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paulf1985

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Type 1
hi guys, i just got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes like a week ago im 37, they initially told me it was type 2 about a month ago so i was pretty taking aback for them to tell me it's actually type 1 and my heads just been all over the place since fearing the worst.

i'm just absolutely terrified and can't seem to relax i'm just constantly looking stuff up online ( which prob isn't helping me) but obv i'm trying to learn about it as well and educate myself.

tbh i've always had a pretty poor diet too many takeaways etc i work at a computer for very long hours so its hard for me to get the chance to cook and my girlfriend is very busy with the kids a lot, so i'm just wondering whether i even have it in me to make these drastic changes and i'm overwhelmed, of course i'll try my best.

also fearing the life's just gonna be sucked right out of me and i won't be any fun anymore because its all im thinking off and feeling sorry for myself and im just not going to be the same person anymore.

they've put me on the toujeo and novo pens, not yet calculating how much i need to take yet they've just given me a set dose

anyway I'm just trying to calm myself down and thought i'd pop on here to hopefully get the thoughts and advice of people in similar situations and hopefully put my mind to rest a little bit, i suffer from anxiety quite a lot so i'm just thinking the absolute worst.

p.s sorry for been so negative im just really overwhelmed by it at the moment

thanks!

Paul
 
Hi Paul

Bad luck about the news, it's pretty crappy to hear isn't it. And really not surprising or uncommon at all to have a bit of a tailspin about it

Good news is that you'll find a ton of helpful and nice people right here so fire away with questions. I certainly did! In fact this forum is by miles the best online area I've found a it's just a whole bunch of people who are open about what is actually like and offer thoughts. Half the reason it's so confusing out there is that diabetes treats us all differently. But there are also lots of similarities too and by asking questions, you'll find the ones that work for you. At least that's how it's worked for me

And as someone who picked up T1 diagnosis this year too (in my 40s) I do want to say that you'll definitely be fine. You will definitely be able to do all normal things, eat normally and be yourself. It just takes a bit of getting used to. OK sometimes a Lot of getting used to, but you will do so

Just hang in there for now and ask away
 
Those feelings are perfectly normal, imagine we all went through same when diagnosed.

Just be careful about what you read online as there's lot of bad info out there & more meatheads than you can shake a stick at, loads of knowledgeable type 1s on here who will help guide you on your journey so fear not.
 
First of all, if you are type 1, its nothing to do with a poor diet.
Seconding, you don't need to change your diet now you are type 1. It may help blood sugar control if you do, and obviously a good diet is preferable, for anyone, diabestes or not. I cook a lot, but its perfectly possible to get good control with purchased food.
Pretty much the only thing i don't eat /drink now have is fruit juice, unless my sugars are low
And there is no reason life can't be fun. Yes, it does take some time to sort some things out (excercise was tricky for me).
I was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago and it hit me hard, though i'd hsve to give up lots of things. I didn't.
If you only get one thing from this post, this is very important...IT DOES GET EASIER
 
Hi, just to say it does get better. Quite a few of us on here are late diagnosed- the old idea that type 1 is ”juvenile” is misleading even to some doctors still. Only a week in its natural to feel overwhelmed, it will get easier as you get used to things and you blood sugar comes down as high blood sugar levels also make you feel crap. Hang in there
 
@paulf1985 Welcome - and don’t panic. You’re not alone and we’ve all been where you are now, so we understand. Take one day at a time. Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint 🙂

Type 1 is an auto-immune condition and nothing to do with diet. It’s just bad luck that you got it. But - you’ve also had good luck too. Your initial misdiagnosis was spotted and corrected, and you have the insulin you need. You can do this - we all did. It’s a pain in the bum but it will gradually get easier, I promise.
 
appreciate the nice comments thanks, i'll try my best to not let this bring me down.
i've just been thinking im going to go blind and lose my toes and it's been scaring the bejesus out me lol.
have a nice day guys!
 
Mate! massive great hug from this great grandma, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 22. So that's just the last 50+ years then and guess what? I still have a full complement of eyes, arms, legs complete with 5 toes and fingers on each, and kidneys. Because we all get shedloads of annual blood test plus a couple of urine ones and checks on if we have diabetic neuropathy or d. retinopathy the signs of anything being haywire with any of them, get spotted pdq then usually result in MORE tests and if there is anything up, then they'll offer to treat it pdq, whatever it is.

I'm not going to tell you 'not to worry' because it wouldn't be normal human behaviour not to have concern about any of them - and it's still always the things we simply have no idea about happening to us that we never expected, that hit us the hardest - and that's exactly why the diabetes diagnosis does hit everyone hard. Most people don't know anyone else in their family who have had diabetes - none of any sort in my family. (Never knew either grandma though dad's mother died when he was teenage and I've never seen her death certificate though he always said heart failure, but there again he had an older sister (who I knew) and a younger one who was always 'sickly' and died when still a child - so what did those 2 'really' die of in the 1920s then? - Did Grandma Vinny and her younger daughter perchance carry the diabetes gene that re manifested itself in me? Still clueless where/who now.) Anyway, that's just one of the many things that fades into the background and simply never bothers me, these days. And - most of us is the same - only spend your brain power on the things that will benefit to help you either immediately or soon. When you're ready, then move onto whatever else is still in your To Do tray!
 
Welcome to the forum @paulf1985 from another late starter with T1 (53 at diagnosis)
It is a shock at any age and I fully understand the worry over the scare stories about what could happen, but you will see that there are plenty on here who have had T1 for many years and live alongside it.

It does not need to stop you doing anything and you can eat normally, but will need to take in the job of your pancreas, which your team will help you with, and it definitely gets easier. The best analogy I was given that managing our T1 is like learning to drive. It all seems very complicated to start with, it then much of it becomes automatic and you are just watching out for the unexpected.


There is plenty of help to tap into on here. Ask any questions that arise, knowing that nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.
 
Welcome to the forum @paulf1985

It’s overwhelming to begin with isn’t it?! And yes the internet is full of horror stories, because diabetes can be very serious and can lead to all sorts of devastating outcomes

BUT

It can also be well managed, with a little bit of care and attention, some good luck and a following wind. Take heart… there has never been a better time to get T1. Modern insulins, monitoring devices, and tech can make near-normal glucose levels more possible than ever, and a long and healthy life with T1 has never been so possible 🙂

There are loads of T1s here who are living full and active lives, and who have found ways to keep their T1 in its place, finding a balance between accommodating its needs but without allowing it to take over. There aren’t many things you can’t do with T1 - pro sports, rock star, airline pilot, parent, entrepreneur, eco warrior, or simply normal everyday you.

Be kind to yourself, and allow time for the news to settle. Then maybe try a book like Think Like A Pancreas, or Ragnar Hanas’s Type 1 in children (which is equally great for adults too!).

And of course, keep asking questions here too.
 
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