The results are in and the Type is...

[dannybgoode]

Just got back from the hospital from a catch up with the DSN and dietician. First of all just a massive hats off to the diabetes team and the Northern General in Sheffield. I was in there for a bit over an hour so could have a really good chat with them and start on a longer term plan to manage things, go through any little questions I had, cover off diet in se detail etc. They really have been superb so far

So, to Type. Surprisingly the antibody tests were negative so it looks like Type 2 but similar to @Eternal422 my insulin use profile is similar to that of a T1. Medically there doesn't seem much of an explanation either other than perhaps the cocktail of drugs I was on when I had the ulcerative colitis did something that has now become apparent.

The good news though is they are very happy for me to stay on insulin. They did mention Metformin and Dapagliflozin and I just said I really didn't want to take them due to the possible side effects and having the stoma. They just said fine, stay on insulin - no issue at all. In fact they were seemed pleased I knew what I wanted and why.

I'm feeling better about things now as I know where the land lies at least for the medium term and I can work on seeing if I can bring my insulin requirements down but without any pressure and without any worry of going onto medication I'm not confident about.

And thanks to all the help and advice from you generous for on here, they were very impressed with my knowledge and management of things so far.

May even get out for a run in a bit 🙂

 

[Eternal422]

So pleased for you that they are happy to let you stay on insulin as they have with me! I think insulin is a better option, especially given possible side effects for you from oral meds.

I think we need a new type classification of our own - Type 4 where a lot of beta cells no longer function for whatever reason and some insulin is produced by the remaining ones and insulin resistance is low

 

[Vonny]

Good to hear you have been thoroughly checked and had your wishes listened to. It's such a postcode lottery re diabetes, but I've heard good things about Northern General in general!

And hope you enjoy your run!

 

[PattiEvans]

Hi @dannybgoode

Just a thought, was part of the treatment for your colitis long term steroids? Those can cause diabetes.

 

[DianeD]

Just got back from the hospital from a catch up with the DSN and dietician. First of all just a massive hats off to the diabetes team and the Northern General in Sheffield. I was in there for a bit over an hour so could have a really good chat with them and start on a longer term plan to manage things, go through any little questions I had, cover off diet in se detail etc. They really have been superb so far

So, to Type. Surprisingly the antibody tests were negative so it looks like Type 2 but similar to @Eternal422 my insulin use profile is similar to that of a T1. Medically there doesn't seem much of an explanation either other than perhaps the cocktail of drugs I was on when I had the ulcerative colitis did something that has now become apparent.

The good news though is they are very happy for me to stay on insulin. They did mention Metformin and Dapagliflozin and I just said I really didn't want to take them due to the possible side effects and having the stoma. They just said fine, stay on insulin - no issue at all. In fact they were seemed pleased I knew what I wanted and why.

I'm feeling better about things now as I know where the land lies at least for the medium term and I can work on seeing if I can bring my insulin requirements down but without any pressure and without any worry of going onto medication I'm not confident about.

And thanks to all the help and advice from you generous for on here, they were very impressed with my knowledge and management of things so far.

May even get out for a run in a bit 🙂

I hope you will now be prescribed a libre, it will make it much easier for you. Happy New year. Enjoy your run.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Glad you finally got the results @dannybgoode and as @PattiEvans has mentioned if you are taking steroids this could throw another thing into the mix! So Pleased to hear your Diabetes team have been brilliant, and listened to you regarding insulin, as opposed to oral medication as it's obviously working for you - and your positivity about all of it is an inspiration to us all, because it is all very unsettling - happy new year fella 🙂

 

[dannybgoode]

I think we need a new type classification of our own - Type 4 where a lot of beta cells no longer function

Yes, it seems that Type isn't as binary as it's made out but very particular to an individual. I'm really pleased they've let me stay as I am, in fact they pretty much encouraged it. They said it was refreshing to have a patient who knew what they wanted and that they were there to facilitate that.

Just a thought, was part of the treatment for your colitis long term steroids?

has mentioned if you are taking steroids this could throw another thing into the mix!

Yes they did ask about steroids and whilst it was a few years ago now I was on them I was on them for a couple of years along with Methotrexate and a couple of other pretty hardcore meds so they said it could have been that.

My operations have cured me of the UC though so no longer on steroids thankfully. They were horrid. My face blew up like a balloon and I had the worst weeping puss ridden acne. Was a hideous time.

I hope you will now be prescribed a libre, it will make it much easier for you.

They weren't keen on chucking Libre at me but I've got the trial one here so might give it a go and if it works for me I may ask again at my next follow up in a couple of weeks.

and your positivity about all of it is an inspiration to us all, because it is all very unsettling - happy new year fella 🙂

Thank you 🙂. It's been tough but throwing myself into learning as much as I can has helped. Mentally I've been very up and down but having managed my depression for a few years now I've got plenty of tools in my box to cope these days.

I'm relieved that I can now get on with things with a clear plan. Happy new year to you too. Might treat myself to some banging house in a bit 🙂.

It's such a postcode lottery re diabetes, but I've heard good things about Northern General in general!

They've been genuinely brilliant. My wife is a nurse there as well so I kind of have to say nice things about it to . In fact she's just left for a night shift so that's her NYE sorted!

 

[Lucyr]

Welcome to the small but elite club of “type unclear”. Makes things more interesting.

 

[Billy Bob]

@dannybgoode My wife has a ileostomy /stoma she is classed as type 3c not on any meds currently for the diabetes but metformin is something we would try to avoid due to the ileostomy as we have been told that her HBa1c could get worse in the future due to her pancreas being damaged

 

[dannybgoode]

@dannybgoode My wife has a ileostomy /stoma she is classed as type 3c not on any meds currently for the diabetes but metformin is something we would try to avoid due to the ileostomy as we have been told that her HBa1c could get worse in the future due to her pancreas being damaged

The DSN and dietician I saw today were brilliant and totally understood my reasons.

Conversation went...

DSN: As it would seem your Type 2 there is a drug we usually start people on, Metformin.

Me: I'm not taking it.

DSN: Right ok

Me: *explains concerns about side effects, trauma of ulcerative colitis and managing a stoma with diarrhea*

DSN: that sounds a very good reason not to try it. We'll keep you in insulin then.

Managing the side effects would not be easy. Slow release isn't an option either with an ileostomy due to absorbtion issues.

Hopefully your wife's Hba1c will behave though and she will steer clear of meds. If not just explain why Metformin is a bad idea...

 

[dannybgoode]

Welcome to the small but elite club of “type unclear”. Makes things more interesting.

Can we have a Type Ambiguous added to our profiles?

 

[Lucyr]

Can we have a Type Ambiguous added to our profiles?

Genuinely would be a good option to be added to the list - Type Unclear / Ambiguous / Awkward.

There is an “Other” type in the dropdown that I used to use to mark it clearly that I’m not interested in receiving any well meaning forum members giving “oh you’re t2 just lose weight and reduce your carbs and you’ll go into remission” advice. But, other it a bit vague really. A “yes it’s been investigated and I’m medically defined as ambiguous” would be useful.

Eg I see you’ve changed yourself to t2, does feel a bit inappropriate but there’s not really an ideal option.

 

[Billy Bob]

The DSN and dietician I saw today were brilliant and totally understood my reasons.

Conversation went...

DSN: As it would seem your Type 2 there is a drug we usually start people on, Metformin.

Me: I'm not taking it.

DSN: Right ok

Me: *explains concerns about side effects, trauma of ulcerative colitis and managing a stoma with diarrhea*

DSN: that sounds a very good reason not to try it. We'll keep you in insulin then.

Managing the side effects would not be easy. Slow release isn't an option either with an ileostomy due to absorbtion issues.

Hopefully your wife's Hba1c will behave though and she will steer clear of meds. If not just explain why Metformin is a bad idea...

We have already had this conversation with the diabetic nurse at the GP surgery she didn't recognise type 3c , totally clueless so I told her we would not be using metformin of any type and for her to also brush up on the different types of diabetes as she is meant to be the go to for any problems regarding diabetes .