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Hi all, I have just been diagnosed with diabetes

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Y

Yan

Member
Hi all,
I am a 31 year old female and I have been told on Friday that I have diabetes from my recent blood result.

I have had no symptoms and went to the GP because I have been experiencing some pain on the legs. My GP then requested a urine sample and said my ketones are high and referred me straight to A&E.

Having been seen by the diabetes day clinic yesterday, I am now on Metformin and insulin.

Type of diabetes - yet to be confirmed.

I am really scared, my partner and I just brought a house, we were thinking of starting a family.
What does this mean for my future? I am going to die young? Will I become a burden to my partner? Should I even start a family if I'm going to die young?

Sorry, I am just really confused and dont know where my future is.
 
Hi Yan, what a shock you have had finding out that way. Please do not worry to much, diabetes - both type 1, type 2 or any other type is a condition that can be treated daily and with the right medication and the right foods, can be managed to allow a long and fulfilling life. It is not a death sentence and does not mean you will die young. It should not stop you doing anything and although it can mean closer monitoring during pregnancy, it is not a blockade to starting a family. You will see we have a pregnancy thread, to support our forum members who are doing just that, starting a family.

I am sure you will get much reassurance here from members, some who are recently diagnosed like yourself, and others who have been living with diabetes for decades.

So, take a deep breath and take this one step at a time. How are you managing with the insulin? Perhaps you can let us know what insulin and dose you have and some other's here can offer you and guidance with this.

Glad that you have joined the forum. It is natural to worry after such an unexpected result. We are here to guide you along the way, so ask any questions you like, someone here will be happy to answer.

🙂
 
I’m sorry to here about your diagnosis and how much it’s upsetting you. While this is a lifelong condition if it’s well maintained there is no reason why you shouldn’t live a long and happy life. I was only diagnosed in May as type 2 and controlled by drugs so no idea about insulin. Take a deep breath and try to relax have a look around this site will give you loads of information and you will get great advice. The key thing is to watch the carbs they convert to sugar. So cut out white bread rice and pasta. Some on here follow a low carb high fat diet and I’m sure will be along to advise you. But please don’t think your life is over because your diabetic it’s just a different way of life.
 
Thank you @Hannah DUK and @Lyn68 for your advise.

I started using the insulin from last night. They told me to use twice daily along with Metformin tablets.

Its Insulin Humulin 1
300 units/3ml pre-filled pen
I turn it to 6 each time.

Once injected onto my tummy, I get a bit of a tingly pain for a few minutes- is this normal?
 
Hiya - it's a shock - and you need time to get over it.

But - it's hardly a death sentence - after all it's universally known that well controlled diabetes is a major cause of … absolutely nothing.

To start you off until the relevant test results are known and they establish which 'type' you actually are, you are on conservative doses of both a typical T2 drug and a mixed insulin. Both should help whichever it is. The important things at the moment are whether you've got rid of the ketones and what your blood glucose levels are now.

So - have you and what are they?
 
trophywench said:
Hiya - it's a shock - and you need time to get over it.

But - it's hardly a death sentence - after all it's universally known that well controlled diabetes is a major cause of … absolutely nothing.

To start you off until the relevant test results are known and they establish which 'type' you actually are, you are on conservative doses of both a typical T2 drug and a mixed insulin. Both should help whichever it is. The important things at the moment are whether you've got rid of the ketones and what your blood glucose levels are now.

So - have you and what are they?
Click to expand...
Hi Jenny,

Thank you for your message.

They checked yesterday and my Ketones were 1.3 and my blood glucose reading 2 hours ago was 9 (it was 17.5 on Friday evening)
 
Wow, what a scare, and welcome to the group no one wants to be in, but you can .do what you want with your life, although it going to take changes, with diet , exercise and adjustments to your pills and insulin..so you can try get your blood glucose within control..
They're are many people here who can help, just ask if we can help we we will...
One last thought, has a present pregnancy been ruled out ..?
 
Martin9 said:
Wow, what a scare, and welcome to the group no one wants to be in, but you can .do what you want with your life, although it going to take changes, with diet , exercise and adjustments to your pills and insulin..so you can try get your blood glucose within control..
They're are many people here who can help, just ask if we can help we we will...
One last thought, has a present pregnancy been ruled out ..?
Click to expand...

Thank you Martin, certainly seems like a very supportive group.
Yes, possible pregnancy has been ruled out.
 
Hi Yan
Jenny aka Trophy Wench is the one to talk to as she has been diabetic most of her life and I think she is older that me, putting on my tin hat here!
 
Welcome Yan, sorry your introduction to diabetes such a shock for you! You have come to the right place for information and support, try to take a deep breath and read....there is so much information here about everything to do with diabetes and it’s all thanks to those who have and are living with it 🙂 When you are ready, ask any questions you might have, no such thing as a stupid question :D
 
Hello Yan and welcome to the forum 🙂

Sorry to hear you had such a shock with the unexpected diagnosis, but please try not to worry, there is absolutely no reason why you should die young just because you have diabetes. We have people on here who've had it for 50 years and more!

It's great that your GP sent you straight to A&E and that they're checking for type 1 as well as type 2, that means you'll get the best possible care and treatment from the beginning.

Please do ask if you have any questions or if there's anything that's worrying you, someone is sure to know the answer (or know who you should be asking).
 
trophywench said:
But - it's hardly a death sentence - after all it's universally known that well controlled diabetes is a major cause of … absolutely nothing.
Click to expand...
It may even be GOOD for you.
to be well controlled you need to eat a healthy diet & exercise, both activities that can actually improve your overall health.
my initial diagnosis was similar to yours back in feb (ok I went for a test because I had symptoms but they were unsure if T1 or T2 at the time & put me on basal insulin as well as drugs)
after my latest blood tests they are now worried that i am doing "Too Good", guess there is no pleasing some people 🙂

D is certainly not a death sentence just take care of yourself, keep things under control & things will be fine.
 
Thank you all for your advise. Its really appreciated.

As I have just started on insulin and not sure if it will be permanent, do I need to tell DVLA. On the website it says only if I am using it more then 3 months.

Also I know I should avoid carbs, does this mean that I cant have any potatoes or white rice?
 
As you're on mixed insulin, you will need to have some carbs every day to make sure your blood sugar doesn't go too low, but it's best to go for ones which are long-lasting rather than fast-acting. Brown rice, brown or granary bread, and brown pasta are all better than the white versions, so it would be best not to have white rice. You'll probably be OK with a small amount of potato - boiled are least likely to spike your blood sugar, but that doesn't mean you can't have other kinds now & again.

Different diabetics can tolerate different foods so the only way to really tell which foods suit you is to test your blood sugar before you eat and then test again 2 hours after you've eaten - if your blood sugar hasn't risen too much you're probably OK with that food (but test each type of food a few times to be sure because other things - like the weather - might effect your blood sugar too).
 
TheClockworkDodo said:
As you're on mixed insulin, you will need to have some carbs every day to make sure your blood sugar doesn't go too low, but it's best to go for ones which are long-lasting rather than fast-acting. Brown rice, brown or granary bread, and brown pasta are all better than the white versions, so it would be best not to have white rice. You'll probably be OK with a small amount of potato - boiled are least likely to spike your blood sugar, but that doesn't mean you can't have other kinds now & again.

Different diabetics can tolerate different foods so the only way to really tell which foods suit you is to test your blood sugar before you eat and then test again 2 hours after you've eaten - if your blood sugar hasn't risen too much you're probably OK with that food (but test each type of food a few times to be sure because other things - like the weather - might effect your blood sugar too).
Click to expand...

Thank you Juliet. I will do some pre and post test. 😉
 
I am type two but not on any medication for it, so for me a low intake of carbs is the way to manage it. I stick to low carb foods no more than 10 percent and seem to manage fine on them. As you are having mixed slow and fast acting insulin you need to eat carbs to counteract the fast one.
You might find that once you get settled you can change to separate ones and have the background one at the level you need for maintenance, and use a fast acting one according to the amount of carbs in the meal about to be eaten. I have read of people who only need to use fast acting if they have more than a certain number of carbs in a meal, otherwise they can coast along perfectly well on their basal insulin. It is a fascinating subject even if not personally involved in the use of insulin injections.
 
DVLA website is confusing. if you telephone them & tel them you are temporarily on insulin they will still send you all the forms that ytou have to return in 2 weeks or else & if you don't tell them & something happens you could find yourself in a lot of trouble

when you do complete the forms they will probably put you an a "Medical" licence that needs renewing every 3 years, these also remove the entitlement to drive mini buses & vehicles over 3.5 tonn.
driving on insulin you must test before driving & then every 2 hours & not drive if you are less than 5.0
 
Drummer said:
I am type two but not on any medication for it, so for me a low intake of carbs is the way to manage it. I stick to low carb foods no more than 10 percent and seem to manage fine on them. As you are having mixed slow and fast acting insulin you need to eat carbs to counteract the fast one.
You might find that once you get settled you can change to separate ones and have the background one at the level you need for maintenance, and use a fast acting one according to the amount of carbs in the meal about to be eaten. I have read of people who only need to use fast acting if they have more than a certain number of carbs in a meal, otherwise they can coast along perfectly well on their basal insulin. It is a fascinating subject even if not personally involved in the use of insulin injections.
Click to expand...

Hi @Drummer
Thank you for sharing an your helpful advise.
 
Alister said:
DVLA website is confusing. if you telephone them & tel them you are temporarily on insulin they will still send you all the forms that ytou have to return in 2 weeks or else & if you don't tell them & something happens you could find yourself in a lot of trouble

when you do complete the forms they will probably put you an a "Medical" licence that needs renewing every 3 years, these also remove the entitlement to drive mini buses & vehicles over 3.5 tonn.
driving on insulin you must test before driving & then every 2 hours & not drive if you are less than 5.0
Click to expand...
Thank you for clearing up.
I will inform DVLA asap.

Do I need to tell my car insurance as well?
 
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