Not new to diabetes as I worked on the subject some 35 years ago during management of Phase 1 trials for the pharmaceutical industry. Being diagnosed as Type 2 some 13 years ago completely asymptomatic following admission to hospital for a foot abscess, it was perhaps not the shock that it might have been for many. My grandmother was diagnosed as Type 1 in 1926 and was on insulin until her death at the age of 96! My mother was diagnosed as Type 2 in her late 50's and was on tablets (sulphonamides) until her death some 10 years later. Many other maternal uncles and aunts had diabetes. I guess that's one for the hereditary study group.
Not overweight, and still show none of the typical symptoms of diabetes (dry mouth, increased water intake, increased urination, lethargy. I was prescribed maximum dosage of Gliclacide (which was well tolerated) and Metformin (which was not). The Metformin was later adjusted to Metformin MR formulation which is just tolerable. In combination it was possible to bring down my post-prandial glucose levels to around 7mmol/l. Enduring a number of hypos, usually following low carbohydrate meals or long gaps (>12hr) between meals. Though had a few scary moments of levels as low as 1.5mmol/l for no real understandable reason. Diet was from day 1 sugar free and very much controlled.
So it continued pretty uneventfully for 13 years. With the exception of one more trip to podiatry my own stupid fault following a long walk and blisters on my feet the disease was more an inconvenience than a problem.
However, things suddenly took a turn for the worse 2 weeks ago. A careless moment saw the removal of the nail on my toe. The anxiety and slow treatment/referral to podiatry and mild infection has caused a massive run on glucose hyper levels all now 20-25 mmol/l. I am now informed that this may be a potential mis-diagnosis and I should be classified as a Type 1A and to be placed directly on insulin as soon as can be arranged (a couple of weeks?)
In the back of my mind I have been dreading this moment. I have severe needlephobia which usually ends up in a feint or nausea. I cannot see myself complying with treatment. Whatever happened to oral insulin treatment? This was being worked on at least 35 years ago, why is it not yet available? There was also supposed to be new technological developments in the field of delivery systems, has that all been ignored?
I cannot be the only diabetic presenting with such severe needlephobia.
Not overweight, and still show none of the typical symptoms of diabetes (dry mouth, increased water intake, increased urination, lethargy. I was prescribed maximum dosage of Gliclacide (which was well tolerated) and Metformin (which was not). The Metformin was later adjusted to Metformin MR formulation which is just tolerable. In combination it was possible to bring down my post-prandial glucose levels to around 7mmol/l. Enduring a number of hypos, usually following low carbohydrate meals or long gaps (>12hr) between meals. Though had a few scary moments of levels as low as 1.5mmol/l for no real understandable reason. Diet was from day 1 sugar free and very much controlled.
So it continued pretty uneventfully for 13 years. With the exception of one more trip to podiatry my own stupid fault following a long walk and blisters on my feet the disease was more an inconvenience than a problem.
However, things suddenly took a turn for the worse 2 weeks ago. A careless moment saw the removal of the nail on my toe. The anxiety and slow treatment/referral to podiatry and mild infection has caused a massive run on glucose hyper levels all now 20-25 mmol/l. I am now informed that this may be a potential mis-diagnosis and I should be classified as a Type 1A and to be placed directly on insulin as soon as can be arranged (a couple of weeks?)
In the back of my mind I have been dreading this moment. I have severe needlephobia which usually ends up in a feint or nausea. I cannot see myself complying with treatment. Whatever happened to oral insulin treatment? This was being worked on at least 35 years ago, why is it not yet available? There was also supposed to be new technological developments in the field of delivery systems, has that all been ignored?
I cannot be the only diabetic presenting with such severe needlephobia.