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Kick in the cream eggs!

J

JD_Swansea

Newbie
Hello everyone,

I've just found out I am diabetic and at present unsure whether I am type 1 or 2, the doctor says I have all the hallmarks of type 1 (relatively young and skinny), which I gather means Insulin.

I am worried that if diagnosed with type 1, I could potentially lose my job (working offshore), my house and to top it all my partner is expecting our first child in May! My stress level have been to the max for the last 2 weeks!

My initial blood sugar readings were off the chart (19.5mmol/L after fasting), but over the last few days I have change my diet and starting exercising more regularly which have helped to bring down my readings to as low 5.4 and averaging around 8 mmol/L (most of today below 7.8mmol/L :D ),but it is still high first thing in the morning (9 to 11).

I got my second appointment with the doctor this Wednesday to discuss the next steps, and then on Thursday my offshore medical (required for working offshore), as you can imagine it as been playing on my mind a tad! But I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I am hoping the doctor will say diet and oral medication will be ok because the implications of becoming Type 1 could mean I will lose everything! Does anyone know how they decide on method of treatment?

Any words of encouragement or wisdom would help.
 
Sorry JD, not enough experience or knowledge to help you out but hang in here, someone should be along soon. It does sound as if you are being sensible though with the diet and exercise and seeing the GP for information. That's a great start and not something that everyone manages! Try not to worry too much ( though it's understandable of course in your position ). Until you have your correct diagnosis, you really don't know how this will affect you, so my advice is to keep on the righteous path that you've started down and good luck for you and your family.
 
Hi JD,
I am in a similar position ie. not knowing if I am Type 2 ( I have always been skinny , fit and active) so I suspect possibly a type 1.5 where you are making some insulin but not enough. Ask your GP for a particuar antibody test, others on this forum will have more info about this but it is important to know as you might be prescribed the wrong medication. see here:
http://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/faq.html
All the best with it,
I will not know about mine until the end of Feb
 
hya jd,
just keep doing what youre doing and if u feel rather unwell in the meantime plz seek medical help as this happened to me whilst waiting, noone here can diagnose you but those numbers may be type 2 as for a week whilst waiting for testing mine never went below 15mmol and i didnt have any sugar/carbs, this is only a guess so plz keep an eye on yourself and let us know how u get on :D
 
Thanks for the comments people, first hurdle to come tomorrow with the Doctor, still very apprehensive, but my BG levels seems good today (5.4 to 8.6 mmol/L). :?
 
Just remember, if it comes back you're type 1, don't worry. Being type 1 on insulin isn't the end of the world, you can have very good control on insulin. By the sounds of it you have the right attitude towards looking after yourself already. carry that on and you'll do fine :)
 
Don't worry about the offshore job. I work offshore and have tyoe 2 controlled by diet and pills. There at least 3 people in the field with type 1 on insulin. As far as I am aware, as long as you can show control and the platform risk assess your situation it should be OK. I think there are a number of drugs that the medic must keep on board and you would have to liaise with the medic/medical dept. It used to be the case (or urban myth?) that you were finished offshore with type 1 due to needle usage and the chances of a hypo with medical facilities a long way off - not now.

Hope this helps - if you would like to keep in contact or need any other info, please feel free to pm me

Regards
Steve
 
Hello people,

Firstly again thanks for the comments, in particular regarding the offshore work (thanks Steve).

To update you all the doctor says "I'm a mix match/ not your typical diabetic" which I gather means type 1.5? He is happy for me to control it by diet and doesn't want to see me for three months, which is good.

The offshore medical (Abermed) however is another matter, I passed the medical ok, but due to being recently diagnosed my control level is too high (12) to pass my medical at this present time (doctor requires letter/HBA1c readings). UKOO require levels below 9 (Abermed) preferable 8, which means I am land locked until I have my diabetes under control.

Hopefully I can get down my HBA1c below 9 in the next 6 weeks, but I am unsure whether this a realistic time period, how long will it take? my daily average for last week is around 7.5mmol/L although when I have got to work in the office or drive from Wales to Great Yarmouth my daily blood glucose average is around 9 to 10 mmol/l.

Once my levels are good I can get back offshore and earn some money for the extra mouth to feed we are expecting in April!

Cheers,

Jas
 
I would say that a strict low carb diet MAY get your Hba1c down in 6 weeks. Worth a shot anyway.

Take your carb intake right down to 50gm of carb a day if you can and stick to it like glue for the next few weeks.
 
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