Hello, I’m new to this group. I have had Type 1 dlook forward to being able to talk to other people about it. I’ve always balked at the idea of being part of a “diabetic group “ but I’m beginning to realise that it may be helpful to speak to other people who understand the disease.
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Hello, I’m new to this group. I have had Type 1 dlook forward to being able to talk to other people about it.
- Thread starter Zoe G
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rebrascora
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Hi and welcome Zoe.
So pleased you have found the forum because many of us find that it is a huge relief to share our experiences with people who understand and learn practical tips from others who live with the same challenges. The practicalities of living with diabetes can sometimes be quite different from the theory that nurses and consultants know about, so comparing notes with others can really make you feel more normal, especially when things are not going quite as well as you would like.
How long have you been diagnosed and which insulin(s) are you using? Are you on a pump or MDI and do you have Libre or other CGM?
Look forward to hearing more from you.
So pleased you have found the forum because many of us find that it is a huge relief to share our experiences with people who understand and learn practical tips from others who live with the same challenges. The practicalities of living with diabetes can sometimes be quite different from the theory that nurses and consultants know about, so comparing notes with others can really make you feel more normal, especially when things are not going quite as well as you would like.
How long have you been diagnosed and which insulin(s) are you using? Are you on a pump or MDI and do you have Libre or other CGM?
Look forward to hearing more from you.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hiya Zoe! Make yourself at home and never stop asking - as you can already see, we all ask questions cos it's a bit easier to suggest things that might be of assistance once we know a bit about people's circumstances and what treatment they currently utilise.
SB2015
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Welcome to the forum @Zoe G Very pleased that you have taken the plunge and joined us. There is such a wealth of experience to tap into on here, as well as lots of support from people who ‘get it’.
If you are happy to do so, let us know how you manage your diabetes
I look forward to hearing more from you.
If you are happy to do so, let us know how you manage your diabetes
- which insulin(s) you use
- pens or pump?
- sensor?
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Welcome to forum @Zoe G
I understand your reluctance to join a diabetes group. Like you, I never want to meet people who I had nothing in common with apart from my medical condition. The forum is much more my thing than a face to face meet up. I still get the advantage of the huge diabetes hive mind but don't have to have small talk (unless I want to).
You will find some people better at the small talk than others.
When new members join, the first responses remind me of my first days at uni: "Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? What A levels do you have? What course are you studying". Here, you can choice how much of the "What type of diabetes do you have? How long have you had it? How do you manage it? Do you have a pump? Do you have a CGM? ..." questions you want to answer and, as it is not face to face, you don't have to feel awkward if you don't want to share. I felt rather intimidating when I first joined but I know the questions are asked with good intentions.
If you are asking questions, background info is helpful - the response to a high BG question will be different if you are on mixed insulin or MDI or (manual) pump or HCL, for example.
Once I got used to the forum format and gave up a little info (and then a little more) about myself, I find the forum very useful to learn and share.
Ask any questions you want or just "listen in". You are talking to people who understand what it is like to live with diabetes.
I understand your reluctance to join a diabetes group. Like you, I never want to meet people who I had nothing in common with apart from my medical condition. The forum is much more my thing than a face to face meet up. I still get the advantage of the huge diabetes hive mind but don't have to have small talk (unless I want to).
You will find some people better at the small talk than others.
When new members join, the first responses remind me of my first days at uni: "Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? What A levels do you have? What course are you studying". Here, you can choice how much of the "What type of diabetes do you have? How long have you had it? How do you manage it? Do you have a pump? Do you have a CGM? ..." questions you want to answer and, as it is not face to face, you don't have to feel awkward if you don't want to share. I felt rather intimidating when I first joined but I know the questions are asked with good intentions.
If you are asking questions, background info is helpful - the response to a high BG question will be different if you are on mixed insulin or MDI or (manual) pump or HCL, for example.
Once I got used to the forum format and gave up a little info (and then a little more) about myself, I find the forum very useful to learn and share.
Ask any questions you want or just "listen in". You are talking to people who understand what it is like to live with diabetes.
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The_Bowlii
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum. I joined about 3 months ago, with much trepidation, on the day I was diagnosed. It’s been nothing but helpful to help with everything from the basics through to endurance sports. From the initial dark days of the first few weeks, things feel much brighter with all the help I’ve had on here. Stick with it - we’re all in it together. 🙂
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Welcome to the forum @Zoe G
Glad you have found us!
I was just the same, and would have run a mile from a diabetes group for a long time. But I am a complete convert to the power of peer support, and completely transformed my diabetes management for the better because of being able to compare notes with others living with diabetes online.
Was there anything in particular that made you think now was the right time for you?
Glad you have found us!
I was just the same, and would have run a mile from a diabetes group for a long time. But I am a complete convert to the power of peer support, and completely transformed my diabetes management for the better because of being able to compare notes with others living with diabetes online.
Was there anything in particular that made you think now was the right time for you?
Thanks for all your replies. I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for 49 years. The way diabetes is managed has changed considerably in that time. I started off with glass syringes and metal needled. I’d quite often throw my syringe across the room when I couldn’t flick the air bubbles out of the syringe!! I spent many years not really looking after my diabetes. Missing injections and never testing. In the last three years I’ve started to have problems with my feet. I am now wearing a plaster cast as I have a Charcot in one foot. It has been a tough few months.
I’m currently taking NovoRapid and Lantus using pens. I how a Free Style Libre which makes testing so much easier and blood sugars so much easier to control.
Thanks for listening, there’s so much more I could say but I’ll leave it there for the time being!!
I’m currently taking NovoRapid and Lantus using pens. I how a Free Style Libre which makes testing so much easier and blood sugars so much easier to control.
Thanks for listening, there’s so much more I could say but I’ll leave it there for the time being!!
rebrascora
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Really sorry to hear that you have had a difficult time with your diabetes and that it has now resulted in Charcot. I am going to tag @Flower as she is our resident Charcot expert.
Great that you are finding managing your diabetes easier now you have Libre. I think most of us agree that it is a real game changer although it has it's limitations and I am going to link to a thread with a list of them which we all feel it is important to know because, whilst they are brilliant bits of kit, they are not fool proof and there are times when you still need to double check with a finger prick.....
forum.diabetes.org.uk
I hope you find it helpful and that your Charcot stabilizes soon.
Great that you are finding managing your diabetes easier now you have Libre. I think most of us agree that it is a real game changer although it has it's limitations and I am going to link to a thread with a list of them which we all feel it is important to know because, whilst they are brilliant bits of kit, they are not fool proof and there are times when you still need to double check with a finger prick.....
CGM limitations and precautions
Moderator Note: This helpful reply was copied from another thread as it details some of the commonly experienced limitations of continuous glucose sensors. My blood sugar has been in perfect range for days now, but although I haven't changed anything, I'm starting to get very short periods of...
forum.diabetes.org.uk
Flower
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @Zoe G
I'm really sorry to hear you're dealing with Charcot foot. It is an absoulute pain of a complication and one I'd never heard of until it happened to me 25 years ago.
I was also diagnosed in the era of glass syringes, no blood glucose testing, no internet & forum. I threw a fair few syringes across the room in utter frustration! Tech innovations and access has improved things so much but however good the tech dragging horrible chronic complications with me is so frustrating
I hope you're getting good joined up care for your Charcot foot. Covid really affected the availability of podiatry services and it's taken me a year to get an NHS appointment despite being in a cast. I hope you're managing ok, are you non weight bearing in a cast?
I'm really sorry to hear you're dealing with Charcot foot. It is an absoulute pain of a complication and one I'd never heard of until it happened to me 25 years ago.
I was also diagnosed in the era of glass syringes, no blood glucose testing, no internet & forum. I threw a fair few syringes across the room in utter frustration! Tech innovations and access has improved things so much but however good the tech dragging horrible chronic complications with me is so frustrating
I hope you're getting good joined up care for your Charcot foot. Covid really affected the availability of podiatry services and it's taken me a year to get an NHS appointment despite being in a cast. I hope you're managing ok, are you non weight bearing in a cast?
Hello Flower,
Same with me. It was something I had never heard of until it happened to me. It was a shock and unfortunately it has impacted on the shape of my foot. I have been very lucky with the Diabetic/Foot clinic looking after me. I’m looked after at St Mary’s in Paddington. I’m sorry it took you so long to get an appointment. Have you been in a cast for a year? I try to be non weight bearing but it’s pretty difficult. I couldn’t manage with crutches so I am on my feet some of the time. I’m hoping to be cast free by February but at the moment there is a 4 degree difference in temperature from the foot that is okay. In the run up to Christmas I shall be trying to keep my foot up as much as possible. Thank you for your reply.
Zoe
Same with me. It was something I had never heard of until it happened to me. It was a shock and unfortunately it has impacted on the shape of my foot. I have been very lucky with the Diabetic/Foot clinic looking after me. I’m looked after at St Mary’s in Paddington. I’m sorry it took you so long to get an appointment. Have you been in a cast for a year? I try to be non weight bearing but it’s pretty difficult. I couldn’t manage with crutches so I am on my feet some of the time. I’m hoping to be cast free by February but at the moment there is a 4 degree difference in temperature from the foot that is okay. In the run up to Christmas I shall be trying to keep my foot up as much as possible. Thank you for your reply.
Zoe
Really sorry to hear that you have had a difficult time with your diabetes and that it has now resulted in Charcot. I am going to tag @Flower as she is our resident Charcot expert.
Great that you are finding managing your diabetes easier now you have Libre. I think most of us agree that it is a real game changer although it has it's limitations and I am going to link to a thread with a list of them which we all feel it is important to know because, whilst they are brilliant bits of kit, they are not fool proof and there are times when you still need to double check with a finger prick.....
I hope you find it helpful and that your Charcot stabilizes soon.CGM limitations and precautions
Moderator Note: This helpful reply was copied from another thread as it details some of the commonly experienced limitations of continuous glucose sensors. My blood sugar has been in perfect range for days now, but although I haven't changed anything, I'm starting to get very short periods of...
Hi there,
I was referred to a diabetic physiologist because I cried all the way through my appointment with a dietitian.
I told the physiologist how alone I was feeling coping with my diabetes. I had had several hypos at home and my partner and daughter who is 25 were always angry with me for ‘not looking after myself properly’. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. There have been times when I’ve been lax about it and I understand that people become fearful. Anyway the physiologist suggested I join this group and I thought actually, it may be of support to talk to other people who may understand. It has helped and I intend to attend a group meeting in January. Let’s see!!
Zoe
I was referred to a diabetic physiologist because I cried all the way through my appointment with a dietitian.
I told the physiologist how alone I was feeling coping with my diabetes. I had had several hypos at home and my partner and daughter who is 25 were always angry with me for ‘not looking after myself properly’. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. There have been times when I’ve been lax about it and I understand that people become fearful. Anyway the physiologist suggested I join this group and I thought actually, it may be of support to talk to other people who may understand. It has helped and I intend to attend a group meeting in January. Let’s see!!
Zoe
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There’s nothing like having a space to offload among people who “get it”.
Feel free to share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
And ask any questions - even ones you think must be ‘obvious’. Chances are loads of others want to know people’s thoughts about whatever it is too. 🙂
Hope you find it helpful 🙂
Wow @Flower you are a brave lady and been through so much. Thank you for your reply and passing on the article. It’s certainly cause for thought. I’m going to stay off my foot as much as possible after reading that. Like you my arch has completely dropped and my foot is misshapen. I mourn my foot but I also try to think positively. I wish you well and thank you again.
Zoe
Zoe
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Oh PS @Zoe G - yep to the glass syringe (and apparent impossibility of obtaining new needles or accessing anyone/where to sharpen one) and the sheer relief when my first husband's work female colleague's husband who himself worked for a veterinary supply company and got me a whole box of lovely 'orange' (the luer lock bit) human 10ml disposable syringes. Virtually my whole month's salary (under £40 a month then). So 51years plus experience here - and I still do not have the skill to successfully 'flick' air bubbles from a syringe or from an insulin pump cannula. I managed OK with my first pump since husband #2 had a reasonably weighty pen I could use. Now, neither of us own such an implement ....... ah well.
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