Advice.....?

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Cat2412

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Type 1
Hi, my name is Cat and I've just been told my GP suspects I have type 1 diabetes. I've recently turned 45, & this possibility has come as quite a shock.. I was only complaining of thirst and blurry vision!!
I've had my bloods tested today, and am trying to convince myself that it will be a mistake. The doctor was lovely, and very good at explaining stuff, but I'm not sure I took it all in....
The nurse this morning who took my bloods was rather brusque when I asked for any literature or information. She actually said it was 'bo***cks' to suggest I had type 1 because of my age.... I'm quite confused now!
Any helpful comments or advice would go a long way to reassuring me...

thanks
 
Welcome to the forums Cat.

Your Nurse could potententially do with some enhanced training in people skills I think 😉
 
Most type 1s develop early on in life, but some do not........

Listen to what the doctor is saying, he/she has the results in front of them which will tell them what type you are.........

In any case you will find any support or answers you need here in this crucial stage.......settle in.............and welcome
 
I think your dsn who took your blood needs a good kick up the axx, who does she think she is, your gp should be made aware that this sort of thing is going on behind his back, "disgusting"
 
Welcome Cat. Well, it's more usual for a 45 year old to be diagnosed with type 2 than type 1 diabetes. But it's happened to you, so that's all that matters.

Hopefully you will be referred to a specialist diabetes clinic to help you start insulin, self blood glucose testing etc.

Any questions, just ask. Quite of a few of us were diagnosed type 1 as adults.

By the way, DSN (mentioned by HartHen) means diabetes specialist nurse, but you just said they were taking your blood, so I doubt they were a dsn; might not even have been a nurse, although no doubt competent to take blood.
 
Hi Cat, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm afraid what the nurse said is rubbish. I was diagnosed with Type 1 aged 49 nearly three years ago now, and there are many people here also diagnosed in adulthood. That nurse really needs to update her knowledge!

Did the doctor say what your blood test results were, or are you still waiting to find out? The symptoms you describe do indicate a problem with your blood sugar levels. In adults, onset of diabetes can be much slower than in children, and so the symptoms may not be as acute.

The first thing is - don't panic! Although Type 1 (if confirmed for you) is a serious disease, there are excellent treatments available these days that are improving all the time. I was a marathon runner before diagnosis, and I still am, so there is no reason it should stop you doing anything you currently enjoy. The only real difference is that you may need to get a bit more organised (as I discovered!). Have a look in the Useful Links section: http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406

I would particularly recommend Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It will explain everything you need to know about living with Type 1. Well, maybe not everything, but for those things it doesn't, you have us! 🙂 Don't be misled by the title - I have found it very uesful and still do at 52!

Depending on your current diet and lifestyle you may find that you actually end up healthier and happier than you were before and you will certainly learn a great deal about food and the way your body works 🙂

If you have any questions or concerns, please do ask. Nothing is considered 'silly' here and we will endeavour to answer as soon as we can.

Try not to become overwhelmed by everything. There can be a lot to learn, but you don't need to know it all from Day 1.

Best wishes, I look forward to hearing more from you.
 
The nurse who told you that is talking out of her arse. Granted it is much more common to develop type one whilst still a child or a young adult. I'd make a complaint personally as she seems to be more of a risk to patients than herself.
As as many questions as you can of your GP. On this place there aren't any questions that are daft. The symptoms are quite indicative of type one.
I'm twenty and I've been at this game for nearly fifteen years.
Ask if you can speak with a diabetes specialist nurse at your local hospital, personally I wouldn't touch a GP's diabetes specialist nurse with a barge pole as frankly, for the most part they are utterly clueless.

Tom
 
thanks

Thanks everyone, your quick (and reassuring) replies have made this a slightly better day......
I've not had the results yet, as the bloods were only taken this morning. The nurse said I should get them back by the end of the week.....??
It's clear from reading posts on here that type 1 can occur at any age, so at least I'm slightly better informed than I was this morning.

Thanks to all for helpful comments and advice. I'll keep you posted!

cat
 
Cat hi and a warm welcome to the forum x
 
Cat2412 said:
Hi, my name is Cat and I've just been told my GP suspects I have type 1 diabetes. I've recently turned 45, & this possibility has come as quite a shock.. I was only complaining of thirst and blurry vision!!
I've had my bloods tested today, and am trying to convince myself that it will be a mistake. The doctor was lovely, and very good at explaining stuff, but I'm not sure I took it all in....
The nurse this morning who took my bloods was rather brusque when I asked for any literature or information. She actually said it was 'bo***cks' to suggest I had type 1 because of my age.... I'm quite confused now!
Any helpful comments or advice would go a long way to reassuring me...

thanks
Click to expand...

So sorry Cat( love your name) what a horrible thing to happen to you. You have enough to deal with without this insensitive 'nurse' saying that to you. The best thing would be to report her conduct and hopefully she will go on a 'caring and bedside manner course' she certainley needs something. Anyway, I hope you don't get too upset over her cavalier attitude,but so nice to hear about the lovely doctor. Take care and best wishes Sheena
 
Hi Cat and welcome to the forum. 🙂

My auntie was diagnosed as T1 at the age of 65 (yaboo sucks, Northerner, older than you, so there huh 😛)

As for the "nurse" ? I suggest asking her to explain how she came to that incisive opinion? Maybe, she knows summat the rest of the medical world doesn't. In fact, you sure she wasn't a D consultant, just masquerading as a phlebotomist for the day - bit like the "Manager-under-cover" telly prog?

There's a lot of stuff to learn, but you don't have to do it all on the first day.
 
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Cat2412 said:
Hi, my name is Cat and I've just been told my GP suspects I have type 1 diabetes. I've recently turned 45, & this possibility has come as quite a shock.. I was only complaining of thirst and blurry vision!!
I've had my bloods tested today, and am trying to convince myself that it will be a mistake. The doctor was lovely, and very good at explaining stuff, but I'm not sure I took it all in....
The nurse this morning who took my bloods was rather brusque when I asked for any literature or information. She actually said it was 'bo***cks' to suggest I had type 1 because of my age.... I'm quite confused now!
Any helpful comments or advice would go a long way to reassuring me...

thanks
Click to expand...
G'day Cat

As the others have indicated it's a little early for anyone, even your doctor or nurse, to be saying what type you have if you only had your blood tests today. There are special tests to check on antibodies and insulin production to be done before type 1 can be confirmed, but your nurse is also a twit for her ignorant comment.

Just be aware that insulin is not only prescribed for type 1; that does not define your type. Also be aware that those are not the only types of diabetes, just the two most commonly diagnosed.

In the interim, some of the ideas in this may help until your diagnosis is confirmed (click on it): Getting Started.
 
thanks

Catwoman76 said:
So sorry Cat( love your name) what a horrible thing to happen to you. You have enough to deal with without this insensitive 'nurse' saying that to you. The best thing would be to report her conduct and hopefully she will go on a 'caring and bedside manner course' she certainley needs something. Anyway, I hope you don't get too upset over her cavalier attitude,but so nice to hear about the lovely doctor. Take care and best wishes Sheena
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Morning Sheena,
thank you for your kind comments yesterday. (And to everyone else who took the time to help and reassure me!!)
It was lovely to hear back so quickly from so many nice people who all had helpful advice and comments. Very kind when I was quite shaky after the potential bombshell dropped by my GP!
I have my fingers crossed that it's not diabetes, but will deal with it if it is.... At least I know you are all there to boost me if I need it!!
Hope you are doing well.

cat x
 
Hi Cat, sorry to hear you are going through this. I'm 22 and have had type 1 for 20 years this year. I hope you get the test results through quickly so you can deal with whatever it is. Keep us up to date! 🙂
 
Hiya Cat! I'm a type 1, diagnosed at 24. Good luck and stick around here....
 
Welcome to the forum. As Alan says it is too early to say without the blood tests results. But the way you have presented clinically can give your GP an idea of what type you are liekly to be. Did they perform a gluocse and and urine test whilst you were in the surgery?
 
sofaraway said:
Welcome to the forum. As Alan says it is too early to say without the blood tests results. But the way you have presented clinically can give your GP an idea of what type you are liekly to be. Did they perform a gluocse and and urine test whilst you were in the surgery?
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Hi, thanks for the reassurance...
The Doctor seemed to think I was presenting textbook symptoms of Type1, but as you probably saw, the practice nurse had other ideas....This left me quite confused! GP said there was no point in checking urine there and then, but was very keen to get me back asap for bloods. Tests were done at 9am on Tuesday, but was told there would be no results for 2 days. Getting all sorts of conflicting advice from well meaning (non diabetic) friends, no news is good news, you're not ill enough to have type1 etc....
I've been reading posts on here and have to confess, it all sounds really scary and confusing.....! Worried I won't cope if it is diabetes....

cat
 
To begin with it is scary and confusing, but you will work your way through it. The most scary aspect I imagine is injecting. Most people find that after a few days that is no problem. If you are diagnosed then there are certain things that you will need to know and there is so much learning and information to take in. So don't be worried if you read things on here that you are yet to be told about. The Doctor/nurse will tell you intially what you need to keep you safe and get you started.

There is a tremendous amount of experience here, so it's great you have found us so early on. We will be able to support you and answer any questions you have.

So you should get the results today, if you haven't heard anything I would suggest phoning up to find out.
 
sofaraway said:
Welcome to the forum. As Alan says it is too early to say without the blood tests results. But the way you have presented clinically can give your GP an idea of what type you are liekly to be. Did they perform a gluocse and and urine test whilst you were in the surgery?
Click to expand...

sofaraway said:
To begin with it is scary and confusing, but you will work your way through it. The most scary aspect I imagine is injecting. Most people find that after a few days that is no problem. If you are diagnosed then there are certain things that you will need to know and there is so much learning and information to take in. So don't be worried if you read things on here that you are yet to be told about. The Doctor/nurse will tell you intially what you need to keep you safe and get you started.

There is a tremendous amount of experience here, so it's great you have found us so early on. We will be able to support you and answer any questions you have.

So you should get the results today, if you haven't heard anything I would suggest phoning up to find out.
Click to expand...

I'm glad I found you too! It's been good to hear from so many helpful and friendly people.
I'm sure I'll deal with the results when I get them.....(eventually)
I really feel that if i have any questions or worries, no matter how silly, i can pop on here and get great advice. Thank you all so much.

Cat 🙂
 
Hi and welcome to the forum🙂
I'm sorry to read you have received such negative treatment from the nurse.
 
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