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J

Joh

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Type 1
Hi, I've just joined up. Not sure why it's taken so long! I've had type 1 for 32 years and use humalog and tresiba insulin. No complications luckily.
I've just had a new consultant after about 18 years and have realised I must try to improve my hba1c levels. I've just started using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it really useful but am shocked just how erratic my levels are. I find I'm often guessing at my carbohydrate intake and have an appointment to see the dietitian.
 
Joh said:
Hi, I've just joined up. Not sure why it's taken so long! I've had type 1 for 32 years and use humalog and tresiba insulin. No complications luckily.
I've just had a new consultant after about 18 years and have realised I must try to improve my hba1c levels. I've just started using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it really useful but am shocked just how erratic my levels are. I find I'm often guessing at my carbohydrate intake and have an appointment to see the dietitian.
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Hi Joh and welcome to the forum. Glad you found us. 🙂 Have you done the DAFNE (or local equivalent) course? I only did it last year after 30 years of type 1 and found it very useful.
 
Hi Joh. You have co,e to the right place for any help and support that you want. Lots of lovely people here happy to help in any way that they can. The Libre is very informative.
 
Joh said:
Hi, I've just joined up. Not sure why it's taken so long! I've had type 1 for 32 years and use humalog and tresiba insulin. No complications luckily.
I've just had a new consultant after about 18 years and have realised I must try to improve my hba1c levels. I've just started using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it really useful but am shocked just how erratic my levels are. I find I'm often guessing at my carbohydrate intake and have an appointment to see the dietitian.
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Hi Joh, good to meet you. What kind of HBA1c are you typically getting?
 
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Hello and welcome Joh 🙂

It is very enlightening when you find out what's going on in between finger glucose tests, the secret life of your blood sugar! I hope the Libre helps you iron out some of the erratic readings and improve your HbA1c.
There is an assumption that because you've dealt with diabetes for a long time you know exactly what's going on and what to do for the best. I'm still trying to get on a DAFNE equivalent course nearly 40 years after diagnosis- no rush then 🙄
 
Thanks Matt. My consultant wants me to do the DAFNE course but it's over several weeks one day a week. I'm a teacher and really can't have time away from my class. The course tends not to run over school holidays so I'm going to look at an online course if there is one.
 
Joh said:
Thanks Matt. My consultant wants me to do the DAFNE course but it's over several weeks one day a week. I'm a teacher and really can't have time away from my class. The course tends not to run over school holidays so I'm going to look at an online course if there is one.
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Welcome to the forum Joh.
Bournemouth Diabetes Centre course is online at http://bdec-e-learning.com/BDECDL
BERTIE is online at https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/
 
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Thanks Flower.
I've always known how eating anything will effect my levels, but actually seeing it in action is quite terrifying. They go up with a simple few crisps! It definitely puts me off eating!
I have always felt in control of my diabetes but just lately I feel like a newly diagnosed person. I tend to keep my sugars slightly higher when I'm at work in the classroom but I think now I need to tighten up. Using the libre should make this easier.
 
Hi Joh and welcome. The Libre's a bit of an eye opener isn't it? I've had one for a couple of months and find it quite addictive.

The DAFNE, or similar, courses are definitely worth doing I think. I'd been type 1 for 30+ years when I attended 5 years ago and was quite surprised how useful I found it. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. 🙂
 
Joh said:
Hi, I've just joined up. Not sure why it's taken so long! I've had type 1 for 32 years and use humalog and tresiba insulin. No complications luckily.
I've just had a new consultant after about 18 years and have realised I must try to improve my hba1c levels. I've just started using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it really useful but am shocked just how erratic my levels are. I find I'm often guessing at my carbohydrate intake and have an appointment to see the dietitian.
Click to expand...
Hi, I've just joined up too after 21years!! What is your hbac1? Mine is 7.8, I've let it slide, so I'm hoping to improve it. I find weighing my carbs helps give an accurate insulin dose. Have you been on DAFNE course. It helps you to calculate your carb intake. Worth asking your dietitian.
 
Lisa66 said:
Hi Joh and welcome. The Libre's a bit of an eye opener isn't it? I've had one for a couple of months and find it quite addictive.

The DAFNE, or similar, courses are definitely worth doing I think. I'd been type 1 for 30+ years when I attended 5 years ago and was quite surprised how useful I found it. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. 🙂
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Thanks I suppose after 32 years I feel I'm expected to know it all!
 
Greys said:
Hi, I've just joined up too after 21years!! What is your hbac1? Mine is 7.8, I've let it slide, so I'm hoping to improve it. I find weighing my carbs helps give an accurate insulin dose. Have you been on DAFNE course. It helps you to calculate your carb intake. Worth asking your dietitian.
Click to expand...
Hi my hba1c is about 10 or just under. Weighing is easy when I'm at home but tricky when I'm eating out - which seems quite often. I think when I get back to work in September it'll be easier to get into the routine of weighing.
 
Hi Joh and welcome. The Libre's a bit of an eye opener isn't it? I've had one for a couple of months and find it quite addictive.

The DAFNE, or similar, courses are definitely worth doing I think. I'd been type 1 for 30+ years when I attended 5 years ago and was quite surprised how useful I found it. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. 🙂
Joh said:
Thanks I suppose after 32 years I feel I'm expected to know it all!
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I think no matter how long it's been, we are constantly learning...often without even realising. Our lives change, new information appears, as well as new technology to help us. I've just started on Tresiba after donkeys years on levemir, so another learning curve for me.🙂
 
Joh said:
Thanks Matt. My consultant wants me to do the DAFNE course but it's over several weeks one day a week. I'm a teacher and really can't have time away from my class. The course tends not to run over school holidays so I'm going to look at an online course if there is one.
Click to expand...
Your health is so important. Working for the local authority I was given a full week off to attend DAFNE. Having done the course I would have paid to attend it as it made so much difference to my diabetes management. Your school should be able to give you time to attend the course, as it will be in their interest for you to stay healthy. With a bit of forward planning one afternoon a week should be manageable. I hope that you can arrange this.
 
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Hello Joh and welcome to the forum. New technology sure is an eye opener isn't it? I hope you manage to learn plenty from your libre
 
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Joh said:
Hi my hba1c is about 10 or just under. Weighing is easy when I'm at home but tricky when I'm eating out - which seems quite often. I think when I get back to work in September it'll be easier to get into the routine of weighing.
Click to expand...
There's a book and App called carbs and cals which you might find very useful.
You also might find weighing out foods at home on a plate will help you judge meals when out as well.
 
Hi.Youre Employers should let you have time off for appointments and courses, you're covered under the disabilities act. (Sorry I hate that term myself)
You're health is far more important, so please arrange to go on the DAPHNE course it's only for a few days.
 
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