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New and Bewildered

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PeterB89

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I am 70,bmi 25.7. Diagnosed as being diabetic on 13/01/2022. My HbA1c was 108 and y fasting blood glucose was 16.1. I was put onto 10 units of Humulin1 straight away and take it first thing in the morning with three finger prick tests during the day. It was agreed that I would see the Diabetic Nurse on 17/02/2022 and the Consultant in three months.
I went for C-peptide and GAD antibody test on 18/01/2022 to determine my diabetes type and I am awaiting the results
Yesterday, out of the blue I got a letter calling me for a CT scan of my pancreas before I see the diabetic nurse. There was no explanatory covering letter nor can I recall any mention of it when I attended the Diabetic Clinic, although I will confess to information overload from the stuff that was thrown at me in what seemed a short space of time.
Are pancreatic scans the norm for newly diagnosed diabetics of my age or should I be concerned that there is more than diabetics in play.
Anyone else had a similar experience?
 
Welcome to the forum
I think you are quite lucky to have had the tests to determine if you are Type 1 as many people have to wait months if not years to get those tests meanwhile their treatment is in limbo.
I think they are just being thorough in sending you for a scan to rule out reasons for your diabetes as you perhaps don't fit the normal profile.
The C-peptide and GAD antibody tests normally take a little while to come back.
I hope the insulin is having some positive impact but please do ask if you have any questions and I'm sure other who are on that insulin will help.
You could have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) where tere are sections for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Were you given any dietary advice when you went to the clinic and advice about potential low blood glucose (hypos)
 
ThanksLeadinglights.
I am not complaining about the service that I have been given it has been superb and appears to be much more than some have been given.
My concern was over the scan.
I was not given any advice about diet,but was about hypos. Interestingly no one asked what medication I was on,if any. Like most people my age I am slowly heading for the knackers yard, with hypertension, cholesterol issues and recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. I am on medication for that little lot but lead a full and active life. It is just the thought of possibly adding Pancreatic Cancer to the list is a bit daunting. But if it happens I have no doubt I will cope.
I forgot to say in the first message my Father had Type 1 diabetics.
 
Oh sorry to hear of your prostate cancer, all you needed was a diabetes diagnosis. You seem to be very calm about the whole thing. I'm sure you will find lots of support here as there are many people who have multiple health issues to contend with and will empathise with you.
 
Cheers Leadinglight
You are right one on top of the other was a bit of a knock. But apart from keeping to rules and trying to live as healthy as possible there is very little I can do to change things.
 
Hi Peter, sorry about your diagnosis. I’m glad you seem to be well looked after by doctors. I’m just wondering, did you complain of any tummy pain or indigestion type issues to them now or previously? I had quite severe gastro type compliants and I was sent off for a scan on my pancreas shorty after my diagnosis. Was all fine thankfully. Please let us know how you get on with yours
 
Hi Emma
Got to say I have had great service from my GP and Warwick Hospital so far, let's hope it carries on. To answer your question no tummy pain or gastro issues. Present with weight loss, hunger and excessive need for the toilet. Initially I put it down to Prostate problems but after a couple of months of it and bearing in mind my dad was type1 I bit the bullet and went for a fasting blood test and the rest is history.
Scan is not until mid Feb but will keep you updated.
 
Welcome to the forum @PeterB89 . Glad that you have found us.

It sounds as if you are in good hands, and have a plan. This might change once you have confirmation of what type of diabetes you have, as with T1 you may find you need to be on insulin sooner than your first appointment. When diagnosed with T1 as adults it tends to develop more slowly, but other issues sometimes trigger a need for more insulin and this puts the remaining beta cells that have the job of making it under too much strain. Just keep a watch on your weight and your glucose levels, assuming that you have been given a monitor, and any change seek help.

Fire away with any questions that you have and know that no questions are thought silly on here. Just ask.
 
Sounds like you’re being well looked after. There are some kinds of diabetes caused by damage to the pancreas so they’re probably just ruling that out. With no one asking what medication you’re on, they can see your medical history and current prescribed medications in your medical records.
 
Welcome @PeterB89
You mentioned you were given no dietary advice - if you are being treated as a Type1, that will be because there is no dietary advice. With insulin, we should be able to eat the same "healthy" diet as everyone else.

It sounds as if you are on one dose of Humulin per day. For people with Type 1 this is a rather old fashioned insulin regime. It is more common to have a basal bolus regime - basal is long acting and taken once per day and bolus is a short acting to be taken with meals. Some Healthcare Professionals seem to think that the single dose is easier to start with but it requires fixed meals and mealtimes whereas the basal bolus regime allows you flexibility to eat when and what you want.
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, it is something I would recommend discussing.
 
Thank you all for the warm welcome to the forum and the diabetic community. I think my problem appears to be the sudden onset with high sugars 16.1, high HbA1c 108, but low Ketones 0.3. My morning fasting reading is coming down albeit slowly from 16 on the 14th to 12.8 this morning. My other reading during the day are higher but have fallen in a similar fashion. I am in the situation that until I am typed I just have to take my meds as instructed and be sensible with my diet and wait to see what the future brings Once again thanks for the support and advice.
 
Welcome to the forum @PeterB89

I think having a father with T1 increases your chances of developing the condition - and of course contrary to popular belief, type 1 can be diagnosed at any age.

Great to hear they are being thorough and also including a scan. If there is anything up with your pancreas that might be implicated in your sudden BG increase other than ‘just’ T1, the sooner it is spotted, the better,

Let us know how things go 🙂
 
Just a bit of an update. CAT scan of my pancreas showed no major problems. Been on Humulin1 for nearly five weeks and blood sugars down to an average of 7.8. DSN moved my levels from 4 -7 to 5-8. Yet to be typed as my first C Peptide sample was not frozen within thirty minutes so it had degraded to much for any analysis. Second sample taken last week so another four to five weeks before the result is known. For the first time in 25 years my BMI is below 25 (24.7) All is relatively rosey at the moment. Thank you for your continued advice and support
 
PeterB89 said:
Just a bit of an update. CAT scan of my pancreas showed no major problems. Been on Humulin1 for nearly five weeks and blood sugars down to an average of 7.8. DSN moved my levels from 4 -7 to 5-8. Yet to be typed as my first C Peptide sample was not frozen within thirty minutes so it had degraded to much for any analysis. Second sample taken last week so another four to five weeks before the result is known. For the first time in 25 years my BMI is below 25 (24.7) All is relatively rosey at the moment. Thank you for your continued advice and support
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Hi Peter,
Welcome to our forum. Good to see that everything is going your way. Keep smiling, keep posting.
Andy
 
Ah, well! - today, with prostate cancer, they usually scan sooner rather than later to make sure it hasn't already spread elsewhere than just relying on rectal digital examination and rectal biopsy because in the past they've been so busy treating it in the Urology dept, and only checking that exact thing, further problems may have got overlooked. So, could be just belt and braces. Other thing is - pancreatic cancer until rather recently was always an automatic death sentence. Now - it ain't! so the earlier it's found and treated the longer the patient can survive.

Whatever failings the NHS has, they are a lot more thorough than they used to be, once they get their teeth into you!

Incidentally it's Humulin I not 1 🙂
 
I saw one of the Diabetic Consultants at Warwick Hospital this morning. He confirmed it as Type 2 Diabetes and prescribed MetFormin.
Glad to finally be typed. I know where I stand and what the way forward is likely to be.
Finally thanks to all on this site and in the Diabetic Community for your help and advice
 
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