Hi everyone,
OK, so this is my first post. I've actually been a member for over a year, and only occasionally visited the forum, but this past week I've had what I think is a wake-up call in terms of my diabetes management.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 almost exactly ten years ago, at the age of 30. I use Novorapid and Lantus, and I'm also taking Ramipril and Amlodipine for moderately raised blood pressure. Last week, however, I had the results of my annual retinal scan which informed me that there were some changes due to diabetes - though it also said that no immediate action was required. Naturally I immediately made an appointment to see my GP to get the precise details, and I'm seeing him on Friday...
Like I said, I think this is a wake-up call for me. The truth is I've had a sort of 'head-in-the-sand' attitude to my diabetes: I've tolerated highs and lows on an almost daily basis virtually since I was first diagnosed. I get my six-monthly checks, and last year I saw the nutritionist at my clinic, who gave me advice on carb counting. She gave me a huge pile of info on this topic, but I shelved it, telling myself I'd get round to it 'eventually'...
Of course there's never an 'eventually'... Until you face the day when you are given no choice. And that day has come for me, I believe. I simply HAVE NO CHOICE now but to manage my condition properly. In fact I have begun to do this with some success, as I've actually been counting my carbs for the past week and my glucose levels have been more stable than they've been in years... to my surprise and delight. But I simply cannot believe how irresponsible I've been... It would not be uncommon for my blood glucose to go up to 16 or 18mml, which I would usually 'treat' with a corrective insulin dose that would bring it down to 3 or even lower. :shock: I've recently read some scaaaaary stuff about a possible relation between hypoglycaemia and long-term cognitive impairment (even dementia), so who knows what damage I could have done, or laid the groundwork for...
I don't personally know anyone else who has diabetes. How crazy is that? Well, in all likelihood I do know people, but their condition is unknown to me... but I suspect getting in touch with and getting to know other people with this condition is in a way more important than any advice I might ever receive from a health professional. So here I am. Hello.
And I think what I'd really value more than anything is advice from people who, somehow, manage their diabetes with superlative skill. I mean, is it really possible to keep your glucose levels between, say, 5(ish) and 9-10(ish) most of the time? This would be at least my short-term goal (long-term even tighter?), but right now I'm a bit sceptical... But if anyone has that level of success and can tell me how they've achieved it obviously I'm all ears...
Regards, and many thanks in advance,
Chris
OK, so this is my first post. I've actually been a member for over a year, and only occasionally visited the forum, but this past week I've had what I think is a wake-up call in terms of my diabetes management.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 almost exactly ten years ago, at the age of 30. I use Novorapid and Lantus, and I'm also taking Ramipril and Amlodipine for moderately raised blood pressure. Last week, however, I had the results of my annual retinal scan which informed me that there were some changes due to diabetes - though it also said that no immediate action was required. Naturally I immediately made an appointment to see my GP to get the precise details, and I'm seeing him on Friday...
Like I said, I think this is a wake-up call for me. The truth is I've had a sort of 'head-in-the-sand' attitude to my diabetes: I've tolerated highs and lows on an almost daily basis virtually since I was first diagnosed. I get my six-monthly checks, and last year I saw the nutritionist at my clinic, who gave me advice on carb counting. She gave me a huge pile of info on this topic, but I shelved it, telling myself I'd get round to it 'eventually'...
Of course there's never an 'eventually'... Until you face the day when you are given no choice. And that day has come for me, I believe. I simply HAVE NO CHOICE now but to manage my condition properly. In fact I have begun to do this with some success, as I've actually been counting my carbs for the past week and my glucose levels have been more stable than they've been in years... to my surprise and delight. But I simply cannot believe how irresponsible I've been... It would not be uncommon for my blood glucose to go up to 16 or 18mml, which I would usually 'treat' with a corrective insulin dose that would bring it down to 3 or even lower. :shock: I've recently read some scaaaaary stuff about a possible relation between hypoglycaemia and long-term cognitive impairment (even dementia), so who knows what damage I could have done, or laid the groundwork for...
I don't personally know anyone else who has diabetes. How crazy is that? Well, in all likelihood I do know people, but their condition is unknown to me... but I suspect getting in touch with and getting to know other people with this condition is in a way more important than any advice I might ever receive from a health professional. So here I am. Hello.
And I think what I'd really value more than anything is advice from people who, somehow, manage their diabetes with superlative skill. I mean, is it really possible to keep your glucose levels between, say, 5(ish) and 9-10(ish) most of the time? This would be at least my short-term goal (long-term even tighter?), but right now I'm a bit sceptical... But if anyone has that level of success and can tell me how they've achieved it obviously I'm all ears...
Regards, and many thanks in advance,
Chris
