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A Few Questions And Concerns

H

Helzhelz

Member
Messages
8
hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with type 1 a couple of weeks ago. I’m over the initial shock but I seem to be obsessing a lot over numbers and things.

I was told to only test before meals, and a max 4 times a day. I have been worried about spikes in my sugars though as they can be up to 15 now. Am I right to be concerned about these and want to know about the numbers post meals? Is it unrealistic to want my numbers to be right most of the time?

I’m also quite anxious about hypos. I’m struggling to sleep at night because of worrying about what my sugars will do while I sleep. I found it strange at first that when I wake up after fasting, they’re often higher than when I go to bed. I understand the reasons behind that now.

I’ve also been having problems with blurred vision. That was one of the signs that led to my diagnosis but I read it would improve after being on insulin for a couple of weeks. It hasn’t. Does anyone have any personal experience of this? I have an eye screen next week which I’m terrified about. My dad has type 2 and he has to get regular injections in his eyes even though he eats really well and does his very best to control his diabetes. What should I expect to happen at this eye appointment?

I have only been started on 10 units of humulin I twice daily for now. It doesn’t seem enough. I have a first full appointment with the diabetic nurse at the GP surgery next week so no doubt i’ll get that changed. What else will they do at this appointment?

Also, isn’t it bloody annoying the comments you get from people? I’m no expert yet myself, but people seem to love to give you their advice and opinions, which all seem more suitable for type 2. Ugh!

Does this get easier after a while?

Thanks in advance.
 
Oh dear lord... Why didn't they put you on MDI?
 
Hello @Helzhelz and welcome.

Whereabouts are you ?

4 times a day is not enough, testing is key to good control, I can test up to 8 times a day so upon waking, before meals, before driving and if feeling unwell or exercising so some days more some days less.

Blurred vision is normal for a while after being diagnosed, your body is still adjusting.

Keep a diary and track your results, being able to see patterns and record foods eaten, insulin take and when is important for showing your team trends.

Switching to a bolus/basal routine would offer you more flexibility and better control so worthwhile chatting to your team about.
 
Took my eyes ages to sort themselves out when I was diagnosed last year. It's normal but not nice. I wear contact lenses and got through a lot of different strengths in the first 3 months.

Hopefully your DN will sort out your insulin vs food ratios when you are them. They like to start you off gently.
 
My eyes were ages sorting themselves out. It is very annoying isn’t it. You will get there in the end though.
I expect the eye test is for retinal screening. They will put drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils, then take photographs. Your results will come a couple of weeks later in the post. Drops sting a little but none of it hurts and it is all very quick. The most important thing is, no driving afterwards and wear sunglasses as those pupils will be very large. It settles down a couple of hours later.
 
My eyes took the best part of 3 months to correct the blurred vision - but part of that was caused by misdiagnosis (incorrect amounts of insulin). Things changed rapidly once I was getting the correct amount!

4 times a day testing sounds like the bare minimum to me. I test about 10 times a day when I have hypos, running etc. And I used to worry about night time hypos but they are something you learn to worry less about. I have had a few nights when I have had low suagr levels going to bed - in the range 3.7 (hypo) to 4.5. Several nights it has taken me 2-3 hours to get the levels above 5 - thasnk god for my friend dextrose! I worry more about night time hypos after nights like this but generally trust my body to let me know things are wrong. It does! The trick is to keep a test kit and dextrose very near the bed.

Since you like getting advice from experts (we all hate that!) I offer this tip: get a replacement meter and lancet device from your provider - they send them free - in case of equipment failure

Welcome to the forum and to the world of T1 - it's not all bad and this forum is great

Anne
 
The blurred vision when first diagnosed can take a few weeks to settle - reading glasses from the pound shop can sometimes help in the meantime.

The diabetic eye screening test can detect diabetic changes before eyesight is affected, at a stage when treatment is most effective. After a brief eye test (reading a chart), dilating drops are dropped into the eye (which stings a bit for some people) and when the pupils are dilated, photos are taken of the retina at the back of the eye. These photos are later examined by specialist and the results are sent in the post. Because diabetic retinopathy is a progressive disease and because type 1 develops so quickly, it is very unusual for someone with type 1 diabetes to develop any diabetic retinopathy within the first 5 years after diagnosis.

The best way to reduce the risk of developing sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy is to have good control of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.
 
Yes, it gets easier, but be prepared for it to take over your life. Managing type one is a full time job. If you can, get a continuous glucose monitor. You are less in the dark with this amazing invention. Best of luck. This first year is a year of learning. Your vision will straighten out as you learn how to work to decrease your sugar levels. My optometrist told me today my vision is better than last year...!?
 
I think about most type 1 diabetics have started like yourself, afraid, in doubt, worrying, panic.....when you first get diagnosed you need to cope with this on a mental level too. Accepting that live needs to be adjusted...for life. Questions like can i do this, or that, we all here went through these motions. But things will find its path and once you get more familiar with for instance testing you will find new ways to enjoy life to the fullest. I was diagnosed in the 80's and diabetic care came a long way since then. Your eyes will settle. I have a retina scan every year and luckily no issues yet. Have faith and if you need support, we are all here.
Believe me...it will get easier
 
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