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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:
Missillusioned · 08/05/2021 20:01

When I was worried about similar with my son I took him to A&E. The triage nurse was able to do a blood test there and then before we even saw a doctor. It was really quick and easy.

CrankyFrankie · 08/05/2021 20:13

OP this must be so stressful for you. How do you usually end up getting through to him? Maybe you’ll have to go full throttle pass-agg and stop speaking to him. Do you have any grown up kids / forceful parents / anyone who might get through to him?

DodgeRainClouds · 08/05/2021 20:14

My husband is T1 diabetic and when he has high blood sugar he is moody, snappy, grumpy, down and can be totally irrational too! It’s so hard as bringing up the fact he needs to do a blood test is always met with “no I don’t!” he eventually does one and is moody until his blood sugar comes down again and he is obviously then upset that he was rude and also that his blood was so high.
In summary I totally understand how hard this must be for you as if he is diabetic then he will be struggling emotionally too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Diabetes General health
tentosix · 08/05/2021 20:16

[quote CupcakesK]It absolutely could be diabetes as the smell is caused by high blood sugar levels (not low). From the sound of it, he could have type 2 diabetes due to weight gain and too much sugar intake (the sweet smell occurs as the body doesn't produce enough insulin so ketones build up and ketones=sweet smell). Other symptoms listed on the NHS website below. A trip to the GP is needed!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/[/quote]
Apart from the fact you don't get ketoacidosis with type 2 diabetes Hmm

tentosix · 08/05/2021 20:18

Do get tested though. I think some pharmacists can do the finger prick test. Hopefully its not alcohol he is hiding from you?

lollymad · 08/05/2021 20:26

tentosix, did you even read the link you put on your post? Clearly says that it can sometimes affect people with Type 2. Hmm
Hope you get him sorted OP. My DH also just been diagnosed T2 but Metformin is helping and he's lost about a stone already as he was very overweight. Took some arse kicking on my part but we got there.

tommyhoundmum · 08/05/2021 20:28

If he can get a grip on his diet and talk to the diabetes nurse, he might be able to reverse it if it is so new.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 08/05/2021 20:31

dont low carb diets cause this?
is he secretly low carbing?

tentosix · 08/05/2021 20:33

@lollymad

tentosix, did you even read the link you put on your post? Clearly says that it can sometimes affect people with Type 2. Hmm Hope you get him sorted OP. My DH also just been diagnosed T2 but Metformin is helping and he's lost about a stone already as he was very overweight. Took some arse kicking on my part but we got there.
Its very rare though and If it was the case, he would be having other symptoms, such as exhaustion and weight loss.
AutoIncorrect · 08/05/2021 20:34

Your DH sounds like an arse. Tell him to grow the fuck up. If this is how he reacts from you showing concern; silent treatment and strops I honestly don’t know how you tolerate that bullshit.

Ninkanink · 08/05/2021 20:35

No, low carb diets don’t cause this. Hmm

Lowcarbing is a great approach for managing type 2 diabetes.

Gullible2021 · 08/05/2021 20:39

@AbsolutelyPatsy

dont low carb diets cause this? is he secretly low carbing?
You are mixing up Ketosis and Ketoacidosis.
Ninkanink · 08/05/2021 20:40

Oh yeah...that does at least explain the (misguided) notion.

Ketosis is something completely different.

Eloisedublin123 · 08/05/2021 20:43

My dh had those symptoms and the gp checked his blood sugars and he was rushed to hospital with type 1 diabetes. Hope your dh is ok and you are too Op.

SunnySpills · 08/05/2021 20:47

The misinformation given as facts on here is shocking.

NameChangedCosShame · 08/05/2021 21:01

@SunnySpills

The misinformation given as facts on here is shocking.
agree
NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 08/05/2021 21:07

@SunnySpills

The misinformation given as facts on here is shocking.
I also agree but I also think it’s horrendous how often people seek out medical advice on MN or social media rather than actually consulting medical professionals. I see downright frightening things on here, including previous incidents with what turned out to be very seriously ill children with their mothers posting on here ummming and ahhhhing and busy replying to messages when they should be getting their kids to hospital. I can’t pretend to understand it.
SurferRona · 08/05/2021 21:13

OP, please don’t underestimate the seriousness of undiagnosed T2D. My friends mum had it, probably for a few weeks, then GP misdiagnosed. Symptoms got worse, she ended up with kidneys not working, so toxins in blood increased to the point she hallucinated. Ended up then as emergency admission to ICU, doctors couldn’t control her electrolytes - it was touch and go, they told him she would die if they didn’t get controlled in next few hours. He had to phone his siblings and tell them to get to hospital to see her as she might die. Worst call he ever had to make. She survived, with some mild brain damage from toxins and uncontrolled electrolytes and other blood chemistry, then had a detached retina which couldn’t be repaired. So brain damage and blind in one eye as she didn’t get help as early as she needed. You must do whatever it takes, but get your DH medical attention. Whatever it takes.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 08/05/2021 21:14

A keto diet, the atkins diet, causes this,

Gullible2021 · 08/05/2021 21:16

@AbsolutelyPatsy

A keto diet, the atkins diet, causes this,
Right. How do explain the weight gain and eating a load of sweet stuff as per the OP?
AbsolutelyPatsy · 08/05/2021 21:17

I am sure the op should be getting advice if needed from an appropriate medical practitioner not mumsnet tbh, and anyway the dh is refusing to comply, he would know if he was ill op, don't panic

Twilight7777 · 08/05/2021 21:23

I’m sorry OP sounds like he’s got a serious health anxiety, but I’ve a feeling he’s keeping something from you, possibly drinking in secret, and that is the cause of the smell. Unless everything you own is transparent like another poster suggested, there is no way of knowing that he’s drinking in secret

tentosix · 08/05/2021 21:23

Secret drinker? Hence the strop?

Ninkanink · 08/05/2021 21:29

@AbsolutelyPatsy

A keto diet, the atkins diet, causes this,
No, it doesn’t.
ivykaty44 · 08/05/2021 21:36

I hope you get something organised for your dp

so many decent posts amongst terrible information... [skock]

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