Owning up...

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Robster65

Robster65

Senior Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi
Just thought I would confess to a few things so I can start with a clean slate ! 🙄

I've been type 1 for over 30 years and am lucky to be in good health.

About 7 months ago, I moved in with my girlfriend who has some experience with diabetes (thats not the confession!). I told her all she needed to know about my peculiar habits regarding food, injections, testing, etc and she wasn't put off.

I've never been very good at regular testing and tend to only do it when i'm high or low. Likewise, I've never been very good at going without sweet stuff so I've always had puddings, chocolate, etc in moderate amounts and usually try to offset it with some exercise if I can. Failing that, I'd just inect an armful of humalog and test later.

This has been the way for about 20 years or more and so far I've pretty much got away with it, especially since the advent of humalog. A couple of years ago, I got a follow up letter from the retinopathy test to see the specialist but was told that the small number of capillaries growing into the retina were not a problem but to keep BS as low as poss. I took care for about a week, then slipped back into random testing and the usual blind guesswork with food. The same thing happened last year and once again I got away with a warning.

When I got the same letter a couple of months ago and ended up having minor argon laser treatment for a slight problem, I decided it was time I needed to take things seriously. My girlfriend has been amazing by working out my diet using low GI foods and limiting calories (I've gained a few pounds but am still within the healthy range) and helps to motivate me when I feel it's all getting too much.

I realised the other day that I have never really taken responsibility for my diabetes and have left it to others to push me along.

I am now trying to be grown up about it at the grand old age of 45 so I might live to see a few more decades without going blind or losing a leg.
The only reason I was a healthy weight before was because my BS used to run slightly high with many peaks and troughs which burnt off any excess fat (and muscle at times) putting extra strain on my renal system. All tests have so far shown me to be healthy so I don't want to jeopardise that.

I have a pedometer so I can keep track of my walking. We currently do about 2.5 miles locally plus day to day stuff and the aching isn't too bad once we stop. 🙄

If there's any long termers or newbies out there who are getting away with it like I always have, I'd like to urge you to think ahead and try your hardest to keep the BS low, eat sensibly and get exercising. I'm learning to enjoy being in charge rather than fighting with it.

I still have the odd 'issue' to deal with. I forgot to jab last night after tea because I had to make a phone call and got distracted. We just tested and adjusted before bedtime.

Thanks for reading and I will now put my halo back on. 🙂

Rob
 
A brilliant post Rob and well done for taking yourself in charge. I imagine there's many out there who do the same as you have, it's really hard to stay on the straight and narrow and I know I don't always manage it.
 
Thanks for that Rob 🙂 It does sound as though you have been getting away with it, some poor souls would not be able to neglect things to that extent without some serious consequences along the way. Great that you are now getting to grips with it, and hopefully you will live to a grand old age with both your boots on 🙂

I was only diagnosed a couple of years ago, at the age of 49, so I've just continued as I started, devoting those few minutes each day to take a test before a meal, doing a quick calculation for the dose (usually just eyeballing with familiar food and doing a rough adjustment for exercise etc.), and writing the results down.

I often think that, if our faces turned green when we weren't respecting diabetes, then it would be hard to ignore, but because we are doing (or not doing) things 'on trust' it can be easy to become complacent or let things slip. It's the same with smoking and drinking - harm can take time to show itself, and we always think it will happen to someone else.

Keep up the good work, and a big pat on the back for your partner for supporting you so well! 🙂
 
Thanks folks. I always thought I'd got it pretty much under control but it's only been this last few weeks that I slowly realised how I was just lurching between highs and lows and relying on those around me to keep me going.

Luckily I've never smoked and only ever drunk enough to get a newt merry. My ex-wife loved cooking wholesome food so I was lucky there but I loved my puddings and portions were always quite large but the high sugars saw off any fat.

Hard to believe how fortunate I've been really. I'm now starting from scratch and hope to get to grips with working out the insulin/carb ratios as best I can and once we see the dietician, we should be able to consolidate everything.

The only drawback is we're getting through test strips at a rate of about 4 to 6 per day which I think may get the nurse's attention. Whether I'm man enough to stand up to her remains to be seen 😱 lol.

Rob
 
Rob, I use a minimum of 4-6 test strips a day! It may feel like you are using a lot, but as an insulin user you're actually using very few.
 
I've always managed to make a pack of 50 last about 2 or 3 weeks or more. Maybe because I only tested as needed.
I told the nurse I was using a few more last time I saw her and she made a comment about being moaned at. I feel I've kept my NHS burden to a minimum over the years so I don't feel too guilty but I do resent having to justify items that basically keep us healthier than the average person and avoid other treatments.
I'll report back if there's any complaints from the surgery or chemist. The pharmacist here is known for poking his nose in if he thinks you're having something you shouldn't. We've yet to cross swords.
As you pointed out earlier, all of my current enthusiasm is down to my better half who has given me the impetus to face this head on. I'd still be having cheesecake and half a penfull if not for her. 🙂

Rob
 
Rob what a great post xxxwow well done for getting on track.... all the best to you and your girlfriend in your life together x 🙂
 
Robster65 said:
I've always managed to make a pack of 50 last about 2 or 3 weeks or more. Maybe because I only tested as needed....
Click to expand...

I test before each meal, so I know what to inject, and before bed in case I'm too low and need a snack to avoid a night hypo. I also test before and after exercise, so I know whether it's safe to exercise (not too low or high) and whether to top up afterwards. I also test if I feel high or low so I know if I need treatment and how much (jelly babies, usually!). Plus, there are times when I might be eating something I'm not sure of (carb-wise!), or if I've been drinking, or if I'm ill. I don't drive, but if I did I would have to test before and during (if a long drive). There are probably some I haven't mentioned, but I think you get the picture! All of these are valid reasons to test. Some are essential to ensure your safety and that of others, other tests are more to do with keeping the best possible control of my blood sugar levels.

So, if the nurse berates you, just show her this and ask her to point out any unnecessary tests! 🙂
 
Thank you rob a very good informative post , will mean alot to many and newbies coming in will get alot from it .
 
Thanks again all. I do feel it's what I should have done 20 odd years ago instead of telling the consultants I'd forgotten my test results and they were not too bad.
We've just got back from our walk round the mountain (hill). 2.6 ish miles in 43 minutes and I was 10mmol before and 2.8 at the end of the drive. 2 jelly babies and a tesco choc digestve bar later and I'm ready for action again.

The bath is calling soon after we've tidied up outside. I want to sleep hrough tonight without any aches and pains to wake me up.

Keep up the good work folks. You're helping a lot of people.

Rob
 
how lovely to have an evening walk ...round a mountain !!!
 
The description overplays it's size ! Just about anything bigger than a lump is prefixed mynydd, which is Welsh for mountain. Being fairly level, our little mountain stands out proud from the backdrop. It has its fair share of ups and downs which make the calf muscles scream a bit mind you.

Rob
 
Hi Rob!

Good for you - and keep us informed re: how it's going. Starting to take control must be a huge step and Well Done for taking it (a lot of people talk about looking after themselves better, actually starting to do it is brilliant).... keeping it going is now definitely the challenge.

Do you have HA1bc tests so that you can measure how you're doing in the medium term? - have never been in that position but can image that seeing a numerical improvment in your overall control must be a great help (if not, ask for them).

I agree that putting unnecessary strain on the NHS is never good but would argue that I need to test more than 4 times a day for the good of my health! - which is what the nhs is there for, and why I pay into it with my taxes. If a pack of 50 lasts me a week, I'm surprised. And regular testing reduces my risk of needing kidney dialysis later, no? So the rate you're using them shouldn't upset your pharm. too much.
 
Doing a great job

Diabetes isn't easy and the fact that you've tightened things up now is great. I was diagnosed around the same time and in the early days things were often 'left to chance'. Remember when it took 2 mins to get a less than accurate result from Boehringer test strips?

When people ask how my diabetes is, I think they haven't really grasped the scale of the condition! Each day we get a new chance to get things right and all sorts of things can throw our careful planning out of the window. But with improved testing, regular checkups, and no more nasty glass syringes in spirit we really have come a long way.

Keep doing what you're doing. Your girlfriend sounds a great support too.


Robster65 said:
Hi
Just thought I would confess to a few things so I can start with a clean slate ! 🙄

I've been type 1 for over 30 years and am lucky to be in good health.

About 7 months ago, I moved in with my girlfriend who has some experience with diabetes (thats not the confession!). I told her all she needed to know about my peculiar habits regarding food, injections, testing, etc and she wasn't put off.

I've never been very good at regular testing and tend to only do it when i'm high or low. Likewise, I've never been very good at going without sweet stuff so I've always had puddings, chocolate, etc in moderate amounts and usually try to offset it with some exercise if I can. Failing that, I'd just inect an armful of humalog and test later.

This has been the way for about 20 years or more and so far I've pretty much got away with it, especially since the advent of humalog. A couple of years ago, I got a follow up letter from the retinopathy test to see the specialist but was told that the small number of capillaries growing into the retina were not a problem but to keep BS as low as poss. I took care for about a week, then slipped back into random testing and the usual blind guesswork with food. The same thing happened last year and once again I got away with a warning.

When I got the same letter a couple of months ago and ended up having minor argon laser treatment for a slight problem, I decided it was time I needed to take things seriously. My girlfriend has been amazing by working out my diet using low GI foods and limiting calories (I've gained a few pounds but am still within the healthy range) and helps to motivate me when I feel it's all getting too much.

I realised the other day that I have never really taken responsibility for my diabetes and have left it to others to push me along.

I am now trying to be grown up about it at the grand old age of 45 so I might live to see a few more decades without going blind or losing a leg.
The only reason I was a healthy weight before was because my BS used to run slightly high with many peaks and troughs which burnt off any excess fat (and muscle at times) putting extra strain on my renal system. All tests have so far shown me to be healthy so I don't want to jeopardise that.

I have a pedometer so I can keep track of my walking. We currently do about 2.5 miles locally plus day to day stuff and the aching isn't too bad once we stop. 🙄

If there's any long termers or newbies out there who are getting away with it like I always have, I'd like to urge you to think ahead and try your hardest to keep the BS low, eat sensibly and get exercising. I'm learning to enjoy being in charge rather than fighting with it.

I still have the odd 'issue' to deal with. I forgot to jab last night after tea because I had to make a phone call and got distracted. We just tested and adjusted before bedtime.

Thanks for reading and I will now put my halo back on. 🙂

Rob
Click to expand...
 
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Hi Robster - I love the Welsh word "mynydd" - so generic, as you say, anything from a bump to Snowdon / Eryri. Just back from marshalling on Open 24 in North Wales (Anglesey to Betws Y Coed) - great scenery and race action, plus I did a couple of mini stages (trail run & foot orienteering) as last minute checks before competitors arrived.
 
I live in the middle of snowdonia... I love it! its such a beautiful place to be and I wouldnt change it for the world.
 
Robster65 said:
Hi
Just thought I would confess to a few things so I can start with a clean slate ! 🙄

I've been type 1 for over 30 years and am lucky to be in good health.

About 7 months ago, I moved in with my girlfriend who has some experience with diabetes (thats not the confession!). I told her all she needed to know about my peculiar habits regarding food, injections, testing, etc and she wasn't put off.

I've never been very good at regular testing and tend to only do it when i'm high or low. Likewise, I've never been very good at going without sweet stuff so I've always had puddings, chocolate, etc in moderate amounts and usually try to offset it with some exercise if I can. Failing that, I'd just inect an armful of humalog and test later.

This has been the way for about 20 years or more and so far I've pretty much got away with it, especially since the advent of humalog. A couple of years ago, I got a follow up letter from the retinopathy test to see the specialist but was told that the small number of capillaries growing into the retina were not a problem but to keep BS as low as poss. I took care for about a week, then slipped back into random testing and the usual blind guesswork with food. The same thing happened last year and once again I got away with a warning.

When I got the same letter a couple of months ago and ended up having minor argon laser treatment for a slight problem, I decided it was time I needed to take things seriously. My girlfriend has been amazing by working out my diet using low GI foods and limiting calories (I've gained a few pounds but am still within the healthy range) and helps to motivate me when I feel it's all getting too much.

I realised the other day that I have never really taken responsibility for my diabetes and have left it to others to push me along.

I am now trying to be grown up about it at the grand old age of 45 so I might live to see a few more decades without going blind or losing a leg.
The only reason I was a healthy weight before was because my BS used to run slightly high with many peaks and troughs which burnt off any excess fat (and muscle at times) putting extra strain on my renal system. All tests have so far shown me to be healthy so I don't want to jeopardise that.

I have a pedometer so I can keep track of my walking. We currently do about 2.5 miles locally plus day to day stuff and the aching isn't too bad once we stop. 🙄

If there's any long termers or newbies out there who are getting away with it like I always have, I'd like to urge you to think ahead and try your hardest to keep the BS low, eat sensibly and get exercising. I'm learning to enjoy being in charge rather than fighting with it.

I still have the odd 'issue' to deal with. I forgot to jab last night after tea because I had to make a phone call and got distracted. We just tested and adjusted before bedtime.

Thanks for reading and I will now put my halo back on. 🙂

Rob
Click to expand...

hello , ive been type 1 for 21 yrs now , and was very much like you i only tested when i felt odd (high or low) rebeled massivly in my teenage years aswell ate the wrong stuff didnt test and always forgetting to take my insulin wasn't untill i had a very bad episode of dka was hospitalised and got a real scare as the a+e nuse didnt connect th sliding scale up properly (she only connected the glucose and not the insulin to me!) and my mum (a nurse) came in to check on me and found me unconcious in a+e, got away with it by the skin of my teeth!and it shocked me into sorting it and taking responcibility for it, i do have some sight eye probs which are in the process of being fixed , and ofcouse i found this place which helped me greatly , sine then ive been put on the pump and am managing this codition the way i should , but i would never have done it without support that is what is key to controling it
 
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