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Hello from a Type1.

C-Mack

Well-Known Member
Messages
52
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone! After lurking for a couple of months and have found the advice here tremendously helpful, especially the varied opinions.

So a little bit about me and my diagnosis: my name is Candace, I am 38 years old and live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I was diagnosed Feb 23 this year. My A1c was 13%, fasting was just over 22 mmol. I was a size 0 and in denial that anything was wrong.

The diagnosis came as a surprise but in hindsight was obvious as I had all the symptoms. I was lucky as my family dr and internal medicine clinic thought it was type 1 however both times they sent me to the ER, the ER would disagree and release me saying type 2. It wasn't until I went to the diabetic clinic on Mar 4 that the educator said she had looked at my results, then reviewed my food and bs readings and disagreed with the ER docs. She made me pee on a ketones strip which quickly changed color, called the endo on call and then gave me my first shot of insulin.

On Mar 18 I saw an endocrinologist. His intern saw me first. When she asked what questions I had, I said just one... I wanted confirmation on type. She rolled her eyes and said evidently type 2 because of my age. The endo came in, sat down and said firstly, you are type 1. Then went over a bunch of info, most of which I had already read.

Early on I had joined a couple forums, the LCHF and gad results was the main advice I received. The endo said he didn't feel the gad was necessary as with his experience my presentation was inline with type 1 and didn't leave him with any doubts. This forum was the only one that had a variety of opinions and made me feel comfortable in how I was managing.

Soooo fast forward to this month. I am on 15 units levemir and counting carbs for novo rapid. My A1c done on the 15th was 6.5%! With only 3 hypos in that period!

The frustrations are there for sure but I have gotten over the desire of wanting to punch people in the face who say "you'll get used to it". And those that ask if I am off "the insulin" yet. Best was a friend at work asking "how much insulin do I give you if you go low?".

Thank you all for sharing your wisdom, experiences and frustrations which reassured me I was not alone. And a special thanks if you made it through my novel!

Candace
 
Hi Candace
What a tough time you have had... And basically diffeing diagnosis' due to age!! How ridiculous is that!!! And how unbelievable too.

So glad to hear that you have achieved such a fabulously lower good hba1c in such a short time.

Did you find reasons for tbe 3 hypo's?- they are just as critical for finding reasons or explanations for to avoid on a long term basis.

You are certainly not alone as there is another person on forum at the moment with a hubby that is undiagnosed.. But 12-25readings and I fear another person due to age that may fall into a diabetic, but difficult to diagnose (which type) bracket.

As treatments are so different I am glad that you have got the right treatment!!
 
Hi C_Mack

Welcome to the forums. So you've already had to deal with conflicting opinions of medics. I am 7 months in and they are still arguing about my 'type'.

Never mind, 'you'll get used to it':mad:
 
Donnellys - yep figured out the cause of the hypos pretty quickly because I am a bit ocd and write everything down. One was due to a few drinks and not adjusting the bolus correctly and the other two was when I was on antibiotics. Had to adjust the levemir down to 10 units at night to avoid them. Will say while on the antibiotics my bs readings were awesome!

Urbanracer - that bites big time! How are you managing?

I get using age to try to narrow the diagnosis down but at some point I would like to think that the docs actually stop and think, question themselves in their assumptions before just saying nope this is what you are. But from reading not too many do.
 
Donnellys - yep figured out the cause of the hypos pretty quickly because I am a bit ocd and write everything down. One was due to a few drinks and not adjusting the bolus correctly and the other two was when I was on antibiotics. Had to adjust the levemir down to 10 units at night to avoid them. Will say while on the antibiotics my bs readings were awesome!

Urbanracer - that bites big time! How are you managing?

I get using age to try to narrow the diagnosis down but at some point I would like to think that the docs actually stop and think, question themselves in their assumptions before just saying nope this is what you are. But from reading not too many do.

I quizzed my consultant over the diagnosis and the apparent lack of medical science. He basically said that I had presented with 'classic' T1 symptoms but with the initial diagnosis:- overweight and you're T2, slim and you're T1. I was at the hospital 2 weeks ago and I saw the consultant's junior, she is questioning my diagnosis and wants to have tests done. I don't know why they weren't done at the start but "whatever".
 
Hi. Sadly there is an assumption that if you are 'old' then you must be T2. My diabetes GP said the same 'You're not T1 therefore you must be T2' despite me never being overweight, lost weight at diagnosis and had little response to Gliclazide. These are all pointers to T1 and a failing pancreas. I'm still listed as a T2 but know that I'm a T1 (LADA). It's good to see that the latest Dec 2014 draft guideleines form the UK's NICE who set the standards advise that if a patient presents as slim whatever age then T2 should not be assumed. They also say that GAD and c-peptide tests shouldn't be routinely done as they are unnecessary (and cost money). Your intern like my newly trained GP are using out of date knowledge whereas your endo is using his experience. The treatment regimes go down similar paths except the tablets may be different and as you and I have found insulin is normally required eventually
 
Hi. Sadly there is an assumption that if you are 'old' then you must be T2. My diabetes GP said the same 'You're not T1 therefore you must be T2' despite me never being overweight, lost weight at diagnosis and had little response to Gliclazide. These are all pointers to T1 and a failing pancreas. I'm still listed as a T2 but know that I'm a T1 (LADA). It's good to see that the latest Dec 2014 draft guideleines form the UK's NICE who set the standards advise that if a patient presents as slim whatever age then T2 should not be assumed. They also say that GAD and c-peptide tests shouldn't be routinely done as they are unnecessary (and cost money). Your intern like my newly trained GP are using out of date knowledge whereas your endo is using his experience. The treatment regimes go down similar paths except the tablets may be different and as you and I have found insulin is normally required eventually

Well that is good to know, but it must mean that our GPS aren't acting upon NICE guidelines which is worrying...why else are they guessing and not treating properly?
 
Well that is good to know, but it must mean that our GPS aren't acting upon NICE guidelines which is worrying...why else are they guessing and not treating properly?
Good question. I think that's why they are called 'General Practioners'. They are good at coping with a very wide range of patient problems but no way can they keep up with expertise in any one problem area other than by exception. I wonder how many diabetes DNs and GPs have had the time or inclination to read the new NICE draft DEC 2014 guidelines as there are a few changes in stress.
 
Good question. I think that's why they are called 'General Practioners'. They are good at coping with a very wide range of patient problems but no way can they keep up with expertise in any one problem area other than by exception. I wonder how many diabetes DNs and GPs have had the time or inclination to read the new NICE draft DEC 2014 guidelines as there are a few changes in stress.

Totally agree. All their QOF/DES targets change so regularly... And these are their pay packets... How can they keep up with NICE too?

On top of diabetes the have all the other disease like dentia with the otherbtargets to reach (and payments) so I am sure NICE are secondary.
 
Urbanracer - by wants to, does that mean she is going to get them done or does she need her superiors approval?

Daibell- it is sad that costs can get in the way, do the tests now and save money down the road from complications or hospitalization because of dka. I am very great fun to have lucked upon up to date docs.

Donnelly - it would be impossible to keep up with it all, the ones that frustrate me are those that don't listen or seek second opinions if they are in doubt. One of the docs at the ER seemed more concerned with his hair than he did on really evaluating what was wrong with me. That isn't someone who can't keep up but rather some arrogant ***** who thinks he knows it all.

Patsy and add - thanks for the welcome!
 
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