Hypos? Newly diagnosed t1

[louiisehelen]

Hi I'm a recently diagnosed type one. End of February. O was actually diagnosed while on holiday in new Zealand. They gave me enough info till I got back home into the UK. Since I have been back home I have not actually seen a specialist.

This past week I have been having more hypos, they're mainly after I've eaten, but I'm eating the same kind of meals and they've not happened this regularly before.

I actually have no clue how to match how much insulin to how many carbs etc. So I am just a bit trial and error at the moment.

I was wondering what other people experiences were like and if anyone has any advice.

Thanks

 

[catapillar]

Well, that's an exciting holiday

Have you seen your GP since you've been home - they will need to refer you to the endocrinologist. You shouldn't really be having to wait as a newly diagnosed type 1. In the meantime, find the number for your local hospital's diabetic specialist nurse team and see if they will help out while you are waiting to see the doctor - they should, you just need to get on their radar.

What insulins are you using?

 

[azure]

Hi @louiisehelen

Have you spoken to your GP and asked for a referral to a specialist? There should be a Diabetic Centre in a hospital near you with consultants and Diabetes Specialist Nurses. You'll find them a lot of help, I think.

As for carb counting, it's not as hard as people think. I was taught the basis by a dietician when I was diagnosed and, believe me, I knew nothing! You can ask to go on the DAFNE course and in the meantime do some learning yourself. You should be able to learn a lot just by eating measured meals and testing two hours after. By 'measured' I mean weighed amounts of carbs like potatoes and pasta, etc. Then if your blood sugar is ok two hours after, you know you have a good idea of the dose for that meal.

It's impossible to get control without carb counting.

Try to sort (or improve) one meal at a time. I'd start on breakfast or lunch as they're the easiest.

Ask as many questions as you want

 

[louiisehelen]

Hi @louiisehelen

Have you spoken to your GP and asked for a referral to a specialist? There should be a Diabetic Centre in a hospital near you with consultants and Diabetes Specialist Nurses. You'll find them a lot of help, I think.

As for carb counting, it's not as hard as people think. I was taught the basis by a dietician when I was diagnosed and, believe me, I knew nothing! You can ask to go on the DAFNE course and in the meantime do some learning yourself. You should be able to learn a lot just by eating measured meals and testing two hours after. By 'measured' I mean weighed amounts of carbs like potatoes and pasta, etc. Then if your blood sugar is ok two hours after, you know you have a good idea of the dose for that meal.

It's impossible to get control without carb counting.

Try to sort (or improve) one meal at a time. I'd start on breakfast or lunch as they're the easiest.

Ask as many questions as you want

Thank you! I saw my gp and they referred me to the hospital, but that appointments not till the end of April.

I'm going to try adjusting it but it's a bit confusing when I have the same meal and it's fine one day but the next it's not.

 

[louiisehelen]

Well, that's an exciting holiday

Have you seen your GP since you've been home - they will need to refer you to the endocrinologist. You shouldn't really be having to wait as a newly diagnosed type 1. In the meantime, find the number for your local hospital's diabetic specialist nurse team and see if they will help out while you are waiting to see the doctor - they should, you just need to get on their radar.

What insulins are you using?

I know, I did get to enjoy a bit of it though.

I wen to see them and they referred me but the appointment is at the end of april.

I'm on novorapid and lantus.

 

[azure]

Thank you! I saw my gp and they referred me to the hospital, but that appointments not till the end of April.

I'm going to try adjusting it but it's a bit confusing when I have the same meal and it's fine one day but the next it's not.

Diabetes is a pain like that, so it's very rare something works perfectly day after day. There are other things affecting the blood sugar like hormones, stress, exercise, temperature, etc. But if you can get your after meal blood sugar in the right area most of the time then that'd be a good start

You may find certain times of the day are harder than others. Many people with diabetes find mornings hardest to control, for example.

It's early days and you will gradually learn what works for,you Diabetes is hard work so don't be discouraged.

 

[catapillar]

I wen to see them and they referred me but the appointment is at the end of april.

Do see if you can find a number for your DSN (diabetic specialist nurse) they should be happy to talk through adjustments etc on the phone, especially if you won't be seeing a doctor for another couple of weeks.

I agree with @azure , to a certain extent, it does sort of always stay trial and error, but while you are so newly diagnosed you should be getting support from you medical team, at least until you have the confidence & the knowledge to be doing it independently.

 

[GBS_82_]

This past week I have been having more hypos, they're mainly after I've eaten, but I'm eating the same kind of meals and they've not happened this regularly before.

Thanks

Hi @louiisehelen
It sounds like I was diagnosed almost exactly the same time as you! It's certainly an interesting experience!

My insulin sensitivity has varied quite a bit. What I did for the first few weeks was keep very strict notes. I worked on the assumption that I needed to start with about 1 unit of insulin per 10 grams of carbs. Basically I started with this and set my self a target of being 5.5mmoles/L four hours after eating. Anytime I was more than 1.5mmoles/L off this target, I did a more detailed analysis of why, to see if i could notice any trends.

Through doing this I changed my insulin rations, initially lowering them and then raising them again. This has not got me to a place where I take 1.5 units per 10gs of carb in the morning, 1 unit at lunch at 1.2 units in the evening. But of course it is not spot on.

Hope you get the support you need soon.

Gareth x