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Newly diagnosed with diabetes

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Audicab26

Audicab26

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,

I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, I have had symptoms for a couple of months since being poorly (virus/man-flu) and I buried my head in the sand. I had a terrific thirst, I was tired and off to the loo a lot plus I started losing weight.

So off to the GP eventually (I kept puting it off) and after testing my blood levels and ketone I was sent straight to hospital from the GP surgery and put on a drip. My levels were through the roof and I was very ill apparently. I felt terrible but expected things to sort themselves out. Lesson learned.

They thought I should be T2 until I mentioned the virus that had potentially triggered the symptoms, now they suspect T1 and are treating me as such until my blood test results return. There is no history of diabetes in my family that I know of.

So I am injecting insulin (novo rapid) before meals and another slow release insulin before bed. And I'm having to prick my finger at regular intervals. I'm getting used to the routine and I keep reminding myself that it's keeping me healthy.

My levels bounce between just over 5 & 10 ish. I am watching what I eat more and controlling my portions, I am trying to eat at regular intervals now too, something I've never been good at. The dogs are getting longer walks too.

I can't fault the care I've had so far, I saw a dietitian on Friday who went through the do's and don'ts and put my mind at rest on a number of questions.

A couple of things that are bothering me though. I'm getting occasional numbness in my lower leg and foot. It's not painful and doesn't effect walking or driving. Just feels odd. Is this normal? Should I be worried? Will it pass?

Also, pre diagnosis I needed glasses for watching TV and for seeing things in the middle and long distance but not for reading or looking at my phone etc. Overnight after about a week on insulin it changed? I no longer need my glasses for driving, I could read a number plate if it were nailed to the moon, but...I now need reading glasses? Are rapid changes to eyesight normal in the early stages or cause for concern? I am 49 so I guess age might be a factor (still think I'm 25).

I knew nothing of diabetes before I was diagnosed, I swing between being really scared of what's in store and being determined to manage it. I try to avoid googling stuff so I don't catastrophise too much. I'd like to think I'm doing the right things to keep my levels in check but it's a big learning curve.

Glad I've found somewhere to come and find help and answers.
 
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Hello, and welcome to the club nobody wanted to join! I was 51 when I was diagnosed with type 1, and there are a fair few of us on here diagnosed at a siimilar age. It often comes as a surprise to a GP, who assume anyone our age must be Type 2.
It sounds like you're getting to grips with it, so well done, have a browse in the pinned thread at the top of the Newbies section, there's a lot of helpful links and references.
Eyesight and pains in the legs. It's very common to find this when you start treatment, Your body is used to having far too much glucose sloshing around in the system, which affects eyesight, nerve endings, etc. When your glucose levels drop, symptoms can get worse before they get better. People are usually advised not to rush out and buy expensive glasses for the first few months, because vision can change rapidly. If you need reading glasses, a cheap supermarket pair is probably a good idea short term. You should find your legs improve too ( but if not, see your GP)
I'll say what is quoted a lot on here. 'It's a marathon not a sprint' Do keep asking questions as they arise, there's usually someone on here who has met the problem before.
 
Audicab26 said:
Hi all,

I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, I have had symptoms for a couple of months since being poorly (virus/man-flu) and I buried my head in the sand. I had a terrific thirst, I was tired and off to the loo a lot plus I started losing weight.

So off to the GP eventually (I kept puting it off) and after testing my blood levels and ketone I was sent straight to hospital from the GP surgery and put on a drip. My levels were through the roof and I was very ill apparently. I felt terrible but expected things to sort themselves out. Lesson learned.

They thought I should be T2 until I mentioned the virus that had potentially triggered the symptoms, now they suspect T1 and are treating me as such until my blood test results return. There is no history of diabetes in my family that I know of.

So I am injecting insulin (novo rapid) before meals and another slow release insulin before bed. And I'm having to prick my finger at regular intervals. I'm getting used to the routine and I keep reminding myself that it's keeping me healthy.

My levels bounce between just over 5 & 10 ish. I am watching what I eat more and controlling my portions, I am trying to eat at regular intervals now too, something I've never been good at. The dogs are getting longer walks too.

I can't fault the care I've had so far, I saw a dietitian on Friday who went through the do's and don'ts and put my mind at rest on a number of questions.

A couple of things that are bothering me though. I'm getting occasional numbness in my lower leg and foot. It's not painful and doesn't effect walking or driving. Just feels odd. Is this normal? Should I be worried? Will it pass?

Also, pre diagnosis I needed glasses for watching TV and for seeing things in the middle and long distance but not for reading or looking at my phone etc. Overnight after about a week on insulin it changed? I no longer need my glasses for driving, I could read a number plate if it were nailed to the moon, but...I now need reading glasses? Are rapid changes to eyesight normal in the early stages or cause for concern? I am 49 so I guess age might be a factor (still think I'm 25).

I knew nothing of diabetes before I was diagnosed, I swing between being really scared of what's in store and being determined to manage it. I try to avoid googling stuff so I don't catastrophise too much. I'd like to think I'm doing the right things to keep my levels in check but it's a big learning curve.

Glad I've found somewhere to come and find help and answers.
Click to expand...

Hi Audicab, nothing really to add except welcome and glad you found us. Stick with the forum and you’ll not only find out lots of useful information but also hear from some really friendly people who understand what it’s like.
 
Hello @Audicab26 , welcome to the forum.
It is good to hear that they didn’t just assume you had T2 because of your age etc, as already has been said quite a few of the people here were dx (diagnosed) with T1 as adults.

It’s a steep learning curve at first but it will get easier, though I doubt if you believe me right now.
Being that I have T 2 I’m not going to be of much help to you.
I have often seen this book recommended to those newly dx with T1.
Please don’t worry about the title, it’s suitable for all ages .

Type 1 Diabetes, in children adolescents and young adults by Dr Ragnar Hanas.
I believe it’s been updated a few times so make sure you get 5he latest edition.

It’s also important to keep in close contact with your team, they are there to help you.
 
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Hi and welcome from another late developer - diagnosed at 42. The book Lin recommended is very good. I have a copy and dip in and out of it when needed.
Remember to take a hypo treatment on those dog walks! I take two little pots with me - one with jelly babies and one with dog treats - have not yet mixed them up. 🙂
 
Thanks for all the replies and the reassurances. Ican't begin to tell you how comforting it is to read them this morning.

I bought some £9 +2 reading glasses from the chemist, they are a life saver at the moment. I just stood in the chemist trying on glasses till I could read my phone 🙂

I'm also taking sweets with me on the dog walks, I've not experienced a hypo yet but my levels have dropped to just under 5 a couple of times and I can feel it.

I had an ultrasound on my pancreas last week and I have a lot more appointments coming up, the care has been brilliant, these guys have been really patient etc.

My GP, tying to a positive spin on things, told me that because I will really need to look after myself now I'm less likely to develop other age related issues? Hmmm, not sure, but hope he's right 🙂.

I'm being referred for diabetes 'course' too, which one of my customers told me was a bit like a 'AA' meeting but very useful. I'm gonna take all the help I can get for now and I hope to be able to do the same for others moving forward.
 
LOL at the AA meeting reference! The only similarity is likely to be when you all introduce yourselves both to the course leaders and the other participants - 'Hello, I'm Jenny and I've been Type 1 for 46 years.'

I dunno about age related things being less likely, really. Don't think it stops the knees getting a bit iffy!

However I suppose being as we all get lots of annual tests for various things that must be what he meant - though other things, not diabetes related, aren't checked - nobody has listened to my heart for a couple of decades. I haven't actually seen my GP for years and years!
 
Audicab26 said:
My GP, tying to a positive spin on things, told me that because I will really need to look after myself now I'm less likely to develop other age related issues? Hmmm, not sure, but hope he's right 🙂.
Click to expand...
trophywench said:
I dunno about age related things being less likely, really. Don't think it stops the knees getting a bit iffy!

However I suppose being as we all get lots of annual tests for various things that must be what he meant - though other things, not diabetes related, aren't checked - nobody has listened to my heart for a couple of decades. I haven't actually seen my GP for years and years!
Click to expand...
I wonder how many of us, if there is any other issues (including small things), will actually pay attention and deal with it; instead of just leaving it for a bit. Because we have a mindset of managing our health in a way non diabetics don't. We're paying attention.
I've certainly got motivated to get things sorted. Both health wise and life generally. (Even though it's been variable for me, and I've still got work to do :( ugh.)
 
Hello and welcome from another late developer (46).
My eyesight took a few weeks to settle down, however, I now need reading glasses.
The course you refer to is very helpful and you will likely be taught to carb count, which I find much better than fixed doses of insulin. Keep us posted and let us know how you get on 🙂
 
And hello from another an even later developer (53)

It sounds as if you re ready getting to grips with things. I remember my GO telling me at diagnosis that we would be seeing a lot more of each other. However all my Diabetes care is at the hospital where I am in the hands of an excellent specialist team.

After diagnosis things take time to settle. Eyes will go back to as they were, legs stop aching, and levels start to settle. The education courses that are available, especially Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating(DAFNE). I did that course in the early days Andy was fortunate enough to get paid leave to attend, but having done the course I would have paid to attend it, as I learnt so much and benefitted from being with others who were managing the condition on a dat-to-day basis.

I would recommend the book Type 1 Daiebetes in Children adolescents and young adults by Ragnar Hanas. Ignore the age reference, it is an excellent book which explains things clearly and is well indexed. I still dip into it after 10 years, and find it helpful.

Keep in touch on the forum and just ask any questions that you have.
 
Hello and welcome 🙂
I was diagnosed at 44 and I also have no family history of diabetes, but I do have a neuro-immune disease which probably triggered it in the same way your virus did.
I also had rapidly changing eyesight for the first few weeks - in fact it was my optician who suggested I might have diabetes when I went to see her with very blurred eyesight, and advised me to get a blood test rather than getting new glasses. As my other symptoms weren't that noticeable, she probably saved my life!
Very sensible not to google, I was advised by the hospital diabetes specialist nurse (DSN) to just come to this site for information and not google as there's all sorts of rubbish out there about diabetes.
 
Update....

I met with a consultant who told me my blood tests came back 'negative'. I'm still producing some insulin?

The ultrasound on my pancreas was inconclusive so I'm booked on Saturday for an 'urgent' CT scan, the consultant just stopped herself mentioning the 'C' word - but I picked up on it. Tad scared of what they might find and even though I've not experienced any of the published symptoms of the aforementioned 'C' word, I can't stop worrying about it.

She wants me to stay on insulin for now, I am seeing her again in September (unless the scan reveals any horrors I guess), and she will review then. I have another appt with a different consultant tomorrow, the letter does not reveal much about the meeting but asks me to bring all my bits and bobs etc.

To be honest I feel fine, thanks I imagine to the insulin? I have more energy than I've had in a while and my levels are in single figures mostly (low 5's to high 6's in the main). Oh, and my eyesight has improved, I sometimes need my reading glasses but not nearly as much a few weeks ago.
 
Hi Audicab26 welcome to the forum.......try not to get too anxious as that can affect your BG levels......hopefully the scan will give you your answers and then you can just get down to 'dealing' with the D (Not the C) - Big Hug X
 
Hi and welcome myself just like you was diagnosed type 2 originally again due to my age and having no family history and sadly a long line of let downs from poor care. My eye sight has been awful since I initially began having problems last year. I was told this is where the blood vessels in your eyes enlarge causing difficulties with your vision and once your insulin is working and your sugars improve they return to normal and your eye sight improves. I'm still awaiting that change but my levels are still fairly high. I hope your results comeback clear for the big C and it is just your diabetes. This forum has been an absolute god send to me so many great people and good advice. Hopefully you will find this a help too. Good luck.
 
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