Hello everyone - Introduction from a newbie

[Nordic Girl]

This is my first post here. I have recently joined Diabetes UK as a member and received my welcome ‘package’ in post yesterday which included the publication of ‘Everyday life with Type 1 diabetes’ which I found extremely useful and read it straight away from cover to cover. I had the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in February 2020, just before the pandemic and lockdown. Initially wrongly diagnosed some 6 years ago as type 2. Needless to say there has been very little support available during these difficult times, I saw a specialist consultant in hospital last April, my next appointment in October has been cancelled and moved till February next year. I am finding life very challenging at the moment and hoping to learn useful information by joining Diabetes UK. I was meant to go on a Type 1 diabetes education course last year but it did not go ahead and still hasn’t - instead the only information I have is from The Bertie on-line-course which I followed last year. I don’t know any type 1 diabetics in my area and am feeling quite lonely. I find carbohydrate counting hard work as I am not technically minded to use various apps. Listened to a talk by Southampton Hospital consultant about type 1 diabetes on this site which was very educational. I find it quite overwhelming to deal with this at my age, late onset Type 1 - I was 71 last year. Hoping to connect and learn a lot here at Diabetes UK site.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Welcome, and while nobody likes getting the diagnosis it's better to have the correct one than trying to struggle assuming you're Type 2.

You might be interested in https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/virtual-meetup-second-sunday-of-the-month.88666/ which will happen this afternoon (at 3pm).

 

[Flower]

Hello and welcome @Nordic Girl 🙂

I'm sorry things have been delayed and you are feeling lonely dealing with a new diagnosis. Have you been able to ring up the diabetes clinic you are under and ask if there is any way you can be seen earlier especially as it is all so new to you.

There is a Carbs and Cals paperback book available in place of the app with photos of different meals, foods, portion sizes with guide to carb values.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carbs-Cals...rds=Carbs+and+Cals+book&qid=1631459406&sr=8-1

Keeping a written record of what meals you eat,carb values, insulin dose and before/2 hrs after blood sugar is a good way to get a record of what happens and is useful to look back on.

This is from the Diabetes UK site in case you haven't seen it

Learn about carb counting

Being aware of the amount of carbs in food and drinks is important for everyone with diabetes, we've got some tips to help you do this.

www.diabetes.org.uk

The nuts and bolts of carb counting

When you live with type 1 diabetes, carb counting is a great way of managing your blood sugar or glucose levels. It can give you more freedom and flexibility in what you eat when you're preparing meals at home, grabbing food on the go or eating out. Carb counting does take some time and effort...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Have you got access to a Diabetes Specialist Nurse - DSN - who you can ring/email to ask for advice? It is a lot to take on at the beginning with a steep learning curve and for safety always have hypo treatments - jelly babies, glucose tablets to hand in case your levels start to drop.

Please ask any questions on here, there's a wealth of experience on dealing with insulin/carb counting and all things diabetes.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello again @Nordic Girl

Sorry to hear what a tough time you are having, and how hard it has been for you to get access to appointments.

Sounds like you have been doing really well all things considered.

Did the online BERTIE course help you much?

Many T1s on the forum recommend either Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (suitable for any age!)

or Think Like a Pancreas by Gary Scheiner

As helpful books to understand T1 a little better.

And do keep asking questions on the forum! Shared experiences can be a huge way to unlock some of the oddities of life with T1. And if nothing else it can really help to just let off steam with the frustrations and vagaries of pancreas impersonation. Folks here will instinctively ‘get it’.