I'm very happy to be here. I'm a Type 1 diabetic but diagnosed later than I should have been. My father was diabetic and my brothers are also although one brother is a tye2 controlled with oral meds. I thought I knew everything, having grown up in a diabetic household. I was wrong. Ha!! Lots of bumps in the road but I'm doing my best to stay healthy and active in spite of it. I look forward to learning from all of you.
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Hello from a Newbie
- Thread starter mb1130
- Start date
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RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I learnt something yesterday, you can get gout in your shoulders and hands as well as in your feet.
RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Yeah I've got major problems with my feet and was reading about gout. I learned yesterday that I have been assessed as unable to work by DWP. Which was a bit of a surprise but confirms the severity of the problem.
TheClockworkDodo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome from me too.
Yes, tell us more about your story? Many of us were diagnosed later in life here and all too frequently there is a tendency to assume we are Type 2 initially, so would be interested to here your experience.
Which insulin(s) are you on and how are you managing with them? Do you have Freestyle Libre or other CGM or are you still relying on finger pricks?
If there is anything you think we can help you with, please shout up. I have learned most of what I know about diabetes from the good people here and the forum "hive mind" of shared knowledge and practical experience is probably one of the best resources in the world for a range of practical solutions to diabetes management. I hope you will benefit from being an active member here as much as I have over the last 4.5 years.
Yes, tell us more about your story? Many of us were diagnosed later in life here and all too frequently there is a tendency to assume we are Type 2 initially, so would be interested to here your experience.
Which insulin(s) are you on and how are you managing with them? Do you have Freestyle Libre or other CGM or are you still relying on finger pricks?
If there is anything you think we can help you with, please shout up. I have learned most of what I know about diabetes from the good people here and the forum "hive mind" of shared knowledge and practical experience is probably one of the best resources in the world for a range of practical solutions to diabetes management. I hope you will benefit from being an active member here as much as I have over the last 4.5 years.
I'm embarrassed to say that, even though my father and brother were diabetic, my mother actively discouraged doctor visits. She was so afraid of what she would find out. It wasn't until I was an adult that I began to go to the doctor for something as simple as a sore throat. With my first child I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes but told it would go away post partum. Second baby, different doctor, same scenario. No follow up after baby arrived. Again, I hate to admit it but I was busy with babies and just thought the Dr.'s were probably right. A few years later my GP said my glucose was 150 and I should not eat oranges or bananas. That advice is a little bananas right?!?!? So I watched my diet, walked or managed an hour of aerobic exercise every day. I was eating little, exercising constantly. 5'4' and 97-98 pounds at the time. My brother was testing my glucose levels and telling me to get to a doctor. I finally did because someone who is underweight and following dietary guidelines for diabetics shouldn't be testing at 175. The new doctor ran tests confirming that I'm Type 1 and I started insulin only 8 years ago. I'm struggling. Testing constantly, eating right (most of the time) but my numbers remain high most of the time. I posted in another thread about upper abdominal discomfort. Another fun aspect of diabetes? I know I sound negative but I'm not. I watched my father boiling needles and measuring out the insulin way back when. And it was guess work. Now we can test. Needles are disposable and portable and it's much more convenient to manage than it was in his day. So it's not a picnic but it's better.
I'm not managing very well I'm afraid. I'm relying on finger pricks and it might be time to step it up. I don't really want anything that I need to wear but I'm willing to take the plunge. At least as far as tracking my glucose.
I'm relying on finger pricks and injections but it's getting more difficult. I'm so happy to be on this forum where I can talk to people who understand. I've been active on the forums for about an hour and I'm just so pleased already at how helpful and welcoming it is here!
RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
True. Probably because everyone is on the same level. Although we did have a member the other day that was not happy about type 1's not getting the attention type 2's get. In their opinion, which most people disagreed with.
RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Actually when I first joined and said I'd dropped from an 80 to a 55 A1c the first thing I got was you've got some way to go and other members saying how much better they'd done than me. But whatever.
I have found most people on here very supportive and willing to offer constructive advice. I can only speak for myself, but I started at 81 and dropped to 52 and was very pleased with my progress since for the first few weeks I didn’t know what I should eat or what I was testing for. I don’t want to get into a competition with anybody, but I would prefer to offer encouragement to those that are new to this. I can’t offer much advice as I am still learning about T2, being treated with meds, diet & exercise.
RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Thanks. I am thinking posting my comments here was a mistake but I think I'll leave them rather than have them deleted. I also agree people here are very helpful and I am probably over-reacting. Have a good day.
Docb
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Please leave your comments. The membership is very good keeping a perspective on things, mostly without help from the mods. It is to me one of the strengths of the forum. You are always going to get views at the extremes but the best thing is to accept it is a public forum, is populated by real people not trying to sell you something, and not to get irritated by things which you might not agree wholeheartedly with.
By the way, you would get nothing but congratulations from me on dropping from 80 to 55 on your HbA1c. You might get a suggestion that you keep doing what you are doing to try and keep it going down but that isn't criticism, it's encouragement!
RichardsUsername
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Yes I agree with all that you've said. I too think people should post what they want and let others decide what they think of their comments. Thank you for your response.
TheClockworkDodo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thanks for sharing your story, @mb1130 - goodness, those are scary high levels, it's amazing you didn't end up in hospital with DKA. Thank goodness your brother persuaded you to get to a doctor when you did.
The upper abdominal discomfort, coupled with your difficulty managing your blood sugar, makes me wonder about pancreatitis - it's very rare and would normally be horribly painful rather than giving discomfort so it's not very likely, but maybe something to bear in mind? We do have at least one member here who has no pain at all with his. If the discomfort gets any worse it might be worth mentioning to your DSN or consultant (assuming you are seen by hospital rather than by GP or surgery DN - if you're only seen at surgery it's worth asking for a referral to hospital diabetes clinic as with type 1, and especially given that you're struggling to manage your type 1, should be supervised by hospital not by surgery).
As a type 1 you should be able to match your insulin to what you're eating rather than trying to eat right - there's very little a type 1 wouldn't expect to be able to eat - so the high numbers suggest to me that your insulin isn't right - either the insulins you're using aren't the best ones for you or your insulin:carbs ratio is wrong, or you just need to increase your dose/s slightly. Which insulins are you using, if you don't mind my asking?
The upper abdominal discomfort, coupled with your difficulty managing your blood sugar, makes me wonder about pancreatitis - it's very rare and would normally be horribly painful rather than giving discomfort so it's not very likely, but maybe something to bear in mind? We do have at least one member here who has no pain at all with his. If the discomfort gets any worse it might be worth mentioning to your DSN or consultant (assuming you are seen by hospital rather than by GP or surgery DN - if you're only seen at surgery it's worth asking for a referral to hospital diabetes clinic as with type 1, and especially given that you're struggling to manage your type 1, should be supervised by hospital not by surgery).
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, that is what I thought but it turns out the OP is in the USA and those are BG readings in mg/dl.... Phew. I was thinking an HbA1c 175 mmols/mol was an all time record and OP was lucky to be alive, but 175 equates to a BG of about 10mmols/l so not nearly so desperate.
TheClockworkDodo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thanks, @rebrascora - must admit I did wonder whether they were UK measurements, but they were just low enough to be plausible! In that case, @mb1130 you are not doing that badly, and most of my previous post probably doesn't make a lot of sense as your primary/secondary healthcare system will be different, but it would still be helpful to know which insulins you are using and whether you are adjusting your doses to match what you eat (rather than the other way round) as people here might be able to help with that.
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