New Type1 at 37

[an4rew]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with T1 just over a week ago (9th July 2021) after a full day in hospital, prompted by a blood test the previous day. Otherwise fit and healthy, although I know it's nothing to do with that - c'est la vie.

I was shocked and stunned to say the least and had a tough few days at the start coming to terms with it, however, I'm feeling much better now after getting my head around things and getting into a routine, slowly. Like my GP said, it's not terminal and I'll be able to manage it.
My wife has also been absolutely brilliant and supportive. Shout out to all the other halves and/or loved ones!!

My diagnosis came about due to weight loss over a sustained period. 3kg since Jan 21, and another 3kg before that in the second half of 2020.
I've no idea how long I've had diabetes but I must have been running on empty for a good few months at least and not known it. Other symptoms were constant dry mouth, always hungry and persistent thirst. I also had very bad leg cramps during the night which would regularly wake me up. Anyhow, when I told all this to my GP he arranged the blood test and the rest is history.

Still a long road ahead but I'm feeling positive. Things I'm looking forward to getting back into again are exercise (running) and going to the gym, without feeling knackered...

I'm slightly anxious about the effect stress may have on my body, as my work is intense at times and I tend to take on more than I should to be helpful.

Thanks for the support

Andrew

 

[Inka]

Welcome @an4rew 🙂 Yes, a Type 1 diagnosis is a massive shock. I felt a lot better once I was on insulin. It’s a huge lifestyle change but it does gradually get easier.

What insulins are you taking?

 

[stephknits]

Hi and welcome. Yes a big shock! I was diagnosed at 42 and there are quite a number of us late starters on the forum.
Stress is a weird one in terms of blood sugars. Bi generally find it raises mine but it can lower them too. I guess you will have to look out how it effects you.
Glad you and your wife are making a great team makes a big difference having a supportive family.

 

[an4rew]

Welcome @an4rew 🙂 Yes, a Type 1 diagnosis is a massive shock. I felt a lot better once I was on insulin. It’s a huge lifestyle change but it does gradually get easier.

What insulins are you taking?

Hi @Inka, thanks. I'm on Novorapid and Levemir

 

[an4rew]

Hi and welcome. Yes a big shock! I was diagnosed at 42 and there are quite a number of us late starters on the forum.
Stress is a weird one in terms of blood sugars. Bi generally find it raises mine but it can lower them too. I guess you will have to look out how it effects you.
Glad you and your wife are making a great team makes a big difference having a supportive family.

Thanks @stephknits, I'll hopefully figure it out soon enough

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @an4rew from another late starter (aged 53)

It is indeed a shock at any age, and definitely good to have support around you.
The best analogy I was given is that managing T1 is like learning to drive. It seems a lot to cope with at the start but then most of it becomes automatic.

Glad that you have found the forum. Do fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.

 

[an4rew]

Welcome to the forum @an4rew from another late starter (aged 53)

It is indeed a shock at any age, and definitely good to have support around you.
The best analogy I was given is that managing T1 is like learning to drive. It seems a lot to cope with at the start but then most of it becomes automatic.

Glad that you have found the forum. Do fire away with any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.

Hi @SB2015 and thanks for the positive words

 

[helli]

Welcome to the very select club, @an4rew

As other's have said, feel free to ask any questions you fancy or just rant or just jump for joy or just laugh.

The best advice I got when I was diagnosed at a similar age to you was "Type 1 shouldn't stop you doing what you want." More than 15 years later, I have tested that quite a fe times and it still holds true.

Diagnosis is a shock but not the end of the world.

 

[Whittsend]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with T1 just over a week ago (9th July 2021) after a full day in hospital, prompted by a blood test the previous day. Otherwise fit and healthy, although I know it's nothing to do with that - c'est la vie.

I was shocked and stunned to say the least and had a tough few days at the start coming to terms with it, however, I'm feeling much better now after getting my head around things and getting into a routine, slowly. Like my GP said, it's not terminal and I'll be able to manage it.
My wife has also been absolutely brilliant and supportive. Shout out to all the other halves and/or loved ones!!

My diagnosis came about due to weight loss over a sustained period. 3kg since Jan 21, and another 3kg before that in the second half of 2020.
I've no idea how long I've had diabetes but I must have been running on empty for a good few months at least and not known it. Other symptoms were constant dry mouth, always hungry and persistent thirst. I also had very bad leg cramps during the night which would regularly wake me up. Anyhow, when I told all this to my GP he arranged the blood test and the rest is history.

Still a long road ahead but I'm feeling positive. Things I'm looking forward to getting back into again are exercise (running) and going to the gym, without feeling knackered...

I'm slightly anxious about the effect stress may have on my body, as my work is intense at times and I tend to take on more than I should to be helpful.

Thanks for the support

Andrew

Hi Andrew
Your story so closely resembles mine that I thought I'd written it! With the exception of the date (mine was 7th August 2020) and the age at which you were diagnosed (I was 64 - how's that for one-up-man-ship ) it could have been me...
Shocked and stunned - tick; supportive wife - tick; sustained weight loss - tick; dry mouth & thirst - tick; leg cramps - big tick!
Things will improve as you become accustomed to the new life (I keep reminding myself that it's life-changing not life-threatening) though it may take some time to adjust - everyone's different, so just take it at your own speed. I too am looking forward to reverting to some aspects of my former life e.g. parkrun this Saturday, though that will be done at a sedate walking pace (to begin with).
Stay positive!
Dave

 

[an4rew]

Hi Andrew
Your story so closely resembles mine that I thought I'd written it! With the exception of the date (mine was 7th August 2020) and the age at which you were diagnosed (I was 64 - how's that for one-up-man-ship ) it could have been me...
Shocked and stunned - tick; supportive wife - tick; sustained weight loss - tick; dry mouth & thirst - tick; leg cramps - big tick!
Things will improve as you become accustomed to the new life (I keep reminding myself that it's life-changing not life-threatening) though it may take some time to adjust - everyone's different, so just take it at your own speed. I too am looking forward to reverting to some aspects of my former life e.g. parkrun this Saturday, though that will be done at a sedate walking pace (to begin with).
Stay positive!
Dave

Thanks Dave, that's very reassuring to hear. Much appreciated. I'm feeling better already thanks to the insulin so things can only get better!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @an4rew

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself some slack as you adjust. Type 1 can feel very numeric and definable when insulin therapy is being described - take x amount of insulin for y amount of carbs - but in all honesty it’s more of an art than science half the time, and you will begin to develop a gut feeling about certain circumstances which may not obey the ‘rules’, but will actually work well for you.

Don’t expect perfection, and don’t expect exactly the same results from your careful calculations every time. A bit of ‘ish’ thinking and ‘what generally works most of the time’ will do wonders to relieve the burden (and frustration) of aiming for precision and perfection.

Running will be fine - I didn’t really do any distance running until I’d been diagnosed for 20 years or so, and soon was taking on 10Ks and a half marathon 🙂

Keep asking questions!

 

[an4rew]

Welcome to the forum @an4rew

Be kind to yourself and allow yourself some slack as you adjust. Type 1 can feel very numeric and definable when insulin therapy is being described - take x amount of insulin for y amount of carbs - but in all honesty it’s more of an art than science half the time, and you will begin to develop a gut feeling about certain circumstances which may not obey the ‘rules’, but will actually work well for you.

Don’t expect perfection, and don’t expect exactly the same results from your careful calculations every time. A bit of ‘ish’ thinking and ‘what generally works most of the time’ will do wonders to relieve the burden (and frustration) of aiming for precision and perfection.

Running will be fine - I didn’t really do any distance running until I’d been diagnosed for 20 years or so, and soon was taking on 10Ks and a half marathon 🙂

Keep asking questions!

Hey, thank you! That's reassuring.