And then ignore him till he sees sense.

GreyStairs · 08/05/2021 11:08

Just to add to the chorus of going and buying a glucose monitor from the chemist. If you have it in the house he’s less likely to say no to testing.
Tell him if it is that and he gets seen then he’ll feel better at work and cope better

Thiscantreallybehappening · 08/05/2021 11:09

@drspouse is right. OP, I posted earlier on in the thread. If this is ketoacidosis this isn't something that can be sorted by diet, exercise and waiting a few days to see if it will get better is not an option. This condition needs medical intervention.

A family member had this breath and it is a key symptom of a life threatening condition. Unfortunately, he was also very stubborn and refused to contact the doctor, I think the condition throws your whole body out and you can't behave rationally. As I said in my earlier post, he ended up needing an emergency ambulance and he went straight into intensive care. It had wreaked havoc on his body. The situation escalated very quickly but by then the damage was done. I'm not saying this to worry you just to explain that you need this checked out.

If you DH won't contact the GP/111 I really do urge you to do it and talk through your DH's symptoms. I am really hoping that this turns out not to be the same condition but it is better to get this checked out then leave it. Take care OP and hope your DH is okay.

mamaoffourdc · 08/05/2021 11:17

I would ignore my husband and tell him he had ruined my weekend by not sorting this out! Bloody man child

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 08/05/2021 11:26

Stomach upsets
Work is stressful
He's hanging by a thread at work
He doesn't have the headspace to deal with a potentially life threatening condition
He sulks
He's moody
He's snoring on the sofa every night
He's put on weight
He snacks on crap
He smells of alcohol
He's got defensive and then gone on the attack about you ruining everything because you would quite like him not to die if he's got diabetes

He is out of the house for work.

If you have glass cisterns on your toilets, no bath panels, no cupboards, no removable kick boards under kitchen cabinets, no shed, no loft, no cupboard under the stairs, there isn't a single bag or item of furniture and you essentially live in a glass box, then you could say he definitely isn't drinking at home.

He could be drinking on the way to work, at work and after work, though.

Finzi · 08/05/2021 11:43

@Ninkanink 🙂 I think I was agitated too because this is worrying to read.

I am hoping OP’s DH has by now sought some medical help 🤞

HopeClearwater · 08/05/2021 12:32

@NeverDropYourMoonCup is correct here, sadly. Well, one way or another the OP will find out.

Original poster
QuickNC789 · 08/05/2021 16:04

@HopeClearwater I’m sorry about your experiences but I can categorically say that isn’t the situation here.

OP posts:
Finzi · 08/05/2021 16:21

How is your DH @QuickNC789?

magicstar1 · 08/05/2021 16:30

My DH came home from the GP a couple of years ago with the surprising news that he had type 2 diabetes. He hadn’t really noticed any symptoms. The doctor put him on medication, he started eating more healthily and felt better in himself. It doesn’t have to be a huge change and your DH could feel much better if he sorts it out.

Newnamefor2021 · 08/05/2021 16:39

I think you need to shame the guilt here OP. You haven't done anything other than be concerned for his well-being. You could of ordered a tester on amazon (I know I know) which would have probably fine today a d at least that's the end of that.

Your husband is overreacting and that's not to say it's not understandable but even still stop blaming yourself.

Hope you get answers soon.

ineedaholidaynow · 08/05/2021 16:47

Has he done anything about it today @QuickNC789?

Mydogmylife · 08/05/2021 17:25

Have you managed to get a home test done today ?

TheSilence · 08/05/2021 17:25

Just to add to those saying this is a medical emergency, my dad (type 2 diabetic) had this smell on his breath, we told him to go to the doctors ASAP but he wanted to wait a few days, he then collapsed at work literally 3 days after me and my sister noticing. Ambulance took him straight to hospital where he was admitted. He’s fine now and was very well looked after, but it really can’t wait.

greeningthedesert · 08/05/2021 17:27

Echoing the importance of getting tested sooner rather than later - do you have any friends who have diabetes or have kids with diabetes? I’m sure they’d be happy to do a quick pinprick test for you. Perhaps even ask in your local WhatsApp group?

chaosmaker · 08/05/2021 17:28

@QuickNC789

I noticed last night when I got home from work that DH’s breath smells very sweet. I also noticed it again this morning when he kissed me before going to work.

This morning our bedroom smells exactly like when you’ve been drinking the night before and wake up and you can smell the alcohol in the room.

I’ve read before that a pear drops smell could be a sign of diabetes. BUT he doesn’t have any other symptoms. In fact, over the last six months he’s been putting weight on as he’s had a really stressful time at work, gave up exercising and has been eating a load of chocolate and biscuits etc.

So I would definitely say he hasn’t got low blood sugar!

Can anyone think of what it might be instead please?

Classic signs of type 2 diabetes, especially if he's up weeing in the night. If he's lucky he is in the pre diabetes stage. Luckier still if he's not that but heading on the path to type 2. He needs to change his eating now to stop it in its tracks. Check out diabetes.co.uk Great website and a knowledgable site where you can ask more detailed questions
drspouse · 08/05/2021 17:33

Please don't bother waiting to get a home test. Just tell him he needs to call 111 and then disengage. You can't make him but he needs to understand it's serious.

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