Big Hello and Seasons Greetings

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mark.johnson

mark.johnson

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Big ?Hi? to everyone..and a Merry Christmas!

I was diagnosed with Type 1 on Friday morning after rushing back/forth between hospitals and GP all last week, with more hospital visits next week.

To be honest, everything?s happened so quickly I haven?t really haven't had time to take it all in. As most of you can imagine, Friday midday I sat at my dinner table with this huge bag from the pharmacy, glazed look on my face, thinking what do I do with all this stuff?!?

I had some excellent advise from my GP, but most of it went in one ear out the other.

Bar being slightly overwhelmed with the news, I think I?ve managed to handle it ok so far with a smile and nervous laugh.

I managed my 1st injection in my leg Saturday night after freaking out about 20 times and then felt so silly afterwards when I realised it doesn't hurt. In fact the lance for the blood test hurts more then the injection.

Although I still hesitate for a good 5 minutes before actually giving myself injections now.

Hopefully someone could answer a couple of questions for me?

- I?d like to take NovaRapid in my stomach, but can?t bring myself to do this yet. In the end I take the injection in my leg (still with the 5 minutes hesitation), any thoughts or tips to overcome the fear?

- How quickly should my blood sugar levels come down to a normal number (and what?s normal?)

Many thanks
--Mark
 
Hi Mark, welcome to the forum 🙂 There's no great time to be diagnosed, but it looks like you picked one of the less popular times! There is no doubt a huge amount of stuff buzzing around in your mind still, so it will take a while to sink in. There is lots of help and support available though, so I'm glad you have found us so quickly

I would suggest having a look at our Useful links thread, and in particular I would recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas, which is a terrific guide and reference to everything Type 1 - indispensable! 🙂

Regarding injections - I think the the best approach is 'just do it', as the phrase goes! The more you think about it, the more tense you become and the more it builds up in your mind. But as you have already said, the fingerpricks hurt more, so it's best to just be quick and get it over with. You might also like to ask your nurse if you can try different needle lengths as you might find one more suitable fr you than the ones you are currently using.

'Normal' range is between 4 and 7 mmol/l when you wake up and before meals. The ideal is to aim not to be above 8.5 mmol.l two hours after eating, but it will take a while for things to settle down and for you to learn how different things affect you. Much of the learning experience is trial and error, so it does take time and patience - don't be too worried if you get some high numbers, just learn from the information and try to see how it might be avoided in future.

Please feel free to ask anything that is confusing or worrying you, and we will do our best to help 🙂 It's a bit quiet today, but there is usually someone around who has a similar experience to share, and the main thing is that we understand so you don't have to explain to people who don;t really 'get it'.

I hope that, despite the diagnosis, you are enjoying Christmas - anything is allowed, just in moderation! I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
 
Many thanks for the warm welcome and thank you for the advice. :D

I?ve been told I?m somewhat in a ?grey area? when comes to which type, as I?m 36, relatively fit, normal weight for my age/height. I think this is also why I?m going in next week for more blood tests etc. The GP wanted me on something while over the festive period as my sugar levels where in the mid 20?s.

Currently after fasting overnight, my levels are around 10 in the morning and that?s after taking Lantus at 22:00 each night.

To be honest, I think I?m more scared of overprescribing during the day, I tend to eat when I?m hungry and not have set/times meals.

As you?ve already mentioned, I do think it?s a case of trial and error. I?m trying to take everything in my stride, but I do like to do things perfectly which I?m going to have to ease up on a little. And I know it?s all going to settle down eventually once I?ve got myself into a rhythm, just hope it doesn?t take too long for me to do this... 😛

hehe..Christmas has been fun so far, bar the blurry vision..

Ohh one last question, how often do people take their blood sugar levels?
I?m currently at 2 a day due to the fact I?m away and didn?t pack enough test strips.
 
I test my blood on average 6 times a day - before each meal and the other two can be for a variety of reasons, such as it I feel low, high, or if I wasnt to see the effect of different foods on my blood sugar levels. Hopefully, you will be put on a course which will teach you how to 'carb-count', which is matching your insulin doses to the amount of carbohydrate in the food you wish to eat. I'm guessing that you are currently on fixed doses for your meals? Learning to adjust doses will make things more flexible and hopefully result in better control of your levels in time.

I was like you when diagnosed - fit and normal weight for build and height. In fact I was due to run a marathon the week I was diagnosed! 😱 Diabetes is far from the clear-cut Type1/Type2 stereotypes as portrayed by large sections of the media. The important thing is getting the correct treatment that will help you manage your blood sugar levels well. If you continue on insulin then you should ask to be referred to a consultant-led clinic, as this is more appropriate than a GP, since most GPs' experience is with tablet-controlled Type 2. It's possible that your upcoming blood tests are a GAD antibody and C-peptide test which can determine if your diabetes is autoimmune in origin (Type 1).

You may find it easier in future if you start to establish a more regular eating routine. Your eyesight should return to normal in a week or two, so don't go and get new glasses until you are sure your sight hasfully recovered or you will be wasting your money! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forums Mark 🙂
 
I really appreciate you answering my questions (even more so on Xmas day!), you?ve certainly put my mind at ease! 🙂

Yep, measured dose: 10units of Lantus at a set time per day and 2-4units of NovoRapid with each meal.
Although I?m being a bit naughty with the NovoRapid at the moment by only taking it if I feel a bit dodgy. Must change that! 😉

You could be right about the up coming tests, wasn?t taking a lot in on Friday.

It really is trying to keep all the information in. Like most people who?ve been diagnosed, it?s certainly overwhelming, but it?s nice to know there are other people who have been in the same boat, successfully getting on with their lives and are willing to help others! 🙂

I won?t bother you with anymore questions and leave you to enjoy the remainder of Xmas day! 😎
 
Not a problem Mark, that's why we're here, so if anything crops up then let us know. You may not get an instant response, but you will get one! 🙂
 
Welcome Mark - must be a really daunting time for you but it will get easier (the injections will at least!) I'm new to type 1 too so I can't give much advice but I did find that counting to 3 before injecting (or getting my other half to count me down) worked well and you soon get used to it and will be doing it without thinking about it!
Anyway, just wanted to say hi, welcome to the forum - people here I've found are a wealth of knowledge so take advantage!

Hope you are having a good Christmas and able to still enjoy the festive season!
Take care.

Hannah
 
Welcome to the forum and Merry Xmas! 🙂
 
Hi Mark &the welcome to the club!
I've been injecting for 29 years now and this part of diabetes is seriously the least significant for me - much more tiresome is the need to eat, especially at times when you don't want to.
injecting in the stomach is one of the easiest places, odd though that may seem?
Good luck in taking all the info on board; just remember that, although there seems a lot, none of it is difficult in isolation. The interesting part comes when you start to add it all up.
That is where this forum is particularly strong, as there are plenty of people that have been through similar stuff and can offer their experiences as a guide.
Good luck with it all
Cheers,
Chris.
 
Thank you all for the warm welcome! 🙂

I?m a little undecided about how I feel to be honest, at the moment I think I?ve kinda shrugged it off with a smile and just got on with it. Although in some strange way it?s nice to know why I?ve been feeling the way I have over the last couple of months.

Thank you all for the advice and I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day!
 
Hi Mark and welcome to the forum, bit daunting for you to find out just before Christmas, but you are coping really well by the sound of it.🙂
 
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