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New newbie here
- Thread starter EarlyBird
- Start date
- Status
margie
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Amanda and welcome to the forums.
If you haven't already have a look at this link
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406
The early days can be very difficult - there is a lot to come to terms with and you may feel that you are drowning in information one minute and don't know what is happening the next. The members here will do all they can to help you but I hope that you have a DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse) to call on.
Ask anything you like and someone will either answer or point you in the right direction.
If you haven't already have a look at this link
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406
The early days can be very difficult - there is a lot to come to terms with and you may feel that you are drowning in information one minute and don't know what is happening the next. The members here will do all they can to help you but I hope that you have a DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse) to call on.
Ask anything you like and someone will either answer or point you in the right direction.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it can be very sudden and an awful lot to take in - I was diagnosed aged 49 a week before I was due to run a marathon! How were you diagnosed, and what insulin regime are you on?
You'll find lots of good information in our Useful links thread. I always recommend that people get a copy of the 'Type 1 bible' - Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It will explain everything you need to know about living with Type 1. Well, maybe not everything, but for those things it doesn't, you have us! 🙂 (the book is for ALL type 1s of ANY age!)
Things will get easier, so just stick with the basics and pick things up over the coming weeks and months. Much about managing diabetes well is down to building up experience of how your body reacts to different food and different situations/activities, so be a little patient as you learn about these things - get yourself a little book or spreadsheet and start recording things like carb amounts in food, insulin doses and blood sugar readings so you can build up your personal database.
There are loads of people with all sorts of knowledge and experience here, and they are a friendly lot, so don't be afraid to ask any questions you have - or just have a good old rant or moan amongst people who 'get it'. I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
You'll find lots of good information in our Useful links thread. I always recommend that people get a copy of the 'Type 1 bible' - Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It will explain everything you need to know about living with Type 1. Well, maybe not everything, but for those things it doesn't, you have us! 🙂 (the book is for ALL type 1s of ANY age!)
Things will get easier, so just stick with the basics and pick things up over the coming weeks and months. Much about managing diabetes well is down to building up experience of how your body reacts to different food and different situations/activities, so be a little patient as you learn about these things - get yourself a little book or spreadsheet and start recording things like carb amounts in food, insulin doses and blood sugar readings so you can build up your personal database.
There are loads of people with all sorts of knowledge and experience here, and they are a friendly lot, so don't be afraid to ask any questions you have - or just have a good old rant or moan amongst people who 'get it'. I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
Thanks for the welcome... It's true that i've been overloaded with info but yet at the same time I dont feel like I know a thing. I met a nurse yesterday who did answer alot of my questions but I guess as it's early days it's gonna take time for things to sink in. Im on a basal-bolus regime (?) 15 mmols then 6 at mealtimes. Thank god I don't have a needle phobia but the novelty is already wearing thin. I've been signed off work for 2 weeks but am anxious about going back and getting on with life as at the moment I feel like my life revolvs around thinking of my next meal and how it may affect my bg - just hope i dont get an OCD! Have other people found it easy to get back into a normal life routine?
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I was surprised at how quickly I got into the swing of things. It's good to have a couple of weeks off though, because your nurse may need to adjust your doses for a little while and it's good to try and keep to a bit of a routine - one that will mimic your work eating patterns if possible. Really, one of the best things about today's treaments is that you can have a full and flexible life, just like you had before. The main difference is that you need to be sufficiently organised to remember to take your meter, pens and some hypo treatment wherever you go. There are other little niggles which no doubt will occur to you as life goes on, but a steady, boring routine is the best thing to go for at the moment, I think 🙂
When you are ready, no doubt your nurse/doctor will put you on an education course so that you can learn to vary your insulin doses according to the carb content of your meals and take account of a few other factors, which will make things much more flexible. Make sure work know beforehand and use your time now to decide who you need to inform - the DVLA if you drive is one that springs to mind.
When you are ready, no doubt your nurse/doctor will put you on an education course so that you can learn to vary your insulin doses according to the carb content of your meals and take account of a few other factors, which will make things much more flexible. Make sure work know beforehand and use your time now to decide who you need to inform - the DVLA if you drive is one that springs to mind.
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Amanda. Welcome 🙂
Can't remember that far back !
You may find for a while to come that your life will revolve around carbs, insulin, blood tests and ratios between them all, but it will become the norm after a while.
Does your work make it easy for you to ease yourself back in gently ?
Rob
Can't remember that far back !
You may find for a while to come that your life will revolve around carbs, insulin, blood tests and ratios between them all, but it will become the norm after a while.
Does your work make it easy for you to ease yourself back in gently ?
Rob
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yes, as someone who got type 1 diabetes as a 30 year old, some 16 years ago now, I can confidently say that getting back to normal does happen. In fact, I was doing a really boring job (travel agency) when I started on insulin, which I resigned from, and spent a few months doing not very much, apart from visiting friends (all of whom lived at least 100 miles from where I was staying with my parents, as I'd just returned with diagnosis, after a year working overseas), fell walking, spending Christmas with my uncle & aunt on their small holding in Brittany, travelling in Belgium with a friend etc. By that stage, I knew I had a funded place on an MSc course, and things began to improve once life got more interesting. Since then. I've had plenty more interesting jobs all over UK, plus got more involved in orienteering, mountain marathons, adventure racing, kayking and duck keeping than I ever was befroe diagnosis, partly because of settling down with a partner and house.
I quickly worked out some simple strategies for me eg a pencil case containing pen, spare cartridges, spare needles etc and another meter pouch to carry everywhere, plus worked out what emergency food is cheapest / easiest / most convenient to keep in rucksack pocket / handbag if you use one etc. So, you'll find solutions that suit you and your life.
I quickly worked out some simple strategies for me eg a pencil case containing pen, spare cartridges, spare needles etc and another meter pouch to carry everywhere, plus worked out what emergency food is cheapest / easiest / most convenient to keep in rucksack pocket / handbag if you use one etc. So, you'll find solutions that suit you and your life.
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