Newly diagnosed as Type 1

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McB

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Type 1
Hi all,

I was diagnosed with Type 1 last week. It has been a steep learning curve so far (much gleaned from reading posts here - thanks) but starting to get better blood glucose levels. My HBA1C is 11.4, which apparently means I have had this for some time.

Please can I burden you all with a couple of basic questions

1) I was given a OneTouch Ultra Easy meter when diagnosed but decided to buy a Accu Chec Mobile yesterday as it looked easier used as there are no test strips. The two meters give very different results. At one pt yesterday, the One Touch said 12.1 and the Accu Check said 9.4. Today, when I was feeling a bit shaky, the Accu Chec said 3.7 while the One Touch said 5.1. This led me to think the Accu Chec is more reliable - any views on this?

2) Am being treated with Lantus and Humulog but the nurse said that ultimately I should get a pump. Would welcome views on pumps and which one is the best.

Many thanks
 
Hi McB. Welcome 🙂

Sounds like you're getting the hang of things quickly. I would go with the accu-chek for now although it's possible that you felt hypo symptoms at the higher reading due to your prolonged high BGs giving you false lows.

As you adjust your BGs to the normal range, you may find your hypo symptoms changing in nature and to a different level. Hard to say which one is right or wrong without a lab test. Sadly, the best we can do is stick with the one we know and learn to trust it for our own levels.

As for getting on a pump, it's not automatic and you'll need to meet the NICE criteria unless your PCT is very pro-pump. I've been T1 for 34 years, mostly on MDI and don't qualify for a pump. Lottery like most things.🙄

Rob
 
Hi McB

If your consultant says you qualify for a pump, then you'll qualify for it. It may be a lottery whether you actually get a consultant who fully supports pumping for anyone he/she thinks can benefit, but seems to me that McB won't have tht prob!

But being on MDI for 12 months at least WAS one of the pre-requisites. Also a lot of areas won't let you go on carb-counting courses (DAFNE iteself or BERTIE based, or whatever they do locally) until you've been diabetic for at least 12 months because it kind-of doesn't apply like clockwork (if it ever does!) when you are still in your honeymoon period and Mr Pancreas is still chucking out sporadic and unpredictable bursts of natural insulin - you'd never be able to keep up with all the changes you'd need.

But eventually once your Beta cells have definitely popped their clogs and you are reliant only on injected insulin, then having a pump is most certainly the nearest thing - at the moment! - to having a functioning pancreas.

I spent 39 years never seeing an A1c less than 7.2 and that was only for 6 months. Mostly in the 8's. Suddenly with a pump - 6.5. Must admit I had my doubts ....... and it was certainly a huge learning curve after all this time to discover for the first month or so I didn't know automatically what to do when stuff went wrong - felt a bit lost and there were tears and anger. But I had a lot of help from my DSN and pumpers on another forum and I gritted my teeth and persevered.

But by the time I'd had it 6 or 7 weeks - I was well and truly hooked!

I'd defintely recommend it, but you ain't having mine ......
 
Hi McB and welcome to forum,
I dunno which pump is best - my pump choice was driven by desire to have CGM sensor and not wanting to carry a separate device. At the time, that left one choice - Medtronic, and I'm happy. You may have other criteria, like a need for a pump to take swimming or like one interface over another.

Also have no issues w/matching one touch ultra meter (beams finger prick BG data to pump). I've had inaccuracies which may have been OE (operator error) due to hand cleanliness (washed / not washed / alcohol swabbed). I try to be more vigilant lately and only wash.
 
McB hi and a warm welcome to the forum
 
Welcome to the forums McB 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum McB. I'm also based in London. Which hospital are you under? It sounds like a great one if they are thinking about a pump already!

You might be interested in NLYD, a social/support group for 18 - 40s (in theory - in reality everyone is welcome regardless of age!) in London living with type 1. The group meets monthly, usually alternating drinks in a pub one month and a day out the next month. There are lots using MDI and lots using pumps, some newly diagnosed, some who have been diagnosed for a long time! You'd be most welcome to come along (there is a group on FB).

Most people have a favourite brand of meter to use, so go with whichever one you 'trust'.

All pumps generally do the same, and much like choosing a mobile phone, it will usually come down to personal preference. I use an Animas Vibe which I like because of the nice bright screen, I find the menus easy to use and it's waterproof.

I would imagine your clinic, like most, would want you to give injections a try first - but if they offer you a pump, grab it with both hands, as trophy says they are the closest replication of a working pancreas.
 
Hi McB,

A warm welcome to this fantastic forum 🙂

Gill
 
Hiya and welcome. I wonder if you washed your hands before the readings? If you did then a little bit of water can dilute the blood leading to lower readings. I found this out by getting a LO reading but feeling perfectly fine. Next finger along 30 seconds later 6.9. I've also had the opposite, a reading of 16.7, washed hands and 6.5. I reckon I had something on my hand. Lesson learned.
 
Thanks for all the responses, very reassuring to know there is lots of advice available.

- My BG meters continue to give different readings. Think I will just stick with the Accu- Chek in future...

- I may have given the wrong impression re getting a pump - the nurse said I should get one but at the same time explained how the NICE guidelines make it difficult to qualify! Given everything I have read, these seem to the way forward so am very keen to get hold of one eventually.

Shiv, thanks for highlighting the NLYD group, where can I find out details of the next get together?
 
Welcome to the forum McB! 🙂
 
Hello and welcome to the forum xx
 
Hi McB, welcome to the forum from me too.🙂
 
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