Very bewildered by that advice from your consultant, as that is advice that I wouldn't have expected to get post 1985.... I am wondering if your consultant is very elderly??? Or is misreading your records and thinks you are T2????
If you are in the UK I would be hunting for a different consultant as MDI (multiple daily injections) have been standard practice for T1s for decades. ( Hopefully you have access to tech such as continuous glucose sensors? )
Like you I was disgnosed aged 8 but I think I have been luckier than many posting on this thread, as most of the things I see my GP for haven't been put down to diabetes. (Though I think diabetes may make some conditions worse and/or more likely).