- Messages
- 33
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
By chance in April this year, at the start of Covid pandemic, my doctor requested I be tested for diabetes, as I was experiencing coldness in my foot. I didn't give it a second thought, as I was used to having 3 monthly blood tests as I take Azathioprine for Chrohn's Disease. The day after the blood test, I had a phone call informing me I was diabetic, as my HBA1C was 49. I was completely shell shocked to say the least & was upset with myself. I then had my HBA1c tested in May & was told it had increased to 64. I attended an appointment with a diabetic nurse & was told I didn't fit in a box of being a type 1 or 2, so she would speak to my GP & seek advice from an endocrinologist. She gave me information on type 2 diabetes. By this point in time, I had lost 17 lbs in weight without changing anything & did feel unwell, suffering from fatigue & chronic brain fog. I knew my Chron's could cause fatigue & I usually worked through it, but I just didn't feel right. I had always looked after myself, eaten well, exercised & not drank alcohol for 6 months. The weeks seemed to be endless, waiting for any news, so I found out that the letter had been dictated, yet 8 weeks later there was no record of it. I saw my diabetes nurse & was given a blood glucose machine. Thankfully, I was refereed to an endocrinologist & had an appointment 3 days later in September. I was put straight on Gliclazide 40mg day & had a variety of blood tests including GAD antibody & C-peptide tests. My HBA1c increased to 68. I discovered Diabetes.uk & found it extremely helpful, as I was trying to research information on diabetes & found other peoples experiences helped me. I was lucky to be referred to a diabetes specialist nurse & I must admit, she is absolutely fantastic in providing support by phoning me every week & has seen me in her clinic this week. I had my Gliclazide increased to 40mg am & 20 mg pm, then 40mg am & 40 mg pm & then 40 mg am & 60 mg pm, as it was not bringing my blood glucose levels down. It was often between 10 to 12.7 before eating breakfast & would increase throughout the day. We were waiting on the antibody test results, which were completed 8 weeks ago. She tried numerous times to get these results & today I received the news, I was a type 1 diabetic, as I tested positive for GAD antibodies & am in the honeymoon period, as I am producing some insulin. So here I am on a new path in this ever changing world, so have been prescribed insulin, which I am due to collect tomorrow. If I was completely honest, I am trying to process it all, I'm shocked, gutted, scared & in one sense relieved I finally have an answer. .