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New type 1

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A

Andywidd

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi,
Had a look at a few threads and seems like a great site. Hoping to get some tips and encouragement from people as I was newly diagnosed with likely type 1 just under 4 weeks ago. Been doing well with numbers between 4.3 and 8.3 (I think this is ok as just diagnosed?) after starting with insulin about 4 weeks ago. However yesterday had a 3.6 then a 2.8 and a 3.9 today. Just wondering if it is the heat? Any way hello- would like to say I’m pleased to be here (!) but once over the shock I’m sure I will.
 
Welcome @Andywidd
Sounds as if you are doing pretty well.

There are loads of things that affect our levels and, as you have discovered, weather/heat is one of them. Even more annoyingly is that we are all different. Some people find their levels go down and some find their levels go up. I have an unproven hypothesis that the way our levels react to heat is related to how comfortable we feel in the heat. If we like heat, our levels go down and if we dislike the heat, the stress causes them to go up.

Sorry, I am rambling now.
I know what you mean about being pleased to be here - Type 1 is a pest but most of the people with Type 1 are pretty friendly and nice to know.

Take things easy, keep learning (I am still learning 15 years after my diagnosis), ask questions, rant, laugh and join in.
 
Thanks Helli. I do like heat so hopefully that explains it. I have to say I enjoyed the ‘recovery jelly babies’ a little too much! Was a relief though when retested 15 mins later to see levels in acceptable range. Going to try some exercise next week…..
Don’t know if I should have mentioned Above I’m 49.
 
Hi and welcome from another late starter. I was 56 at diagnosis and just 2.5 years down the line with it. I would say that it gets easier but it sounds like you are already doing incredible well with those readings. Although the recent sub 4s are not ideal, they are all part of the learning curve and learning how to cope with hypos is an important aspect of that. Also figuring out why they happened as best you can and how to prevent a similar cause in the future. In this case it isn't possible to turn the sun down but many of us find a slight basal insulin dose reduction is needed when it is scorching like this. If you are not confident or had training in how to make dose adjustments yet, then discuss with your nurse and make sure to test more often if necessary to keep yourself safe in the meantime.

Which insulins do you have and do you have Freestyle Libre or are you finger pricking to monitor your levels?

Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind and make yourself at home here.
 
Hi Rebrascora,
Thanks for the reply. I’m taking novarapid (3xday) just reduced from 2 units to 1 unit last night. Also taking slow abasaglar at night- just reduced from 6 units to 5 (originally 10 then to 8). Reductions done on recommendation of nurse. I’m finger pricking to monitor levels. A continuous glucose monitor is something I’m thinking about- would you recommend one?
Your numbers are amazing!
Thanks, Andy
 
Hi Andywidd, welcome to the forum.

Just popping in to say hi! I can imagine just how shocking it must have been to be diagnosed with type one recently.

We've got lots of lovely people who are very happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have so feel free to ask away and let us know how we can help.
 
T
Cherrelle DUK said:
Hi Andywidd, welcome to the forum.

Just popping in to say hi! I can imagine just how shocking it must have been to be diagnosed with type one recently.

We've got lots of lovely people who are very happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have so feel free to ask away and let us know how we can help.
Click to expand...
Thanks Cherrelle,
People been great already!
 
@Andywidd just a thought aboit your low doses.
Do you have a half unit pen? If not. I recommend requesting one.
I am not sure if they are available as single use pens but half unit pens are definitely available as reusable Pens which are much more robust, produce less waste and thencartr take up less space.
 
Hi again Andy

Thanks. My HbA1c levels are a work in progress but the Freestyle Libre system has made it possible to get significant improvement in my diabetes management. I now get it on prescription but I self funded for a few months first and despite it being quite a significant outlay at £100 a month it was worth more than any holiday or any other luxury we might spend hundreds on and I really appreciate it now being available on the NHS. I am not sure it is the best system on the market and it can be a bit unreliable for a number of reasons but customer services are good and replace problem sensors and it is the cheapest on the market I believe and the most widely available on the NHS.

I would agree with @helli that a half unit pen is helpful both in terms of being able to do more fine adjustment of your insulin doses which can be particularly useful when you are only needing low doses during the honeymoon period (early stage of diagnosis when your own pancreas is still producing some insulin itself), and environmentally less plastic waste.
The NovoPen Echo is what you would need for the NovoRapid insulin and then you would just need NovoRapid penfill insulin cartridges. Not sure if the NovoPen Echo will also take Abasaglar cartridges or if you would need another make of pen. If it is the same reusable pen, ie you would need to request a red and a blue pen so that you can easily differentiate between the 2 pens/insulins.
 
helli said:
@Andywidd just a thought aboit your low doses.
Do you have a half unit pen? If not. I recommend requesting one.
I am not sure if they are available as single use pens but half unit pens are definitely available as reusable Pens which are much more robust, produce less waste and thencartr take up less space.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I’ll ask on Wednesday at my 1 month review.
 
rebrascora said:
Hi again Andy

Thanks. My HbA1c levels are a work in progress but the Freestyle Libre system has made it possible to get significant improvement in my diabetes management. I now get it on prescription but I self funded for a few months first and despite it being quite a significant outlay at £100 a month it was worth more than any holiday or any other luxury we might spend hundreds on and I really appreciate it now being available on the NHS. I am not sure it is the best system on the market and it can be a bit unreliable for a number of reasons but customer services are good and replace problem sensors and it is the cheapest on the market I believe and the most widely available on the NHS.

I would agree with @helli that a half unit pen is helpful both in terms of being able to do more fine adjustment of your insulin doses which can be particularly useful when you are only needing low doses during the honeymoon period (early stage of diagnosis when your own pancreas is still producing some insulin itself), and environmentally less plastic waste.
The NovoPen Echo is what you would need for the NovoRapid insulin and then you would just need NovoRapid penfill insulin cartridges. Not sure if the NovoPen Echo will also take Abasaglar cartridges or if you would need another make of pen. If it is the same reusable pen, ie you would need to request a red and a blue pen so that you can easily differentiate between the 2 pens/insulins.
Click to expand...
Brill, thanks. I’ll look into that on Wednesday. The monitor sounds like the way to go.
 
Hope Wednesday’s appointment goes well @Andywidd

Let us know how it goes!
 
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