Feeling in Limbo

[Andy-Sev]

I feel like I am in limbo as when I was diagnosed last week as having diabetes the specialist at the local hospital believed it to be T1 due to high ketones plus other symptoms and has sent off a blood sample to another hospital to confirm which type whilst starting me on insulin. But the diabetic nurses I have seen since seem to be convinced I am T2 saying it is unusual for someone over 40 to be diagnosed as T1. I just feel really frustrated by the conflicted opinions and I suppose really want to know has anyone else gone through this state of being in limbo?

 

[Daphne917]

Hi @Andy-Sev welcome to the forum. I'm Type 2 diet only but I believe that you can be diagnosed with Type 1 at any age. Hopefully some of the other forum members who were diagnosed Type 1 later in life such as @Daibell and @urbanracer may be along to advise.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I feel like I am in limbo as when I was diagnosed last week as having diabetes the specialist at the local hospital believed it to be T1 due to high ketones plus other symptoms and has sent off a blood sample to another hospital to confirm which type whilst starting me on insulin. But the diabetic nurses I have seen since seem to be convinced I am T2 saying it is unusual for someone over 40 to be diagnosed as T1. I just feel really frustrated by the conflicted opinions and I suppose really want to know has anyone else gone through this state of being in limbo?

I would go with what the specialist said rather than the nurses, as they have more training. People can get T1 at any age.

The specialist has started you on insulin which is good. Are the nurses following his or her instructions and helping you with that? If not, I would call the specialist's secretary and ask that the specialist intervenes.

 

[Andy-Sev]

Thanks for the replies. In truth the nurses I have seen are great and have really helped explain things. I think its just a case of so much to take in so quickly and not having a confirmation on the type just annoying me and feeling like it is preventing me from really moving forwards.

 

[himtoo]

Hi there Andy-Sev
welcome to the forum
for the next few weeks try not to worry about type -- most important is to get you feeling better in yourself.

checklist for early days post diagnosis

test your blood sugar regularly and keep records
try to stick to a routine as much as you can -- patterns in your life will help with discovering what works for you and what doesn't.
take things slowly -- one day at a time and try not to worry.

keep posting here -- lots of great people to help with queries and general all round support

all the best !

 

[urbanracer]

I feel like I am in limbo as when I was diagnosed last week as having diabetes the specialist at the local hospital believed it to be T1 due to high ketones plus other symptoms and has sent off a blood sample to another hospital to confirm which type whilst starting me on insulin. But the diabetic nurses I have seen since seem to be convinced I am T2 saying it is unusual for someone over 40 to be diagnosed as T1. I just feel really frustrated by the conflicted opinions and I suppose really want to know has anyone else gone through this state of being in limbo?

It is unusual in so far as most T1's do get diagnosed during childhood and teenage years, but I was 54 when it happened. I'm afraid @Andy-Sev , conflicting opinions is something else you'll have to get used to when you have diabetes (whatever your age and type).

I was diagnosed a year ago and still don't know for certain which type I am as the GP's DN thinks I'm T2 and the consultant thinks I'm T1. Had further tests done a couple months back but never got the results, despite a promise that they would write to me. So I just keep jacking up on insulin every day and it seems to keep my blood sugars under control. Hopefully they will come up with a definitive answer next time I go to the hospital.

Catch you later.

 

[Emma158]

Hi,
I am in a similar situation and understand the feeling of being in limbo!

My DN is sure it's type 1, the GP said it's unlikely to be type 1, and I saw the consultant last week who said we can't be sure yet but that I may be Type 1 in the 'honeymoon period' or 'there may be something else going on....'

It seems there are quite a lot of people in the same boat so rest assured you are not alone.

I hope you get some answers soon and keep yourself well.

 

[Mep]

sorry to hear this It won't be until the diagnostic tests are done that they can say for sure what type of diabetes you do have. If they're saying you have type 1 just because of the ketones, that isn't a given. I have had ketones in my urine in the past when I've been hospitalised and I'm not type 1, I'm type 2. Ketones just means your body is using its own fat for energy. It can be a dangerous thing though to have for diabetics. I hope whatever the outcome that you do get quick control. I'm guessing they've started you on insulin because of your sugar level? That could be just to get quick control too. If you're type 2 in the end they will likely pull you off it and get you to control your sugar by diet and/or oral meds. You only need insulin if you hardly produce any... this definitely is the case for type 1's, type 1.5's, type 3c, and type 2's like myself who have beta cell damage. I wish you the best.

 

[Andy-Sev]

Thanks everyone for your replies. The plot thickens as after a visit to the GP at my practice who deals with the diabetic patients he said the tests have come back inconclusive and hinted that I may be in the gray area of having something in between so would leave me in the hands of the specialist at the hospital. And now I am waiting for an appointment to have a CT scan on my pancreas, hopefully I won't have to wait long for either the scan or the results. On the subject of which has anyone had a CT scan on their pancreas and if so what should I expect?

 

[Gaz-M]

had one on my heart and lungs a few weeks back, not sure if it will be the same but the "ink" they put in your vein makes it go hot, a metal taste in your mouth and a feeling like you have pee,d yourself, the scan takes about 2 mins in total maybe a little longer

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I'm not sure if you're on metformin or not, but if you are, you will need to stop it before the CT scan because there is a dangerous interaction with the dye they inject. Most likely the hospital will tell you this, but since it's such a serious interaction I thought I'd mention it just to be sure. I'm a "belt and braces" kind of person when it comes to these things.

 

[Gaz-M]

thinking back it was in the full chest and stomach area so it will probably be the same and really nothing to worry about

 

[C-Mack]

Was in a similar boat as you. Diagnosed type 1 at 38 years old. Good luck!