Recently Diagnosed - Looking for Advice

Rhys.

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello All,

I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks. I have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and would really appreciate some help & advice from those who have also been in my position. I'm 29, fairly fit and have a highly stressful job.

Around two and half weeks ago, I noticed a constant need to drink and then immediately need the toilet, this would get extreme at night. After a bit of research, I scheduled a doctor to give me call. He requested that I give samples the next working day, in which I did and received a call within 20 minutes afterwards regarding my Keytones. They were apparently 1.3 and he told me to go to the hospital the very same day...

My blood sugars on Monday at hospital, were between 26 and 33.2. They seemed a bit confused whether it was type 1 or type 2 at first, as I was feeling energetic and normal, despite the constant dehydration. Eventually, this lead to me being diagnosed as type 1 the past few days, in which I am gutted, but all your topics give me some light at the end of this tunnel.

I am currently taking 10 units of levemir, one in the morning and one at night. I am also instructed to take 2 units of novorapid before meals consisting of more than 15g of carbohydrates. My morning blood sugars, are ranging now between 10.4 and 14.6.

Before I go sleep, my blood sugars are ranging betwen 17.8 and 24.4. These figures as consistent and I started my insulin 15 days ago today. I am rarely doing my novorapids if I am honest, but the levemirs are always twice a day. Novorapids are probably 1 - 2 a day at best. My keytones today, were 0.3. I'm not sure if this is good progression.

Why does it feel like Novorapid doesn't work with me? It seems to rise blood sugars? Anyone else had issues with it?
I am alternating positions of injections in stomach, but are the legs and upper bum a necessity?
I am told not to exercise / weightlift at this moment, but that's not me, anyone told the same?
Why are my morning, early afternoon and late afternoon blood sugars a lot lower, but before bed are not? ( I eat more carbs earlier in the day if I am honest )
How long was your transition to normal blood sugars take from them being what they were? ( Currently 15 days into insulin treatment myself )


I've finally managed to psychologically get my head round this as a routine for the rest of my life, which was the hardest thing. But I ain't able to see my doctor / nurse in person for at least a month due to lockdown. Could anyone give me some solid advice and precautions during this diagnosis and early start of insulin period.

Sorry to go on. This just seems to be the best place for answers. It will be interesting to see input from others who have gone through maybe the same process.

Stay safe all!
 

urbanracer

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,186
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Not being able to eat as many chocolate digestives as I used to.
Hello All,

I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks. I have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and would really appreciate some help & advice from those who have also been in my position. I'm 29, fairly fit and have a highly stressful job.

Around two and half weeks ago, I noticed a constant need to drink and then immediately need the toilet, this would get extreme at night. After a bit of research, I scheduled a doctor to give me call. He requested that I give samples the next working day, in which I did and received a call within 20 minutes afterwards regarding my Keytones. They were apparently 1.3 and he told me to go to the hospital the very same day...

My blood sugars on Monday at hospital, were between 26 and 33.2. They seemed a bit confused whether it was type 1 or type 2 at first, as I was feeling energetic and normal, despite the constant dehydration. Eventually, this lead to me being diagnosed as type 1 the past few days, in which I am gutted, but all your topics give me some light at the end of this tunnel.

I am currently taking 10 units of levemir, one in the morning and one at night. I am also instructed to take 2 units of novorapid before meals consisting of more than 15g of carbohydrates. My morning blood sugars, are ranging now between 10.4 and 14.6.

Before I go sleep, my blood sugars are ranging betwen 17.8 and 24.4. These figures as consistent and I started my insulin 15 days ago today. I am rarely doing my novorapids if I am honest, but the levemirs are always twice a day. Novorapids are probably 1 - 2 a day at best. My keytones today, were 0.3. I'm not sure if this is good progression.

Why does it feel like Novorapid doesn't work with me? It seems to rise blood sugars? Anyone else had issues with it?
I am alternating positions of injections in stomach, but are the legs and upper bum a necessity?
I am told not to exercise / weightlift at this moment, but that's not me, anyone told the same?
Why are my morning, early afternoon and late afternoon blood sugars a lot lower, but before bed are not? ( I eat more carbs earlier in the day if I am honest )
How long was your transition to normal blood sugars take from them being what they were? ( Currently 15 days into insulin treatment myself )


I've finally managed to psychologically get my head round this as a routine for the rest of my life, which was the hardest thing. But I ain't able to see my doctor / nurse in person for at least a month due to lockdown. Could anyone give me some solid advice and precautions during this diagnosis and early start of insulin period.

Sorry to go on. This just seems to be the best place for answers. It will be interesting to see input from others who have gone through maybe the same process.

Stay safe all!

Hi and welcome to the forums,

We aren't really allowed to give advice about dosing so anything you are told here will have to be fairly generalised.

Why do you say that Novorapid raises your blood glucose - what are your typical readings before eating, 2 hrs after eating and what are you actually eating? Why are you only taking Novorapid rarely?

As a new T1 you are probably experiencing something called the Honeymoon Phase. The extra insulin that you're injecting gives your pancreas a little rest and it can start to sporadically produce small amounts of insulin. This makes glucose levels quite difficult to control for anything upto a couple of months on average. For some people it can last longer.

For myself, I usually do my long acting insulin in my legs and short acting in my stomach. You are going to be doing a lot of injections over the next few years so it's important to spread the injection sites out and prevent soreness.

Sudden strenuous exercise can raise blood glucose which is kind of like a stress response. You'll get used to managing this with experience and maybe that's why you've been told not to exercise. I find that more gentle exercise like a brisk walk has a beneficial lowering effect on blood glucose.
 

Lowcarb 2

Well-Known Member
Messages
99
Type of diabetes
Type 1.5
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello All,

I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks. I have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and would really appreciate some help & advice from those who have also been in my position. I'm 29, fairly fit and have a highly stressful job.

Around two and half weeks ago, I noticed a constant need to drink and then immediately need the toilet, this would get extreme at night. After a bit of research, I scheduled a doctor to give me call. He requested that I give samples the next working day, in which I did and received a call within 20 minutes afterwards regarding my Keytones. They were apparently 1.3 and he told me to go to the hospital the very same day...

My blood sugars on Monday at hospital, were between 26 and 33.2. They seemed a bit confused whether it was type 1 or type 2 at first, as I was feeling energetic and normal, despite the constant dehydration. Eventually, this lead to me being diagnosed as type 1 the past few days, in which I am gutted, but all your topics give me some light at the end of this tunnel.

I am currently taking 10 units of levemir, one in the morning and one at night. I am also instructed to take 2 units of novorapid before meals consisting of more than 15g of carbohydrates. My morning blood sugars, are ranging now between 10.4 and 14.6.

Before I go sleep, my blood sugars are ranging betwen 17.8 and 24.4. These figures as consistent and I started my insulin 15 days ago today. I am rarely doing my novorapids if I am honest, but the levemirs are always twice a day. Novorapids are probably 1 - 2 a day at best. My keytones today, were 0.3. I'm not sure if this is good progression.

Why does it feel like Novorapid doesn't work with me? It seems to rise blood sugars? Anyone else had issues with it?
I am alternating positions of injections in stomach, but are the legs and upper bum a necessity?
I am told not to exercise / weightlift at this moment, but that's not me, anyone told the same?
Why are my morning, early afternoon and late afternoon blood sugars a lot lower, but before bed are not? ( I eat more carbs earlier in the day if I am honest )
How long was your transition to normal blood sugars take from them being what they were? ( Currently 15 days into insulin treatment myself )


I've finally managed to psychologically get my head round this as a routine for the rest of my life, which was the hardest thing. But I ain't able to see my doctor / nurse in person for at least a month due to lockdown. Could anyone give me some solid advice and precautions during this diagnosis and early start of insulin period.

Sorry to go on. This just seems to be the best place for answers. It will be interesting to see input from others who have gone through maybe the same process.

Stay safe all!
When

I ended up in a day unit having tests and more to be told at the end of the day that medication wasn,t enough and that I needed insulin a five minute instruction with a pen and fake gel pad and told to go home and start the next day, from using this forum i was less apprehensive about doing it and knew it was for the best i originally use my stomach only i have been told anywhere a few inches either side of belly button and from there up to my ribs a wide area, but recently have gone from slow release to fast and slow release insulin thus using three to four times a day, so rotate between one side to the either and my thigh, it is preference but you will find after a while a slight jelly belly but on the plus side your body gets used to the needle and it no longer hurts
 
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Bishop

Well-Known Member
Messages
48
Hello
When I was diagnosed it took about 1-2 weeks for the BS to get down to normal but I was progressively changing my dosages every day and every meal until I got it right. All I did was under my doctor's supervision which learned me everything, we were talking over the phone every time it was necessary and any time, day or night.
First I used the same meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When you keep the same foods and tweak Novo Rapid slowly you begin to figure it out. Now all I did wasn't in the UK, over here you will never get such a treatment, they are very rigid, unfortunately. Now for you, it's even worse because we are in this lockdown.
When they will tell you how to increase the dosages your BS will start to come down, now with 2 units of Novo Rapid for a full meal, it's hard to bring it down. You will have to talk to them and ask them to help you somehow.
Good luck!
 

F1nola

Member
Messages
5
Hello All,

I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks. I have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and would really appreciate some help & advice from those who have also been in my position. I'm 29, fairly fit and have a highly stressful job.

Around two and half weeks ago, I noticed a constant need to drink and then immediately need the toilet, this would get extreme at night. After a bit of research, I scheduled a doctor to give me call. He requested that I give samples the next working day, in which I did and received a call within 20 minutes afterwards regarding my Keytones. They were apparently 1.3 and he told me to go to the hospital the very same day...

My blood sugars on Monday at hospital, were between 26 and 33.2. They seemed a bit confused whether it was type 1 or type 2 at first, as I was feeling energetic and normal, despite the constant dehydration. Eventually, this lead to me being diagnosed as type 1 the past few days, in which I am gutted, but all your topics give me some light at the end of this tunnel.

I am currently taking 10 units of levemir, one in the morning and one at night. I am also instructed to take 2 units of novorapid before meals consisting of more than 15g of carbohydrates. My morning blood sugars, are ranging now between 10.4 and 14.6.

Before I go sleep, my blood sugars are ranging betwen 17.8 and 24.4. These figures as consistent and I started my insulin 15 days ago today. I am rarely doing my novorapids if I am honest, but the levemirs are always twice a day. Novorapids are probably 1 - 2 a day at best. My keytones today, were 0.3. I'm not sure if this is good progression.

Why does it feel like Novorapid doesn't work with me? It seems to rise blood sugars? Anyone else had issues with it?
I am alternating positions of injections in stomach, but are the legs and upper bum a necessity?
I am told not to exercise / weightlift at this moment, but that's not me, anyone told the same?
Why are my morning, early afternoon and late afternoon blood sugars a lot lower, but before bed are not? ( I eat more carbs earlier in the day if I am honest )
How long was your transition to normal blood sugars take from them being what they were? ( Currently 15 days into insulin treatment myself )


I've finally managed to psychologically get my head round this as a routine for the rest of my life, which was the hardest thing. But I ain't able to see my doctor / nurse in person for at least a month due to lockdown. Could anyone give me some solid advice and precautions during this diagnosis and early start of insulin period.

Sorry to go on. This just seems to be the best place for answers. It will be interesting to see input from others who have gone through maybe the same process.

Stay safe all!
 
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F1nola

Member
Messages
5
Hello
I would urge you to take a deep breath. Like you I was diagnosed late for T1 at 23. I am now 50. From what you are saying you using your intellect and common sense to try to understand and manage your blood glucose levels.
It seems your clinicians are trying to stabilise and understand your BM and despite advances in medicine diabetes is still quite less understood. It will take time to get used to it. Be kind to yourself that's the fist thing. Try and take note of what raises your BM. It's going to be carbs but there are lots of kinds of carbs so milk has carbs and so to does broccoli etc. So it isn't just about sugary foods. Stress and menstruation will also increase your BM. Excerise will lower your blood glucose but for example if I swim my blood glucose will almost go immediately but if I ride a bike it can be up to 12 hours later.
So it's all about trying and monitoring.
It really shouldn't and won't ruin your life.
You also need to be aware that the advice changes constantly so you need think about it as fluidly as possible. I wish someone had told me that I was rigid and the advice I was given when really I should have had it in the back of mind listening and adapting my own diabetes management.
I do hope that helps, if you worried contact your specialist nurse these guys really are the experts
 

mattrix

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
It took me months, if not years to consistently get figures near 5-6 mmol/L.

Like you I was told to take 2 units every time I eat. This was not enough for me but just when I thought I had a handle on things, my pancreas would decide the holiday was over and I'd have unexpected hypos. This is probably why they start at 2 units, better to be a bit high than too low.

The levimir is not supposed to cover BGs after food, so if you eat and don't take novorapid to cover the carbs your BG's will be high.

I also suffer from Dawn Phenomenon/insulin resistance in the morning, which means my insulin doesn't work well in the morning, my BG's are higher, but does work better in the afternoon/evening, my BG's are lower.
 
Last edited:

Rhys.

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello All,

Just want to say thank you for your messages. Really appreciate the advice and input, it has gone a long way.

My blood sugars have come down recently. I am waking up between 6 and 8.8 mmo/L on average. Sometimes I am going bed with scores around 12 mmo/L ( highest ), but this is due to my poor judgement of novorapids if I am honest. I also eat dinner very late now. The understanding of it all, is getting there.

Overall my blood sugars are heading in the right direction and I do feel I have alot more control over diabetes now. I am seeing alot more 5s and 6s than anything nowdays! Almost there I think.
 

Wayward Blood

Well-Known Member
Messages
77
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi Rhys, it's great that you're getting the hang of things. A few years back someone showed me this video, which was revolutionary for me. If you want the opportunity for amazing blood glucose control, it's well worth watching. The speaker, Dr Troy Stapleton, is a Type 1 Diabetic diagnosed in adulthood, who regularly engages in exercise (and did before his diagnosis as well).

All the best!

 
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Fairygodmother

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,045
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bigotry, reliance on unsupported 'facts', unkindness, unfairness.
Good morning @Rhys, it’s good news that your blood sugars are beginning to look good, between 5 and is 6 great!
Have you had any more contact with any medics? Maybe you could ask your GP to see if the Diabetes Specialist Nurse could ring you.
I was diagnosed many years ago, fifty + to be exact, and things were different then, but I think these days people tend to let two to three months pass while a new Type One and their endocrine system adjusts to having some exogenous insulin in the system. In the meantime, are you keeping any records? If you jot down the blood sugars you wake with, your readings before meals, the grams of carbohydrate in the meal, the amount of insulin you take, and your blood sugar readings two or three hours after meals, plus your blood sugar before bed, then it’ll be far far easier for whoever his tasked with finding the right dose of insulin for you once this initial phase has passed. Adding the time of each note will help too. I know it seems like lots more to burden you with at the moment, but with any luck you’ll eventually use a Dexcom or an Abbott Freestyle Libre and an app to do it all electronically. There are some pretty good carbohydrate counting apps around too, I use Carbs and Cals, it isn’t perfect, and others may have found better ones, but it provides a good basis, plus all the product labels. Things certainly have changed for the better for us in the last fifty years.
The Diabetes Consultant I see said back in March that he’d be doing consultations by phone for a year, so you may need to email any records to whoever you are linked with. Has your hospital got a Diabetes Clinic?
Good luck, and well done so far.
 

Fairygodmother

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,045
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bigotry, reliance on unsupported 'facts', unkindness, unfairness.
Oh, and an afterthought, an important afterthought @Rhys. Did they tell you about hypos, when your blood sugars go lower than the levels your brain and body function well at? I don’t want to worry you, quite the reverse, but now that you’re seeing lower sugars it’s good to be prepared.
If they fall lower you may find that you feel sweaty, confused, garrulous, extra energetic, anxious, aggressive, all symptoms of a brain that’s starved of the glucose it needs to function normally.
Most of us carry a quick fix of glucose with us. For me it’s jelly babies (one jelly baby = 5 grams of glucose/carbohydrate), for some it’s glucotabs. We use it as a way of getting back to normal as swiftly as we can, and have them in our pockets, in our bags, in a desk drawer, by our beds, and heaven help anyone who tries to nick them.
It can take some minutes to recover from a hypo, and it’s best to tell people not to expect you to just carry on as normal. People are generally very understanding about it.
Don’t worry, Type One life isn’t all taking notes, counting carbs and recovering from bouts of being barmy. We do have a good, near normal, existence too.
 

F1nola

Member
Messages
5
Hello. Novorapid is your fast acting the other is slow acting and normally is used to sit in the background. I would suggest you speak to a diabetic nurse so the idea is you background insulin is there happy sitting there I take mine every 24hrs the novo rapid is used for you food or carb intake. I count carbs and ratio it against my insulin so if I have an orange I know they are super high in glucose so I would work out the carbs and take insulin. Even if you are on a low carb diet most veg and fruit even milk has carbs so you need to take you’re nova-rapid for them. Ask can you have training for carb counting I think this will make it clear also it means you can learn how your body responds to exercise.
if you take insulin remember it takes 2-5 hours for rapid to finish working. Remember your BM will rise with stress, infections, and hormones as well as host of all other things. I’m sure you know never add insulin outside of you eating.
Hope all goes well