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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Newbie. Type 1 diabetic
- Thread starter spence
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Hi spence. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. How did it come about? hope you didn’t get too poorly. It’s usually always a shock along with many other emotions and yes its lonely. That’s why folks come here. They are a good bunch. Ask whatever, whenever x
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stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi, glad you found us. It is a huge shock! Lots of knowledgeable and friendly people on here. Welcome from another late starter- I was diagnosed at 42.
Thank you for your reply. When you were diagnosed how long did it take you to get back to some sort of normality? Did you return to work soon? Regards spence
I started losing weight quickly. I am generally a fit active guy who eats moderately well. No family history.i started going toilet a lot and becoming extremely thirsty. My doctor tested my glucose HbA1C and it was 104, I do feel alone and my moods are all over the place. Regards
Thankyou for your reply. How did your diabetes come about? , how do you find meal times. Are you really careful now? Anythings you don't eat? Regards
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I wasn’t working @spence I think it took me a few months to get used to the practical aspects, and really a year or two to get used to it emotionally.
Are you carb-counting and adjusting your own meal-time insulin? Doing that helps you get back to something closer to normality.
stephknits
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi, I went to a post 40 health check up and got diagnosed wrongly as type 2. Took 9 months getting thinner and thinner with.blood sugars always in double figures and a trip to a&e for a change in diagnosis to type 1. Bu that point i was so tired I was so.happy to be properly diagnosed.
I had a bit of a trouble getting used to re introducing carbs to my diet, as I had reduced them as much as possible as I felt so ill. I now eat a normal diet really and just carb count. I think its about finding a balance that works for you. I would rather have not perfect blood sugars and be relaxed about my diet, as this works for me. Others would find this stressful and feel happier with a stricter regime.
Ask away on here, loads of different strategies and positive tips
At the moment I am just taking the Insulin in the morning. They are just trying to get my levels down, thanks
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Oh, early days then. It’s usually best to bring levels down gradually, but once you’re on a proper multiple daily injection regime (sounds awful but is actually easier), you’ll find life is more normal and you’ll gradually get used to things.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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Welcome to the forum @spence
Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling low and alone. A diagnosis with diabetes can be really overwhelming, and can feel quite isolating.
There aren’t many of us around… so many people know no one close with T1.
Sounds like they are taking things gently to start with, though it’s slightly unusual not to be started on basal:bolus (long acting and mealtime insulins) together. Try not to get frustrated by this gradual start. 104 is quite high, and if you crash straight back to in-range levels in some cases it can cause problems with eyes and nerves.
Feel free to keep asking any questions you have as they crop up, or simply rant and moan. Folks here will instinctively ‘get it’.
Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling low and alone. A diagnosis with diabetes can be really overwhelming, and can feel quite isolating.
There aren’t many of us around… so many people know no one close with T1.
Sounds like they are taking things gently to start with, though it’s slightly unusual not to be started on basal:bolus (long acting and mealtime insulins) together. Try not to get frustrated by this gradual start. 104 is quite high, and if you crash straight back to in-range levels in some cases it can cause problems with eyes and nerves.
Feel free to keep asking any questions you have as they crop up, or simply rant and moan. Folks here will instinctively ‘get it’.
Hi Spence, pleased to meet you. I am also a newbie on here, so it's good to know I'm not alone being a newbie!! I hope we enjoy our time on here. Katie
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome @spence from another late starter with T1/LADA
Misdiagnosis is so common in adults, and as things develop more slowly the symptoms are often similar to T2. The sudden weight loss often occurs when our final beta cells go on strike.
It is good to hear that your team are working with you to bring your levels down slowly, as this avoids causing damage, however it can be frustrating as you learn more and just want to get things sorted. Try to be patient.
There is a lot to learn very quickly, and it is understandably a shock. Do ask any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly. just ask.
Misdiagnosis is so common in adults, and as things develop more slowly the symptoms are often similar to T2. The sudden weight loss often occurs when our final beta cells go on strike.
It is good to hear that your team are working with you to bring your levels down slowly, as this avoids causing damage, however it can be frustrating as you learn more and just want to get things sorted. Try to be patient.
There is a lot to learn very quickly, and it is understandably a shock. Do ask any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly. just ask.
Hi @spence and, as the others have said, welcome to the forum.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 in my late 30s and it was a shock. I am not usually a tearful person but I remember the tears at the time ... maybe because they were sweet thanks to the diabetes and my high levels.
I am pleased that things got easier over the years and, once I'd kind of got the hang of things, my life went back to pretty much the same as before. I am lucky because, as an engineer, I am used to numbers and managing diabetes is all about numbers. Unfortunately, unlike engineering projects, diabetes sometimes just misbehaves and no amount of debug seems to help.
Sorry to read that you are feeling low and alone. We are virtually here to help you whether to answer questions, share experiences or just listen to a rant ... we understand because we have been there. I hope, after getting to know us, you feel less alone.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 in my late 30s and it was a shock. I am not usually a tearful person but I remember the tears at the time ... maybe because they were sweet thanks to the diabetes and my high levels.
I am pleased that things got easier over the years and, once I'd kind of got the hang of things, my life went back to pretty much the same as before. I am lucky because, as an engineer, I am used to numbers and managing diabetes is all about numbers. Unfortunately, unlike engineering projects, diabetes sometimes just misbehaves and no amount of debug seems to help.
Sorry to read that you are feeling low and alone. We are virtually here to help you whether to answer questions, share experiences or just listen to a rant ... we understand because we have been there. I hope, after getting to know us, you feel less alone.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
There seems to be people joining everyday so you are not alone at being a newbie and I'm sure you will gain a lot of insight from those who are experienced and very knowledgeable and helpful.
Hi thanks for your reply. Still finding it hard and my moods are up and down. I don't know what to do about going back to work next week. Not sure if I am ready.
Hi, Katie. how are you coping with it.? I am all over the place to be fair. Moods,emotions. Still can't believe it
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If you don’t feel ready, don’t go back yet @spence You’re so recently diagnosed. Also, you say they’re still trying to get your levels down so I don’t think you should be at work.
I know someone will come along and say that they went back to work two hours after they were diagnosed blah blah, but to me it’s important that you’re ready. Rushing back or feeling under pressure to go back won’t help you in the longterm.
How are your blood sugars at the moment?
As for you not quite believing you have Type 1 - yes, it’s a massive shock. What helped me was understanding the reason (that it’s an auto-immune condition) and that it was just bad luck. Also, take time to deal with your upset and anger. I felt very emotional for quite a while.
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