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Hi everyone, type 1 newbie

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L

Lucy Honeychurch

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi🙂
I'm a newly diagnosed type 1, following a hospital admission suffering a DKA. It was a huge shock, to say the least 😱.
So here I am trying to learn all about this confounded condition, I've looked on various websites, some are confusing so I've joined here as I think the best way to learn is from others, plus I don't know anyone else with this condition.
I know mainly younger people get this, trust me to be different 🙄.
I'll be trawling the boards for info, recipes and to have a chat in general 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum, Lucy, glad you found us. There are quite a few of us on here diagnosed well into adulthood. I was 42 and I agree, is a big shock. This place is full of fantastic people who are kind and generous with their time and very supportive. What insulin regime are you on? Let us know how you are getting on 🙂
 
Hi Lucy Welcome. Actually your not so different quite a few members here are late starters, You'll meet some of them soon, me , im a common as muck t2 :D
Feel free to ask questions . Have a look at the stickie at the top of the newbie section , lots of info in there
 
Hi, thanks for the replies.
I take 24 units of toujou as my basal insulin and 10 units of novo rapid with food. My levels are still fluctuating but I hope they settle soon, I'm currently on a carb counting course, so I'm hoping that will help.
I'ts such a lot to take in, especially when you don't feel great, I'm only three weeks in so early days.
 
Hi Lucy
I was diagnosed when I was 29, it's not so uncommon as people seem to think! Boards like these have been the greatest help to me over the past 10 years, as you say, talking to others with the condition can't be beaten.
I hope you find the carb counting course helpful and soon feel on top of things.
 
Thanks for suggesting that book, I need all the info I can get. Also, I'm signed off sick at the mo, but work nights and am back at work next weekend, it will be interesting if that will have any effect, especially between 4&5 am when I hit the wall 😱.
 
Hi and welcome from a T2.
 
Lucy Honeychurch said:
Thanks for suggesting that book, I need all the info I can get. Also, I'm signed off sick at the mo, but work nights and am back at work next weekend, it will be interesting if that will have any effect, especially between 4&5 am when I hit the wall 😱.
Click to expand...
I am a Muggle and work nights. I normally make sure that I eat between 3-4 with a small amount of slow release carbs, plus a piece of fruit. It seems to work well for me.
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm another late starter - 51 at diagnosis.
 
Welcome Lucy.

I was also diagnosed as an adult of 53. A big shock and lots to learn very quickly. Loads of help available on here from lots of people who will give practical advice to any questions.

The best book I have come across is Type 1 Diabetes in children, adolescants and young adults. Ignore the age references. It is not cheap and I resisted buying it at first. I then saw one in the library and once I had seen it I realised why it was so helpful. I have posted a thread on here under Excellent Book, others have agreed with this view.

Things will take time to settle, and then start to get a bit easier. Take things step by step and you will manage this new normal life.
 
Hiya! Welcome to the forum 🙂
I was 30 when I was confirmed type 1 🙂
What type of insulin have you been put on?
Lots of friendly people here, with many different experiences, so lots of great advice x
 
Hi, diagnosed just under 2 years ago as a mere youth of 54. Ask away.
 
Hi Lucy,
I was diagnosed 5 months ago at 44 so know exactly how you feel! No previous experience either so had a pretty steep learning curve.
This forum is an excellent resource, I don't know any other Type 1s either (we are a pretty rare breed) but everyone is so helpful on here that I feel I have a very large circle of friends who I can ask pretty much anything. It certainly helped me through the first couple of weeks when I was discovering the "new" me and how to look after myself.
Carb counting makes a huge difference as you change the rapid insulin dose according to what you eat, instead of having a fixed dose. Get yourself a copy of "Carbs and Cals" and then you will have a good chance of getting the dose right. This will then help to reduce the fluctuation in your Blood Glucose levels.

Also I hope you have been told about informing DVLA that you are now on insulin? You need to test your levels within 2 hours of starting to drive (and every 2 hours on along journey) and be "above 5 to drive".

If anything, I certainly feel better now than I did six months ago and I certainly know how to look after myself better!
Good luck and if you have any more questions ask away - the amount of experience here means someone has normally been there before!
 
zx10pilot said:
Hi Lucy,
I was diagnosed 5 months ago at 44 so know exactly how you feel! No previous experience either so had a pretty steep learning curve.
This forum is an excellent resource, I don't know any other Type 1s either (we are a pretty rare breed) but everyone is so helpful on here that I feel I have a very large circle of friends who I can ask pretty much anything. It certainly helped me through the first couple of weeks when I was discovering the "new" me and how to look after myself.
Carb counting makes a huge difference as you change the rapid insulin dose according to what you eat, instead of having a fixed dose. Get yourself a copy of "Carbs and Cals" and then you will have a good chance of getting the dose right. This will then help to reduce the fluctuation in your Blood Glucose levels.

Also I hope you have been told about informing DVLA that you are now on insulin? You need to test your levels within 2 hours of starting to drive (and every 2 hours on along journey) and be "above 5 to drive".

If anything, I certainly feel better now than I did six months ago and I certainly know how to look after myself better!
Good luck and if you have any more questions ask away - the amount of experience here means someone has normally been there before!
Click to expand...
 
Welcome to the forum, Lucy Honeychurch. I'm another of those rarities / minorities who was diagnosed type 1 diabetes as an adult, aged 30 years. You're lucky to get on a carb counting course so early in your diagnosis - that is one of the key skills to getting the condition under your control, rather than being controlled by it.
What things are important in your life? Family, work, hobbies, sports etc?
 
Hi Lucy,
I was 29 when diagnosed, I promise the shock does wear off eventually. Welcome to the forum but sorry you had the join the club. My only advice is to ask as many questions as you need to.
This condition will change your life but it doesn't have to stop you doing anything. Good luck 🙂
 
Hi Lucy.
I'm new on the forum to be honest but I've had my mate T1 for the past 25yrs/ diagnosed age 28.
You're at the start of a lifelong journey with lots to learn luckily all you need to learn is available from fellow diabetics.
I'll give you 2 tips for now.
Always keep hypo treatment with you at all times, jelly babies, glucose tabs, orange juice it's your choice but very important especially at work. I used to work 12 hr nights 2 to 4 tended to be a time for going low and to compound everything I always felt at my most tired at this time. Keep a regular check of your sugars.
Secondly don't ever let diabetes have it's own way, it'll try and sometimes succeed but YOU are the boss YOU control it and don't ever let diabetes think anything different.
Good luck and welcome.
 
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