Newbie - Ian

[igmalian]

Hi all,

I'm Ian and was diagnosed as Type 1 in November '15 at the tender age of 43, I'm on Basal Bolus insulin injections.
It's been a bit of a worldwind really, went for a fasting blood sugar test at my local chemist (after symptom checking online - constant thirst, weight loss, etc) and my blood sugar level came back as 15, made a GP appointment for the next morning by which time it had gone up to 21, they told me to go straight to A&E, so when I was seen (about an hour later) it had risen again to 29 and I had a Ketone level of 5.5!! (0 - 0.5 is normal) Strange thing is I felt absolutely fine but the hospital couldn't understand why I wasn't been violently ill or in a coma with levels like that, so I spent the next 36 hours on a drip in hospital and the rest, as they say, is history!
It was a bit daunting at first but after speaking to Type 1 friends and doing a lot of reading on this website and getting your head around it you come to terms with it realise that IT doesn't have to dictate your life as long as you are always conscious of it. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Hi Ian, welcome to the forum 🙂 Wow, that was quite a whirlwind introduction to things, sounds like the ketoacidosis didn't have long enough to really do its awful work on you, so a lucky escape there - well done to your GP for spotting it and correctly sending you straight to A&E. Some adults are presumed to be Type 2 and get treated in a much more leisurely way, to the detriment of their health.

What insulin are you on, and how have you been finding things? I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents by Ragnar Hanas - ignore the title, it's relevant whatever your age (I was 49!), it will really help to get your head around the various aspects you need to consider 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions and we will be happy to help! 🙂

 

[Robin]

Hi Ian, I'm another 'late developer' at 52, only despite a BG of 15 and losing 2lb a week and peeing for Britain I was misdiagnosed as Type2. When I was correctly rediagnosed at the hospital clinic they too expressed amazement that I was still walking round! Full marks to your GP for spotting it.
Diagnosis is a bit of a whirlwind, isn't it. I hadn't really been to the GP for years, and didn't know how all the mechanics of appointments and prescriptions, and letting the DVLA know, etc, worked!

 

[igmalian]

Hi Northerner, I'm on Humalog and Humulin Quickpens, It's been ok to be honest, i've had a few Hypo's but recognised the signs early and dealt with them pretty sharpish, I'm trying to be quite strict with diet so i'm not using the fast acting all the time (only when I treat myself!!) 🙂

 

[igmalian]

Hi Ian, I'm another 'late developer' at 52, only despite a BG of 15 and losing 2lb a week and peeing for Britain I was misdiagnosed as Type2. When I was correctly rediagnosed at the hospital clinic they too expressed amazement that I was still walking round! Full marks to your GP for spotting it.
Diagnosis is a bit of a whirlwind, isn't it. I hadn't really been to the GP for years, and didn't know how all the mechanics of appointments and prescriptions, and letting the DVLA know, etc, worked!

Hi Robin
Same here, having not been to may GP since I was a kid in the last 4 years i've been diagnosed with Asthma, Eczema and now type 1, must be an age thing! 🙂
I must admit the free prescriptions are a nice little perk! 🙂

 

[Lynn Davies]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to this forum, Ian.

You may find it more convenient to use Humalog and Humalin (presumably Humalin I?) in robust metal Luxura pens, which can dispense 1 or 0.5 units at a time. You would change cartridges, which means less waste, and glass cartridges can be disposed of in glass recycling, while mixed plastic & glass disposable pens are not easily recycled. A box of cartridges takes up much less space in fridge than a box of pens. Also means less bulk when travelling, backpacking etc. From another who was diagnosed as an adult (aged 30 years, some 20 years ago).

 

[Alan.tnh]

Hi Ian and welcome, sounds like you've got your head round things which is always a good start. Al

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome to the forum & good luck taking things on board 🙂

 

[Stitch147]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[HOBIE]

Hi Robin
Same here, having not been to may GP since I was a kid in the last 4 years i've been diagnosed with Asthma, Eczema and now type 1, must be an age thing! 🙂
I must admit the free prescriptions are a nice little perk! 🙂

Busy fella your Dr ! Good luck 🙂

 

[Carolg]

Hi and welcome to forum

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Hi Ian, and welcome 🙂

I am another late bloomer - I was diagnosed aged 44.

 

[SB2015]

Hi Ian, from another late developer of T1 at the age of 53.

 

[Superheavy]

Hi Ian,

Welcome to the forum - I was diagnosed Type 2 around 3 weeks ago, and all of the changes I've made have been related to my own diet and exercise. I know that type 2 is very different to T1, but hope you can find the right way to find the balance in your own diet/lifestyle.

 

[KookyCat]

Hi Ian
Another late blooming flower here, diagnosed T1 January 2014 at the tender age of 40. Delightful time, sadly my doctor wasn't as switched on as yours so they didn't catch it until I was in a coma with multiple organ failure (all of which recovered) so you're really lucky to have found a good GP (keep him/her they're very rare). Anyway welcome aboard, there's loads of good people here, lots of experience and they want to help 🙂

 

[Ali H]

Hi Ian and welcome. I've just been diagnosed with type 2 at age 49. Bit of a shock but compared to you I've got it easy. Good to hear your doc is on the ball, mine's useless!