Check List for new T1DM

Bucco

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Greetings!

Diagnosed 5 days ago, started on insulin 4 days ago, have loads to learn. Thank you to all of you who have posted so much useful and supportive information on these message boards!

My question; is there a 'check-list' for newly diagnosed T1's? Kinda like a FAQ and an instruction sheet - e.g.

1. Make sure your GP has registered you and you get a certificate so that you get all prescriptions for free (no one told me so I paid a small fortune to buy all the gear - and am now having to claim it all back!)
2. Make sure you are also tested for celiac
3. Make sure you inform a)DVLA b)Life Insurance c)Mortgage (?) etc
4. etc

Has any one created a template diary with a list of the sorts of things a T1 will now have to do every day, week, month and year?

Sorry if there are answers already out there - will also keep looking, but any help would be great.

"Always a pleasure, never a chore"

Male, 44, T1 for 5 days....
 

alaska

Well-Known Member
Messages
475
I don't think mortgage lenders need to know but i could be wrong.

DVLA need to know as you say
Car insurance people will need to know as you'll likely be put onto a 3 year restricted license now :( could be worse though
Good to let life insurance and any health insurance companies know

Have somewhere, a folder in physical form or on your computer to chart your numbers:

HbA1c -long term blood sugar control
Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Weight can be helpful too to record

Write down any questions you have to ask at clinics/doctor visits, so you can easily bring any questions with you.

Buy a book on diabetes to really understand the condition at the earliest stage:

The following tend to be popular:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Like-Panc ... 1569244367
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Bernsteins-D ... 0316182699

Bernstein's worked very well for me.
 

AMBrennan

Well-Known Member
Messages
826
For the record, Bernstein's advice conflicts with the NHS recommendation (e.g. regarding carbohydrates in diet, injecting directly into muscle, etc). Note that this is an observation and does not constitute advice.
I have not read Think Like a Pancreas on account of it being unavailable in our local library, unlike Dr Bernstein's book.
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
make sure you always have some sort of hypo treatment available (in the car, in pockets, in your bedroom)
get yourself a spare meter in case of loss or malfunction.
Think about getting some sort of identification that explains you are T1.
Another good book that's aimed at young people and parents but is I think one of the most comprehensive.
Ragnar Hanas Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: How to Become an Expert on Your Own Diabetes
 

mhoggarth

Active Member
Messages
31
I agree with phoenix
I stocked up on lucozade tables, which i take everywhere with me.
Got a spare meter and put it in the car encase i go out and forget to take my first with me.
And get yourself some sort of identification, whether it be a bracelet or card, i have a card in my wallet in the clear part for your id, can see it the second you open the wallet.
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
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Another for your list Bucco is to inform family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours if you live alone that you have type 1 diabetes, a little information to them on what to do if they find you hypo and unable to deal with it yourself would also be useful.
 

iHs

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,595
Hi

Just in case a dsn hasn't said anything to you as yet, please remember to always have some loose glucose tabs or sweets that dont need unwrapping within easy reach on your car dashboard. If you start to feel at all odd it will probably be because you are most likely experiencing a fall in your blood sugar levels and will need to pull over to the roadside. If you eat some sweets or glucose tabs first you will be able to pull over to the kerb safely and treat the hypo.

Has the dsn guided you through having a hypo so that you know what it feels like?
 

Bucco

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Thx for the comments so far - I met with my DSN for the first time last Thursday where she changed the GP's diagnosis of T2 to T1 and immediatley prescribed insulin for me. I have my second meeting tomorrow, also meeting for the first time the specialist doctor and the specialist dietician.

They also think I have celiac - oh the joy!

Day five of being on insulin and my BG is still high so not overly worried about hypos just yet, although have already bought hypo kits (thanks to advice above) and now have one in the car, by the bed at work etc.

I also have a couple of injectable glycogen hypo kits in the fridge.

Have just ordered the two books mentioned above as well - anyone who can let me know what to expect over the next year will instantly get to the top of the xmas card list!

bucco