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Jontennis

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Type 1.5 LADA
My name is Jon. I was diagnosed with type 2 following tests after a shoulder replacement operation in October which was a bit of a shock as I don’t fit the “normal” profile but I realise that I’ve probably had it for years and I’ve just turned 65. However I found out today following further tests that I actually have LADA which of course I’d never heard of, so it seems like everything is going to change in the new year when I have my follow up appointment!? I had better make the most of this Christmas I guess!
 
Welcome @Jontennis 🙂 As you probably now know, LADA is a slow-onset form of Type 1 diabetes. So yes, things might change but hopefully they’ll be good changes. Type 1s can eat a pretty normal diet as long as they take the appropriate insulin, so you should find things more flexible. More than that, insulin can help your remaining beta cells work for longer.

You should also be eligible for Type 1 tech 🙂
 
When you are on insulin, which will happen sooner or later, you can eat pretty much what you want. Until then, you may have to keep being careful to ensure your blood sugars don't go too high.
What medication are you on now to keep your sugars controlled? What was your a1c? Do you have a way to test your blood sugars and ketones to keep yourself save until yoir,appointment in the new year?
I was put on insulin around 20th dec just after my diagnosis to ensure my sugars were ok over the xmas hols
 
Inka said:
Welcome @Jontennis 🙂 As you probably now know, LADA is a slow-onset form of Type 1 diabetes. So yes, things might change but hopefully they’ll be good changes. Type 1s can eat a pretty normal diet as long as they take the appropriate insulin, so you should find things more flexible. More than that, insulin can help your remaining beta cells work for longer.

You should also be eligible for Type 1 tech 🙂
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Tdm said:
When you are on insulin, which will happen sooner or later, you can eat pretty much what you want. Until then, you may have to keep being careful to ensure your blood sugars don't go too high.
What medication are you on now to keep your sugars controlled? What was your a1c? Do you have a way to test your blood sugars and ketones to keep yourself save until yoir,appointment in the new year?
I was put on insulin around 20th dec just after my diagnosis to ensure my sugars were ok over the xmas hols
Click to expand...
Thank you. What is type 1 tech?
I’m only on metformin. I can’t remember but I think it was around 75 if I’m thinking of the right thing?
 
Jontennis said:
My name is Jon. I was diagnosed with type 2 following tests after a shoulder replacement operation in October which was a bit of a shock as I don’t fit the “normal” profile but I realise that I’ve probably had it for years and I’ve just turned 65. However I found out today following further tests that I actually have LADA which of course I’d never heard of, so it seems like everything is going to change in the new year when I have my follow up appointment!? I had better make the most of this Christmas I guess!
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Welcome to the forum @Jontennis from another late starter with T1 (LADA)

As you have T1 you are unlikely to have had it for long. This involves the destruction of your beta cells by antibodies. This continues and eventually you will not have enough left to give you the insulin you need in order to match the carbs that you are eating. Nothing that you could have done to stop this. This is likely to have started about a year ago.

You mention that you are on Metformin, but this will probably need to be changed as you will eventually need insulin. Now that you know you are T1, I would be asking for insulin. Keep a close watch on your glucose levels. The Metformin won’t help manage your levels.

What was your HbA1c at diagnosis? Do you have the facility to test for ketones?
If you find that your levels are high and not coming down, check for ketones and if those are high go to A&E.
 
Jontennis said:
Thank you. What is type 1 tech?
I’m only on metformin. I can’t remember but I think it was around 75 if I’m thinking of the right thing?
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Things like the Libre sensor that goes in your arm and reads your blood sugar. Also, possibly an insulin pump.

75 could be your HbA1C which is the right thing and used to diagnose diabetes and later to see how well it’s being controlled.
 
Jontennis said:
Thank you. What is type 1 tech?
I’m only on metformin. I can’t remember but I think it was around 75 if I’m thinking of the right thing?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum @Jontennis

Have you got any more appointments booked before Christmas? Amd are you being seen at a hospital clinic, or by your GP? With the current strike action, I’d imagine appointments are approaching hen’s-teeth-rare, but it might be a wise precaution to try to get hold of some forms of monitoring to be able to keep an eye on things over the festive period. As others have said, Metformin really isn’t going to be up to the job if you have lost (or are losing) a significant percentage of beta cell mass.

You can get a fingerstick glucose monitor relatively affordably online (if you haven’t been prescribed one already). Ultimately with LADA you will get one on prescription, but as an emergency stop-gap you could consider the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £10 for 50 (some other brands are 3x that!).

You can also buy urine ketone strips at a pharmacy for about £5 for a pot of 50.

Being able to keep an eye on your glucose levels, and ketones would help keep you safe. If glucose rises into the mid-high teens, and ketones start to build up to ++ or +++, a visit to A&E might beckon.

Sorry it’s such unfortunate timing for you. But as others have said, the good news is that diabetes can usually be well managed with appropriate use of meds and a slightly adjusted (but still flexible and enjoyable) menu. It doesn’t all have to be abstinence and denial!
 
Hi all, thanks for all your advise. I've got my main appointment with the diabetes nurse on 2nd January to go through everything and all the paraphernalia is waiting for me at the chemist. I know this is not the right attitude but i'm going to ignore it until 2024, I've had it this long so I don't think another week will kill me (?)!
Have a great Christmas.
 
Well @Jontennis, you're an adult and free to do what you like. But there is a risk of DKA as your insulin production diminishes and without even simple blood glucose testing, ie a test meter and strip, you are totally unsighted about a possible decline in your health from a significant increase in your BG. Should that DKA occur then not only will your Xmas / NY break be seriously spoilt so will that of anyone else in your close family. Never mind the burden and cost of any future emergency response and treatment from the NHS.

Do, please, reconsider and at least pick up your prescribed meds and start BG monitoring, even if you do no other treatment before 1 Jan. You owe it to yourself - surely?
 
Jontennis said:
Hi all, thanks for all your advise. I've got my main appointment with the diabetes nurse on 2nd January to go through everything and all the paraphernalia is waiting for me at the chemist. I know this is not the right attitude but i'm going to ignore it until 2024, I've had it this long so I don't think another week will kill me (?)!
Have a great Christmas.
Click to expand...

Well, in theory, yes it could kill you if you developed DKA, and at best a visit to A&E will certainly ruin Christmas. At least get the stuff from the chemist. Getting it doesn’t mean your Christmas will be ruined. It means you’re all prepared and have everything with you if needed. If the paraphernalia doesn’t include Ketostix, please do get some. They’re only £5 or so.

Better safe than sorry. You’ll probably be fine but why risk it? Get it, put it away and relax, knowing it’s there if you need it.
 
I wish to add that DKA which is when the blood is too acidic due to build up of keytones , it really is not pleasant at all.
Reason I am saying that @Jontennis is because I only recently had my first DKA which resulted in me being in Resus (not nice at all) As others say you most likely will be ok but it really is not worth taking such a risk!
 
Anyhow speaking of Insulin, the Nurse at my GP's who I saw yesterday is referring me to Diabetes Specialist Nurse team at the hospital asking for me to be considered going on Insulin, she has also located notes in my records that other DSN's from another health authority had suggested going on Insulin ; but then all the Covid saga started so it just seemed to have all fallen by the way side.
 
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