Hi everyone, I found out on Tuesday that a routine blood test for another medical issue, showed a very high indicator for diabetes. Very rapidly, I’ve been seen by my practice nurse and shown how to inject insulin due to my blood sugar being so high. 31.4. I’m on an emotional rollercoaster but have very supportive family and friends. Just thought I would reach out and try to come to terms with my new lifestyle.
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Newly diagnosed, late onset Type 1
- Thread starter missmcm
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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- She/Her
Hi and welcome.
There are a lot of us late Type 1 onsets here on the forum so you are in good company. Have they done GAD antibody and C-peptide tests yet.... it usually takes a few weeks for the results of those to come back but they will confirm Type 1.
Your Health Care Professionals must be quite switched on... lucky you! Many of us came to our diagnosis via type 2 misdiagnosis and a few weeks, months or even years of oral medication. I think there are some members of the forum here who are probably still under a misdiagnosis as many GPs believe that Type 1 only exhibits in children or young people and if you are middle aged it must be Type 2.
Diagnosis is overwhelming and as you say an emotional roller coaster. Many people liken it to the grieving process. The high BG levels make you more emotionally unstable which doesn't help, but I can assure you that everything lowly starts to come together and you develop a routine of dealing with it most of the time although we all have a bit of a wobble occasionally. There is an awful lot to learn in the early stages, so be kind to yourself and roll with the blows when you get things a bit wrong..... we are all striving for better control but no one gets it right all the time.... all we can do is our best.
Which insulins have they given you and how are you finding things so far? Have you had a hypo yet? Hopefully not if you are coming down from readings in the 30s. Do make sure to carry hypo treatment with you at all times and stashes by the bed and in the bathroom etc. many of us use jelly babies or Dextrose tablets or full sugar coke or orange juice to treat hypos. A little box of orange juice with a straw next to the bed can be really useful "just in case"
Anyway, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum from people who have been through it and understand. I hope you will find being a member as beneficial as I have over the past year and a bit.... it has certainly saved my sanity if not a trip to hospital and I have learned more here from other diabetics than I have from any other source. Feel free to ask any questions at all. Nothing is too trivial, so don't be shy.
There are a lot of us late Type 1 onsets here on the forum so you are in good company. Have they done GAD antibody and C-peptide tests yet.... it usually takes a few weeks for the results of those to come back but they will confirm Type 1.
Your Health Care Professionals must be quite switched on... lucky you! Many of us came to our diagnosis via type 2 misdiagnosis and a few weeks, months or even years of oral medication. I think there are some members of the forum here who are probably still under a misdiagnosis as many GPs believe that Type 1 only exhibits in children or young people and if you are middle aged it must be Type 2.
Diagnosis is overwhelming and as you say an emotional roller coaster. Many people liken it to the grieving process. The high BG levels make you more emotionally unstable which doesn't help, but I can assure you that everything lowly starts to come together and you develop a routine of dealing with it most of the time although we all have a bit of a wobble occasionally. There is an awful lot to learn in the early stages, so be kind to yourself and roll with the blows when you get things a bit wrong..... we are all striving for better control but no one gets it right all the time.... all we can do is our best.
Which insulins have they given you and how are you finding things so far? Have you had a hypo yet? Hopefully not if you are coming down from readings in the 30s. Do make sure to carry hypo treatment with you at all times and stashes by the bed and in the bathroom etc. many of us use jelly babies or Dextrose tablets or full sugar coke or orange juice to treat hypos. A little box of orange juice with a straw next to the bed can be really useful "just in case"
Anyway, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum from people who have been through it and understand. I hope you will find being a member as beneficial as I have over the past year and a bit.... it has certainly saved my sanity if not a trip to hospital and I have learned more here from other diabetics than I have from any other source. Feel free to ask any questions at all. Nothing is too trivial, so don't be shy.
Charlie_sugar
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I was laughed at when I attended my doctors, saying I thought I might be diabetic. I was too old for type one and not overweight enough for type 2. My only symptoms was getting up in the night several times to use the toilet. They first tested my urine which had ketones of 5, and then took a blood sample which showed 28.9. Life changed pretty quick after that, with 3 days in hospital. It's been a rollercoaster since.
Listen to all the advice given, take numbers for your diabetic nurses, and use them if you need to. Don't listen to uneducated advice, as there is alot of confusion about the condition.
Lastly take one day at a time
Listen to all the advice given, take numbers for your diabetic nurses, and use them if you need to. Don't listen to uneducated advice, as there is alot of confusion about the condition.
Lastly take one day at a time
Thank you for your reassuring words I’m on a very new insulin pen Semglee and Metformin tablets. My reading for the Hba1c was 111 and I’m waiting for another genetic test that takes 3 weeks. I don't know the name. I’m extremely impressed by my doctors. They were very concerned as I haven’t felt poorly in any way and apparently I should be very ill . I’ve got bad cramps in my stomach as I type but don’t know if it’s nerves or side effects . It’s nice to have a place to go where others have been where I am now .
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
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Unfortunately the stomach cramps are likely to be caused by the Metformin. Make sure to take it mid meal with a substantial amount of food and don't be too far from the toilet just in case. The stomach upset often settles down after a week or two but if it is causing you problems, there is a slow release version they can prescribe you.
It seems like they are hedging their bets with you at the moment, giving you Type 2 medication as well as insulin. I am not familiar with Semglee. Do you use that before meals or morning and evening?
It seems like they are hedging their bets with you at the moment, giving you Type 2 medication as well as insulin. I am not familiar with Semglee. Do you use that before meals or morning and evening?
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
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- She/Her
Just looked Semglee up and it is insulin Glargine which I believe is a basal insulin so assume you are using it once a day?
silentsquirrel
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Lantus is also glargine - Semglee is apparently a biosimilar to Lantus.
Yes, once a day in the evenings but I had it in the afternoon today as it was my first time.
I was told I could get an upset stomach but my emotions are all over the place and that always impacts my stomach. Thanks for the heads up on the slow release version.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Looks like they are hedging their bets giving you long acting insulin AND Metformin together until the test that takes 3 weeks results are known - this test is most likely to be the C-reactive protein test since it does take some time to do the test and not every normal hospital pathology lab undertakes the test. They all used to have to be sent off the Exeter Uni Hospital lab at one time, but there are other places now so that part has improved.
It is exactly like grieving because it simply IS grieving, whenever anyone is diagnosed with a chronic condition - in terms of the word 'chronic' literally meaning life-long - not that diabetes usually causes any great amount of suffering really as long as you look after yourself as best you can once both you and we know what your proper diagnosis is - Type 1 or Type 2.
How many times a day and when, have you been asked to test your own blood at home in the interim cos I assume you'll have been issued with a testing kit? (If not, aaarrgghh, cos you need to) Have you been asked to keep a food diary, or not? What's the plan in place for your next medical appointment?
It is exactly like grieving because it simply IS grieving, whenever anyone is diagnosed with a chronic condition - in terms of the word 'chronic' literally meaning life-long - not that diabetes usually causes any great amount of suffering really as long as you look after yourself as best you can once both you and we know what your proper diagnosis is - Type 1 or Type 2.
How many times a day and when, have you been asked to test your own blood at home in the interim cos I assume you'll have been issued with a testing kit? (If not, aaarrgghh, cos you need to) Have you been asked to keep a food diary, or not? What's the plan in place for your next medical appointment?
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Lizzzie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello! I got type 1 at 28/29, which really confused my Dr at the time. I was eating apples by the bucket load - turns out it's a sign! It's pretty annoying at first; would like to say it gets better but its still annoyi g now. That said, life can still be awesome. It mostly has been. Good luck!
KARNAK
Much Missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello @missmcm and also @Lys welcome to the forum.
I was at 63 when diagnosed with T1, no rhyme or reason just didn`t feel well for 9 months, couldn`t walk very well, made a bed up in the bathroom, with a hose pipe from the cold tap to try and quench my thirst. you`ve both come to the right place without the forum I wouldn`t be here I`d be flat packed in an MFI showroom. Please read and learn it comes together eventually lots of advise already given plenty more available, may I suggest you go to the Learning Zone top of the page in orange, if your colour blind its still orange, take care, glad to have you onboard.
I was at 63 when diagnosed with T1, no rhyme or reason just didn`t feel well for 9 months, couldn`t walk very well, made a bed up in the bathroom, with a hose pipe from the cold tap to try and quench my thirst. you`ve both come to the right place without the forum I wouldn`t be here I`d be flat packed in an MFI showroom. Please read and learn it comes together eventually lots of advise already given plenty more available, may I suggest you go to the Learning Zone top of the page in orange, if your colour blind its still orange, take care, glad to have you onboard.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Its quite chilling to read that - such an outdated and simplistic approach - not to mention inaccurate! 50% of cases of T1 are diagnosed in adulthood. Yet some HCPs cling to the idea that it is a condition only diagnosed in children. It might be worth writing to your practice manager and recommending some Continuing Professional Development training updates!
Welcome to the forum @missmcm
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Hope you get clarification of your diabetes type very soon and get started on a proper insulin replacement regimen if T1 - starting on basal-only is not recommended by NICE for T1s.
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