Hi!

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picked up this thread because my daughter's friend has just been diagnosed, I'm sure she will be feeling just like you, it is a shattering experience but you've been given some good advice and sounds like you're doing incredibly well even if you don't feel like it!

I would like to wholeheartedly recommend DAFNE, or any other education in diabetes, it's amazing what you learn, and the nurses are ususally very supportive and enthusiatic (without being creepy!) It is still new in some areas which may be why your doc isn't as passionate about it as we all are!
 
Rollercoaster said:
I've decided to abstain from drinking for a while. It's been 7 weeks so far (I was diagnosed just over four and a half weeks ago) and it's surprisingly easy. I've been out and been to parties and have not succumbed to the pressure to drink. I enjoy being sober and being able to remember everything the next day!

Is the DAFNE course really worth it? What do they teach you on it? I ask because me doctor told me about it but it didn't sound that important - if it was important, surely they'd put me on it straight away>?
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hey-ho and welcome! Sorry, I'm a bit behind with checking in, I disappear for a few days and miss loads of posts!

DAFNE, or your areas equilivent is fab! My area called theirs STILE in shropshire and was quite apt as it is so rural and full of, well, stiles!

The info is really interesting, EVEN if you think you know everything you learn something. BUT the most valuable thing I got from it and others too, is the group environment. To learn that everyone feels the same, gets frustrated and your not alone was theraputic!
I think given your 1st post that you feel lost and let down, this experience would be really really good for you, plus we can all have a giggle and laugh at peoples hypo experiences, some are hilarious and some scary! I thought Heston Blumental was in my bedroom...turned out to be a bald paramedic with glasses on!!!!😱

Good luck with the massive learning curve, ask us all as much as you like, I had no support whatsoever at diagnosis and found this place 10years later. I am sure if I had found this earlier, I may not have been so naughty and rebellious! 🙄

Take care and book into DAFNE, there can be long waiting times anyway so best to get on a waiting list if so!!!
 
Hi, everyone!

I think I will go on the DAFNE course - it can't do me any harm and form what you all are saying about it, it does indeed seem worthwhile and informative. Every little helps!

Some days I think long and hard about being diabetic and I try to think of myself 10, 20 years in the future still injecting and checking blood daily! Sometimes it does upset me to think that this is something I have for life. On the other hand, other days I'm absolutely fine and it seems almost as if the diabetes has become second nature to me. I definitely feel on the whole more acceptant of it than I did a few weeks ago.

hyper-Suze, that hypo experience sounds pretty funny! How long have you been diabetic and how often do you have hypos?

How did everyone else react when they got told the news? How long did it take you to fully accept it? And do you think having a condition like this makes you a stronger person in the long run?>
 
Rollercoaster said:
Hi!

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two weeks ago after getting symptoms on holiday. I've just started me final year at uni and, while I'm getting used to counting carbs and doing injections / blood checks, I can't help but feel shocked and gutted that this has happened to me and is with me for the rest of me life. I haven't really been myself since the diagnosis. Did anyone feel similar shortly after they were diagnosed?
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Hi Roller, sorry you had to join us. i noticed your story and i also was diagnosed with type one 6 months after coming back from my holiday (although i am sure i probably had the symptoms shortly after i came back) Its all such a big shock and Its all very overwhelming but it will get easier, anyone will tell you that 🙂 if you need to talk or ask any questions feel free to pm me or just ask anyone on the forum, we are all friendly 🙂

As for the whole drinking thing, its all about moderation! im not sure what you drink but i think beer/lager is pretty carby (someone correct me if im wrong) When i go out i tend to stick to spirits and soft drinks like Vodka and lemonade as the vodka brings your blood sugars down and the lemonade sort of balances it back out again 🙂 As you have just been diagnosed your body may still be in the honeymoon period (a period where your pancreas is still producing a tiny bit of insulin) it can last up to a year so its worth keeping an eye on your levels when you are out but make sure you have something to eat after drinking and before you go to bed to keep your levels steady overnight 🙂

Diabetes is life changing if you had a previous life to grieve over (much like i did) but you will adapt and dont think you cant go out and have fun with your friends x
 
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Hi D_G!

To be honest, I don't think I could manage drinking in moderation! I started drinking properly just over three years ago and I only used to drink to get drunk. I would only drink on nights out or at parties and since being diagnosed, I've still gone out with me friends and have been to parties but haven't had a drop and I've still enjoyed the nights. I think I'd rather not drink than have it only in moderation because I used drink to get drunk and I would drink quite a lot on nights out (a lot being around 10-12 units). I'm starting to realise I don't need to and shouldn't rely on alcohol to have a good time like I used to.

So what are the rules about alcohol? What exactly does it do to blood levels? You said vodka lowers levels but then the lemonade or whatever mixer will balance it out, but how does alcohol lower levels? I'm still a bit uninformed about alcohol.

Thanks!
 
Rollercoaster said:
Hi D_G!

To be honest, I don't think I could manage drinking in moderation! I started drinking properly just over three years ago and I only used to drink to get drunk. I would only drink on nights out or at parties and since being diagnosed, I've still gone out with me friends and have been to parties but haven't had a drop and I've still enjoyed the nights. I think I'd rather not drink than have it only in moderation because I used drink to get drunk and I would drink quite a lot on nights out (a lot being around 10-12 units). I'm starting to realise I don't need to and shouldn't rely on alcohol to have a good time like I used to.

So what are the rules about alcohol? What exactly does it do to blood levels? You said vodka lowers levels but then the lemonade or whatever mixer will balance it out, but how does alcohol lower levels? I'm still a bit uninformed about alcohol.

Thanks!
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Hey, no worries im thinking back to last year when it was me asking all these questions 🙂

All alcohol lowers blood levels, this is because your liver is responsible for 2 things - releasing glucose into the blood stream (it does this steadily throughout the day, this is why we have to have background insulin), and processing all those nasty alcohol toxins! So Your liver can only do one function at a time so when you drink its working at processing the alcohol and so it cannot release any glucose into the bloodstream, therefore lowering your levels! I continues to do this long after you have had a drink and some even need to lower thier insulin for their next meal.

I was exactly the same as you, i drink to get drunk and have a good night, since diagnosis i have been taking it a bit easier but do tend to have blowouts for birthdays and events (i know i shouldnt but i make sure i know what im doing and check my levels) But then i stop for a while and sort of do a detox where i dont drink for a few months and feel loads better! But i go out most weekends and dont have a drink, i dont belive you need it to have a good time, its all about the company your with 🙂

I hope i have enlightened you at least a little lol x
 
Hi again,

So how long does it take the liver to process the toxins carried by alcohol? Does it take longer the more alcohol you have? Me doctor told me if I was going to drink to have something to eat beforehand. So the food is important so the alcohol doesn't lower the levels too much?

When you have a 'blowout', how much do you have, if you don't mind my asking? Alcohol is a very grey subject for me right now; it's quite vague and unclear. You have enlightened me quite a bit - thanks! I think I will continue abstaining for a while - me wallet's certainly not as empty as before!
 
Rollercoaster said:
Hi again,

So how long does it take the liver to process the toxins carried by alcohol? Does it take longer the more alcohol you have? Me doctor told me if I was going to drink to have something to eat beforehand. So the food is important so the alcohol doesn't lower the levels too much?

When you have a 'blowout', how much do you have, if you don't mind my asking? Alcohol is a very grey subject for me right now; it's quite vague and unclear. You have enlightened me quite a bit - thanks! I think I will continue abstaining for a while - me wallet's certainly not as empty as before!
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Heyy, glad I have been of some use lol its strange me answering all these questions when before it was me asking them lol!

I'm not sure how long exactly its processed but the more you drink the longer it will take, this is why its important to eat food after drinking and before bed as your levels will keep going down due to the alcohol. And yes it is also important to eat before you drink as this slows down the absorbtion of anything you drink

When I go out for drinks I could have 5-6 drinks and maybe a few shots (I'm a lightweight anyway lol) then I would have something like a burger or portion of ships or maybe even a sandwich to keep my levels steady during the night and almost always wake up the next day with perfect levels

I am in no way recommending you do this by the way just to be clear, every diabetic is differetn even more so for you as your newly diagnosed so it all effects us differently! This is just my experiences and I'm not saying its even the right thing to do lol
 
OK I'm starting to understand it all a bit better now. I was a bit confused at first as to exactly how alcohol affected levels but it's now becoming a lot clearer, thanks! I haven't had any alcohol for 10 weeks now (I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago) and, while I do kind of miss it, I don't see myself needing it any more like I used to. I'm sure in the future I'll drink again, but for now, I'm enjoying being sober and the benefits of it. Nights out are completely different when you're sober! It's certainly an eye-opening experience!
 
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