New to this and still learning

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suevm

suevm

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
I was diagnosed as diabetic in June 2013, so still quite new to all this. I found out by accident, after pre-op tests for removal of a wisdom tooth (which is still there!)
There seemed to be quite an urgency following this, including an immediate appointment with a GP, who seemed quite surprised at the level of my glucose (28). He then went on to say that I was most likely to be Type 1 and would need to start on insulin asap. This was the second shock, as I'm 52 and thought I would be too old to start T1.
So, after a visit to the hopsital diabetic centre, I am now on insulin twice a day as well as Metformin. My HbA1c test at the time was 15%, so I guess that's pretty high?
Just had my second test done today, so hoping for a great improvement.
Has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation? I'm still not sure how T1 or T2 is determined?
 
Hi Sue, welcome to the forum 🙂 I was 49 when diagnosed Type 1, so it can affect you at any age. Although Type 1 and Type 2 share many of the same characteristics, their origins are different. Type 1 usually arises when your immune system reacts against the beta cells in your pancreas and stop you producing insulin. Type 2 usually results from increasing insulin resistance - you are producing lots of it but it doesn't work properly. Some people have characteristics of both i.e. not enough insulin, but also insulin resistance. Sounds like you may fall into this category, given that you have also been given metformin which helps with insulin resistance.

15% is a pretty high HbA1c, I would imagine you have come down quite a lot for your latest test given that you are now on insulin. Mine came down from 11.8% to 6.8%.

I would highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. Don't be fooled by the title, it applies to all ages and will answer many of your questions. Of course, you are very welcome to ask here if anything is confusing or worrying you and we will be more than happy to help 🙂

How have you been finding things so far?
 
Thank you so much!

I feel better already! It's so good to hear from someone who knows about this from experience. In your opinion, do you think I should be classed as Type 1? When I asked my gp to confirm where I fit, she finally decided to label me as Type 1. I thought she would have known for certain, but it didn't appear to be the case.
I have an appointment at the hospital diabetes centre this week, so I'm hoping to gain some more information.
On another point, I've been having trouble with my blood glucose monitor over the past few days. Two days ago I had a reading of 17, which was quite shocking as I've been lower and steadier since my diagnosis. My husband said try again, but I laughed and told him that it wouldn't be any different. However, I repeated the test 4 times and had readings of 17, 10, 12 and 8. I've decided the monitor is faulty, but now I'm concerned about how long I've been having possible false readings.
Is this a common problem? Should readings taken at the same time vary at all? I'm now waiting for a new monitor to arrive!
 
Hi Suevm - a warm but quick welcome -on way out- make sure you always have 2 of everything-meters/pens etc we have been abroad and pens have failed and spare with us thankfully- so double up -so to speak
 
Faulty bg monitor etc

Yes, good advice, thank you.
However, I'm still concerned about how to be aware of faulty readings. If I didn't have a high reading of 17, I wouldn't have repeated the test. Maybe my monitor was not from a realiable manufacturer. Hopefully the new one will be more accurate.

With regard to travelling, I did go abroad on holiday just after being diagnosed and thankfully managed to cope with everything. It did take some planning, but all ok. Took spares of everything (but only one monitor), letter from GP, insulin travel packs etc.... 🙂
 
Chillies!

Thank you all for welcoming me. Especially the warm (hot) welcome from Jalapino - I must try a daily dose of chillies too! :D
 
Hello Sue and welcome from another Sue 🙂 With diabetes you never stop learning, even after 48 + years on insulin I still learn new things on a regular bases :D
 
suevm said:
Thank you all for welcoming me. Especially the warm (hot) welcome from Jalapino - I must try a daily dose of chillies too! :D
Click to expand...

Indeed!!! BUT!!!! chillies with gravy for a roast dinner is a no no!!!...yes I have tried it lol 😉
 
Hi Sue, welcome to the forum. its very handy to have spares of every thing including meters, you never know when you will forget it and leave one at home or work.
 
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