Hi.... First time I've ever asked for help.

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Ian619

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Type 1
Little about me.... I'm 24, been diabetic (Type 1) since I was 13 and never been in good control.
I never test my blood sugars and over the past few years I've put on so much weight from always eating the wrong things and never eating the right things, compulsive overeating and not exercising....

The main reason I'm decided to do this is because I need help and I can't do it alone. Which is probably the first time I've ever admitted it.

I have my girlfriend and her son and my mum, dad and sister, who have tried to help but I find it hard taking advice off people when they can't understand what it is I'm actually going through.

Obviously I want to change but I find it really hard to motivate myself especially as most days I feel really run down and tired due to the poor control.

For anyone who reads this.... Sorry for rambling on I have just needed to "unload" and share this with people who have more of an understanding.

Ian
 
Welcome Ian.

Please feel free to look around, ask any questions you like etc - and we'll try to help as much as we can.

Just one suggestion to start: Many people have found DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) courses very helpful, where available, but there's also an online course for carb counting here: http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/ (free to register & use)
 
Welcome Ian...........

I am 27 and was diagnosed when I was 15, so in the same boat, but as mentioned, I found DAFNE, which I urge you to inquire about............you learn that you can literally eat what you like when you like, what carbohydrates do to your blood sugar, what insulin does to blood sugar and so much more, and with this knowledge you can surprisingly manage your blood sugars with ease and not much motivation...........

You will need to test your blood a lot, but as I say once you do the course and see it working in practice you will find it really, or at least much, easier to get motivated............

How much involvement has your diabetic team with your control?

Do you attend clinics regularly?

What was your last HbA1c?

What insulin regime are you currently on?

DAFNE courses are only done about 4 times a year at each participating clinic, so sign up as soon as you can...........in the meantime you can talk about your control or lack of with us, we can offer advice and support if you need it..........

🙂
 
Hi Ian. Welcome 🙂

You've taken an amazing first step. Similarly I was diagnosed at 13 but was 'lucky' to be fairly submissive and did as I was told. It's held me in good stead with the diabetes at least. But I've only tested properly for the last year or so.

I really hope we can show you the benefits of being healthy and knowing it, rather than hiding from it. We've all done it to some degree at some point. But it never goes away.

Hope to hear plenty more from you very soon.

Rob
 
Hi Ian and a warm welcome to the forum,pleased you have found this forum it will be a fountain of knowledge for you
 
Welcome to the forums Ian 🙂
 
You have taken the first step, the scariest step, the biggest step! You've asked for help. Well done! Rite of passage, that is! 🙂

This is a very helpful and reassuring forum, with lots of experienced folk to help. Good luck.
 
Hi Ian, welcome to the forum 🙂 You've made an excellent decision in joining, we can all relate and work together to manage our diabetes so that it becomes less of a worry and more of an irritation. I would suggest getting hold of a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas - it covers just about everything and is a very useful reference to discover things that might improve your control and where you might have been going wrong. What insulin regime are you on?
 
Thank you so much everyone.... I'm actually reading all of these posts on the sly in work and feel completely over-whelmed.
In response to a few of the questions....

I go to my diabetic centre every time I get my appointment letter through (except the seem to be cancelled and re-scheduled a lot)

I can't remember what my last HbA1c was but I think it?s safe to say it wasn't good !

I currently take Humalog in the morning and then Humalog and Glargine (long acting) insulin at tea time. I have tried to add another humalog injection on my dinner but find it hard being in work and getting distracted. I usually take about 30 units each time, but obviously with not monitoring my blood levels I know I'm either doing too much or not enough !
I should also be taking a Metformin tablet with my tea, which I do for about 2 weeks, then stop for about a month because I forget to take it.

And yes I have a monitor; I actually tested my blood at tea time yesterday (just to shut my mum up!)

And I already ordered that book this morning.... I don't really read, but actually looking forward to having a look through it.
 
Hi Ian

Brilliant that you have taken this step. It is NEVER too late to begin (or begin again) working toward better BG levels. Part of your run-down tired feeling may well be down you your ups and downs of BG levels.

It won't be easy, it will take effort and will drive you nuts from time to time but you can get this under control, it will help your health to do so and you will feel better for it.

Have a look around, ask lots of questions and take it one day at a time.

Mike
 
HI Ian

I was similar to you for many years.
I over ate, never tested my BG and just injected a load of insulin and hoped for the best.

I am a lot better now and have realised how serious diabetes and my life is.

So, you can get better at looking after yourself and help is out there.

Just wanted you to know your not alone in how you feel.
 
Ian619 said:
Little about me.... I'm 24, been diabetic (Type 1) since I was 13 and never been in good control.
I never test my blood sugars and over the past few years I've put on so much weight from always eating the wrong things and never eating the right things, compulsive overeating and not exercising....

The main reason I'm decided to do this is because I need help and I can't do it alone. Which is probably the first time I've ever admitted it.

I have my girlfriend and her son and my mum, dad and sister, who have tried to help but I find it hard taking advice off people when they can't understand what it is I'm actually going through.

Obviously I want to change but I find it really hard to motivate myself especially as most days I feel really run down and tired due to the poor control.

For anyone who reads this.... Sorry for rambling on I have just needed to "unload" and share this with people who have more of an understanding.

Ian
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Welcome to the forum Ian, you are finding it all very hard and a lot of people feel exactly the way that you do. Ask anything Ian, people on here are very supportive and helpful. Take care Sheena
 
Welcome Ian from me too ...i am so pleased that you have opened up to us on this forum as there is alot of support here ...and remember no question is regarded silly so ask away ....x🙂
its also great if you need a good rant :D
 
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