Newly diagnosed type 1

[Banktramp]

hello

Need some advice as unsure if I am doing things write, I recently got diagnosed with type 1, the hospital sent me home with an epipen and tablets, they told me to inject 12clicks at tea time and to take two tablets one in the morning and one at tea, they also gave me a blood glucose monitor and a diary to fill out.

I am on my second day now and still getting high glucose levels as high 24 last night, the lowest I have had is 14 at dinner today, I have started to watch what I eat but getting no where near the 5-7 I keep reading on here. What am I doing wrong?? I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday and hopefully get some decent advice, I was also admitted to hospital with a high level of keytone in my urine.

Any advice would be greatfull

 

[Daibell]

Hi. As you are apparently diagnosed as a T1 you should shortly or even now be on the standard T1 insulin regime called Basal/Bolus. This is where you have one or two '24 hr' basal insulin injections and a meal time Bolus of rapid acting insulin. Sometimes people are started on a simpler regime for a week or two. It is essential that the GP moves you onto a regime that controls your blood sugar; I suspect he will do this if he is knowledgeable about diabetes or refer you to the clinic. If needed do insist that you are moved to the standard insulins for T1. Basal/Bolus gives you complete control and the amount of Bolus for each meal is adjusted for the amount of carbs in the meal.

 

[catapillar]

I don't think it's an epipen (that refers to epinephrine, which is given to people having an allergic reaction, & wouldn't do a thing for your blood sugar) it should be insulin pen.

What type of insulin is it you are taking? What are the tablets you are taking?

 

[Banktramp]

Hi

The tablets are metformin 500mg twice a day and the pen is a lantus 100ml

 

[catapillar]

Lantus is a basal/background insulin. Metformin works by reducing the amount of glucose your liver puts out.

It's quite unusual for a type 1 to be sent home with no bolus insulin (as I understand it, anecdotally from posts on here). From your levels it does sound like you need it.

Who did you see at hospital? Was it a consultant endocrinologist who diagnosed you type 1 and sent you home with these meds? Who are you seeing on Tuesday? Is it and endocrinologist? If it's your GP, ask for a referral to endocrinology and contact details for the diabetic specialist nurse team - then you can ring them and ask about a basal bolus regime & carb counting, which, as @Daibell sets out, is the usual was type 1s manage blood sugar.

 

[Pulley_]

Hi @Banktramp

This is exactly the regime I was put on when diagnosed (12 clicks of levemir though rather than lantus)

Don't panic and remember that now you have been diagnosed your bg levels will decrease - just give it time.

Remember to check your bloods first think in the morning, before food, after food and last thing at night. If possible take your lantus at the same time everyday and make a note of what you eat.

The metformin take a couple of days to kick in and you may find that the Dr increases your insulin when you see him/her.

As time goes on you do get better at being diabetic and knowing your body and blood

Keep a note of all your questions, read posts on here but don't let others numbers put pressure on yours - you're unique!!

Good luck!!! X

 

[urbanracer]

hello

Need some advice as unsure if I am doing things write, I recently got diagnosed with type 1, the hospital sent me home with an epipen and tablets, they told me to inject 12clicks at tea time and to take two tablets one in the morning and one at tea, they also gave me a blood glucose monitor and a diary to fill out.

I am on my second day now and still getting high glucose levels as high 24 last night, the lowest I have had is 14 at dinner today, I have started to watch what I eat but getting no where near the 5-7 I keep reading on here. What am I doing wrong?? I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday and hopefully get some decent advice, I was also admitted to hospital with a high level of keytone in my urine.

Any advice would be greatfull

Hi @Banktramp ,

Don't get yourself too stressed about this, it took me about 12 weeks for my blood sugars to stop yo-yo-ing all over the place. Also, if you've been living with high blood sugars for a while, then bringing your average levels down too quickly can do more harm than good, take it slowly and give the med's time to work.

Good luck.