Can someone talk to me ?

rachgray2011

Newbie
Messages
3
Diagnoised two weeks ago !!

Was a biiiggg shock ! feeling low and depressed trying to cope with the insluin injections as i have type 1 . Having a problem with my ankles at the moment they keep swelling ?? ... Got good family support but is very upsetting at the moment as im only 22 years old.
 

viviennem

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,140
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Football. Bad manners.
Hi Rach, and welcome. You've come to the right place!

Daisy1, who is the moderator of the Newly Diagnosed thread, will be along first thing in the morning to welcome you properly, with the info we give all the newbies. She lives in Switzerland and gts up really early, so her post will be waiting for you tomorrow.

I'm a Type 2, so can't help you with the injections very much, but there are lots of helpful Type 1s on here who'll be along to help you very soon.

It's an awful shock to all of us when we're first diagnosed, and it's an awful lot to have to take in and learn very quickly. I'm glad your family are supportive - they'll help you get through the early stages. The main thing to remember is that you WILL get through it and learn how to control your diabetes to the point where it will hardly affect your life - sure, you have to be careful with some foods, and you have to monitor yourself and inject, but it can be done!

I have a very feisty friend who is now in her 90s. She's been Type 1 for 50 years, and still has more energy that I have! And the record for living with Type 1 is over 80 years - a man in the USA who has had it since childhood!

So don't believe scare stories, and don't panic! Have a read around on here - there's lots of useful info. Read as much as you can about it - than goodness for the web! Don't be afraid to come on here and ask anything - there's no such thing as a silly question! And this is a great place to let off steam, have a rant or a moan. :wink:

You'll probably get a bit depressed, and frightened, and angry because it's so UNFAIR :evil: and you haven't done anything to deserve it! All this is quite normal :shock: What you have to do is take the d****d disease by the scruff of its neck and show it who's boss! You are!

You can do it. And we're all here to help, so you have lots of support. Take it one step at a time!

Viv 8)
 

Gappy

Well-Known Member
Messages
483
Dislikes
hypocrisy, prejudice and the corrupt legal system (never got compensation I deserved from an accident)
Same here in type 2 as well, but support what Viv has said, there are loads of knowledgeable, helpful people on here. You'll soon have loads od advice to work through and see what suits you best. There's enough of us here to prove this don't ruin your life, in some cases due to improved diet and exercise it's improved lives!
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Rach and welcome to the forum :) I'm sorry about your diagnosis but I expect you will be glad when you start to feel better that this has been found. Now the only way is forwards and you have done a very good thing joining this forum as you will find all the help you need here. Lean on your family as much as you need as they sound very supportive. Ask as many questions as you want as there is always someone here who will be able to answer.

Here is some information which was written by the former monitors for new members and I think you will find it helpful for you to get started in your diabetes management.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.
 

anna29

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,789
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Cruelty to Animals/Children
Liars/Manipulators/Bullying
Hi, Welcome to us all here.
Some great advice and starting points for you there from both viv and daisy.
Plus you have great family support and back up too - lucky you! Not everyone has this behind them.
It is a shock at first and does take time to adapt with new routine and life living with diabetes.
We are here to help, guide and support you along , ask any questions you feel/need to when you're ready.
Keep in touch too, hope this helps?
Anna.x :D
 

Pneu

Well-Known Member
Messages
689
rachgray2011 said:
Diagnoised two weeks ago !!

Was a biiiggg shock ! feeling low and depressed trying to cope with the insluin injections as i have type 1 . Having a problem with my ankles at the moment they keep swelling ?? ... Got good family support but is very upsetting at the moment as im only 22 years old.

Hi Rach...

Being diagnosed as diabetic is a shock.. especially for us type 1's who have to get used to not only working out what we can and can't eat but also when, what and how to inject..

Please be reassured that although at the moment it all feels like its to much in time you will learn to control your diabetes and for the most part you will live a normal life! Diabetes is scary and upsetting at first but I promise you it does get better...

This forum is a great place and I only wish I had found it when I was diagnosed at 17, would have saved me a lot of heartache and problems!... please don't hesitate to ask a question no matter how silly it may sound.. are plenty of people on here who will be more than willing to give advise!

Chin up! the first few months are the worst... once you get in control it will get better
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Hi Rach,

Pneu is spot when saying it does get better in time, no one likes to think they 'll have to inject insulin everyday but the more times you do it the easier it will become and soon it will become part of your routine as switching the kettle on.

Take advantage of all the help that is available to you now and in the future, there's a teaching course called DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating) that teaches type 1's the principles of injecting insulin to the carbohydrates in their food, usually you have to be diagnosed for 6 months or more before enrolling, but just the same it's a very worthwhile course to take.

The forum has many experienced type 1's who have experienced what you are going through, feel free to come back anytime and ask for advice.

Nigel
 

scottj

Newbie
Messages
2
hi rachgray2011
im also 22 and was diagnosed t1 3 years ago, ive visit the forums every so often but not a member. i know adjusting to this can be hard, and having originaly been open about my diagnosis i discovered this to be a mistake and haveing to confront peoples views, treating me like ad idiot, no you cant eat that cus ur diabetic, you cant drive cus your diabetic, dont lift heavy objects cus your diabetic. i learned to keep my diabetes hidden. if you want anybody to talk to feel free to email me.
scottj
 

Becks20

Member
Messages
14
Hi Rach,

I am 22 and was diagnosed type 2 just before my 22nd birthday. The doctors have now told me they are not sure if I am type 1 or type 2.

It is very confusing, but everyone will always try to help each other out.

If you ever want to chat, you can pm me :)

Good luck,

Becks