New diagnosis & weight gain

[sjordanw]

Hi,

I was diagnosed on Jan 26th 2017 - but of an odd case after a fluke test whilst in hospital. I had been tested before (June 16) and my bloods were normal (done in A&E on the 25th around 6pm) just slightly low salt levels.

I'm 17, 18 in May and I'm struggling a lot with my diet. I had no signs of diabetes, no thirst, no weight loss, etc. I had stayed consistently at 8 and a half stone (167cm in height, female) and was a healthy BMI. Since my diagnosis I've been eating far less than I usually did and yet I'm now at 9st4lb! I exercise a lot (own 4 dogs and two horses- lots of walking & riding) and also attend school studying for my AS levels.

When I was diagnosed I was moved into the diabetic specialist unit (my blood was 25.mmol when originally tested and 5.5 ketones, probably didn't help all I had done in A&E was drink proper Coca Cola and eat galaxy caramel!) and I was then put on an insulin drop and some other drip to flush my system with blood tests every hour. I am on Novorapid (orange pen) and levemir (green pen) - quite high doses of each.

I don't know anyone with Type 1, and as helpful as my family are trying to be they just don't get it. I'm moodier than usual and just want to cry all the time - sounds pathetic but I just don't know how to cope with it & gaining weight isn't helping!

Anyone have any tips for me?

 

[Freema]

it is all quite new to you and the regulation of the insuline takes time to learn...

I´ll tag @daisy1 so you get the information everyone new gets here...it is really worth reading and learning..
I am type 2 and not the best to guide you, ... but there is lots of type 1 people in here both young and older..all ages...


Edited to avoid confusion

 

[azure]

Hi @sjordanw My first though is that you were losing weight that you should have put on, if that makes sense. That is, your body was held at an unnatural,low weight for,you as it couldn't use the food you ate properly.

It's completely normal to put on weight after a Type 1 diagnosis. Your body is busy 'rebuilding' itself. Your weight will settle out at a normal level gradually Don't work about it.

If you haven't had carb counting and adjusting your insulin explained to you, then push to be shown that. It's crucial for good control. I also recommend getting the book Think Like A Pancreas. There's a lot of info in it, so it's not something you're going to,read and learn in five minutes, but it's a really helpful book for Type 1s and one that's very popular.

Be kind to yourself. Type 1 is a hard diagnosis to get your head around. It also takes experience to learn to get good results. You're doing ok

Make good use of your DSN and do ask any questions you want here or in the main Type 1 section. There are plenty of people who can help. We all understand how hard it is at first. It does get easier, I promise

 

[daisy1]

@sjordanw

Hello and welcome to the Forum As mentioned above, here is the Basic Information we give to new Members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to reply.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.

 

[Prem51]

Hi @sjordanw and welcome to the forum. I'm Type 2 so I don't know much about Type 1 diabetes, but thought I'd say hello and bump your post up so more T1s might see it and reply.
It is a big shock when you are diagnosed and does take a bit of time to get your head around it all, but you will get a lot of good advice and support on here.

 

[Juliet boxall]

Hi,

I was diagnosed on Jan 26th 2017 - but of an odd case after a fluke test whilst in hospital. I had been tested before (June 16) and my bloods were normal (done in A&E on the 25th around 6pm) just slightly low salt levels.

I'm 17, 18 in May and I'm struggling a lot with my diet. I had no signs of diabetes, no thirst, no weight loss, etc. I had stayed consistently at 8 and a half stone (167cm in height, female) and was a healthy BMI. Since my diagnosis I've been eating far less than I usually did and yet I'm now at 9st4lb! I exercise a lot (own 4 dogs and two horses- lots of walking & riding) and also attend school studying for my AS levels.

When I was diagnosed I was moved into the diabetic specialist unit (my blood was 25.mmol when originally tested and 5.5 ketones, probably didn't help all I had done in A&E was drink proper Coca Cola and eat galaxy caramel!) and I was then put on an insulin drop and some other drip to flush my system with blood tests every hour. I am on Novorapid (orange pen) and levemir (green pen) - quite high doses of each.

I don't know anyone with Type 1, and as helpful as my family are trying to be they just don't get it. I'm moodier than usual and just want to cry all the time - sounds pathetic but I just don't know how to cope with it & gaining weight isn't helping!

Anyone have any tips for me?

Awww bless you I have been through the same only I went into a coma for 11 days and I am older then you all I did was cry and I was on my own my family was there but it was me going through it every day you will work it out I was putting on weight to so I got put on metformin as well as the same insulin you are on and I have lost 2 stone and I also just found out my 22 year old son is type 1 to so I feel like I'm going through it all again hope that has helped you .

 

[Raks_]

Hi,

I was diagnosed on Jan 26th 2017 - but of an odd case after a fluke test whilst in hospital. I had been tested before (June 16) and my bloods were normal (done in A&E on the 25th around 6pm) just slightly low salt levels.

I'm 17, 18 in May and I'm struggling a lot with my diet. I had no signs of diabetes, no thirst, no weight loss, etc. I had stayed consistently at 8 and a half stone (167cm in height, female) and was a healthy BMI. Since my diagnosis I've been eating far less than I usually did and yet I'm now at 9st4lb! I exercise a lot (own 4 dogs and two horses- lots of walking & riding) and also attend school studying for my AS levels.

When I was diagnosed I was moved into the diabetic specialist unit (my blood was 25.mmol when originally tested and 5.5 ketones, probably didn't help all I had done in A&E was drink proper Coca Cola and eat galaxy caramel!) and I was then put on an insulin drop and some other drip to flush my system with blood tests every hour. I am on Novorapid (orange pen) and levemir (green pen) - quite high doses of each.

I don't know anyone with Type 1, and as helpful as my family are trying to be they just don't get it. I'm moodier than usual and just want to cry all the time - sounds pathetic but I just don't know how to cope with it & gaining weight isn't helping!

Anyone have any tips for me?

Hi i remember trying to come to terms with being diagnosed with t1 diabetes. I'd say you are doing pretty well and don't give up. its all about balancing three things; diet, exercise and insulin. What works for some, may not work for you. Just remember to carb count and don't be too hard on yourself. You get better with experience