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Life in general. A twenty something with type 1.

Scotty_the_bruce

Scotty_the_bruce

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all!

I'm new to this site but already think it's brilliant!

I'm 24, and have had type 1 DM since aged 7. I've had my ups and downs and been through the wringer with diabetes too. My mum also has it and has massive health complications because she has failed to do things right. I'm determined to prove myself and my family wrong and be healthy and live a long and happy life.

A few years back I had a thyroidectomy and last year I got diagnosed with depression, which I have since treated with antidepressants and counselling, but something is still not right. I find myself exhausted all the time! I exercise, eat well and try and keep my blood sugars constant (although this is a lot easier said than done).

I work full time in a hospital and since beginning carb counting and jigsaw regimes I have found my control a lot better but some days it's really hard! I often find myself having low BMs 2/3 hours after a meal (and with the correct dosage based on CHO intake), on top of this it makes it hard to improve my HbA1c, which has now plateaued and doesn't seem to be going down...

Obviously I was a bit of a rebel through my puberty years, coupled with attending uni for the first time etc etc but I like to think I'm a lot more mature and determined to make myself better now. I just don't know how I keep ***king up and where I'm going wrong.

I'm just wondering if these are things that anyone else has experienced and how they dealt with it. I'm due to go back to university this September in Bournemouth to study adult nursing and I'd like to use this summer to sort myself out before I go again.

Any advice would be appreciated. Apologies for my rant.

Thanks in advance, Scott.
 
Hi Scotty...welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've had a really rough time of late.

Good news is...you've come to the right place. There is a wealth of information from real people who can offer support and guidance based on there own experiences. I've been here only a short time but I've already learned so much. Take your time to have a read around...ask as many questions as you like.

What you are describing is completely normal...no matter how many years practice...we all get it wrong sometimes...'to err is human'...there are many factors that determine BG...food, insulin, exercise, stress etc so it can be difficult to always get it right. Don't beat yourself up...take each day as it comes...and try to learn from these mistakes.

Since being here I've discovered LCHF and have been following this for just over a month now...I've already seen a significant drop in my HBA1c and despite a bit of a rocky start I am now finding that my energy levels are vastly improved and my BG is back in a normal range for at least 90% of the time...a little more tweaking still required...but it's all a learning curve and about learning how your body reacts to different foods...we're all so different in this respect. Have a read up...it's maybe not for everyone but many here can vouch for the benefits of following this kind of diet, there are many type 2's who have managed to come off their meds completely by doing this. Anyway...I'm gabbling...I will (hopefully) tag @daisy1 who will give you more information on this.

Take care and I wish you well...I'm positive you'll find all the answers here
 
Scotty_the_bruce said:
Hi all!

I'm new to this site but already think it's brilliant!

I'm 24, and have had type 1 DM since aged 7. I've had my ups and downs and been through the wringer with diabetes too. My mum also has it and has massive health complications because she has failed to do things right. I'm determined to prove myself and my family wrong and be healthy and live a long and happy life.

A few years back I had a thyroidectomy and last year I got diagnosed with depression, which I have since treated with antidepressants and counselling, but something is still not right. I find myself exhausted all the time! I exercise, eat well and try and keep my blood sugars constant (although this is a lot easier said than done).

I work full time in a hospital and since beginning carb counting and jigsaw regimes I have found my control a lot better but some days it's really hard! I often find myself having low BMs 2/3 hours after a meal (and with the correct dosage based on CHO intake), on top of this it makes it hard to improve my HbA1c, which has now plateaued and doesn't seem to be going down...

Obviously I was a bit of a rebel through my puberty years, coupled with attending uni for the first time etc etc but I like to think I'm a lot more mature and determined to make myself better now. I just don't know how I keep ***king up and where I'm going wrong.

I'm just wondering if these are things that anyone else has experienced and how they dealt with it. I'm due to go back to university this September in Bournemouth to study adult nursing and I'd like to use this summer to sort myself out before I go again.

Any advice would be appreciated. Apologies for my rant.

Thanks in advance, Scott.
Click to expand...

Hi Scott.
I assume that 'full time in a hospital' means that you are on your feet most of the day ? Is that why you have low BGs after meals? Is your activity level quite variable during a normal day?

I struggle with similar issues to some extent, as I seldom know what my working day will present. If I'm driving a desk all morning then I'm often a bit high going into lunchtime, if I unexpectedly find myself having to sort out problems in the factory or walking between sites then I usually have to take on a few carbs to cope with it and I keep a cereal bar to hand.

Many people also find that their insulin requirements change. If you started out say at 1:10 , it could be different at some point in the future, have you tried varying your insulin? (You've obviously been doing this a long time so sorry if that seems like a daft question).
 
Hi Scotty,

Are you on a pump or injections ?

Urban has a good point, if your not varying your quick acting doses then this sounds like a good place to start, can you also set a timer on your phone to test after say an hour or 2 to try and catch a low before it happens ? I find I have a higher ratio in the morning as naturally resistant then, also if I'm in the office all morning I'll try taking more quick acting so I don't run high in the afternoon. I also try to avoid carbs in the morning too as my QA is increased and try to keep my insulin doses down, it helps stabilises my BG too so less room for hypos.

It's getting a regular pattern going, if you don't already record your results, this will help you see patterns and adjust accordingly, try a smart phone app to record them.

Good luck it sounds like you have a good mental attitude to this so I'm sure it will come good ;)
 
Hi all. Thanks for the responses.

In answer to urbanracer's question. Yes, I am on my feet most of the time and quite active throughout the day. On top of this, I've taken to cycling to work as well as I've noticed a weight gain since giving up smoking (stupid to start, I know, but I know I don't want to be on them), so maybe this has affected my control.

With regards testing and keeping a log, it is a lot easier said than done as I work shifts and sometimes find my lifestyle prevents me from doing so. Perhaps I should start off small and get to grips with seeing a pattern before deciding what to do about it.

With regards low BGs I have tried to factor in a snack some days, but again this can be hard as well.

Thank you all for your support. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm just making excuses! I do want to sort myself out, but as I've learnt, there's no "easy" or "normal" day with diabetes.

Scott.
 
I'm also on injections.

I noticed a lot of people that I've met since doing carb-counting awareness courses and JIGSAW, wanted to transfer on to pumps, but in myself, I don't feel like I'd gain anything extra from a pump, plus I'm fairly happy injecting as that's all I've known since diagnosis.

It's possibly an option once I settle my control but I don't feel comfortable in myself just yet.
 
Hey Scott you can record ona smart phone app if that easier there are a few out there like Glucose Wiz.

The fact you are on here and sharing your story shows willingness to get better as well as packing up the fags too, well done that's a top effort.

Try to make some time for yourself to test, perhaps just set a timer each shift to remind yourself to do this, that would be a good starting point. In reagrds to injecting stick to what you know, a pump takes some adjusting so just keep what your doing and add a few more tests in each day and record ? ;)
 
Today already seems a bit better. Actually got up and did a test at breakfast, which doesn't always happen. Hopefully it'll be a spring board to a more productive day!

Thanks for all the help. I'm amazed at how supportive everyone is!!
 
hey there Scott
welcome to the forum :)
just a couple more things to add to the great help above

in order to get the very best in your control your basal ( long acting ) insulin needs to be right as if that is correct you should stay fairly stable without eating - here is a link to have another look at basal testing http://www.salforddiabetescare.co.uk/index2.php?nav_id=1007 the link is for pump users but the basics are there for multiple daily injection takers like you and me.

the other thing to add is to just remember that you have taken that all important first step of engaging with yourself to tackle the control so do give yourself the time to do it -- it won't all magically come together in a few days -- small steps and small victories will be the way this will happen -- it is a marathon race after all.

Good Luck and keep posting !
 
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