Type 1 Advice and information and the insulin pump!

[Moosh97]

I've been diabetic since I was 3, I'm 22 now and after years of not controlling my diabetes I managed to get my hba1c down to a 60 last year. I now have a 4month old boy and struggling to remember to inject as I'm a new mum and trying to get the hang of being a mum. I spoke to my doctor on Wednesday and asked about the pump, I wasnt given much information I was just told she would refer me to the pump and DAPHNE course.

I was wondering if any of you lovely lot could give me just some information about it? I'm always saying I dont particularly like being around other diabetics because I dont really want to hear their stories but I've started to realise I need to open up more to people to accept I need help with my diabetes. Just any information would be brilliant to help me understand the course better and the pump

Thank you

 

[MeiChanski]

I've been diabetic since I was 3, I'm 22 now and after years of not controlling my diabetes I managed to get my hba1c down to a 60 last year. I now have a 4month old boy and struggling to remember to inject as I'm a new mum and trying to get the hang of being a mum. I spoke to my doctor on Wednesday and asked about the pump, I wasnt given much information I was just told she would refer me to the pump and DAPHNE course.

I was wondering if any of you lovely lot could give me just some information about it? I'm always saying I dont particularly like being around other diabetics because I dont really want to hear their stories but I've started to realise I need to open up more to people to accept I need help with my diabetes. Just any information would be brilliant to help me understand the course better and the pump

Thank you

Hello,
Yes a DAFNE course is required if you want an insulin pump because you need to know how to carb count effectively and manage your condition based on everyday activities. Unfortunately with a pump, there's a lot of work and if you struggle to remember to inject, a pump isn't a magic wand to inject for you because you still need to do the carb calcuations and work out how much you need.
With DAFNE, you'll be given a ratio to work with and anything containing carbs from fruit to rice/potatoes, you need to weigh it and inject the insulin corresponding to that amount of carbs. DAFNE gives guidelines on exercise, sex, stress and illnesses, so you don't over treat or over correct your hypos and hypers. Also it gives us a heads up on protein and fats. With carbs containing high fats, you need to split dose your fast acting insulin for better coverage because fat slows down the absorption of carbs. With protein, some have found it raises our BG levels, so that needs to be taken into consideration. For us ladies with the monthly hormones, we need to work with that because some run high and some run low.
Bertie online course is similar to DAFNE, it might give you a head start - https://www.bertieonline.org.uk/

 

[LooperCat]

I'm always saying I dont particularly like being around other diabetics because I dont really want to hear their stories

Not all the stories are bad... I used to think just like that, but positive stories from others really help me keep on keeping on.