It is like being diagnosed again

[pav]

Thankyou highlander, i do worry about hypos as everyone keeps having them but my dn says we will not let that happen.....hmmmm i think but just looking forward to having normal numbers........at last!

I found that the thought of hypos at first was scary, fortunately I had false ones when coming down from my high numbers which gave me an insight to what they are like. Daresay coming down from your numbers you will get some false ones as well.

I found that if you feel any different test, at least it will give you confidence in what your body is telling you. I think you will looking into testing around 8 times a day, the experts on here will be able to advise you the best on insulin and testing.

If you have not got your prescription for strips sorted out, I would be tempted to ask for at least 200 (though some seem to get 300 +) a month which should start you off in a regular testing pattern. As you drive as well I would recommend getting a spare meter either of the same type or what I did and thankfully the doc agreed to give me strips for a driving meter. Driving sends my strip usage up a fair bit as I test before driving then every 1 1/2 hours as I know what my pattern of BS levels are up to.

If you like jelly babies (my favourite treat is fruit pastilles) its a good / think required reason to carry some sugar type treats in your car as a precaution if you ever feel / go lower than DVLA's guideline of 5.0 to drive.

For me its the shopping trips that catch me, for some reason they always send my BS lower quicker than normal.

I found the meter suppliers to be very good in this aspect, I use the contour next usb as my main meter and the accu chek mobile as the driving meter which is great as its what I would call an all in one meter. A cassette of 50 strips and a lancet drum of 6 lancets, no need to carry a separate container to put your used lancets and strips in.

The unfortunate news is that you have to let DVLA know that you are on insulin.

 

[jalapino]

Hi jalapino,

I'll start with a hug because you really sound like you need one {{Ant}}.
So proud of you for pushing to get yourself sorted.

With regards to needles, I am not on insulin but do inject Victoza and I was scared before my first one - but believe me you really wont feel most injections -and will wonder what all the fuss was about.

I would have a good weep, a glass of wine and a good sleep and start reading through things tomorrow and ask away on here - there are so many people who can help you with insulin.

I really hope you start to feel a lot better soon 🙂

Thankyou for your kind words, I will have a glass to chill to soon 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

I have my kit that I carry with me everywhere these days. My meter, pricker and strips. Some wet wipes in case there's not a sink nearby for hand washing when I want/need to test. A supply of jelly babies. An old strip pot for keeping used strips and needles in. My jabs, and a supply of the many and various pills I have to take each day. Oh, and a bottle of something to drink. No wonder I need a backpack when I go out!*

I didn't get a lot of info from the clinic before I started on insulin, but this place was invaluable for support and advice. I did get five minutes with the DSN to practice jabbing a poor defenceless rubber panda (or was it a penguin?) and I've had very little trouble with sticking myself, normally round my tummy or up and down my thighs. NOTE, never the same spot twice in a row.

I have had some fairly nasty hypos, but they are thankfully pretty rare, usually I spot them and treat before I get below 3. I average 200 to 300 strips per month and test between 6 and 8 times a day depending on what I'm doing, more if I have a hypo.

* Actually, I use the backpack because I need two sticks to get about these days and haven't hands enough to be carrying bags and stuff.

I do keep fairly comprehensive records of meds, bloods, exercise and eats but, that's because I started out that way and the discipline has proved a very useful tool indeed. Between my Insulinx and my app, I can track everything that's going on. I don't care what the professionals say, it provides me with confidence that I'm doing all I can to manage my diabetes and when challenged, I can prove it and have done.

 

[AJLang]

I'm sorry to hear that you've had this shock but you will feel much better once your BGs are under control. Take care x

 

[Mark T]

Personally I think you have done extremely done for dealing with this and I hope things get a lot better from now.

 

[jalapino]

Thank you everyone, I'm overwhelmed with the support, and I could not ask for a better group for support .....I must get some sleep, once again thank you 🙂

 

[Aoife]

Just remember, starting insulin is not a sign of failure on your part to manage you diabetes, more that your diabetes refuses to be managed by tablets.

You will get to grips with it quickly, you'll make some silly mistakes and you'll get things wrong, sometimes badly from time to time.
This is NORMAL!!!

Try not to worry about the needles, you will but you will soon wonder what all the stress you put yourself through worrying was for! (seriously it's far less than testing your glucose.

Ask a lot of questions, there are never any stupid questions (there maybe sometimes be stupid answers)

There is nothing you cant do (except maybe becoming an airline pilot, hopefully that wasn't a major aspiration for you)

What insulin will do is help you manage a condition, prevent complications and assist you in having a long and healthy life

Good luck, you know where we all are
X

 

[jalapino]

Thank you all once again for your support 🙂
It's 4.00am and it's all spinning around my head ( hypos inject etc )
just need to relax
going to try and get some shut eye.....try! 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thank you all once again for your support 🙂
It's 4.00am and it's all spinning around my head ( hypos inject etc )
just need to relax
going to try and get some shut eye.....try! 🙂

Hope you manage to get some sleep! 🙂

 

[jalapino]

Hope you manage to get some sleep! 🙂

Thanks alan.....I reckon I will sleep better tonight 🙂