Very newbie!

[Sally Brown]

Morning, just been diagnosed with type 1, any tips on finger pricking? Only on day 6 and they are sore is it just a case of getting them to toughen up? Using fresh needle each time and only on a level 2?

 

[Northerner]

Morning, just been diagnosed with type 1, any tips on finger pricking? Only on day 6 and they are sore is it just a case of getting them to toughen up? Using fresh needle each time and only on a level 2?

Hi Sally, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis How did it come about? What insulin have you been given, and how are you getting on so far?

There are techniques you can use to reduce the problems with finger-pricking - have a read of Painless Pricks, by Alan S for some excellent tips 🙂 It can depend to some extent on the lancet device you are using - does it have a 'variable depth' setting? It does get better once you have mastered the technique - mine do occasionally get a bit sore but that's probably my own fault for not changing my lancets often enough!

I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas, which is an excellent reference to all aspects of living with Type 1 - don't be put off by the title, it doesn't matter if you are 8 or 80, most of it will still apply (I was 49 at diagnosis).

I'd also recommend getting a free copy of 100 things I wish I'd known about diabetes - full of tips from people living with diabetes and all things that a lot of people learn the hard way, but you don't have to! 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns and we will be very happy to help 🙂

 

[christophe]

I use the three smallest fingers on each hand and use a different finger each time.. it only helps a little..

 

[Ralph-YK]

Use a different finger/side each time. Don't use the pads, do the sides. I found it works best if the device is square on to the finger and making proper contact before using.

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Sally. It does hurt at times ! From a roughty toughty blokes point of view. I used to be able to get blood out of my fingers without a sharp but don't do that any more. 52yrs of T1 Really good luck & welcome 🙂

 

[Sally Brown]

Hi Sally, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis How did it come about? What insulin have you been given, and how are you getting on so far?

There are techniques you can use to reduce the problems with finger-pricking - have a read of Painless Pricks, by Alan S for some excellent tips 🙂 It can depend to some extent on the lancet device you are using - does it have a 'variable depth' setting? It does get better once you have mastered the technique - mine do occasionally get a bit sore but that's probably my own fault for not changing my lancets often enough!

I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas, which is an excellent reference to all aspects of living with Type 1 - don't be put off by the title, it doesn't matter if you are 8 or 80, most of it will still apply (I was 49 at diagnosis).

I'd also recommend getting a free copy of 100 things I wish I'd known about diabetes - full of tips from people living with diabetes and all things that a lot of people learn the hard way, but you don't have to! 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns and we will be very happy to help 🙂

 

[Sally Brown]

In November I was told I had type 2 diabetes: I was slim, active and followed a healthy lifestyle, but had been prescribed 3 courses of steroids for my asthma. As my HBA1C test showed my blood glucose not too high and with my want to try and see if staying off steroids reverted me back I didn’t take meds. In Jan I had to have another course of steroids and we decided again to wait 3 months to see if it would revert: I was then diagnosed with type 2 end of May and started on 500mg Metformin twice a day. I felt ok and went off to a wedding in Italy. I had started to lose weight and had terrible blurred vision:went to the opticians and got new glasses as my eyesight had reversed and I could see close up but nothing far away: knew it had something to do with diabetes but didn’t realise it was a sign of high sugars and wasn’t advised at opticians? Anyway got to the wedding , started to get the most incredible thirst, weeing constantly and feeling like I had thrush, again I knew they were symptoms of diabetes; but not which type! Came home from wedding and felt so tired, had many days when I could not keep my eyes open. Had been advised by GP to have blood test in 2 months: I had been given a monitor so Friday when I was feeling particularly weak having lost about a stone and a half( which I thought was due to the metformin) , I tested myself; I had a reading of 27.9. Went to docs and he redid reading and checked my Ketones: suspected type 1; sent me to AMU : by then my bloods were reading between 27- 32: Ketones rising. The team were brilliant, gave me insulin, and managed to reduce Ketones down so let me go home to return in the morning. Ironic really as the Friday evening I was due to drive to Birmingham to visit Cadbury World on Saturday! Went back to hospital Sat to pick up insulin supplies, and was seen by DN. Lots of info to take in. Travelled to Birmingham and have been monitoring bloods and using insulin. Had a phone call today from DN and a follow up appointment tomorrow. I didn’t realise that type 2 could change to type 1 or maybe I was always type 1? Feeling somewhat unsure and shocked at diagnosis. This has been a massive learning curve and I’m only on day 2! Really glad to see everyone’s stories, wish I’d known a bit more as I could have saved £200 on glasses as I have been told my eyesight may change again as soon as I get sugars under control!! More info at diagnosis of type 2 may have alerted me earlier? However the NHS service this weekend has been first class: will update on my journey 🙂

 

[grovesy]

I use a an Accu-Chek Fast clix device which I have found is a lot kinder than some.

 

[Northerner]

I didn’t realise that type 2 could change to type 1 or maybe I was always type 1? Feeling somewhat unsure and shocked at diagnosis. This has been a massive learning curve and I’m only on day 2! Really glad to see everyone’s stories, wish I’d known a bit more as I could have saved £200 on glasses as I have been told my eyesight may change again as soon as I get sugars under control!! More info at diagnosis of type 2 may have alerted me earlier? However the NHS service this weekend has been first class: will update on my journey 🙂

No, you can't change from Type 2 to Type 1, it was a misdiagnosis originally which is unfortunately quite common. To be fair, the symptoms can be similar in the beginning and steroids can increase blood sugar levels, plus the onset of Type 1 can be slower in adults than in children. Fortunately, you now have a correct diagnosis and are receiving the appropriate treatment. The optician should probably have recognised the problem was due to high blood sugar levels and not advised a change in prescription until things had settled down, and you are right - healthcare professionals should warn of the possibility at diagnosis Might be worth pointing it out to the optician that they missed what we are often told is one of the first indications of diabetes, when you get your eyes checked, you might be able to get a refund.

Glad to hear you are now being well-supported by your team 🙂

 

[Ralph-YK]

The causes are different. Type 2 can not become T1.

 

[SB2015]

Hi Sally

Welcome to the forum and I am pleased that you now have the correct diagnosis. It makes it easier to manage once you know what you are dealing with.

Another thought about fingerpricking, unless I am hypo I sometimes use the fleshy bit at the base of my thumb. A lot less painful and a bigger area. Otherwise I just avoid the very middle of my fingers and when it hurts more than usual I remember to change my lancet. The Accu cheek one makes things easy as I just dial up the next one. I have found once that in putting my pricker away I had accidentally turned the depth dial further up!! Worth a check and keep it to the lowest that you can get away with.