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Hi everyone. I'm new here!

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Bec2015

Bec2015

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone!

My name is Becca and I'm a T1D diagnosed in 2015. I'm new here, but not new to diabetes.

I've started a fitness journey recently, and I find it difficult sharing my experiences with my friends and family about the frustrations of life with diabetes as I'm the anomaly (no one else in my family has T1D).

Here looking for tips on how to manage blood sugars with exercise, and looking for somewhere to share the highs and lows that this condition brings.

Thanks for reading and hope everyone is well 🙂
 
I’m T2 so can’t comment on the T1 experience but this place is supportive and is the ideal place to share your ups and downs etc, so pull up a chair and make yourself at home. I’m just gonna pop the kettle on, fancy a cuppa?
 
ColinUK said:
I’m T2 so can’t comment on the T1 experience but this place is supportive and is the ideal place to share your ups and downs etc, so pull up a chair and make yourself at home. I’m just gonna pop the kettle on, fancy a cuppa?
Click to expand...

Thanks Colin, I get the feeling that this place is supportive. Would love one, thanks!
 
Builders
Earl Grey
Lady Grey
Darjeeling
Oolong
or mint?

Oh and I’ve got some really ancient orange and something bags I can dust off for you if you feel adventurous!
 
ColinUK said:
Oh and I’ve got some really ancient orange and something bags I can dust off for you if you feel adventurous!
Click to expand...

Haha not feeling that adventurous, but peppermint tea is lovely!
 
Hi Becca and welcome from a fellow northerner (also in County Durham.... near Consett) and late onset Type 1... I was diagnosed last year and the age of 55.
I can offer a coffee with cream or an Earl Grey and I will throw in a Nature Valley protein bar if you like 🙂.... not that I am trying to outdo Colin or anything! 😉
Have you done the DAFNE course? I found that really helpful, not only for the information and support from the course content and it's educators but also as a means to meet other local Type 1s and exchange experiences.
Which hospital clinic are you under?
Are you on a pump or MDI and if so which insulins?
What sort of exercise are you doing?
Look forward to hearing more about you.
 
Hi Barbara!

Always a pleasure to bump into a fellow Northerner in the wild. Wow, it sounds like you had quite the journey! That all sounds lovely, I never turn down a hot drink - I think that's to do with my Northern roots.

I have done DAFNE, and found the course content really helpful. Unfortunately I was part of a small group and haven't kept in touch with anyone.

I'm under the Durham and Darlington trust, I've always found them to be great. I took part in a research trial back in 2015 when I was first diagnosed and I currently get the Libre sensor on prescription thanks to my consultant.

I'm currently on MDI, I take Lantus twice a day and Novorapid whenever I'm about to eat. Are you on a pump or MDI?

I'm on week 3 of the couch to 5k (C25K), I use the app. I used to love exercise and it all stopped when I was diagnosed, as I really struggled to balance everything. I decided earlier this year that I wasn't going to let my diabetes stop me, so I joined a gym...and then the gyms closed haha. So I very recently decided to do the C25K.

Thanks for saying hi!
 
Oh well done you, taking on the C25K!
I've always been sporty. Tennis and skiing were my major interests but now I have horses I haven't got the time or money for those. I am obviously physically active due to the nature of horse ownership but have to make an effort to find time for what I consider "proper exercise". I made another push last week to get back on track and had a few days of walking and running.... I have never been a runner but as with anything it is a question of mind over matter and I will only get better if I do more. My big problem is sticking to a routine. I will do great for a few days then something will crop up and I don't get out and then I struggle to motivate myself again.

I am also on MDI with split dose Levemir and NovoRapid. Tried Fiasp last year and thought at the time there wasn't any significant benefit so asked to go back to NR and then regretted it. I am going to ask to go back to Fiasp when I next see the consultant. He authorised me for Libre in Feb when I saw him but then Covid 19 happened and so I am still waiting for the course, so that it can be prescribed, but 6 weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and self fund until I get it on prescription. Pricey but I do love it, particularly for when I am out with the horses, as trying to hang on to an excited horse whilst I get test strips out and prick my finger is not easy to say the least! The consultant has mentioned that a pump might be available for me but I am happy to stick with MDI for now. I follow a low carb higher fat way of eating which helps to keep me from falling back into my bad eating habits of the past.... I was a sugar addict and chocoholic with no "off button" ..Eek! The amount of rubbish I used to eat horrifies me now!
I find the slow release from protein and fat is much better to keep my BG steady than the spike and dip from carbs, but I will treat myself to a couple of dried apricots or prunes if I am getting a bit low and obviously I have Dextrose tablets and jelly babies for when I am hypo.

What sort of hobbies and interests do you have?
 
Welcome to the forum @Bec2015 Glad that you have found us.

I am another late starter like @rebrascora and you.
This is a great place for info and also support.

Ask any questions you have or just pop in for a good rant.
We all need one now and then.
 
Oh wow, @rebrascora owning horses must take up a lot of time and dedication! I bet it's really rewarding though 🙂

I'm not a runner, even when I used to exercise regularly I hated it! But it's never too late to start, right? I know what you mean about routine, on my run days I just have to get up and go - the longer the day goes on, the less likely I am to go for the run.

I've always been on Lantus and Novorapid, so I don't have any experience with Levemir or Fiasp - but I do think you can tell what's working for your body and the consultants I've seen over the years have always listened to my opinions when discussing changes to dosages etc. There is talk of me looking at a pump, but I have to admit that I'm a bit resistant. MDIs have worked for me the past 5 years, my A1C isn't horrendous at 55mmol but I do want to work on bringing that down. I worry that making a big change like swapping to a pump would hugely increase my A1C and work against my goals, even if just in the short term.

I absolutely love the Libre sensor, it completely changed my life. I'm so glad to hear that you'll have it on prescription once our outpatient appts are up and running again. That little directional arrow makes all the difference in deciding how to treat blood sugars! I can imagine that scanning on a horse would be much easier than finger pricking!

I'm trying to eat lower carb, but I'll be honest that pizza is still my favourite food! Sometimes I just have to accept that it's going to be a high dose! Chocolate was also a favourite of mine pre diabetes, however I don't miss it much now.

In terms of hobbies and interests, I've always loved yoga and found that it works well at keeping my morning blood sugar levels steady. I also really like baking, not that I get to enjoy the fruits of my labours that much anymore. I'm really into true crime, and there are a few podcasts I listen to regularly. What other hobbies do you have?

Sorry for the essay in reply!
 
No apology needed @Bec2015
Good to hear more from you.
 
Thanks for the welcome @SB2015!

Definitely need a rant every now and then. My family and friends do listen to my complaints, or victories but they don't really understand them and the affect they can have on me. It's good to know there's a support system here, wish I'd found it sooner!
 
Bec2015 said:
Thanks for the welcome @SB2015!

Definitely need a rant every now and then. My family and friends do listen to my complaints, or victories but they don't really understand them and the affect they can have on me. It's good to know there's a support system here, wish I'd found it sooner!
Click to expand...
It is very difficult to explain to others the ups and downs of D. The constant judgement from our test kit, albeit and inanimate object!! That is why I find the support I get on here so good. Just glad that you have found us.
 
I have 4 horses and my partner also has 4. I have my own paddocks so there is quite a lot of land management to do plus I have a large garden (wilderness) where I try to grow a bit of fruit and veg in between the weeds and I keep chickens and bees as well, so not much time for anything else. I would love to bake more but I would be tempted to eat it and that would be no good for me. We have some very creative low carb bakers on the forum who make gorgeous cakes and bread.

The forum is great for expressing your frustrations and celebrating your achievement with people who "get it" and a tremendous resource for information as well as a place to pick up tried and tested tips. I am not sure how I would have got through the past year and a half without it... at least not with my sanity intact although that may be under debate anyway.

Sounds like you are doing great with your diabetes management. I am still trying to get down into the 50s with my HbA1c although I think the Libre will (hopefully) prove a critical factor in achieving that. Anyway, lovely to know a bit more about you and look forward to you becoming an integral member of our great community.
 
Wow @rebrascora, I'm not surprised you don't have much time for anything else! You've got a lot going on! I hope your partner shares the load 🙂

I'll definitely have to have a look into low carb bakes, I might actually be able to enjoy my bakes then!

My Libre sensor definitely helped me get to where I am, and I know that it'll help me get to where I want to be. I think your sensor will help you break into the 50s, and achieve your goals.

Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself here and making me feel welcome on day 1!
 
@NotWorriedAtAll is one such inspirational low carb baker... I believe she finds baking low carb quicker and easier than normal baking once you have the necessary ingredients and she has a facebook page where she shares photos and recipes I think. Hopefully she will see this and post a link.

As regards the horses, yes my partner looks after his own horses which he keeps at a local farm but he does need me to give him a hand sometimes... like catching one of his horses who doesn't like to be caught and schooling youngsters and when he is carriage driving multiple horses. I'm mostly just a happy hacker and my horses are family to me... I have had them since they were babies and they are now mostly mid 20s, although they don't often act it!
 
rebrascora said:
Hi Becca and welcome from a fellow northerner (also in County Durham.... near Consett) and late onset Type 1... I was diagnosed last year and the age of 55.
I can offer a coffee with cream or an Earl Grey and I will throw in a Nature Valley protein bar if you like 🙂.... not that I am trying to outdo Colin or anything! 😉
Have you done the DAFNE course? I found that really helpful, not only for the information and support from the course content and it's educators but also as a means to meet other local Type 1s and exchange experiences.
Which hospital clinic are you under?
Are you on a pump or MDI and if so which insulins?
What sort of exercise are you doing?
Look forward to hearing more about you.
Click to expand...
Apologies for diverting from your thread, Bec - and welcome!

Barbara, it occurs to me that 30ish years ago my daughter and I had a riding holiday very close to you, with Northumbria Horse Holidays. Had a fantastic time, lovely country. 'My' horse for the week was a Shire X, must have been 18.2! Very comfortable. We were part of a more experienced small group, so every now and then would wait for the inexperienced to get well ahead, and then have an exhilarating charge to catch up.
 
Thanks @rebrascora, I'll have a look and see what's different!

It's good that you enjoy looking after them, it sounds like hard work! They sound fun, no one wants to get old and why should they be any different?

Don't worry @silentsquirrel, it's nice that everyone is sharing. You must've had a great time to remember so well 30ish years later!
 
@silentsquirrel Yes, that place is just about 6 miles away from me. So pleased you had an enjoyable time there. We have some great country for riding up here. My horses have a little bit of Clydesdale in them. People don't realise that those big gentle giants like to have a bit of a hooley and gallop as much as the next horse. They certainly make the ground thunder when they get going!
 
Welcome to the forum Bec. I was diagnosed December 2014.
 
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