Newly diagnosed Type 1

[MrsOrehawa]

Morning all, I’ve been diagnosed a month ago after a DKA episode. Currently not carb counting but having a libre sensor fitted tomorrow.

What does everyone do about snacking between meals and meeting friends? I’m seeing friends tonight and don’t want to drink alcohol, and worried that soft drinks will make me go high?

Thanks all 🙂

 

[clarita84]

Hi and welcome! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, hope you're doing ok? I'm a newbie myself - diagnosed in May when in DKA.

I can't help with the snacking, but on the drinks front you can choose sugar free / diet drinks. Sparkling mineral water, soda water of course have no kcals / carbs. If you're having a diet coke, ask for it in a bottle - that way you know it's definitely the sugar free version! 🙂

 

[Inka]

Welcome @MrsOrehawa 🙂 So are you on fixed doses of insulin? What are the exact names of the insulins you’re taking, how much do you take of each and when?

If you’re not yet carb-counting, you can’t really eat carby snacks (unless you’re low and need to) but you can have no carb or low carb snacks eg cheese and nuts. There’s no reason why you can’t drink alcohol but stick to one or two drinks only and watch your blood sugar after as alcohol can sometimes lower your blood sugar. Stick to low carb alcohol drinks like dry wine or spirits with diet mixers. For soft drinks, have Diet Pepsi, etc, or sparkling water, or coffee or tea.

 

[MrsOrehawa]

Hi and welcome! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, hope you're doing ok? I'm a newbie myself - diagnosed in May when in DKA.

I can't help with the snacking, but on the drinks front you can choose sugar free / diet drinks. Sparkling mineral water, soda water of course have no kcals / carbs. If you're having a diet coke, ask for it in a bottle - that way you know it's definitely the sugar free version! 🙂

I’m having more good days than not so that’s a bonus!! That’s great tips - thank you so much 🙂 🙂

 

[MrsOrehawa]

Welcome @MrsOrehawa 🙂 So are you on fixed doses of insulin? What are the exact names of the insulins you’re taking, how much do you take of each and when?

If you’re not yet carb-counting, you can’t really eat carby snacks (unless you’re low and need to) but you can have no carb or low carb snacks eg cheese and nuts. There’s no reason why you can’t drink alcohol but stick to one or two drinks only and watch your blood sugar after as alcohol can sometimes lower your blood sugar. Stick to low carb alcohol drinks like dry wine or spirits with diet mixers. For soft drinks, have Diet Pepsi, etc, or sparkling water, or coffee or tea.

Thanks so much for this 🙂 I’m currently on 16 units of Lantus and then 1 unit of novorapid for breakfast and 3 units for both lunch and dinner.

How long does it normally take before carb counting starts? I feel like I’d be more in control then? At the moment, I don’t feel in control of my own body if that makes sense?

 

[Inka]

You should have been taught carb-counting at diagnosis. I was. However, lots of places think it’s ‘easier’ for people not to be taught early on. As you’ve realised, it’s actually not easier at all.

Carb counting isn’t hard and it’s perfectly possible to teach yourself. There are also online courses. The important thing in the early months is to focus on avoiding hypos and always err on the side of caution. If you don’t have a half unit pen for the Novorapid, ask for one. It makes dosing a lot easier.

I’m being harrassed by children at the moment but will post some links later if no-one else does.

 

[MrsOrehawa]

You should have been taught carb-counting at diagnosis. I was. However, lots of places think it’s ‘easier’ for people not to be taught early on. As you’ve realised, it’s actually not easier at all.

Carb counting isn’t hard and it’s perfectly possible to teach yourself. There are also online courses. The important thing in the early months is to focus on avoiding hypos and always err on the side of caution. If you don’t have a half unit pen for the Novorapid, ask for one. It makes dosing a lot easier.

I’m being harrassed by children at the moment but will post some links later if no-one else does.

Ah thanks - some links would be great xx and thanks for all the info too - I’m seeing my diabetic nurse tomorrow so I’m hoping that as well as the libre, I’ll go on to carb counting too 🙂 I’ve been using the carbs and cal app just to get an idea of it all - is that what most people use too?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Ah thanks - some links would be great xx

I think they're all here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/

I’ve been using the carbs and cal app just to get an idea of it all - is that what most people use too?

Not sure. I used to use it a little bit, but not that much to be honest. Nowadays almost everything's got nutrition info on the packaging, or (for chains of cafes or restaurants) on their web sites. Or I can judge/guess close enough; there's no need to be precise, after all.

 

[Inka]

Ah thanks - some links would be great xx and thanks for all the info too - I’m seeing my diabetic nurse tomorrow so I’m hoping that as well as the libre, I’ll go on to carb counting too 🙂 I’ve been using the carbs and cal app just to get an idea of it all - is that what most people use too?

Here’s a link to help with carb-counting. It’s online learning about it:

https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/


And here are two two great books about Type 1:

Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.

And Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (ignore the title - it’s great for adults too)

I don’t use Carbs and Cals but many people do. For me, the most useful thing is a set of good digital scales. Weighing things like pasta, cereal, etc is extremely helpful. I’ve had Type 1 almost 30 years but still use my scales a lot. I also have a little Collins Gem carb counting book, but most things are in my memory or have info on the packets.

If you can record roughly how many carbs you’re having for each meal, along with your blood sugars that will be really helpful. Don’t try to run before you can walk and don’t worry about your blood sugars too much or compare them with people who’ve had diabetes for a long time. You’re looking to have reasonable results not perfect results (perfection is impossible with Type 1) and to avoid hypos.

It probably all seems overwhelming now, but it will gradually get easier, I promise.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

but most things are in my memory or have info on the packets

Yes, also (now and again) I google for "X nutritional information" and commonly that'll give what I want. (Though beware that it's showing raw or cooked as appropriate for things like rice, pasta where that varies a lot.)

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

How long does it normally take before carb counting starts? I feel like I’d be more in control then? At the moment, I don’t feel in control of my own body if that makes sense?

Welcome to the forum @MrsOrehawa

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sounds like you are off to a good start though.

It’s a little unfortunate that some HCPs try to give those newly diagnosed a ‘gentle introduction’, which can mean that some people who are eager to soak up as much information as possible get left feeling a bit adrift.

Carb counting is a pretty straightforward business. There’s a general overview here which may help

The nuts and bolts of carb counting

When you live with type 1 diabetes, carb counting is a great way of managing your blood sugar or glucose levels. It can give you more freedom and flexibility in what you eat when you're preparing meals at home, grabbing food on the go or eating out. Carb counting does take some time and effort...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[MrsOrehawa]

Welcome to the forum @MrsOrehawa

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sounds like you are off to a good start though.

It’s a little unfortunate that some HCPs try to give those newly diagnosed a ‘gentle introduction’, which can mean that some people who are eager to soak up as much information as possible get left feeling a bit adrift.

Carb counting is a pretty straightforward business. There’s a general overview here which may help

The nuts and bolts of carb counting

When you live with type 1 diabetes, carb counting is a great way of managing your blood sugar or glucose levels. It can give you more freedom and flexibility in what you eat when you're preparing meals at home, grabbing food on the go or eating out. Carb counting does take some time and effort...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

Thanks so much for this - and for everyone's help. I agree - I've been ready to carb count for a few weeks now, but have to wait to see the dietician before I can do so. I'll just have to be patient!!

Thanks again all 🙂

 

[PattiEvans]

Hi @MrsOrehawa and welcome from me too. Don’t be afraid of learning to carb count yourself. It was years into diagnosis before I got a course. I learnt from the https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/Login.asp course long before the actual carb counting course, or even an appointment with the dietitian.

I second @Inka’s recommendation of books. I found “Think like a Pancreas” invaluable - it’s about far more than just carb counting. It’s about understanding how your insulin works, how your body works and so on.

I also have the Collins Little Gem Carb book, which I use sometimes, but in actual fact find the Collins Gem Calorie book more useful as it has more foods in it and also gives carb vAlues per 100gm.

As to drinks, my tipples of choice are Gin and Slimline tonic (Beware Fever Tree Light tonic, it is not carb free - go for Schweppes or Britvic if you can get them). Or I like a dry white wine.

Good luck on your journey!

 

[MrsOrehawa]

Hi @MrsOrehawa and welcome from me too. Don’t be afraid of learning to carb count yourself. It was years into diagnosis before I got a course. I learnt from the https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/Login.asp course long before the actual carb counting course, or even an appointment with the dietitian.

I second @Inka’s recommendation of books. I found “Think like a Pancreas” invaluable - it’s about far more than just carb counting. It’s about understanding how your insulin works, how your body works and so on.

I also have the Collins Little Gem Carb book, which I use sometimes, but in actual fact find the Collins Gem Calorie book more useful as it has more foods in it and also gives carb vAlues per 100gm.

As to drinks, my tipples of choice are Gin and Slimline tonic (Beware Fever Tree Light tonic, it is not carb free - go for Schweppes or Britvic if you can get them). Or I like a dry white wine.

Good luck on your journey!

Thank you so much for your message - I think I just assumed that all the info would be given to me quickly so that I can get going with it all but I was obviously optimistic on that!!

I’m definitely going to get my hands on the book too - it seems to be the book that everyone raves about 🙂

Also thanks for the tips on the tipples!! I also like a G&T and a dry white wine so good to know I don’t have to steer clear!!!

Thanks again, Kate