Hello everybody

[dean76]

hello group,
new member just found this site, type 1 diabetic for around 20 years, recently had laser in right eye for the second time, no noticeable visual problems, bit distressing though, blood sugar controls quite good, any advice other than watch your bloods!
dean.

 

[Lisa66]

Hello Dean, welcome along.

Not really, other than as you say, good control and regular checks. Sometimes easier said than done though isn’t it?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Dean and welcome from me too.

I am newly diagnosed and still building confidence at managing my diabetes, so I am sure you know a whole lot more than me. I was initially diagnosed as Type 2 due to age, so I approached management of it from a type 2 perspective of eating very low carb. Having been tested and found to be Type 1 after I didn't respond to strict diet and oral meds, I find it easier to continue with that very low carb diet but introduced more fats and use a basal dose at night and then a minimum amount of bolus insulin once or twice a day for my meals and avoiding carbs as much as possible for breakfast when I am most insulin resistant.
What type of insulin do you have? Have you tried any of the modern technology like pumps and CGM? Not sure the former is for me but I would love a CGM system, but unfortunately my finances don't run to self funding long term and if I started, I'm not sure I would want to give it up.
Anyway, look forward to hearing more from you and perhaps gaining some practical advice and tips from you.

 

[SB2015]

Good morning @dean76 , and welcome to the forum.
I am glad that you found this forum.

It is so easy for others to say ‘just keep your levels under control’. However, that is what we need to do but I think I would add on the end, ‘as best you can’. There are many factors to juggle each day: carbs, exercise levels, the heat, ... and they don’t always behave themselves!!

I have certainly found that the more recent technology has really helped reduce my HbA1c, and I am no tech expert at all. What insulin’s are you using? Do you use Injections or pump?

I look forward to hearing more from you

 

[dean76]

Hi SB2015,
Thanks for the reply, very true. I am using novorapid (3) and lantus (1) I also take 2 blood pressure tablets daily although my blood pressure is under control, my hba1c levels are ok but they could be better.
I have considered the pump but It just seems like more paraphernalia! I cycle a lot and I work long unsociable hours, it's something that I need to look into. Any thoughts would be welcome
Dean

 

[dean76]

Hello Dean, welcome along.

Not really, other than as you say, good control and regular checks. Sometimes easier said than done though isn’t it?

Hello Dean, welcome along.

Not really, other than as you say, good control and regular checks. Sometimes easier said than done though isn’t it?

Hi Lisa,
Very true, coupled with the fact is not an exact science, my control isn't too bad but I'm aiming to improve it, I don't drink or smoke and eat quite healthily but theres still variation day to day with the same routine, but as with everything else all you can do is hope for the best!
Dean

 

[dean76]

Hi Dean and welcome from me too.

I am newly diagnosed and still building confidence at managing my diabetes, so I am sure you know a whole lot more than me. I was initially diagnosed as Type 2 due to age, so I approached management of it from a type 2 perspective of eating very low carb. Having been tested and found to be Type 1 after I didn't respond to strict diet and oral meds, I find it easier to continue with that very low carb diet but introduced more fats and use a basal dose at night and then a minimum amount of bolus insulin once or twice a day for my meals and avoiding carbs as much as possible for breakfast when I am most insulin resistant.
What type of insulin do you have? Have you tried any of the modern technology like pumps and CGM? Not sure the former is for me but I would love a CGM system, but unfortunately my finances don't run to self funding long term and if I started, I'm not sure I would want to give it up.
Anyway, look forward to hearing more from you and perhaps gaining some practical advice and tips from you.

Hi Barbara,
Very interesting, you've certainly got the right attitude, very practical, I'm sure your control will be fine. I'm on lantus and novorapid, I need a more methodical attitude but I've been diabetic for so long I try to just do what I need to do and know what I need to know while trying to stay in range. I would consider pump but havnt heard of other technology cgm? I'll look into this, thanks
Dean

 

[nonethewiser]

I have considered the pump but It just seems like more paraphernalia! I cycle a lot and I work long unsociable hours, it's something that I need to look into. Any thoughts would be welcome

Paraphernalia nah, mate once you start to pump you won't look back, makes life so much easier, more so when you include other tech like libre.

 

[Lisa66]

Definitely not an exact science. Like you, what works for me one day, doesn’t the next, or works one week and all change again...I think it’s the not always knowing that’s the most frustrating bit. Sometimes this type 1 malarkey just doesn’t want to stick to the rules. Team seem happy enough with my numbers, but I always want to improve and get rid of the bumps.

I can’t comment on the pumps, other than to say that everyone who has them seem to love them and from what I hear and read, it’s very rare that anyone goes back to injecting. Maybe have a look at the pump related threads.

As for the Libre, this is a game changer, in my opinion. I thought I’d been toddling along quite happily for years. Then you have this little disk to stick on your arm, a quick swipe with a reader or your mobile phone and then you can see exactly what’s been happening to your levels in between testing. It shows you which direction your levels are heading in at any moment. I love it! You are able to see what your blood sugar has been doing overnight. It can be quite addictive. I’d highly recommend looking into this for tweaking your control.

I don’t know where you are but it’s worth asking your team about this. Some areas it appears to be more difficult to get it on prescription than others, and there is a criteria to meet. But to be honest most type ones meet at least a couple of things on the list. Or you may be in a position to self fund. Anyway, it’s definitely worth a look. There are lots of threads on the forum regarding the Libre. Did I mention I love it!🙂

 

[dean76]

Paraphernalia nah, mate once you start to pump you won't look back, makes life so much easier, more so when you include other tech like libre.

Hi, I'm definitely going to look into it soon cheers

 

[dean76]

Definitely not an exact science. Like you, what works for me one day, doesn’t the next, or works one week and all change again...I think it’s the not always knowing that’s the most frustrating bit. Sometimes this type 1 malarkey just doesn’t want to stick to the rules. Team seem happy enough with my numbers, but I always want to improve and get rid of the bumps.

I can’t comment on the pumps, other than to say that everyone who has them seem to love them and from what I hear and read, it’s very rare that anyone goes back to injecting. Maybe have a look at the pump related threads.

As for the Libre, this is a game changer, in my opinion. I thought I’d been toddling along quite happily for years. Then you have this little disk to stick on your arm, a quick swipe with a reader or your mobile phone and then you can see exactly what’s been happening to your levels in between testing. It shows you which direction your levels are heading in at any moment. I love it! You are able to see what your blood sugar has been doing overnight. It can be quite addictive. I’d highly recommend looking into this for tweaking your control.

I don’t know where you are but it’s worth asking your team about this. Some areas it appears to be more difficult to get it on prescription than others, and there is a criteria to meet. But to be honest most type ones meet at least a couple of things on the list. Or you may be in a position to self fund. Anyway, it’s definitely worth a look. There are lots of threads on the forum regarding the Libre. Did I mention I love it!🙂

Hi Lisa,
Thank you for that, very useful information, I wasn't aware of libre it sounds very interesting and usefull, I'm in Liverpool I don't know about the availability where I am but I'm certainly going to look into it
Dean

 

[grovesy]

Hi Lisa,
Thank you for that, very useful information, I wasn't aware of libre it sounds very interesting and usefull, I'm in Liverpool I don't know about the availability where I am but I'm certainly going to look into it
Dean

you could look for the information on your local CCG website for criteria.

 

[rebrascora]

The Freestyle Libre by Abbott is a type of CGM (Constant Glucose Monitoring) system which is available on the NHS in certain circumstances. The disposable sensor is stuck to your arm and last about 2 weeks before being replaced and enables you to scan your BG whenever you wish but also constantly records the levels so that you can see on a chart what your readings have been throughout the day and night whilst it is fitted. There are other systems like the Dexcom G6 which is said to be a better system and has alarms to alert you if you are heading for a hypo or hyper. Both are very expensive.... the Libre sensors are about £60 a time and the Dexcom a little less but only last 10 days. As you can imagine, the information they provide you with regarding how badly certain foods spike you and for how long and how soon to pre bolus your rapid insulin to synchronise it with the glucose hitting your bloodstream as well the potential to spot hypos before they happen and head them off. Really great innovation! Hopefully they will become cheaper the more people that use them, especially now that Abbott are ramping up their production at last.... they were unable to take on any new customers for quite a long time because demand outstripped production.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Hi Dean. Worth having a think about the pump. I've had mine 1.5 years now and it's made a big difference to my control and I wouldn't go back to injections. Before going on the pump I had to attend a DAFNE carb counting course. I'd thought I knew what I was doing up till then in terms of carb counting but the course was a bit of an eye opener and helped to tighten up control. Also as mentioned if you can get the Libre then that will help a lot. I've funded the occasional sensor myself over the past 2-3 years but am getting them on prescription from next week.