chocoholic
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....within a few minutes of being seen by a diabetologist today he thinks I am a late onset Type 1 and not Type 2, as I have been treated as for the past five years.He thinks it's LADA and is doing a blood test to confirm. He was unhappy that I was not referred immediately at time of diagnosis for a c-peptide test, as opposed to the guesswork by my DN but says the c-peptide test is too late to prove anything now.(He's asked for GAD + ICA A(can't read last letter) test.
He thinks it is neuropathy in my feet/lower legs but because I could feel the needle test all over,he thinks any tests at this stage will not be helpful. When I told him it coincided with me cutting down on carbs. he agreed that the better control drop might have caused it and therefore it may well go too if i can keep good control. He told me I'd done really well to cope on the insulin I have, as it's not ideal for the type of diabetes I actually have.He intends getting his DN to change me quickly( :lol: ) over to a different insulin system...presumably basal/bolus.
He wholeheartedly does not believe that my mis-diagnosis of asthma and subsequent 10 months on a steroid inhaler caused the diabetes but I liked the man and did not want to start off with an argument. :lol:
He thought it was utterly ridiculous me being expected to cope on one test strip a day but said unfortunately Type 2's all seemed to be lumped together and it was vital being on insulin I should be able to test 6 times a day if I wanted to. (I was REALLY cross with myself for forgetting to ask for test strips to bring home and won't see him again for 6 months but i'll get that sorted.)
I was then introduced to a lovely DN who specializes in diabetes (part of his team),who came across as a very caring individual. Again she was horrified that the Type 1 or Type 2 diagnosis had been guessed at and not done under referral. She said she will get me in to see the dietician ASAP and then her again for the insulin changeover. She wrote on my form to hand in at reception "please make an appoinment ASAP...overbook if necessary". When the receptionist said "27th November" I was shocked and pointed out the DN's written request. I asked her if she'd mind double checking with the D.N. she was happy with that and she came back and said I'd be contacted direct, as they are only at the hosptial once a month and she's on holiday next month. :roll: Well, I suppose everyone is entitled to a holiday, so not much I can do about that.
The D.N. also said I seemed to have coped really well, considering I was on the" wrong insulin".(her words, not mine.) Then came the big one........the subject of lower carbs.that had brought my readings down to near perfect these last few months. "Why on earth would you want to cut down on carbs? You can eat as many carbs.as you want.In fact you can eat anything you want once we get your insulin changed." I told her I am not doing Bernstein levels and that I've only cut down a bit but I did not want to risk blood sugars soaring by going back to high carbs and she didn't seem tounderstand my reasoning. I came out and felt pretty upset.
I really like the diabetologist and the D.N. and I'm convinced I was right to insist on a referral but it's taken me five years to get a proper diagnosis and get my levels to where I want them to be. Now I feel I'm back to square one. A new diagnosis (though blood test still to be confirmed) and a whole new insulin plan to tackle. I will never go back to eating the amount of carb.I used to but I think I will have to tackle this changeover positively, as advised for now and just see how I go.
I hope you don't mind me rabbiting on but my head is spinning and I just needed to tell someone.
I'd like to thank Sally for helping point me in the direction of this particular diabetologist. At least I'm seeing someone now who seems to know what he is talking about. Thanks Sally.
He thinks it is neuropathy in my feet/lower legs but because I could feel the needle test all over,he thinks any tests at this stage will not be helpful. When I told him it coincided with me cutting down on carbs. he agreed that the better control drop might have caused it and therefore it may well go too if i can keep good control. He told me I'd done really well to cope on the insulin I have, as it's not ideal for the type of diabetes I actually have.He intends getting his DN to change me quickly( :lol: ) over to a different insulin system...presumably basal/bolus.
He wholeheartedly does not believe that my mis-diagnosis of asthma and subsequent 10 months on a steroid inhaler caused the diabetes but I liked the man and did not want to start off with an argument. :lol:
He thought it was utterly ridiculous me being expected to cope on one test strip a day but said unfortunately Type 2's all seemed to be lumped together and it was vital being on insulin I should be able to test 6 times a day if I wanted to. (I was REALLY cross with myself for forgetting to ask for test strips to bring home and won't see him again for 6 months but i'll get that sorted.)
I was then introduced to a lovely DN who specializes in diabetes (part of his team),who came across as a very caring individual. Again she was horrified that the Type 1 or Type 2 diagnosis had been guessed at and not done under referral. She said she will get me in to see the dietician ASAP and then her again for the insulin changeover. She wrote on my form to hand in at reception "please make an appoinment ASAP...overbook if necessary". When the receptionist said "27th November" I was shocked and pointed out the DN's written request. I asked her if she'd mind double checking with the D.N. she was happy with that and she came back and said I'd be contacted direct, as they are only at the hosptial once a month and she's on holiday next month. :roll: Well, I suppose everyone is entitled to a holiday, so not much I can do about that.
The D.N. also said I seemed to have coped really well, considering I was on the" wrong insulin".(her words, not mine.) Then came the big one........the subject of lower carbs.that had brought my readings down to near perfect these last few months. "Why on earth would you want to cut down on carbs? You can eat as many carbs.as you want.In fact you can eat anything you want once we get your insulin changed." I told her I am not doing Bernstein levels and that I've only cut down a bit but I did not want to risk blood sugars soaring by going back to high carbs and she didn't seem tounderstand my reasoning. I came out and felt pretty upset.
I really like the diabetologist and the D.N. and I'm convinced I was right to insist on a referral but it's taken me five years to get a proper diagnosis and get my levels to where I want them to be. Now I feel I'm back to square one. A new diagnosis (though blood test still to be confirmed) and a whole new insulin plan to tackle. I will never go back to eating the amount of carb.I used to but I think I will have to tackle this changeover positively, as advised for now and just see how I go.
I hope you don't mind me rabbiting on but my head is spinning and I just needed to tell someone.
I'd like to thank Sally for helping point me in the direction of this particular diabetologist. At least I'm seeing someone now who seems to know what he is talking about. Thanks Sally.
Thanks for the lovely comment xxxxx