hi, I'm kinda new to this...

[Sfarah]

Hi I'm Sarah
Im 17 almost 18, Just joined the site and i got diagonosed with type 1 Diabetes a few months back. To be honest i havent coped with it very well. I know that. My head is still buzzing with all the info they gave me and ive had cravings for things that I barely cared about eating before hand, and i must admit, dispite knowing i shouldnt i have given in. (just a few times). I know i shouldnt have but its more comfort eating than anything else. I have managed to control it a little at times

They told me that Diabetes is Heriditory, But no one else in my family has it. I only know one person besides myself who has type one diabetes (that i know about) and he goes to college with me. Hes had it for about 20 years (if im right). I still feel quite alone about it. I'm scared of it getting out of control. one of my sister makes me feel like i'm over reacting which i probably am. she's perhaps the only one that knows how stressed out im feeling. everyone else says i'm "brave" and "coping well". Thing is i know im not.

As for insulin goes, im no longer scared of needles, which cant be bad. I managed to get over it after about a day in hospital (i had a fear of them since i was about 5 or something). I still dont feel to good injecting myself if im out the house. it makes me feel like a druggie. I know i'm not nor anyone else is. i also know I have to take it. Its just i dont know.

Are all these reactions normal? does anyone have any tips, or gone through the same thing when they first got it??

Thanks for reading all of this you acturelly got this far... i kinda went mad there.... i just started and couldnt stop!

 

[leggott]

Hi Sarah. Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. I haven't got type 1 myself but two of my kids do and so does my husband.

You are certainly not over reacting, diabetes is a serious condition which takes daily management. My husband was diagnosed at 14 and he has told me that he struggled emotionally for some time and even does now a little at the ripe old age of 40!

You sound very grown up and the fact that you have posted here indicates to me that you are dealing with this even though you are having to come to terms with something that most people at your age don't have to and for that you should be very proud of yourself.

Overtime you will learn to manage your diabetes and I personally believe that in the next few years the way in which we manage this illness will greatly improve making our lives much easier. With good management you will live a long and healthy life and this illness will not stop you achieving your goals and living your dreams.

For now I hope you continue to deal with your diagnosis and manage it in a mature manner. I feel like your post could be from one of my children when they are older and I sincerely hope that you get all the support you need from both your family and you DSN.

Sending you lots of big hugs.

 

[daisy1]

Hi Sarah and welcome to the forum To help you to start managing your diabetes as well as possible, here is some information written by the Forum Monitors for new members. I know you have been submerged with information but this was written with newly diagnosed diabetics in mind and new members have found it very helpful. You sound like you are already getting used to having diabetes and managing it very well especially the injecting. Ask as many questions as you like as there is always someone here who will help you.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.

 

[Gappy]

I'm type 2 so don't need to inject but I remember a few years ago being with a girl in a pub who did inject-her attitude was it's her life and it;s legal so don't woory about where and when you inject it's your health at stake!

 

[Sfarah]

Hiya
Just saying thanks for all replys. its been very helpful!