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Type1 newly diagnosed and struggling

F

Fionanewbie

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi there I'm newly diagnosed type 1 as in 3 days ago. I'm 32 and struggling with the diagnosis.

Primarily I have no idea what to eat, my blood sugars are fluctuating between 10 and 14 riding with each finger prick! better than the 17 when I was admitted to hospital and my kidneys were failing! - so a huge shock.

So I'm back home waiting for my endocrine appointment next week writing out a hundred questions to ask, but in the mean time I'm not sure if I'm doing this 'thing' right at all. Carbs or no carbs? Hidden sugars, i'm just pretty lost.

Can anyone tell me what I should be eating? When how often etc? Is it safe to exercise?
Is a keto diet the way forward?
The diarrhoea? Is it normal I'm on metformin 4 tablets a day and lantus insulin (14).

I know it's a lot and I'm going on a bit.... any help appreciated.

Thanks Fiona x
 
Welcome @Fionanewbie :)

Were you given any dietary advice at all in hospital?

Yes, you can eat carbs :) Yes, you can exercise but I wouldn't do anything too strenuous until you're rested and used to your diabetes a bit more.
 
It's unusual to be given Metformin at diagnosis if you're Type 1. Did they say this would be a stopgap measure until your appointment @Fionanewbie ?
 
azure said:
It's unusual to be given Metformin at diagnosis if you're Type 1. Did they say this would be a stopgap measure until your appointment @Fionanewbie ?
Click to expand...

Yes, metformin until the appointment and potentially adjust the insulin amount after reviewing my blood glucose monitoring diary.

At the hospital the nurse showed me how to inject/ test blood sugars etc. With regards to food she said avoid sugar, as in obvious sugars, so I assume sugar in tea cakes biscuits etc, which just seems like common sense, I feel more concerned about all the other hidden sugars that I could be consuming in 'low fat' rubbish.

Thanks for the quick reply. :)
 
It sounds like you haven't so far received ideal advice. Ref the Metformin, bowel upset is very common with the standard version but usually clears with a 2-3 weeks. If it doesn't then ask to be changed to the Slow Release (SR) version which is much kinder and only a bit more expensive. Yes, you can have carbs BUT your Lantus will metabolise these to glucose which the body will use for energy or store as fat, so I would advise you to be sensible with the amount you eat. If you gain weight then you're probably having too many. As time progresses you will probably have a meal-time insulin (called a Bolus insulin) added to your Lantus (called a Basal insulin). This does mean more injections but gives a high level of control over your blood sugar as the Bolus is adjusted to cater for the amount of carbs in a meal. Do raise this with the endo. BTW all sugars are just carbs so always look for the Total carbs.
 
Daibell said:
It sounds like you haven't so far received ideal advice. Ref the Metformin, bowel upset is very common with the standard version but usually clears with a 2-3 weeks. If it doesn't then ask to be changed to the Slow Release (SR) version which is much kinder and only a bit more expensive. Yes, you can have carbs BUT your Lantus will metabolise these to glucose which the body will use for energy or store as fat, so I would advise you to be sensible with the amount you eat. If you gain weight then you're probably having too many. As time progresses you will probably have a meal-time insulin (called a Bolus insulin) added to your Lantus (called a Basal insulin). This does mean more injections but gives a high level of control over your blood sugar as the Bolus is adjusted to cater for the amount of carbs in a meal. Do raise this with the endo. BTW all sugars are just carbs so always look for the Total carbs.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much - there really is so much information to take in.

It's been a bit if a roller coaster few days.

Thanks again :)
 
Fionanewbie said:
Yes, metformin until the appointment and potentially adjust the insulin amount after reviewing my blood glucose monitoring diary.

At the hospital the nurse showed me how to inject/ test blood sugars etc. With regards to food she said avoid sugar, as in obvious sugars, so I assume sugar in tea cakes biscuits etc, which just seems like common sense, I feel more concerned about all the other hidden sugars that I could be consuming in 'low fat' rubbish.

Thanks for the quick reply. :)
Click to expand...

I feel for you. You seem to have been left to get on with it with very little help at all.

Type 1s don't have to avoid sugar completely, but as you're not yet on fast acting insulin, you'll just have to see how you go with your blood test results.

Avoid fast absorbed sugars like regular Coke and sweets (unless you feel hypo).

While you're waiting for your appointment, you could get the book Think Like A Pancreas. It's fantastic for Type 1s. It won't make much sense yet, but it will in time.
 
azure said:
I feel for you. You seem to have been left to get on with it with very little help at all.

Type 1s don't have to avoid sugar completely, but as you're not yet on fast acting insulin, you'll just have to see how you go with your blood test results.

Avoid fast absorbed sugars like regular Coke and sweets (unless you feel hypo).

While you're waiting for your appointment, you could get the book Think Like A Pancreas. It's fantastic for Type 1s. It won't make much sense yet, but it will in time.
Click to expand...
Will do, thank you.
It's been pretty daunting. I'm looking forward to getting educated, so that I know what I'm doing, just feels a bit of a mine field at the moment.
I'm going to be asking plenty of questions no doubt.

Thanks again, much appreciated x
 
When I was diagnosed, I was put on an insulin drip and ate my normal meals. They then estimated my insulin needs and that worked well.

The book I mentioned above basically says what you have to do - think like a pancreas. You have to take over the job your pancreas did in controlling your blood sugar. Very briefly, you do this by making sure your basal insulin (Lantus in your case) is at the right level to keep your blood sugar stable in the absence of food eg at night. You then learn how to count the carbs in the food you eat, so that you can calculate the right dose of bolus/mealtime insulin for that meal. (That's the insulin you currently don't have).
 
Hi @Fionanewbie
welcome to the forum ! :)

the good news -- you have an appointment next week -- that is great news !!

the bad news -- it would appear from what you have told us they are actually treating you as type 2 rather than type 1

until you get to your appointment I would try to avoid carbs -- as you don't have an insulin to counteract the spikes from eating

( this might sound harsh right now -- but once you get properly diagnosed and sorted out it should become clearer )

most all of us type 1's have 2 insulins -- a slow acting to keep us stable and a fast acting to use for eating food -- without both carbs can be too much for our bodies

you are in your early days -- try not to worry and just do the best you can until you see a specialist nurse or consultant

we are all here for you as well xxxx
 
Welcome to our world. I remember how daunting it was to be shown how to inject, given a pack of insulin and sent home. I remember holding the small packet and thinking this is all there is between me and dying from now on - quite a sobering thought. But with the right support and attitude it's not been such a problem. I suggest you add another book to your reading : Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution- The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. It gave me direction and saved me 17 years ago when I was diagnosed.
Good luck. It's not an easy route, but you can really make a difference to how you cope.
 
azure said:
When I was diagnosed, I was put on an insulin drip and ate my normal meals. They then estimated my insulin needs and that worked well.

The book I mentioned above basically says what you have to do - think like a pancreas. You have to take over the job your pancreas did in controlling your blood sugar. Very briefly, you do this by making sure your basal insulin (Lantus in your case) is at the right level to keep your blood sugar stable in the absence of food eg at night. You then learn how to count the carbs in the food you eat, so that you can calculate the right dose of bolus/mealtime insulin for that meal. (That's the insulin you currently don't have).
Click to expand...

That's a lot clearer, thank you again.
 
Fionanewbie said:
Thanks very much - there really is so much information to take in.

It's been a bit if a roller coaster few days.
Click to expand...

There is so much information to take in but in time everything will make sense and you'll soon return to normal life again, by far the worst time is the first weeks/months following a diagnosis of type 1.

It might be worth asking the Endo to put your name down for a carb counting such as DAFNE, the waiting time for these courses can be quite long so putting your name down now is advisable, usually they insist that the patient has been diagnosed 6 months or more before enrolment (but the waiting time to enrol is often much longer than 6 months, some members have waited for more than a year).

Good luck with the appointment and do keep us updated on your progress @Fionanewbie
 
On what to eat: vegetables, lots of them. Fat is fine too. Eggplants are great, broccoli also, nuts (especially walnuts), tomatoes, salad, fine beans. Also some meat is good, eggs are great, chicken, turkey, beef, etc. Try to avoid fruits as they are super sweet (depends which ones though). I am not sure about cheese, cheddar does make my sugar go up a bit (not a lot).

If you want details, the most exhaustive and informative list I can think of is from Dr Bernstein:

https://www.diabetesdaily.com/learn...es-diet/dr-bernsteins-low-carb-diabetes-diet/

This should greatly help.
 
Fionanewbie said:
Hi there I'm newly diagnosed type 1 as in 3 days ago. I'm 32 and struggling with the diagnosis.

Primarily I have no idea what to eat, my blood sugars are fluctuating between 10 and 14 riding with each finger prick! better than the 17 when I was admitted to hospital and my kidneys were failing! - so a huge shock.

So I'm back home waiting for my endocrine appointment next week writing out a hundred questions to ask, but in the mean time I'm not sure if I'm doing this 'thing' right at all. Carbs or no carbs? Hidden sugars, i'm just pretty lost.

Can anyone tell me what I should be eating? When how often etc? Is it safe to exercise?
Is a keto diet the way forward?
The diarrhoea? Is it normal I'm on metformin 4 tablets a day and lantus insulin (14).

I know it's a lot and I'm going on a bit.... any help appreciated.

Thanks Fiona x
Click to expand...
As a T1 for 56 years the only foods and drinks are the ones with sugar in and drink coffee,tea,soft drinks all with no sugars;there is plenty of food stuff all who have sugars in them but in small amounts eat and enjoy
 
Go easy on yourself, you're not expected to get the hang of this in a week or a month! Keep reading all over this site and everywhere else and learn. Don't expect yourself or your numbers to be perfect, but work with the knowledge you have at any given moment and don't panic if it doesn't always work out. And ask them about the metformin at your appointment.
 
Eldra said:
On what to eat: vegetables, lots of them. Fat is fine too. Eggplants are great, broccoli also, nuts (especially walnuts), tomatoes, salad, fine beans. Also some meat is good, eggs are great, chicken, turkey, beef, etc. Try to avoid fruits as they are super sweet (depends which ones though). I am not sure about cheese, cheddar does make my sugar go up a bit (not a lot).

If you want details, the most exhaustive and informative list I can think of is from Dr Bernstein:

https://www.diabetesdaily.com/learn...es-diet/dr-bernsteins-low-carb-diabetes-diet/

This should greatly help.
Click to expand...

Yes, except he misses out all the carbs that most Type 1s eat....

I find moderation in all things works best :)
 
Man, you got pretty minimal treatment right off the bat. Metformin and Lantus? Sounds more like Type 2, but I wouldn't think they would go straight to Lantus in a Type 2. Kidneys failing from what? Dehydration from osmotic diuresis? At least you got an appt with an endo pretty soon. And I would think someone could at least give you a handout book/pamphlet about dietary basics for diabetes. It's not THAT different Type 1 or 2. Good luck.
 
azure said:
Yes, except he misses out all the carbs that most Type 1s eat....

I find moderation in all things works best :)
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on people though, since this works for many and they are happy with it. But I don't follow Dr Bernstein's diet myself so I agree. I should have specified that those are the best things to eat but there is definitely room for a bit more carby food, and that's fine. I myself eat about 100-120g carbs every day for now, it's all about spreading them around all your meals and not binge-eat it. For @Fionanewbie: Also a great trick is to eat the carby food after all the rest so that it gets into your blood slower and you avoid big spikes after meals.

Importantly, these are all habits, and it may seem hard at first, but keep up with it and before you realise it, it becomes second nature. Even if I were not diabetic tomorrow I would keep a similar diet I think.
 
Thank you all for your help.
My appointment is on Friday, so hopefully all should be a bit clearer then.
I've been reading up quite a bit and it seems an odd set of meds to start out on, but we will see after speaking to the doctor/nurse.

I did get a sort of magazine from the diabetic nurse at the hospital 'type 1 diabetes' - I've since re read it a couple of times and I'm sort of getting the gist ;)

I will update after my appointment if that's ok, it will no doubt bring about more questions...

Really appreciate the responses from everyone... thanks again x
 
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