Hello Again

[Debsy]

Hi, there. I've not been on the site for a while. Anyone who is new to diabetes, I can tell you my story. I was diagnosed on 10 February as type 1 diabetic. My father had been in hospital since October last year after having a quadruple bypass and he suffered complications. He came out of hospital at the end of January. I knew something was wrong with my body and I went to the doctors and said 'I think I have got diabetes'. She asked why. I said that I had been eating like a donkey and losing weight, thirsty all the time, drinking and drinking water and nothing would quench my thirst and mid afternoon I could have killed to eat something sweet. Luckily my doctor is fantastic and sent me for blood tests and didn't just 'fob me off' as some doctors do. My readings came back at 18 after fasting. She said they couldn't diagnose after one test but because of my severe symptoms to have another test in two weeks. She then telephoned me at work and suggested that I take in a water sample. I did this the next morning at 8.30 am and at 9.00 am she called me at work and told me to go straight to hospital that the admissions unit were waiting for me and that I had keytones in my water.
I telephoned my sister and husband crying, hadn't I gone through enough the past few months. The doctors did lots of tests and at the end of the day they diagnosed me as being type 1 diabetic. Gave me insulin, tester, explained about hypos, eating habits etc. I was knocked for six. Petrified, couldn't believe what I had been told. Everything was too much to take in. I got home that evening with my husband gutted. All the information was too much for me to take in. Luckily one of our good friends is a diabetic and was a rock to me. Ringing me every day to help me. I also went on this site and people gave me great advice. I was absolutely scared to death but six months down the line its not that bad. You can still live a great life, yes I have had to make adjustments and its a 'pain in the arse' at times but I still have fun and eat what I want within reason, I just have to keep an eye on my bloods and if sometimes its high, then I have learnt not to beat myself up about it. Please please get in touch if you are newly diagnosed and feel scared.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the update Debsy. It's really good to hear how you have accepted your diabetes after such a difficult introduction. I'm sure your story will really help others who are in the situation you were just 6 months ago. 🙂 I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂

 

[Steff]

Hi Debsy welcome to the forum,,thank you for posting that hun.... x How is your father now after his bypass.What insulin regime are you on'?

p.s Im sure your story will help others

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Debsy,
It was helpful to read your story - I've only been diagnosed 2 weeks and can't really take it all in - trying not to read too much information because I scares it silly. My GP hasn't prescribed anything as my fasting was 7.4 and my random 11.7; I don't have any symptoms; diabetes was discovered because I pushed for a blood test because my brother is diabetic (type 2) and they found fat in my liver. I'm trying to take 1 day at a time; and trying to help myself - not yet testing (nurse advised again this) but have ordered a free tester on line. Had a retinal appointment today with my regular optician (paid for this myself) who reported everything was fine; and have private diabetic foot check on Thursday (again I am paying for this). It's a minefield but as I said I'm not reading too much as it scares me silly and I'll only make myself ill. Healthy eating and regular exercise and I am losing weight but don't know yet if this is sufficient (had my first HBa1c blood test yesterday) and cholestrol check (latter is definate as all my family have high cholesterol); its about taking small steps; one day at a time; and being kind to yourself. Amanda 🙂

 

[Debsy]

Hi Amanda, healthy eating and regular exercise is good. I have found that regular low impact exercise really brings my blood sugar down, but I think everyone is different. I have learnt that there is no exact science for diabetes and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. But one thing I do know is that you learn how your body works. My first HBA1C was 11.9. My last one was 7.7, but I think the results of my next one will be slightly higher because my blood sugar has been up and down as I am going through what is called the 'honeymoon period'. I think this may only be for type 1 and it is when your pancreas stops and starts producing insulin.

 

[Debsy]

Hi, my father is doing ok, he is never going to be 100% fit and healthy but considering he was in and out of intensive care it is quite a miracle. I am on Novorapid and levemir. I always take my levemir but depending on what exercise I do, I may not need to take any Novorapid and thats the difficult thing to judge. I would rather my blood be slightly higher than have a hypo, which isn't necessarily the best thing to do but the diabetic nurse has said I need to do what I feel comfortable with and as time goes on I will get better.

 

[Blythespirit]

Hi Debsy. Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story with us. It's good to see you dealing with things so positively and I'm sure anyone newly diagnosed will be encouraged to read it. There is life after diagnosis and diabetes need not take over your life completetly. I hope we see more of you now you've found us again. Take care. XXXXX