Recently diagnosed type 1

Ruaidhri

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello all, first post. I have recently been diagnosed type 1 diabetic.
Initially after blood test the doctor misdiagnosed type 2 even though my bmi was low and I’m very athletic, and was put on Metformin, but was sent to specialist for type 1 test, had to wait around 6 weeks to actually get an appointment. Started a very restricted carb diet with 0 refined sugars, that and Metformin brought my bs down slightly for about a week or 2 then had no effect at all and my bs shot back up, could only get them down with light jogs around the block lol. Went back to the doctors who then put me on gliclazide, which again brought bs down slightly for about another 2 weeks then had no effect at all. Finally got to see the endocrinologist who sent for antibody tests and started me on toujeo which was literally a massive turn around, bs was stable and I felt human again thank god, prior to this I actually thought I was going to die I felt awful! After 4 weeks and another blood test (1st one wasn’t enough to do all tests required apparently) I then got my type 1 diagnosis. Was then started on fiasp as the toujeo wasn’t keeping bs as stable as it was at first even though dosage was upped, again feel amazing again and have A1Cs of 55! .
Don’t know if anyone else has had any issues with vitality but I have serious illness cover which pays out for a type 1 diagnosis, filled in all the forms, had endocrinologist fill out forms too and they refused to pay out as they say it must be LADA as I was diagnosed as an adult (41) and because the metformin worked for a couple of weeks it can’t be type 1 even though the specialist has said I’m still probably in the honeymoon period. Ah well it did do my head in but not too bothered as i feel really good now, been a whirlwind 5 months and gone from despair, depression, anxiety to now feeling much better as the meds are finally starting to help.
I used to do a lot of running prior to symptoms now I’m just starting to get back to it but do worry about hypos even though I’ve not really had one yet, any tips that anyone could share would be great!
 
Last edited:

JAT1

Well-Known Member
Messages
565
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Welcome to the forums @Ruaidhri. There's a steep, interesting learning curve to Type 1 and the members here are a great help with that as they share their experiences. I always make sure I have my hypo remedies nearby at night and in my pocket when I go out, that way if I feel a hypo coming on I can quickly raise my blood sugar.
 

EllieM

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
9,327
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Hi @Ruaidhri and welcome to the forums.

Given that you are in the UK, where LADA is treated as a type of T1, and you have an endo who has diagnosed you with T1, I would think that it might be worth fighting your insurance company, depending on how much money is involved and how much stress it will put you under to fight the claim.
I'm no longer in the UK so don't know who you'd complain to about the insurance co.

The DUK diabetes charity have a helpline that might be useful though ?
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/helpline
 

jaywak

Well-Known Member
Messages
742
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Cold weather, angry people, queues,
Has none of your team suggested using a cgm to monitor your bg ? if you have your hypo treatment to hand during the day they are usually quite easy to treat I'ts during sleep they can be a concern but if wearing a cgm with the alarms set to wake you if you start to go low they are not really a problem either , if your'e in the uk and diagnosed type 1 you will be able to get one on prescription .
 
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Ruaidhri

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Has none of your team suggested using a cgm to monitor your bg ? if you have your hypo treatment to hand during the day they are usually quite easy to treat I'ts during sleep they can be a concern but if wearing a cgm with the alarms set to wake you if you start to go low they are not really a problem either , if your'e in the uk and diagnosed type 1 you will be able to get one on prescription .
Thank you for your reply. Yes I use one, libre 2. I funded it myself until got T1 diagnosis now got it on prescription. I was just a tad worried about being out on a run with nothing with me and going low. Currently just doing short 5 kms and not going too far from home
 

Ruaidhri

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @Ruaidhri and welcome to the forums.

Given that you are in the UK, where LADA is treated as a type of T1, and you have an endo who has diagnosed you with T1, I would think that it might be worth fighting your insurance company, depending on how much money is involved and how much stress it will put you under to fight the claim.
I'm no longer in the UK so don't know who you'd complain to about the insurance co.

The DUK diabetes charity have a helpline that might be useful though ?
Thank you for your reply! I am considering it as it is worth a good chunk of cash, they do try and get out of paying any way they can, I’m just trying to think about my health first. I think I have to ask them to review the claim and if unsuccessful that way then I think it’s the ombudsman . Thanks for the information I will definitely reach out see if I can get any advise off them.
 
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Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,485
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Thank you for your reply. Yes I use one, libre 2. I funded it myself until got T1 diagnosis now got it on prescription. I was just a tad worried about being out on a run with nothing with me and going low. Currently just doing short 5 kms and not going too far from home
Please always have some quick acting glucose and a means to test your blood glucose on you wherever you go!
Not only when out running, but also next to the bed. A low needs to be treated immediately, without having to walk back home first or even navigating your own house half asleep to get to the kitchen.

However, there is no need to stay close to home at all, just pop your meter and some glucotabs in your pocket and go ahead! :)
Don’t know if anyone else has had any issues with vitality but I have serious illness cover which pays out for a type 1 diagnosis, filled in all the forms, had endocrinologist fill out forms too and they refused to pay out as they say it must be LADA as I was diagnosed as an adult (41) and because the metformin worked for a couple of weeks it can’t be type 1
I have no idea about insurance, but LADA is T1 (in adults).
 

Ruaidhri

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Please always have some quick acting glucose and a means to test your blood glucose on you wherever you go!
Not only when out running, but also next to the bed. A low needs to be treated immediately, without having to walk back home first or even navigating your own house half asleep to get to the kitchen.

However, there is no need to stay close to home at all, just pop your meter and some glucotabs in your pocket and go ahead! :)

I have no idea about insurance, but LADA is T1 (in adults).
Thank you so much your advise is very much appreciated
 
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