Seeing nurses again Friday. Can't claim to be able to understand anything just now, it's like being hit by a train. Finding everything so hard and just dissolving in tears often, though recognise that's not helpful. Thus far have only been told to use 6 units Lantum slow acting x1 per day. They want to start rapid action insulin too this week, but honestly I find it all terrifying. I can't see how I'll ever get the hang of this carb counting and insulin balancing act. They keep telling me I will but it doesn't feel that way.
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Hello, newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic less than 2 weeks. Saw diabetic specialist nurses and cons for first time friday.
- Thread starter london5
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Well, I know you have to and I'm reading stuff on here and from healthcare team. I do cook from scratch but I don't quite understand how you predict what you'll eat or do on any given day. If I made a gravy for example how would I know whether and/or how many carbs it contained? All food feels scary now and I'm not overweight but putting on weight is now all consuming and I'm not someone who tests at regular times, never have, I eat when and if I'm hungry and I hate all this having to. What if you get it wrong? No one wants diabetes I know but this doesn't feel like a life I want despite all the people saying you'll do all the things you did before.
I tend to think of it like driving a car.
If someone told me, I had to use three foot pedals, a steering wheel, a gear stick, sat nav, keep an eye on other (often unpredictable) road users and chat to my passenger at the same time and it would become second nature, I would think they were lying. But I do this all the time now.
Yes, managing Type 1 diabetes is intimidating at first but most of us get the hang of it relatively quickly.
If someone told me, I had to use three foot pedals, a steering wheel, a gear stick, sat nav, keep an eye on other (often unpredictable) road users and chat to my passenger at the same time and it would become second nature, I would think they were lying. But I do this all the time now.
Yes, managing Type 1 diabetes is intimidating at first but most of us get the hang of it relatively quickly.
Tdm
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It will take time, but it DOES get easier.
I reacted by crying too, that's fine. Took me a week or two before i could pull myself off the couch.
As for eating when you want, you can still do this. Admittedly you have to count the carbs but you get used to that.
As for making mistakes, you will. Thats ok too
I reacted by crying too, that's fine. Took me a week or two before i could pull myself off the couch.
As for eating when you want, you can still do this. Admittedly you have to count the carbs but you get used to that.
As for making mistakes, you will. Thats ok too
You don’t have to predict what you are going to eat all day - only your next meal. And if you fancy an extra roastie or a pud, you can give yourself more insulin. There is not maximum number of doses you can have in an day.
When you start carb counting you will soon get to know what is worth counting and what you can “ignore” - you don’t have to be super accurate. The carbs in the flour you use for thickening your gravy will probably be lost in the carbs in the potatoes or the fruit crumble and custard.
You can eat when you want. If you want breakfast at 3pm, have breakfast at 3pm as long as you have your insulin. If you don’t fancy any breakfast, don’t have it and don’t take insulin for it.
If you get it wrong, correct (treat the hypo or give yourself more insulin) and learn for next time. I am pretty sure everyone with Type 1 has made a mistake at some point but there are lots of us here to tell the tale.
I appreciate how daunting it feels. Think of it as grieving - you can cry, you can get annoyed, you can feel frustrated. We have all been there.
Leadinglights
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Hopefully some of the other Type 1 folk will be along soon. But the insulin you are on is a basal insulin to keep your blood glucose level (assuming the dose is correct) in the absence of food so you will likely find when you eat carbohydrates your level will increase, and that would be what the bolus insulin would be taken for so if you didn't have a meal you would not need to take the insulin. You would only take it when you ate whenever that might be.
Thank you for that. Daunting is the word! I need to find some positive from somewhere and what you've said does help. I feel so stupid but since yesterday I was 'normal' and today as it were I'm diabetic I suppose its an unrealistic expectation of myself to know everything straight away. Good to know I can eat when I want, just feel like I'm eating by the clock at the moment and I hate that.
It's all the jargon too, I sort of thought that would be it, but I wasn't sure but it makes perfect sense now you've said it. Thank you. So grateful.
Evening London and the word often used to describe being told you have diabetes especially if it is out of the blue is “ overwhelming” and you are not alone in your experience.
Personally once I got over the initial diagnosis I felt relieved that at least I knew what I was dealing with so found it much easier to move forward.
It will be interesting to fast forward a few weeks as others have said you will soon settle down into a new routine and many of the things you currently find difficult to comprehend just become part of your everyday life.
The important bit is take your time and readjust slowly to your new situation which we have all had to do and it does get easier over time as you gain experience and understanding of how best to manage it and you get stabilised.
Wishing you all the best and hope you find this forum as supportive and informative as I have done.
Personally once I got over the initial diagnosis I felt relieved that at least I knew what I was dealing with so found it much easier to move forward.
It will be interesting to fast forward a few weeks as others have said you will soon settle down into a new routine and many of the things you currently find difficult to comprehend just become part of your everyday life.
The important bit is take your time and readjust slowly to your new situation which we have all had to do and it does get easier over time as you gain experience and understanding of how best to manage it and you get stabilised.
Wishing you all the best and hope you find this forum as supportive and informative as I have done.
Leadinglights
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There are a couple of books recommended for those newly diagnosed with Type 1 which you may find helpful.
Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.
And Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (ignore the title - it’s great for adults too).
Leadinglights
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No it is fine for everyone regardless of age.
Leadinglights
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Once you get you bolus insulin you should be able to eat normally as you will count the carbs for the meals you are going to have so may find that your current recipes will be fine.
But if you are looking for lower carb meals (not that you may need to) then people find the Caldesi or Pinch of NOM books are good or things on the website sugarfreelondoner for both sweet low carb or savoury.
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