17, you really need to do 2 things 1st to help yourself, from experience, my control wasnt great in the past then when I started to get them under control, I lost all warning signs, which means, by the time I realise I'm having a hypo I'm already too far gone, the past 2 years have been a nitemare, lost my job, cant claim ESA, as they think I'm fit for work, although my GP, Consultant, and the Occy Health Dept, say I'm UNSAFE in basically any workplace due to the rapid onset of the hypos, The main thing to to test at least 2hourly, to try and see if there any patterns that show up, I suggest you see the DSN and try and get one of the new meters that can help by suggesting the insulin dose either the Roche Expert or Abbot Insulinx, personally I got the abbot meter just over a month ago, and I feel the benifit already its been a godsend...I cant praise it enough, secondly got to the poundshop and get a 1/2 sized tobacco tin and a wee neoprene case, you can fit 2.5 packets of lucozade tablets in it if you take them out of the packet you clip it to your belt loop and when you feel the need open and neck 3-4 tabs, tbh it took me 15 years to get round to that, as I previously just kept the packet in my trousers, and ended up with a packet of dust, but with regular testing and the means to bring you out of a hypo on your person at all times when you are out and about, you will find it WILL become easier.
Feel free to pm me if you want some help, I'm no expert and I dont preach, but I can offer some ideas on how I overcome hurdles over the years.
dont let the B**tards get you down fella
Bob