Thanks for accepting into the group

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Hi and welcome.

Hope the many different answers were not too confusing. Diabetes can be quite individual, so what may be the right answer for one person. may not be for another. It is very much about trying different things and seeing what works for you and your body and your diabetes and your lifestyle.

Many of us are here paying it forward after benefitting from the goldmine of knowledge and experience and inspiration that the forum provides. It is interesting that you can learn from people who are newly diagnosed as well as people with lots of experience perhaps because we are all different.

Would you like to tell us a bit about your diagnosis and journey with diabetes and what brought you to the forum?
 
Hi All
I was diagnosed in 1988 at the age of 30 and have been insulin dependent since. My journey has been one of denial and overuse of insulin. I thought those complications happened to others. But I was wrong. I have them all to some degree. CKD has gradually took hold and my numbers dropped to the point of a dialysis discussion. This frightened me and all the things I didn’t want to give up became worthless at the prospect of loosing my family. So I started the journey. In 6 months I have dropped 20kg. Sugars are 44 and Kidneys have improved to the point I’ve been taken off the list for now. I came looking for tips because the journey gets harder. But if my story helps somebody avoid this situation then I’m happy to tell it
 
So you were diagnosed in your 30s and went, more or less, straight onto insulin? Can I ask how your diagnosis came about? ie. Was it discovered via a routine blood test or were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms? The reason I ask is that I am wondering if you were actually misdiagnosed and are perhaps Type 1 rather than Type 2.

Really sorry to hear that you now have kidney disease, but good to read that your are managing your diabetes better and have improved HbA1c and kidney function. Well done, especially if you have had to restrict favourite foods. It's not easy I know!

Which insulins do you use and do you have Freestyle Libre or other CGM (Constant Glucose Monitor) These can really make managing your diabetes easier.
 
Yeah welcome there is a lot of great knowledge and experience on this forum , im sure there will bits and pieces that can help and support you in you recovering and becoming more stable , good luck
 
Hi All Thanks for your support
@rebrascora my diagnosis’s came about as the result of an eye test. Vision changed in a short space of time which led to a referral. I didn’t recognise any symptoms but my consultant was also undecided if I was Type1 or 2. On reflection I was night time incontinent until my teen years which may have been an indicator
I use Fiasp fast acting (down from 60 to 6)
Also Tresiba basal (down from 60 to 20)
Yes Libre 2 which with its constant measuring is the best tool I’ve ever had. Came looking in the group because I have been experiencing night time hypo alarms which I knew were wrong. Discovered compression is the cause and now can sleep again
 
Good to hear that you have Libre and you are finding it helpful. I hope/assume you are getting it on prescription. Yes, compression lows can be annoying but gradually you either learn not to lie on it (a bit like you learn not to roll out of bed in your sleep) or place it slightly further to the back so that it doesn't happen.

Have you changed your diet in order to reduce your insulin doses and if so, what did you change? Wow! Those are really HUGE reductions so WELL DONE!!
 
Hi Yes
I’ve cut out all the treats. Reduced carbs significantly, eat bread rarely and eat a lot of salad and veg. Probably all the things I’ve been told to do for years. The big difference to me Is the live data from Libre I can now know immediately the effect of most things I eat. Breakfast for example is now a single Weetabix otherwise I go out of range
 
Hi Driftwood1 reducing carbs has really helped me, i find the Libre really useful but have only had it for 2 weeks, i get a lot of error messages saying "scan failedb please try scanning your novopen again" but the novopen is not a smart pen.......
 
Wooly0000 said:
Hi Driftwood1 reducing carbs has really helped me, i find the Libre really useful but have only had it for 2 weeks, i get a lot of error messages saying "scan failedb please try scanning your novopen again" but the novopen is not a smart pen.......
Click to expand...
Do use keep a bank card in your phone case as I believe the bank card can interfere/intercept the NFC and make the phone believe you are trying to scan a Novopen.
 
Welcome to the forum @Driftwood1

Thanks for sharing your story with us, and huge congratulations on the improvements you have been able to make to your diabetes management. So pleased to hear about the improvements to your kidneys too.
 
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