Newly diagnosed at my late age

[New-journey]

Welcome Sara and must have been such a huge shock and adjustment for you. There is so much to learn and I have found this forum so helpful. I was 58 when diagnosed and also live alone, so can relate to your worry.
You have so much to deal with and your concussion sounds painful. I think that even have some times when you feel better than you did is encouraging and sure those will grow as your head gets better and blood sugars come down. It's best they come down slowly.
I would echo Robin's words about a Basal/Bolis regime, I had to wait six months for it and know it would have helped. That way you work out the carbs you are eating and just take the insulin for each meal plus take your background one. When are you next seeing your medical professional?
Wishing you a good day.

 

[sharry c]

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed in hospital with Type 1 after an accident in London almost three weeks ago. I'd been pretty sure I had diabetes over the last year esp given my weight loss, but following a fobbing off at my GP surgery last spring, I just put up with the symptoms.... and assumed at 70 that it would be Type 2. No such luck! It was silly to leave it so long but I have a poor relationship with my current GP practice, where you never see the same doctor twice, after previously only having two GPs all my adult life.

I had my first consultation with the practice's diabetes nurse yesterday, and that went well - she's clued up and very sympathetic: a good listener, and reassuring.

But the whole thing is a big shock, and worrying as I live alone (I'm a bit of a recluse these days). Now I'm feeling overwhelmed, and a bit depressed especially by the change in my diet. I'm a real foodie and a keen cook, andI did love my porridge, pasta and potatoes, and CAKE. I feel hungry almost all the time now, and rarely enjoy my meals. It makes me very sad, as I have so few pleasures left in life!

I have some questions but I'll start a specific thread for each of those. I don't need the usual into spiel, as I've read it several time already on other newbie threads 🙂

H

 

[sharry c]

Hi everyone out there. I have no idea how this works....a bit of a technophobe to be honest..... but I'll give it a go and hope for the best. I was diagnosed with Type 1 at the end of November 2016 and the shock and reality of the whole situation is just sinking in now. I also suffer from epilepsy and the stress has flared that up now also so all in all I have had better times. Presented with all the classic symptoms at the GP for 9 months but nothing was suggested or done until a suspected urine infection flagged it up to a locum who I am eternally grateful to. I have 2 wonderful children and a wee mammy who is just as wonderful. I know I am lucky after reading some posts here but I have never felt so alone. And for that I have an enormous guilt trip. I am here hoping for some tips, advice and general like minded chat. So here goes.​

 

[Robin]

Hello, @sharry c and welcome to the forum from another 'late developer' I was diagnosed at the age of 51, and spent the first six months being treated as a type 2, so glad you've got a firm diagnosis and correct treatment at last. Do introduce yourself on the Newbie's section, if you like, more people will see your post and be able to welcome you to the forum. do ask anything you'd like to on the General Messageboard, we are a friendly bunch, and someone always seems to come up with the right answer!

 

[grovesy]

Hi everyone out there. I have no idea how this works....a bit of a technophobe to be honest..... but I'll give it a go and hope for the best. I was diagnosed with Type 1 at the end of November 2016 and the shock and reality of the whole situation is just sinking in now. I also suffer from epilepsy and the stress has flared that up now also so all in all I have had better times. Presented with all the classic symptoms at the GP for 9 months but nothing was suggested or done until a suspected urine infection flagged it up to a locum who I am eternally grateful to. I have 2 wonderful children and a wee mammy who is just as wonderful. I know I am lucky after reading some posts here but I have never felt so alone. And for that I have an enormous guilt trip. I am here hoping for some tips, advice and general like minded chat. So here goes.​

Welcome.

 

[Matt Cycle]

So is ME which I've been dealing with for years. And food choices are paramount in keeping that at bay, as I believe they are for diabetes.

I'm very firmly in the 'you are what you eat' camp, and I'm therefore sure that a good and varied diet of mostly organic an unprocessed foods will help anyone to fight any disease, whatever it is.

I agree, personally I'd always promote a healthy balanced diet and it certainly helps in managing the condition once you are diagnosed but your diet wouldn't make a blind bit of difference as to whether you're diagnosed with T1 or not and it wouldn't keep that diagnosis at bay.

 

[Sara W]

Thanks everyone for the responses and encouragement.

I had my second visit to the Diabetes Nurse on Monday and she's very happy with my progress. My glucose levels are now down to between 10 and 14 or so, with a couple under ten (5.8, and 6.4 - on days I had no proper lunch), and the odd high one where I'd tried something self-indulgent.

I'm now on 12 units in the morning and 8 before supper, with instructions to increase by 2 units if I'm not consistently under 10. She told me I needn't be quite so strict with myself as I have been... mostly! I've done quite a bit of experimenting with slow release carbs, as i can't bear being hungry all the time, and don't want to live on cabbage, haha.
So things are going the right way.

I invented a kind of flapjack which I'm going to keep making, as it doesn't spike me - I don't measure things when I'm doin what Masterchef calls an 'invention test' but I'll list the ingredients on one of the food threads where more people might benefit.

Sharry C, welcome - you need to make your own thread to get a proper welcome! This is my introductory thread, which I'll use for a while to report progress.

 

[Ditto]

Hello Sara, welcome. I can't bear being hungry either, corned beef and cabbage is my go to meal. After eating nearly a full can of corned beef you never want to eat again.

 

[Wirrallass]

Welcome to the forum Sarah