Young sufferer

[Faysherrard]

I was diagnosed with type 2 just over a year ago now and I’m currently on tablets and insulin. I’m 16 now and baffled doctors as I had type 1 antibodies yet I was type 2. Anyways I do struggle with being a teenager and going through this. I still eat bad sometimes and my blood sugars can sometimes send me over the edge. I don’t drink full sugar drinks anymore and drink water majorly. I have lost 2 and a half stone now making me 12.2 stone. All I want is to reverse this and make myself “normal” again. I can’t handle it sometimes as I miss being able to go out with my friends to a gig or a festival without my medication being on my mind 24/7. My mental health has dropped majorly due to my diagnosis as I always sit there and think “why me” but I only have myself to blame. Explaining to someone that I was diagnosed with type 2 at age 15 makes me feel ashamed and embarrassed. I struggle eating vegetables and having low carb meals as there is so much I do not like. I just want guidance and to be given help by fellow diabetics as this life long disease has taken over my life to the point where I struggle to feel like me. I hope you can help me in this forum become a healthier person.

HbA1c: 44
Weight: 12.2 stone (weighed early jan)
4 metformin a day and 10 units of glargine

 

[Antje77]

I only have myself to blame.

No you don't. It's simply bad luck. Many teenagers don't eat very healthy, and they don't get diabetes. I don't understand about the antibodies. As far as I know they test them if they're unsure whether you're type1 or type2, and if they find antibodies they diagnose you with type1 (or LADA/ 1.5). How come you have antibodies but still have a type2 diagnosis?
All the best!

 

[Faysherrard]

No you don't. It's simply bad luck. Many teenagers don't eat very healthy, and they don't get diabetes. I don't understand about the antibodies. As far as I know they test them if they're unsure whether you're type1 or type2, and if they find antibodies they diagnose you with type1 (or LADA/ 1.5). How come you have antibodies but still have a type2 diagnosis?
All the best!

Yeah I know I did find that strange but thank you!! I have to check for ketones as well as they were really high when I was admitted and I occasionally still have them.

 

[david1968]

Please don't blame yourself or think that you're not 'normal'. I think it's great that you've recognised that you need to make changes to your lifestyle and that you're making them, but it's not your fault that your diabetic. It sometimes takes more courage to do something than it does to do nothing.

HbA1C of 44's not bad!!

 

[ixi1429]

@Faysherrard

44 is good. I was diagnosed last year and my last bllod test reveale di had got my HbA1C down to 44.

I know what you mean about vegetables. I didn;t eat many of them before Iwas diagnosed. I was more of a fruit person which may have contributed to my diabetes (along with genetics - my dad has it) as Iwa s eating at least 5 pieces of fruit a day and alaos 2/3 portions of berries- way too much sugar, even if it classifed as "good" sugar .
Good news is that you can try lots of different things now - I love cheese, salads, nuts. ham, lots of difffernet stuff with eggs. My treat is Pringles but only a small amount. Even small amounts of really good chocolate (over 80%).

Diabetes just is, its not a blame thing. Its like blaming yourself for catchin 'Flu. The exmaple I use with people who say its a lifestyle illness, you only have yourslef to blame, is Sir Steve Redgrave who managed to win an Olympic Gold with type 2.

 

[Faysherrard]

Please don't blame yourself or think that you're not 'normal'. I think it's great that you've recognised that you need to make changes to your lifestyle and that you're making them, but it's not your fault that your diabetic. It sometimes takes more courage to do something than it does to do nothing.

HbA1C of 44's not bad!!

Thank you and sometimes I get down due to me getting it so young. Thanks for your positive comments!

 

[Faysherrard]

@Faysherrard

44 is good. I was diagnosed last year and my last bllod test reveale di had got my HbA1C down to 44.

I know what you mean about vegetables. I didn;t eat many of them before Iwas diagnosed. I was more of a fruit person which may have contributed to my diabetes (along with genetics - my dad has it) as Iwa s eating at least 5 pieces of fruit a day and alaos 2/3 portions of berries- way too much sugar, even if it classifed as "good" sugar .
Good news is that you can try lots of different things now - I love cheese, salads, nuts. ham, lots of difffernet stuff with eggs. My treat is Pringles but only a small amount. Even small amounts of really good chocolate (over 80%).

Diabetes just is, its not a blame thing. Its like blaming yourself for catchin 'Flu. The exmaple I use with people who say its a lifestyle illness, you only have yourslef to blame, is Sir Steve Redgrave who managed to win an Olympic Gold with type 2.

Thank you, that’s really encouraging to hear!!

 

[tim2000s]

Hi @Faysherrard - as you have tested positive for antibodies, it's worth asking for a C-Peptide test. That would give a much more conclusive answer as to what type of diabetes you may have, as a type 2 would typically produce considerably more insulin than average, and this would be seen in the c-peptide number. In the meantime, welcome to the forum. There's a lot of support to be had and people will make you welcome.

 

[Circuspony]

Ketones and antibodies are T1 surely? Did your GP diagnose you or a hospital?

 

[KK123]

Ketones and antibodies are T1 surely? Did your GP diagnose you or a hospital?

Hi circuspony, who knows? I had ketones over 4, h1ac of 16 plus and GAD antibodies and the hospital consultant still says it's 'inconclusive'. Apparently none of hose things are definitive.

 

[Faysherrard]

Ketones and antibodies are T1 surely? Did your GP diagnose you or a hospital?

Im on metformin and insulin and it seems to do well but stops working after around 4-5 months and always need it upping. The hospital told me i was type 2 I always look back on the day I was diagnosed as my ketones were in dangerous levels and they even considered putting me on a drip. My bloods were 20 after 5 hours of fasting!! They were certain I was type 1 then suddenly changed their mind. The doctor just described me as baffling.

 

[Faysherrard]

Hi @Faysherrard - as you have tested positive for antibodies, it's worth asking for a C-Peptide test. That would give a much more conclusive answer as to what type of diabetes you may have, as a type 2 would typically produce considerably more insulin than average, and this would be seen in the c-peptide number. In the meantime, welcome to the forum. There's a lot of support to be had and people will make you welcome.

I’ll definitely look into it but thank you for the positivity!