Newly Diagnosed (3 days) Type 1

[Lexie123]

Hi I am feeling a bit overwhelmed as I have just been diagnosed with Type 1. I am right in the middle of my GCSEs and my sugars are all over the place. Still in shock and I am wondering if anyone has experience or advice.

 

[porl69]

Hi @Lexie welcome to the forum. Never an easy thing to deal with at any time, especially when doing exams. Will tag @daisy1 who has some great advice for newbies.
Good luck with your exams

 

[daisy1]

@Lexie123

Hello Lexie and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

 

[Diakat]

Hi @Lexie123
Have school been told and are they supporting you? You should be allowed test kit and hypo treatments in the exams with you - that is if you are not deferring them.

 

[Lexie123]

Hi @Lexie123
Have school been told and are they supporting you? You should be allowed test kit and hypo treatments in the exams with you - that is if you are not deferring them.

School have been great, they have allowed me to have my testing kit along with a hypo kit and insulin with me in the exam and give me extra time if I need a break. They also are supporting me outside of exams too. I’m feeling quite confident and I’m going to be doing my first insulin shot without my mum today at lunch!

 

[Diakat]

Hope all goes well at lunchtime.

 

[emma2718]

If you speak to the person who runs your exams you can get special consideration, extra time or be put in a separate room

 

[Babydee00001]

Hi honey , bless your heart being diagnosed at such a time and age where your just starting to want to be free of anyone fussing ay ! My son was diagnosed beginning of March , he’s just turned 10 so maybe a little easier ( if it ever could be ) for me to manage as he’s still so dependant on me . Your poor head must be all over the place . Such a whirlwind isn’t it .. one min life’s going this way then wham!!!! Life changes in blink of an eye . I struggled at first to come to terms with it as did he but within weeks it’s just a part of everyday life and completely liveable as normal . He’s just gone through a bout of having 4 hypos a day bless him ... he’s settled again now ( may have been his honeymoon period ) I’m glad to hear your school have been great .. his school have too but I’m anxious about when he goes to big school !! It’s such a lot to take it , make sure u talk to your diabetic councillor(s) if u ever feel like your struggling with it . It’s perfectly normal . Such a lot of info to take in isn’t it . You’ll get there for sure . There is so much to learn but you will be amazed at how quick it all becomes clear . I hope you do great in your exams ! Xxx

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Lexie123,
Exams are a stressful time. Stress = more cortisol (steroids made by the adrenal gland) which make insulin less effective.
For University exams my insulin requirement for the weeks of study through until 2 days after finishing all my exams would require me to increase my insulin up to 3 times normal dose per day.
Please consider discussing this with your nurse or doctor and remember to always have your meter and glucose handy during the exams.
Best Wishes for your results !!

 

[Lexie123]

Hi honey , bless your heart being diagnosed at such a time and age where your just starting to want to be free of anyone fussing ay ! My son was diagnosed beginning of March , he’s just turned 10 so maybe a little easier ( if it ever could be ) for me to manage as he’s still so dependant on me . Your poor head must be all over the place . Such a whirlwind isn’t it .. one min life’s going this way then wham!!!! Life changes in blink of an eye . I struggled at first to come to terms with it as did he but within weeks it’s just a part of everyday life and completely liveable as normal . He’s just gone through a bout of having 4 hypos a day bless him ... he’s settled again now ( may have been his honeymoon period ) I’m glad to hear your school have been great .. his school have too but I’m anxious about when he goes to big school !! It’s such a lot to take it , make sure u talk to your diabetic councillor(s) if u ever feel like your struggling with it . It’s perfectly normal . Such a lot of info to take in isn’t it . You’ll get there for sure . There is so much to learn but you will be amazed at how quick it all becomes clear . I hope you do great in your exams ! Xxx

Hi, I’ve seen your message! Thank you so much for this, you and your son are so brave and inspiring! I think I’m getting to grips with my injections and I’ve just started carb counting! Does your son use a continuous glucose monitor or does he prick his finger? I’m going to college in September so I’ve made an appointment with my councillor so I can have support! Thank you again x

 

[Lexie123]

Plus you are a brave superstar

Thank you! I am honestly really proud of myself for getting through my GCSE’s! X

 

[kitedoc]

Congrats. Now see how your bsls settle out !!
but I am sorry to say at the moment that alcohol as part of a celebration is best avoided !!!
Now you have more time to come to grips with this bear of a condition !!
Ask away, no question is too simple or obvious, we have all been there at some time !!!

 

[GlitterSparkles]

Hi I am feeling a bit overwhelmed as I have just been diagnosed with Type 1. I am right in the middle of my GCSEs and my sugars are all over the place. Still in shock and I am wondering if anyone has experience or advice.

hi I was also diagnosed recently and i am also a bit overwhelmed but I know it's hard and I know you will get through this time might not always be easy but I know I just know you will get through this, Good luck with the GCSE'S

 

[knipster]

hiya, ive just finished my gcses after being diagnosed just before mocks in september so pm me if you have any questions x