Hello to all

[Bill Robertson]

Hi.
13th May this year diagnosed Type 1.
Blood test gave 29.2 reading, & everyone went into overdrive!
Bit of a shock & told its unusual at my age (I'm 59!) But hey-ho it is what it is.
Apparently the pancreas can just pack up at will.
Been a bit tough getting my head round things as with the Pandemic the NHS is so busy, which I commend & applaud them for.
2 hospital visits & a few telephone appointments later been sorting myself for the last 5/6 weeks. I "may" get an invite to some classes if/when the pandemic subsides. I don't think normality will be here for some time yet, so still winging it a bit.
They did say sometimes the Pancreas gets a "jump start" & works again for a while.
Last 4 days have taken no insulin during the day, but had the overnight Lantis (3 units) as sugar levels elevate in the evening.
Readings are between 4 & 10 (lowest 4.1) in the last 4 days, so can only assume the pancreas has jump started.
Weight is a problem as with the furlough since I was diagnosed, then being told not to excess exercise, well, thats self explaining lol.
I was running 3 x 5k a week plus Parkrun on Saturdays, been doing that since last July, never lost an ounce!
The possibility there is that all I was doing was burning excess sugar & no stored sugar, hence no weight loss.
This week, taking it gently, started running again (I'm no sprinter, more a shuffler haha) 2 miles 29.53mins.
I have a running machine, so was at home in case it all went wrong.
Sugar level was 7.2 at start, 7.1 when done, so not bad for a drop which give some confidence.
Bike & rowing machine sit waiting for use, so plenty to go at when I feel the time is right.

I live in CB7 (Cambridgeshire area), middle of nowhere, 1 mile off the road in fields (farming). River bank with trails for dogs/walking, cycling is easy too.
Anyone else in that area? Don't seem to be able to find support group/meetings locally.

I think I just got carried away introducing myself 😳
Sorry about that.
Bill

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Bill Robertson , from another late starter (53).
It is a lot more common than it used to be in us ‘oldies’.

It is nothing you have done to cause this, it is simply a little nest of antibodies that have sat there for years and patiently waited to get giong. Once activated they have destroyed your Beta cells which make the insulin, and you have eventually been asking so much of the last few that they have gone on strike (In layman’s terms: apologies to HCPs). Now that you have some insulin giong in the ones that remain have had a bit of a rest and got going again but they will eventually go the same way as others in T1 as those antibodies will be picking up the signals of their existence and heading that way. In those of diagnosed later in life the destruction seems to be slower than in the youngsters.

It is a lot to take in at the start but it definitely gets easier and there is plenty of help and advice available on here. Whilst I learnt the basics of what I had to do from my DSN I have learnt to finesse things from people on here who also live with their D day to day. A good place for any questions you have. Nothing is considered silly. Just ask.

It is a manageable condition that needs to be given space in your life, otherwise it will make its presence felt. You can do all that you did before it just takes a bit of planning and some adjustments to doses which they will help you with. In the meantime you could look at the education programme on line. Bertie (if I was clever I would hyper link it, but I am not. However I will try and edit if I find it, otherwise I hope someone else will beat me to it)

Stay in touch. Fire away with any questions that you have.

 

[Bill Robertson]

Thank you for the reply.
I think the toughest bit was the 1st day home after.
You have all this stuff & little knowledge on how to use it.
Finger prick always stings. Like a splinter every time. But I guess that's standard as 4 times or more a day, things get tender.
🙄

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Finger prick always stings. Like a splinter every time.

Yes, finger pricking is much worse than the injections. It's still not too bad, I think: make sure the thing's adjusted to the least depth that works for your skin, and use more the side of the finger tip rather than the pad. (And try and get FreeStyle Libre from your healthcare team.)

 

[SB2015]

Thank you for the reply.
I think the toughest bit was the 1st day home after.
You have all this stuff & little knowledge on how to use it.
Finger prick always stings. Like a splinter every time. But I guess that's standard as 4 times or more a day, things get tender.
🙄

It was a few days before I realised that I had dialled up the depth of the finger prick accidentally. No wonder it hurt. Well worth checking and start on the lowest setting and go up to the lowest you need.

 

[trophywench]

Thank you for the reply.
I think the toughest bit was the 1st day home after.
You have all this stuff & little knowledge on how to use it.
Finger prick always stings. Like a splinter every time. But I guess that's standard as 4 times or more a day, things get tender.
🙄

Nooooooo Bill! Finger pricking should NEVER hurt! Have a read of part of a Blog by Alan Shanley (he's Australian and Type 2 but he's both truthful and helpful, as well as being a very very nice man!) entitled
Painless Pricks - cos he has a bloody good SOH too!

Painless Pricks

Managing blood glucose levels for type 2 diabetes. Learning how to achieve long term control by testing and diet.

loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

He's only right, in what he says, again!

 

[Hannah Diabetes UK]

Hi Bill,

A big welcome to the forum, our friendly online community.

Thank you for sharing your story with us and we are always here for support! Feel free to share and comment as much or as little as you like.

Thanks,

Hannah

 

[stephknits]

Welcome to the forum from another late starter (42 at the time). My daughter was also diagnosed during lockdown and it is difficult getting the help and support you need. I am not so very far away from you in sunny Suffolk and also live in rural splendour.
If you can get a freestyle libre prescribed I would recommend it as this cuts down on finger pricks but more importantly gives you loads of useful info regarding your levels.

 

[Lisa66]

Hi Bill.

Sounds like you’re doing well. It’s a bit of a learning curve isn’t it? The forum is great for picking up lots of hints and tips. There’s nearly always someone about to answer a question. No daft questions,we’ve all been in your position. I still learn helpful things on here, even after all these years.

Good to be getting back into your exercise. Keep in mind that sometimes exercise can still affect/lower your sugar levels up to 24 hrs later, but sounds like you’re being sensible. This is another occasion where the Libre @stephknits mentioned is really helpful.

Anyway, welcome along.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Bill Robertson

Glad you have found the forum! Lots of experienced and friendly folks here whose brains you can pick on any and all questions that you have - nothing will be considered too obvious or ‘silly’ 🙂

If you’d like a well known and well respected ‘handbook’ to help you in your early years, Ragnar Hanas’s T1 Diabetes book (suitable for any age!) is a good investment.

If you feel ready to dig a little deeper into modern diabetes management, and don’t want to wait for a face-to-face course to become available, you can access the full BERTIE course for free online here:

Bertie Diabetes

www.bertieonline.org.uk

 

[Bill Robertson]

Just to say Thank you for being so welcoming 🙂