24 and newly diagnosed

Aminas119

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone
I have been diagnosed with T1 for about a week now, it came as a total surprise since I have been the first one in my family to diagnosed with it and I have cried my eyes out since... :/
Now after even been on strict diet my BM is showing some shocking figure between 15-27mml throughout the day, is it normal at the beginning?
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Aminas and welcome to the forum :) Please don't cry - you will get used to it and it won't seem so bad, and you have plenty of friends here who are in the same boat.
There will be some Type 1s along soon to answer your questions better than I can, being a Type 2.
In the meantime, here is some information I give to new members. Ask as many questions as you like as there is always someone here to answer you.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please sign our e-petition for free testing for all type 2's; here's the link:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/

Do get your friends and colleagues to sign as well.
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Those readings are far too high, I suggest you contact your diabetes team and discuss this with them.
 

snapper84

Member
Messages
16
I agree after a week you should be looking at a range well below that. Make sure you contact your DSN or Doctor and ensure that you test for ketones, if you do not have any testing strips most pharmacies will sell them until you are prescribed them.
 

Littleholls

Member
Messages
20
Hi

I was diagnosed t1 recently too. I'm 27. I would just like to reassure you, you do start to get your head around everything! I'm now three months down the line and getting there with the emotional side of it all!

What meds are you on? Initially, I was prescribed novomix30 but found it quite restrictive and my control wasnt too good. After a month or so I was given novorapid and levemir so that i could adjust according to my carb intake, which gave me more flexibility and much better control. This might be something to consider.

It's not easy, I know. Take care of yourself!
 

artofmany

Member
Messages
15
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
People who didn't leave the playground behind,
Food manufacturers who think sugar and preservatives need to be in everything
Hi

I'm 30, male, and was diagnosed a week ago with Type 1, and my levels have been around 9 - 16mmol/l since then, which apparently is to be expected at first. Anything above that would require an adjustment of your insulin intake. I'm currently sticking to what the nurses at QEII hospital (Welwyn Garden City) have recommended. They're very good there. In my first week I've been told to up my insulin twice to cope with my food intake (which is remarkably healthy now - that bit I've not struggled with too much). If you like humous, you're winning. If not, I'd suggest learning to love it :)

If you're still eating the same foods as you were before diagnosis, and those foods were high in carbs or contained sugar, that would lead to high blood sugar levels. Take aways like pizza would raise your levels quite high, it did with me even when taking insulin (levels went to 19mmol/l).

I'm on NovoRapid which I take with meals so I have different amounts of insulin depending on the meal and time of day, and I take Lantus as the baseline insulin each night before bed. It's been a mental minefield but it gets easier. I've really started to feel an emotional bond with my NovoRapid pen, for obvious reasons. This sounds a bit wacky but is a very natural way of dealing with stuff.
 

bibipro

Newbie
Messages
4
HI, my daughter was diagnosed at age 13 (2 yrs ago) and just after starting her cycles. It sent her world and ours into a tailspin at first. We went through bouts of anger and bitterness that led to a determination to not allow a condition to take over our lives. We are all helping her be in control of the Diabetes instead of it controlling her. We have all become healthier as a result of her "condition". We eat better and exercise more. It took about 6 months to get used to our new routines but in the end, my little girl has matured and developed into a young woman in charge of her life and filled with more compassion for others who are also struggling with Diabetes or other ailments. It is very hard at first so cut yourself some slack to allow for transitioning into a new way of living. It's perfectly fine, expected, and even healthy to do so. I'm in Miami and went to a training that the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) sponsors. I forgot the name of the program but the website should give you info on it. It taught us that this is not a giant that can't be controlled. We can learn to be in charge of it. Its a difficult at first but the more you learn about the condition and your own body, the more you will be in charge. There is a lot of info on supplements, ex. Vit D3, and Chromium, and Cinnamon, that can help with the management of glucose levels. As soon as my daughter was diagnosed, I went on line and learned as much as I could. Hopefully a cure will happen soon, at least for type 1. God bless you!
 

Hali

Newbie
Messages
3
Hi

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 2o years ago. I'm 29 years old and started with combinations of insulin injections to using a MiniMed pump. Then I switched to the OmniPod pump. My elder sister is also a Type 1 D.

I have had times where my levels were really great to times where they were not. This was when my emotions about the disease ( still waiting for a cure ) brought me into depression. In my 20 years with Type 1 I've really seen everything, including my share of heartbreak from developing complications. The best thing you can do for yourself is to go to a GREAT ENDOCRINEOLOGIST. With Type 1 it is crucial where if you are a Type 2 Diabetic you can get away with going to a GP doctor.

If anyone new to Type 1 or their family members would like to email me so that I can either help or just listen - let me know.

Good Luck, Hali
 

Catsymoo

Well-Known Member
Messages
297
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Having diabetes
Hi Aminas, I am 23 and got diagnosed a few months ago, believe me I know exactly how you feel. I was shocked as well since my diabetes was picked up on a pregnancy test at the doctors of all things.

At first it didn't sink in, then the reality came - it's for life. When the nurse gave me some medication to try and was telling me all this information like how to prick my finger, I felt bad. I cried all night, my parents were upset and shocked beyond belief. But do not consider it your enemy! Consider it your new best friend that is forcing you to eat healthily instead.

I know it's so hard to believe me right now, but trust me, soon all this will feel as normal and routine as showering or what have you. It is very normal to have high levels at the beginning. Some diabetics take years to get their levels stable. Even mine isn't that stable.

Since I am also new diagnosed and the same age, feel free to PM me and I'll tell you anything you want to know about starting out and how to deal with it all. It's very overwhelming and a LOT to take in.

Are you on insulin, Aminas? It can take a long time to adjust your dose if you are. I was put on Metformin and ate strict diet for a month because doctors thought I was some grey area between type 1 and type 2. I got figures like yours and was then put on insulin. If you aren't on insulin yet, don't fear it. Injecting it is nothing, trust me. Once your levels get down, you will be utterly amazed at how much better you feel, and how bad you really did feel before you treated your BG levels.

Also, I know it sounds weird, but consider yourself lucky that you are a type 1, not a type 2. Type 1 tends to show itself very fast and it's obvious you have it before it can do any real damage. Type 2 can go unnoticed for years and years. Also, if you are a type 1 and take insulin, you can eat more freely than people who just control it with diet. (no offense type 2s! :lol: )
 

Beanpole

Member
Messages
13
Hi
I've been type one for 19 years and the readings you are getting are to high. You will get variation especially in the early honeymoon phase but your readings are to high and as others have said you need to check your urine for ketones and definitely contact your diabetic specialist. You will find that you may need to make regular alterations for a while whilst its early days. I started off on two injection a day but quickly moved to four. The last year iv been on a pump but still have to adjust things.
All the best
Keri