Diagnosed Yesterday [emoji30]

[clare-marie108]

Hi Claire, I think I know exactly what you are going through. When I was diagnosed I ended up in hospital for the first 24 hours whilst an insulin drip brought my glucose levels right down. I left hospital with a novarapid/lantus regime and was told to 'eat what I normally eat' so that they could gauge how MY body was responding to carbs and the insulin.

I did some research and of course found that my 'normal' eating contained too many carbs (not so much the obvious sugary rubbish like sweets etc, although I did eat some) but my 'normal' foods of wholemeal toast/pasta and a few too many ready made processed foods.

I am slim, very active, run a lot, don't smoke or drink so they couldn't really bang on too much about 'lifestyle' although they tried to. Anyway, I immediately cut out ALL processed food, and ALL the rubbish, obviously sugary stuff which are high carbs naturally and not healthy for anyone.

I continued with my toast/porridge for breakfast and my other normal foods, and the rest of the time, measured out very small portions of pasta now and again. I did this for the first few months and then after around 3 months (when I was more knowlegable and confident) I did away with the foods I KNEW raised my levels, ie, the porridge etc. Now I know you don't have to and type 1s can balance it with insulin but that is a personal choice. I don't think you should go cold turkey as it were right now because you do not know how your actions will affect the regime you are currently on and you don't want to risk having a hypo/hyper. Take it slowly.

My point being, please do not rush to immediately go 'low carb', it takes time for your glucose levels to settle/for your insulin doses to become correct and for YOU to come to terms with what's going on. Your low fat cheese sandwich will higher your levels, not the cheese but the bread. Please research foods because I (who thought I was a know it all about healthy foods) was almost ignorant on foods that massively raise levels. Hope this helps.

 

[clare-marie108]

Oh dear, this is becoming a more complicated food choice discussion than I think @Claire-marie108 needs at this point. We each choose what suits us.

Like I said earlier, we’re all different. We each make our own way. As I see it, the important thing is to find what suits us personally and as long as we stay happy and healthy then go with it.

Let us know what happens on Monday Claire-Marie.

 

[clare-marie108]

Thank you Fairygodmother

I’m waiting on the nurse to call me back, my bg just keeps rising during the day until I take my evening insulin, I think after reading everyone’s advice I probably need to be on the one for each meal time (not sure what it’s called) instead of Novomix....

Thanks again x

 

[clare-marie108]

I was diagnosed in October 2014. It took my GP surgery 9 months to decide it was Diabetes. In that time I’d lost 18lbs, half my head hair, my gums had receded, I endured mind numbing leg and foot cramps and my skin went paper thin. Having a diagnosis was a relief. Once I was under the care of the hospital team all was well. My finger prick blood glucose number was 28 before eating at diagnosis. Hospitalisation wasn’t necessary. Initially I too was put on fixed doses but as I was going on an Xmas cruise within 2 months they gave me the accu-chek aviva expert, a copy of carbs & cals, set up my initial ratios on my meter and sent me on my way. Never looked back. While I was on fixed doses I found myself eating to the injection. ie eating only enough carbs to suit the amount of insulin so I didn’t go wildly high or low. As soon as I started carb counting I began to experiment. The nurses were thrilled about the cruise because it would allow me to try loads of different foods to see how they affected my blood glucose levels. As regards the emotional side the psychologist took us through a whole range of feeling we might experience. Grief was one. Anger another. I was never angry - frustrated yes - definitely! My main emotions were extreme surprise and vast gratitude that I’d made to 56 before I became T1! Best advice my specialist nurse gave me was to not expect perfection - just do your best. The Bournemouth team are amazing and I’m very lucky.

 

[clare-marie108]

Wow... 9months is a long time...
I’m becoming obsessed with checking food packets and I’m eating the right stuff but my levels are increasing during the day!! Wasn’t impressed with my partner scoffing one of the kids Easter eggs last night, with how my levels are rising, I wish I had joined him maybe he should take me on a cruise
I’m too going through mixed emotions, I go from really positive to feeling sorry for myself

Thank you for reaching out, much appreciated. X

 

[mountaintom]

Are you testing your bloods 2 hours after eating? Anytime before then is pointless.

 

[Sibyl]

Hi Sybil, you are very lucky. I was also 56!!!! (nearly 57 now). Never got any access to a psychologist, did you have to request that?, just given the insulin and testing contraption and that was it! Luckily (in a way) I knew something of how it worked because my Mum had it.

Hi KK123, The Royal Bournemouth Hospital has a fabulous program. In the first year after diagnosis you are invited to attend 4 quarterly classes - Living with Diabetes. Although the main team attend all the classes each time it’s lead by a different expert. So DSN leads one, consultant leads another, dietician the next and the fourth the psychologist. All very friendly but extremely informative and supportive. No question too dumb and the team continually stress that we are to phone with any worries or questions. Our psychologist, Clair, says her door is always open. I’ve seen my consultant every 6 months but have now said I’m happy with once a year. They also put me on their BERTIE course and although I was already doing what they taught it’s always good to talk through stuff again. I can’t sing their praises enough and I think I’ve got that across to them as I get lots of hugs whenever I’m there! Lmao. I’ve been extremely lucky. Even so I perfectly understand clare-marie108’s fears and worries. IT definitely is scary but as with anything, you get used to it. I have to say that I still sometimes feel surprised laughter bubbling up inside when I inject! Guess part of me still can’t quite believe it.

 

[jayney27]

Hi Clare-Marie,
Welcome, you will find help and support here from lots of friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people.
Like you I was diagnosed out of the blue and it was a total shock. It took a few days before I could accept this new future but there is a future and hopefully, in time, you will see this. Of course it goes without saying I would prefer not to be diabetic, however I have made changes and seen results that I wouldn’t change now. From diagnosis to now, approx 4 months, I have lost over 3 stone, have more energy, take more exercise and although I had good skin before it is now like it was 20 plus years ago. There are some foods I miss but I have found some acceptable replacements and discovered a liking for new things and most days don’t feel like I’m missing out, too much. I consider myself lucky that I was given the chance to try diet alone, no meds, to control my diabetes and thankfully it’s seems to be working, I can’t say it’s been easy, I’ve had tearful days, frustrating says and angry days but I’ve also had happy days, those days when people who don’t know about my condition comment on my clear skin, weight loss etc and when I step on the scales and see a loss as I know I’m a tiny step closer to my levels being low enough to hopefully be classed as normal.
Good luck with your journey.

 

[clare-marie108]

I think you are right, and this is something the nurse will discuss with you on Monday, and why it is important to keep a detailed food diary and your levels alongside the food.

 

[clare-marie108]

I’ve spoken to a diabetic nurse and she’s seeing me in the morning, I read her my levels over the last two days and she’s changing or adding to my insulin tomorrow, I’ve still got to go on Monday but she feels I shouldn’t wait. I feel so much less anxious knowing I haven’t got to go all weekend like this

 

[clare-marie108]

Are you testing your bloods 2 hours after eating? Anytime before then is pointless.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I’ve spoken to a diabetic nurse and she’s seeing me in the morning, I read her my levels over the last two days and she’s changing or adding to my insulin tomorrow, I’ve still got to go on Monday but she feels I shouldn’t wait. I feel so much less anxious knowing I haven’t got to go all weekend like this

I am pleased for you. She will sort you in the morning and you can relax over the weekend.

 

[clare-marie108]

Hi, yes I am, I’ve spoken to a nurse and she’s seeing me tomorrow to change my insulin

 

[clare-marie108]

I’ve spoken to a nurse and they are seeing me tomorrow morning, she thinks I need more or different insulin, I feel less stressed now I know I’m being seen and haven’t got to go until Monday

Thanks for your advice xxx

 

[clare-marie108]

@Sibyl
I’ve spoke to the nurse this evening and after reading her my levels she’s seeing me in the morning and adding or changing my insulin, x