New Type 1 diabetes

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Those are very familiar feelings @Lily.D - in a way I think it would be odd if you didn’t feel them! I remember feeling quite betrayed and let down by my body for a while. But I’ve grown instead to have admiration for it - and the way it is able to balance multiple factors and unexpected events and still keep all sorts of levels within incredibly tight parameters.

A form of grieving with a jumble of emotions (including but not limited to anger, denial, depression, bargaining, and acceptance) is very common.

Give yourself time. Things will get better!
 
I found it helpful to sort of reverse that thinking by appreciating how lucky we are to have insulin and fantastic injection pens and CGM sensors and the option of insulin pumps. I found it really interesting and fascinating to read the account of Banting administering the first insulin to a ward of kids that were slowly dying, wasting away and in comas and how they miraculously came to life one after the next when the insulin was injected. It focuses on the wonder of medical science and the hope it gives people who are despairing. There is a copy of the account on the forum somewhere which really impacted how I felt. I will see if I can find it...

Like Mike I also now have more respect and awareness of my bodily functions and an amazing appreciation for what my pancreas used to do in balancing my levels before my immune system took out my beta cells and I had to take over the job manually. The human body is incredibly complex and clever and not surprising that occasionally things malfunction.

It is totally normal though to have these feelings and good that you can talk about them because it is really important to acknowledge how you feel.
 
Thanks @Inka. I went back to look for it and found that it wasn't available anymore. It really is inspiring though, so very much appreciate you reposting it.
 
It still brought me to tears this time too @rebrascora It’s very moving. When I get fed up with Type 1, I remind myself how lucky I am and what a wonderful, wonderful discovery insulin was.
 
Hi @Lily.D - I was diagnosed with type 1 in mid-August aged 56 so you’re not alone. My head has been completely pickled with the “unfairness of it all, why me, what have I done wrong?” Etc. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve shed quite a few tears especially realising that without insulin it’s game over. There are some great people on here and it gets better each day. Don’t try to control anything - just listen to your diabetes nurses, get your levels down slowly (you’ll likely get blurred vision but it will sort itself out) and be kind to yourself. You’ll probably get fitted with a Libre 2 linked to an app which really helps. What I’ve learned is you can eat what you want, you just have to manage insulin levels but these change depending on exercise, stress, alcohol etc so don’t aim for perfection. Don’t hesitate to ask me or any of these lovely people if you have any questions. 🙂
 
Thanks!

Thanks everyone. I'm not carb counting or adjusting insulin. I'm pretty reliant on the diabetes care nurses to tell me what to do at this stage. I'm going into hospital next week, maybe they'll talk about that then. I think the priority was to get my sugars and ketones down this week?
Hi @Lily.D - quite normal to just have fixed insulin doses for now to bring down blood sugars and ketones. I just ate normally for the first couple of weeks then worked with the nurses to vary the doses to match carb intake. You’ll be amazed how quickly you get the hang of it.
 
Thanks @Inka. I went back to look for it and found that it wasn't available anymore. It really is inspiring though, so very much appreciate you reposting it.
So inspiring and like @Inka i am in tears.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm not carb counting or adjusting insulin. I'm pretty reliant on the diabetes care nurses to tell me what to do at this stage. I'm going into hospital next week, maybe they'll talk about that then. I think the priority was to get my sugars and ketones down this week?
Hi @Lily.D it is great that you have your team around you and that you are working with them. Things will take a little time to settle, and your team will work with the information that they have from your sensor and the data that you will be gathering to help you develop an appropriate regime to start with. Just take things step by step and keep the questions coming. No one minds.
 
Hi, I'm newly diagnosed (yesterday) type 1 diabetes in my forties. Been feeling pretty rough so i'm relieved to have a diagnosis and some help to sort myself out. Any other type 1 diabetes folks, how long did it take to get sugars under control?
Hello Lily
I was 67 when I was diagnosed with diabetes in September last year, and T1 was confirmed by the DNS in October. My BGs were in the mid 20s, but they quickly came down to below 10.

When you walk away from the appointment with your insulin, it's a vertical learning curve [can you have a vertical 'curve'?!!], especially when you have been really unwell with all possible T1 symptoms.
It's a tough journey that no-one would choose, but you will get there- we've just had 2 weeks in Vancouver-[a 9 hour flight, and an 8 hour time zone change]- something that felt impossible even 8 months ago.
One year on 'Control' is variable, although I mostly achieve 70% in range. My A1c is down to 48 my BGs can still fluctuate.

So my advice is be gentle on yourself, don't expect too much of yourself' and accept the help that's offered.
 
Welcome @HV57 🙂 It sounds like you’ve made a great start to getting to grips with Type 1. What insulins are you on?

For both @Lily.D and you, there are a couple of books often recommended for Type 1s here:

Think Like a Pancreas’ by Gary Scheiner.

And Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas (ignore the title - it’s great for adults too).
I've just read Think like a Pancreas and it was a good read, if a little too American. Also very overwhelming at times, but I took from it the bits that made sense to me. It also helped underpin guidance from my health care team. I'll try and find your other recommendation in the library. Thank you.
 
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