New member

[johngers72]

Hi folks.
I was diagnosed late November last year with type 1 although my consultant thinks I could be LADA as my symptoms weren't typically type1. I didn't feel unwell at all just had a raging thirst and lost 2 stone in weight over 3-4 months.
I'm on 2 Levimir injections a day and test 4 times a day. Diagnosis was a massive shock and I really struggled to begin with regarding carb counting and what I could and couldn't eat.
Coping a lot better now and maybe to strict with my carb intake ( nurse thought I wasn't eating enough) BY levels have been really steady since Christmas usually between 5.0 and 8.0 only gone into double figures a couple of times after I had a couple of beers.
I use a lot of the excellent recipes on this website and have found the tips and information really helpful.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @johngers72 🙂 Are you only on the Levemir with no meal/fast insulin? You’d be able to eat more freely with a meal insulin to help your body along. Type 1/LADAs shouldneed to restrict their carbs to fit their insulin.

Yes, diagnosis is a huge shock. It’s really hard to get used to it being all day every day. I found it did get easier though, partly as I got used to it, but mainly as I learnt more and became more confident in how my body and the insulin worked.

There are a couple of great books about Type 1:

Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.

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

 

[johngers72]

Hi Inka.
The consultant, at my last appointment, in February told me I don't need any other insulin for now as my BG levels have been really steady. To be honest I'm glad about that as I was getting used to the routine of the 2 injections and the testing.
It's all part of my daily routine now and I'm not struggling with the food I can and can't eat. I do miss having a few beers now and then though lol.
I've always eaten healthily anyway and tried to stay in shape ( played football at a decent level until I was 48) but I had a total hip replacement 18 months ago so I don't run anymore. I walk a lot and do between 7-10 miles every Saturday which helps keep my levels steady.
I'm sure I'll have ups and downs along the way but right now I'm still learning and any advice and tips are very welcome.

 

[Inka]

I love walking - a great form of exercise and good for mental health too. It’s good you’re controlling your sugars well. I found in the early days routine was helpful. It sounds boring but it made things easier.

I’m not a beer drinker really, but when I do have that or cider I find I need to inject a small amount of fast insulin to cover the carbs. I don’t have to do that for wine or spirits. The only thing to watch for with alcohol is that it can increase the risk of hypos, and make them harder to spot. So I generally stick to a moderate amount and test extra.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @johngers72 , from another late starter.
Glad that you have found us.

As you say the new routines of injections and testing that we need to follow just become part of our ‘normal’ life. It sounds like you still have some beta cells working and these deal with your meals. Like you and @Inka I enjoy walking and find this great at reducing spikes in my BG after meals. I like a glass of wine and find that the cessation of glucose from the Liver whilst it processes the alcohol is balanced by any carbs, so do not need to inject for that.

Do ask any questions that arise. There is plenty of experience to draw on here.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @johngers72

Glad to hear you’ve found a system that works for you.

I am also rather surprised that you have been started without a mealtime insulin to begin with. Good that your consultant is keeping a close eye in things - I suppose there is a chance that if your autoimmune attack continues you may need to add a bolus insulin at some point? Or sooner if you‘d like the ability to be a bit freer with carbs than your metabolism currently allows 🙂

 

[johngers72]

Welcome to the forum @johngers72

Glad to hear you’ve found a system that works for you.

I am also rather surprised that you have been started without a mealtime insulin to begin with. Good that your consultant is keeping a close eye in things - I suppose there is a chance that if your autoimmune attack continues you may need to add a bolus insulin at some point? Or sooner if you‘d like the ability to be a bit freer with carbs than your metabolism currently allows 🙂

I,d imagine at some point I'll have to start taking novorapid at meal times but I'm happy with my routine for now so just take things as they come.

 

[johngers72]

Welcome to the forum @johngers72 , from another late starter.
Glad that you have found us.

As you say the new routines of injections and testing that we need to follow just become part of our ‘normal’ life. It sounds like you still have some beta cells working and these deal with your meals. Like you and @Inka I enjoy walking and find this great at reducing spikes in my BG after meals. I like a glass of wine and find that the cessation of glucose from the Liver whilst it processes the alcohol is balanced by any carbs, so do not need to inject for that.

Do ask any questions that arise. There is plenty of experience to draw on here.

Thanks SB2015.