40 years ago this week i was taken into hospital after the family gp told me i had diabetes, i was 7 years old and thought it was a big adventure, ive had good and bad times over the years times when i wanted to be like everyone else times when ive thought why me, looking back my life has been good 3 great kids 2 beautifull grandchildren and a wonderfull partner, im in good health and have a decent job, so try and manage your diabetes and stay well until they cure us and remember, theres always someone worse off.
40 years a diabetic
- Thread starter sheepseyes69
- Start Date
WELL DONE on the 40 years.Fantastic.
Me- I feel absolutely great as well.Just the thought of more foot surgery to clear the bone infection. I will post to let you know.
Thanks for the support.
Marty B
Me- I feel absolutely great as well.Just the thought of more foot surgery to clear the bone infection. I will post to let you know.
Thanks for the support.
Marty B
Congratulations on the 40 year of looking after yourself. Well done.
I've just signed up to this forum after seeing your post.
I've just signed up to this forum after seeing your post.
I too have been insulin dependant for 41 years, and like yourself been through good and bad.
I'm just about to switch from syringes to the pen system, and after such a long time am a little aprehensive.
I'll bet you and I have seen some changes in the way diabetes is treated, and could share some interesting stories.
I'm just about to switch from syringes to the pen system, and after such a long time am a little aprehensive.
I'll bet you and I have seen some changes in the way diabetes is treated, and could share some interesting stories.
Hi Sarah, would you mind telling me how long have you been using the pen system?
Any tips for someone starting on it after using the syringes twice a day?
Any tips for someone starting on it after using the syringes twice a day?
Thanks Sarah
I had the same thoughts to the pen regarding the number of jabs per day, but recently I've found that I had to give myself an extra dose of Actrapid to bring down a high blood sugar reading.
The hospital gave me the pen a year ago, but I didn't feel comfortable with it at the time.
The problems I've been having in the last year or so is hypos in the night, and not recognising the signs of a hypo coming. Having had the illness for so long I think my body has built a kind of immunity to the warning signs. Either that or I've gotten so used it I tend not to take so much notice subconsciously.
My check up with the specialist was on Weds. My HbA1c = 7 as it did the previous visit so they're fairly pleased with my control. I read about people who have a lower HbA1c, and imo better control although I believe that everyone is different, and what works for one may not be the same for another, but you can draw some guidelines up in comparison.
So, here I am with the new pens sitting in the fridge awaiting me to start the new system.
The long acting insulin in the pen is a better one than my current Insulatard. (Currently mixing Actrapid & Insulatard in syringe twice a day) The doctor said that the pen one will last for 22hrs - why it's not 24 I don't know.
Anyway, I'm happy with that as my blood sugars are all over the place, and I'd like to try to get them more constant. As for the jabbing yourself (they've told me 3 times a day) with the rapid one, it's just something I'll have to get used to, and this time next year I won't really think about it.
Before I was on the Insulatard I was taking Monotard. This was discontinued and so I was switched to Insulatard. At the time I discovered that they're phasing out the insulin vials and by 2012 they want everyone to be on the pen system.
One thing that concerns me as I'm sure it does anyone else is making sure that your supplies are always available. This is where my local GP comes into play, and the problems I've had with him are for another topic.
I had the same thoughts to the pen regarding the number of jabs per day, but recently I've found that I had to give myself an extra dose of Actrapid to bring down a high blood sugar reading.
The hospital gave me the pen a year ago, but I didn't feel comfortable with it at the time.
The problems I've been having in the last year or so is hypos in the night, and not recognising the signs of a hypo coming. Having had the illness for so long I think my body has built a kind of immunity to the warning signs. Either that or I've gotten so used it I tend not to take so much notice subconsciously.
My check up with the specialist was on Weds. My HbA1c = 7 as it did the previous visit so they're fairly pleased with my control. I read about people who have a lower HbA1c, and imo better control although I believe that everyone is different, and what works for one may not be the same for another, but you can draw some guidelines up in comparison.
So, here I am with the new pens sitting in the fridge awaiting me to start the new system.
The long acting insulin in the pen is a better one than my current Insulatard. (Currently mixing Actrapid & Insulatard in syringe twice a day) The doctor said that the pen one will last for 22hrs - why it's not 24 I don't know.
Anyway, I'm happy with that as my blood sugars are all over the place, and I'd like to try to get them more constant. As for the jabbing yourself (they've told me 3 times a day) with the rapid one, it's just something I'll have to get used to, and this time next year I won't really think about it.
Before I was on the Insulatard I was taking Monotard. This was discontinued and so I was switched to Insulatard. At the time I discovered that they're phasing out the insulin vials and by 2012 they want everyone to be on the pen system.
One thing that concerns me as I'm sure it does anyone else is making sure that your supplies are always available. This is where my local GP comes into play, and the problems I've had with him are for another topic.
Hi Sarah
When putting in my repeat prescription about 6 months ago I collected it from the chemist only to discover there was no Actrapid.
I went back to the GP and queried this only to be told that it had been discontinued. What happened was that they changed the name to just 'Actrapid' rather than 'Human Actrapid'. As a result of this the GP's computer was saying that the insulin was discontinued.
I couldn't believe this so I rang Novo Nordisk UK, and they told me that Actrapid was definitely still available (didn't tell me about the name change) and would be for the foreseeable future.
It was my pharmacist who told me about the name change, and she also said that they're planning on phasing out the vials by 2012.
I have to go and see her on Monday so will ask where she got that info from if you like.
It's very interesting for me to be able to talk to other people with diabetes. I've been an internet user for many years, but have been reluctant to use it for researching about my complaint probably because I was frightened of what I might find. Silly man I can hear the readers thinking - yes I know, but the fact that I'm on here talking with you shows that maybe I've had a change of heart.
I've been right through these forums and find them very interesting reading. I did a search and found quite a few others but this one looked to me to be the best.
I hear what you're saying about other people spending time in A&E. Fortunately I haven't had to do any of that, it's just been the last year I've been having more problems with hypos than ever before.
When putting in my repeat prescription about 6 months ago I collected it from the chemist only to discover there was no Actrapid.
I went back to the GP and queried this only to be told that it had been discontinued. What happened was that they changed the name to just 'Actrapid' rather than 'Human Actrapid'. As a result of this the GP's computer was saying that the insulin was discontinued.
I couldn't believe this so I rang Novo Nordisk UK, and they told me that Actrapid was definitely still available (didn't tell me about the name change) and would be for the foreseeable future.
It was my pharmacist who told me about the name change, and she also said that they're planning on phasing out the vials by 2012.
I have to go and see her on Monday so will ask where she got that info from if you like.
It's very interesting for me to be able to talk to other people with diabetes. I've been an internet user for many years, but have been reluctant to use it for researching about my complaint probably because I was frightened of what I might find. Silly man I can hear the readers thinking - yes I know, but the fact that I'm on here talking with you shows that maybe I've had a change of heart.
I've been right through these forums and find them very interesting reading. I did a search and found quite a few others but this one looked to me to be the best.
I hear what you're saying about other people spending time in A&E. Fortunately I haven't had to do any of that, it's just been the last year I've been having more problems with hypos than ever before.
