New to all of this (type 1). My levels are all over the place, I feel as if I have competed in the 3 peaks from 17.4 to 3.2. I have sensors so please know negative comments, this is not why i joined this forum. I was really upset when I was reading the comments regarding student exams.
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New to all off this
- Thread starter Gemgem
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Inka
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- Type 1
Hi @Gemgem 🙂 When were you diagnosed? And are you carb counting? Early in diagnosis, things can be quite erratic. That’s partly because your pancreas will probably be contributing some insulin but erratically, which can make control hard.
I’m sorry you were upset. You won’t get any negative comments here. x
I’m sorry you were upset. You won’t get any negative comments here. x
Spathiphyllum
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Seconding Inka's questions and comments! Especially-- when were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed 8 weeks ago. Had to find out about carb counting, and working out an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, myself. (They've booked me in for a carb-counting course, but not until later this month!) On the bright side, got a Libre 2 within 10 days.
You think your peaks and troughs are bad? Over the past 8 weeks, my levels have ranged from 22 to 2.5!
But the good news is-- it really does get better. Over the past week, my levels have been 93% within range. I think this is partly due to my body getting used to having proper, regular doses of insulin again, and mostly due to finding the right insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio for me, by trial and error.
I'm still having some inexplicable swings-- for example yesterday evening I had a bizarre plunge to 2.5 (and that was as measured by the blood meter, not just relying on the Libre)-- but not nearly as many peaks and troughs as in the first six weeks or so.
So, try not to worry too much-- and do talk to your diabetes specialist nurse! Both about how to get a better grip on your levels, and about your feelings. They all know that 'diabetes distress' is common, and they can be very reassuring. All the best, and let us know how you get on!
@Gemgem welcome to the forum.
I am sorry things are tough at the moment. My main advice is to allow your self to grieve - the 5 stages of grief are common when first diagnosed with a chronic condition: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
I promise most of us find it does get better and easy as we learn how to manage the supermarket trolley with the wobbly wheel (thank's to @Inka for the analogy) that is Type 1 diabetes. Sometimes it goes in the direction we expect and sometimes it just has a mind of its own.
You mentioned that you have sensors - this is brilliant. Have you read about their limitations? Unfortunately, we are not told about these when we are given them and only learn from experience (our DSNs often only read the theory from the manufacturers). The reason I mention this is that they are calibrated to be most accurate between 4 and about 9. Outside of this range they can feel as if they make things up. There is a good chance your 17 is not as high as your sensor is telling you. It is recommended, to check highs and lows with a finger prick. I know this is annoying but I accept it as I know, even with these limitations, how much more effort it used to be - it was only a few years ago when sensors didn't exist so we always had to finger prick. Of course, I would love not to have to double check my sensors and hope one day soon the accuracy will improve.
Sorry I have wittered on for longer than I intended.
My final advice is to be kind to yourself and ask questions of the forum.
I am sorry things are tough at the moment. My main advice is to allow your self to grieve - the 5 stages of grief are common when first diagnosed with a chronic condition: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
I promise most of us find it does get better and easy as we learn how to manage the supermarket trolley with the wobbly wheel (thank's to @Inka for the analogy) that is Type 1 diabetes. Sometimes it goes in the direction we expect and sometimes it just has a mind of its own.
You mentioned that you have sensors - this is brilliant. Have you read about their limitations? Unfortunately, we are not told about these when we are given them and only learn from experience (our DSNs often only read the theory from the manufacturers). The reason I mention this is that they are calibrated to be most accurate between 4 and about 9. Outside of this range they can feel as if they make things up. There is a good chance your 17 is not as high as your sensor is telling you. It is recommended, to check highs and lows with a finger prick. I know this is annoying but I accept it as I know, even with these limitations, how much more effort it used to be - it was only a few years ago when sensors didn't exist so we always had to finger prick. Of course, I would love not to have to double check my sensors and hope one day soon the accuracy will improve.
Sorry I have wittered on for longer than I intended.
My final advice is to be kind to yourself and ask questions of the forum.
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Thank you for the advice, I was diagnosed 3 months a ago. I still use the finger prick that was one piece of advice my nurse gave me. I am seeing her this afternoon. (I guess I need to manage my Wonky wheel alittle better) thatnk you for this it has made me smile.
Spathiphyllum
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
So sorry to hear about your dad! And absolutely that may be affecting control of your blood-sugar levels. Loss is a stress, and stress hormones affect insulin and metabolism. Yet another reason to be kind to yourself.
Your nurse will know this, too; so, if you haven't mentioned it to her, do. T1D affects our mental state and our mental state affects T1D, so we need to look after both.
And 6.2 this morning is great!!
Diagnosed 3 months ago..
Thank you for your compassion. I will mention it to the DB Nurse this afternoon and see what she says.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
First of all, sorry about your dad. That must be still very raw. Absolutely it could be affecting your blood sugar. That’s natural.
It’s still early days for you in your diagnosis. I don’t remember exactly, but it was 6months or more before I felt I’d begun to get to grips with things. Emotionally it takes longer to get your head around it. Knowing I wasn’t alone helped me.
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So sorry for your loss @Gemgem
You’ll be experiencing a sort of double-grief right now, both for your Dad and the feeling of loss that can come from a diagnosis with diabetes. So be kind to yourself. I agree with @Spathiphyllum - our mind can affect our diabetes, and our diabetes can affect our mind, so you need to look after yourself as a whole person.
It is perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed at the beginning, but just keep doing what you can. You have a long and hopefully healthy road ahead of you with T1 along for the ride. Diabetes is a potentially serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a bit of determination and planning - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
You’ll be experiencing a sort of double-grief right now, both for your Dad and the feeling of loss that can come from a diagnosis with diabetes. So be kind to yourself. I agree with @Spathiphyllum - our mind can affect our diabetes, and our diabetes can affect our mind, so you need to look after yourself as a whole person.
It is perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed at the beginning, but just keep doing what you can. You have a long and hopefully healthy road ahead of you with T1 along for the ride. Diabetes is a potentially serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a bit of determination and planning - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
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