Diabetes and me at 35 years old....

[Bigbirduk]

So I'm new to the forum here, a little about my life of having diabetes > Type 1 insulin depent diabetic

so...... been diabetic since 14 > I'm now 35 years of age.... I've been through hell and back. I've seen the devil dark hooded figure (another hypo scary moment) and met many people in life, lost time where I've hullanicated because of the many hypos I've had over the years, I've lost track of times in slow motion (Yes a few bad ones I've had seen things that are not supposed to be there> I spoke to a black cat once at a bus stop waiting for the abulance to arrive as I collapsed on the way home once without any money my mobile saved me at that point however it wasn't real there was no cat? )
I'm grateful to be alive and saved dozens of times and thankful for that as well I've had a brush with near death countless :/

There has been times where I've eaten lots of sugar/sweets just to feed my energy levels, drinks and food that I've eaten that seems to want to make feel better but to stuff it all becuse my brain is hungry/overthinking and my stomach says just eat. 'eat this now becuse your sugar levels are low but it might me you sick' that's the one wispering in my ear to try and save my life...
But happy at times where I can just eat and try new good food without the worry of carbs or anything because I want to feel normal and human

Nowdays I'm taking it easy, I feel like a tortise and an old man with a insulin that has given me a better chance of life without the worry that I could have a heart attck or stress on my chest when deailing with idiots.. too much to explain that one....

What I have to do to stay alive everyday?

I have a Novo-Rapid Flex Pen that I take 3 times a day Morning 10 units Lunch 12 units and Dinner 14 units and the Trisiba flextouch pen 26 units to keep the insulin in the background ticking while I'm alseep soudly (those noises I hear around the house I'm sure it's just something not to worry about)

I walk alot and I mean alot I dont stop untill I get most of what I want done shopping /food shoppin
I dont smoke or drink (that's a good reason to stay healthy)
I work 6 days a week and manage ok

Main problem I have when out on my own off work. I see food and things that I want to try but will put my sugar levels sky high and drinks too and I do resist it alot becuase I have drag myself away from the price and smell of the foo, it's not rocket science to keep the nasty sugars out but you only get to live once though...

(I blame those tables when you go into supermarkets. 'try before you buy' yep, thanks I'm now tipsy from the promotion of white christmas wine with somthing somthing in it when I didn't read the bottle moment)

But the main reason I try to enjoy life while Ive got it, even if I have to work hard keeping to being healthy as I can.

''Don't be afriad of something that you will know you'll regret not living the moment, time is a memory to everyone''

 

[Antje77]

I have a Novo-Rapid Flex Pen that I take 3 times a day Morning 10 units Lunch 12 units and Dinner 14 units

Main problem I have when out on my own off work. I see food and things that I want to try but will put my sugar levels sky high

Many of us determine our insulin doses depending on the carbs we eat, no fixed doses for meals.
So if I see something I want to eat, I buy it, inject for it and eat it. (For me this doesn't work with sugary and very high carb food, but for some even that is possible.)

I sometimes have breakfast, and most times I don't. So if I do, I take my insulin depending on the carbs in my breakfast, but if I don't have breakfast I don't have insulin.
Same with other meals: sometimes my evening meal needs 20 units, sometimes it needs no insulin at all, most days it's somewhere in between.

Carb counting and adjusting your doses might give you much more freedom in food.
Have you ever thought about doing a DAFNE course?

 

[letsgo182]

I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but it sounds like you could still learn a lot about your condition and it would improve your quality of life. I read the book “think like a pancreas” listed here: https://diabetes.gifts/best-gifts-under-30-for-a-diabetic/?amp=1 and it really changed my life.

For example, I now know that:
- I need to inject roughly 1 unit of insulin for 12g of carb.
- I know that some foods (such as pizza) can delay digestion and I therefore delay my injections.
- I know some foods hit my blood glucose really quickly so I inject and wait 45 mins before eating.

By knowing all these things, I eat whatever I want, I’m really active (training for a marathon) and I have a hba1c of 5.8!

Being type 1 means we have to be life long learners and I am genuinely sorry you have had that thrust upon you. However with some reading and some trial and error you can eat all the things you want, do all the things you want and live a long and happy life!

 

[becca59]

Welcome @Bigbirduk I take from your user name that you are living in the UK. If I am correct I agree with @Antje77 that most Type 1s now carb count and inject accordingly. Perhaps time to contact your hospital team and change how you manage this hard condition. Your relationship with food is obviously difficult and would be much improved with flexible injections and a CGM if you are not wearing one. Let’s not delude ourselves, Type 1 is a daily struggle and never far from our minds, but it needn’t be quite so difficult as it is for you at present. Get that appointment now so in future you can eat that lovely smelling food rather than deny yourself.