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Newbie

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NeilGilbert

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello my name is Neil I'm 53 years old.
Male type 1 Diabetic
Diagnosis Diabetic March 1980.
Lost half my body weight in less than a week I was 12 years old.
The days of checking your urine with clinitest tablets in a glass testube with a result of 2 , 1, or 0
So glad things have changed never liked the ortelet or however its spelt never liked trying it out on an orange.
I'm at work now doing nights my manager is Diabetic on the same pump as me but he's had the white letter so he's shielding as he's got a low lasting sugar level, but I stay working as it's exercise but I've just got over another Ulcer on my ankle this one only lasted 14 months compared to the last one same place of 5 years I'm fine with that but I've been told all the infections I've had in my leg are due to one hint and that is I've got high levels of MRSA and ive tried the body scrub for 5 days always second test comes back positive.
Things are just going over my head as I also have a variable heart rate woke up one day with a heartbeat of 219 Didn't go to work that night and Ashma. Then the stress of pump being 5 months out of warranty and then here's my big one my sites have almost all stopped working having the veins in my leg done to correct the ulcer now no take lumps everywhere legs have large mounds where calcium deposits are forming arms very little take and now I use twice as many cannulas as not all work for my pump I have a ring of hard fat caused from injections around my waist a I started to react to the needles?
Sorry you don't need that I just like to SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. I have a lifetime membership to your magazine.
 
Hi Neil, welcome to the forum! Thank you for your kind words.

I'm so sorry to hear what's been going on for you, it sounds like quite a complex journey.

We can't advise/diagnose on medical issues so it's best to have a chat with your GP about the concerns you have.

At times like these, having a good support network is important so we're glad to have you here. Do let us know if you have any questions re diabetes and we'd be happy to help.
 
Oh Gawd Neil ..... and the rest of us moan. Useless - but anyway I still want to send you {{{Hugs}}} mate.

It was an 'Autolet' which only worked OK with the weight of a glass syringe - the disposable ones they eventually graciously to have free on prescription, weren't heavy enough to stay in the clips so as soon as the tip of the needle met me, it would launch across the room and usually landed up the corner at the back of the telly ! (where I sometimes(?) hadn't vacuumed ....)

Tell me - was your Clintest kit, test tube stand wooden or plastic? Mine in 1972 was wooden and the woodwork was beautiful, all properly sanded smooth and always gave me pleasure using it - though not collecting my wee etc in order to use it!
 
Hello Neil,

I'm a newbie too and I wish you all the luck and goodness in the world. You have a lot to contend with and I commiserate with you. Trophywench and Cherrelle are right you SHOULD speak to your GP. Having said that PLEASE don't allow those leg ulcers to get any worse/bigger....I'm Type 2 but I got Lymphodema and my leg was like a tree. Its alot better now I've had a Bariatric but I'd like for you to be the same. Did you get MRSA from hospital? If yes, should they not be more vigilant/giving...seeing it was to do with the hospital, if not......persevere with the healing.

I know words aren't much when it comes to anything but emotions but unfortunately they're all I have...I'm wishing you well Neil. Stick with the Low Carb Lifestyle and good on you for still going into work, bravo XX
 
Hello Neil, welcome to the forum. 🙂

Well done on managing diabetes for so long, it's nice to have your experience on the forum.

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through at the moment. I definitely agree with the others, please don't delay speaking with your diabetes team about the ulcers and problems with the pump. You could also ask for advice regarding shielding if you don't feel safe at work.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a few challenges going on at the moment and so i'd echo others in suggesting you speak to someone from your diabetes team, or to the GP if you don't have one
 
Hi thank you all for saying hello.
First my clinitest holder was plastic everyone at school thought I was a chemist having to use a test tube at school I was the only Diabetic at the school for the whole duration of my education.
MRSA they say most of us are carriers of it. And it's only when you get it inside it causes problems.
The only problem when you do have it are treated separately away from everyone else and hospital appointments are usually cancelled.
My leg ulcer is something that will always come back I've had the veins striped from both legs don't recommend that at all I'm 6 feet 71/2 inches tall size 16 feet nothing fits all the groin stickers ripped as I got into the taxis on my way home
 
NeilGilbert said:
Hi thank you all for saying hello.
First my clinitest holder was plastic everyone at school thought I was a chemist having to use a test tube at school I was the only Diabetic at the school for the whole duration of my education.
MRSA they say most of us are carriers of it. And it's only when you get it inside it causes problems.
The only problem when you do have it are treated separately away from everyone else and hospital appointments are usually cancelled.
My leg ulcer is something that will always come back I've had the veins striped from both legs don't recommend that at all I'm 6 feet 71/2 inches tall size 16 feet nothing fits all the groin stickers ripped as I got into the taxis on my way home
Click to expand...
Then just a few years ago I had foam in the veins much better outpatients almost pain free.
Then the loss of sights I used to see Karen didn't know her other name but she was brilliant pink hair as well but she got sacked because of her pink hair everything stopped when she went when you saw her pink hair you knew you were in good hands and her hair wasn't bright just enough for you to know her. Since the pandemic the Diabetic team have been given other rolls hard to talk to anyone now Karen was trying to set up an appointment at kings Hospital London. But hay life goes on I could get knocked over by a number 6 bus tomorrow so let's just get on with life. It's just the stress you have to be careful of as this can upset your diabetes so much so stay safe
 
I hope I don't go on too much but not had any one to talk to for quite some time my leg ulcer was treated at my GP.
I have a question when you wake up and you are hypo I'm able to take glucose myself it's always under the pillow with my phone and blood tester still prick the finger elergic to the glue on blue tooth ones.
When I wake up while hypo does anyone else get really bad cramp the last time I had cramp in both legs while still in bed sorted the low but it took me over 4 hours before I could get down stairs both legs hurt so much. The worst one I had I had cramp in both arms buttocks and both legs and it took me hours just to get out of bed am I the only one who gets these
 
NeilGilbert said:
I hope I don't go on too much but not had any one to talk to for quite some time my leg ulcer was treated at my GP.
I have a question when you wake up and you are hypo I'm able to take glucose myself it's always under the pillow with my phone and blood tester still prick the finger elergic to the glue on blue tooth ones.
When I wake up while hypo does anyone else get really bad cramp the last time I had cramp in both legs while still in bed sorted the low but it took me over 4 hours before I could get down stairs both legs hurt so much. The worst one I had I had cramp in both arms buttocks and both legs and it took me hours just to get out of bed am I the only one who gets these
Click to expand...
Hi Neil, nope you're not alone with the cramps as I used to get them when my lymphoedema was at its worst. The trick is to swing into a sitting position to the side of your bed with your legs on the floor, knees at right angles and here's the important bit, both soles of feet, heels and toes squarely on the ground and feeeeeeeeeel the pain subside, for me pretty quickly, not always as fast but most times.

We're in it together Neil, you're NEVER alone. BTW feel free to chat away at any time, about any thing and I mean ANY thing 😎
 
Ive moved your updates back into your original intro thread @NeilGilbert as they seemed to get a little separated 🙂
 
Hi @NeilGilbert and welcome

I'm sorry you are dealing with a lot of ongoing problems.

I think some of the pump companies extended the warranty period for pumps coming out of warranty during the pandemic whilst appointments were either postponed or virtual. I don't know if this was only for a few months but it would be worth checking if you're pump is still covered.

It is a real challenge when sites start failing, the needles of the 70's and 80's weren't great, my stomach and legs are a no go zone for insulin absorption. I've been trying to sort out a different cannula to try as my sites are only lasting 2 days, have you been able to contact your DSN to see if there is anything different to try ? It is hard at present to make contact and discuss things when they aren't working well.

It is good to have others to talk to about diabetes stuff as it can be such a head filler, this forum is great to be a part of.

I hope things start to improve for you and glad you've found us 🙂
 
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