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New here and looking for some help...

K

Katie_Smurf

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all.

I've just joined here because I'm looking for some help and advice with my diabetes and no one around me has it.

So, I was diagnosed when I was 7 (I'm 25 now) but I seem to have missed out going through the phase where you start to learn to control the diabetes yourself >.< When I was first diagnosed my mother took tight control of my blood sugars/injections and as soon as I hit high school I felt like I was free...so while I'd eat sensibly at home but at school I'd binge on chocolate and sweets and basically anything I could.

This doesn't seem to have stopped. I still eat whatever I like but I know I shouldn't, I just can't seem to stop myself. I don't bother doing my blood sugars hardly at all and I try to keep up with the injections but because I'm not carbohydrate counting or doing my blood sugars it's just a stab in the dark more than anything.

I need to get control of my diabetes but I seem stuck in the mindset that if I ignore it, it'll go away which I know is ridiculous. I guess I'm just looking for some tips to help me keep on track.

I have mental health problems as well (depression, BPD, anxiety etc), and I have dabbled in diabulimia and I'm struggling to stop myself slipping down that slope.

Sorry for the essay, I just can't seem to keep on track and really need some help.

Thanks
 
Hi, you have acknowledged the problem and that is 90% to fixing it. If you are having trouble getting your bloods right, it's very easy to throw your hands up and give up. There are a few here that have had and are going through diabulimia
a clever T1 will be along to help but for now
are you able to talk to your nurse about it and can you see your nurse to go on a course,

do you have a workbook http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications/9226%20Carbohydrate%20Counting%20the%20Next%20Steps.pdf

what is said by the T1's here is to get your Basal right first by doing fasting tests over night and during the day
http://integrateddiabetes.com/basal-testing/

to work out your food carbs, a lot here use this free program
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Katie and welcome

I went through this phase I was diagnosed at 15 after being ill for around 2 years previously i am now 33

I have hone through the depression the anxiety and the I don't give a f*** stages but I am finally coming through the other side, I moved health boards which has helped but the first step (the biggest 1 ) is the one you have taken is acknowledging you need help, I used to shut everyone out I could do it myself didn't need anyone and don't dare ask me how I am doing or how are your "sugars " as if they would understand if I told them

I phoned the hospital myself and a DSN got straight back to me I made an appointment and actually kept it she took blood and got all the usual HBa1c done and all the rest I was already under the eye doctor for my retinopathy so I knew there was already issues
We discussed why I hadn't seen anyone and why things had got to the position they were in now I was in there 2hours and it was finally like someone would listen someone knew what I meant and what I was talking about, it was baby steps first it was testing 4 times a day that was it and a range of 4-12 ( it was a start ) and better than I presume I had been and an appointment of 2 weeks time with her and the dietician so that came and went and another 1 a month later and because the bs was starting to come down I felt better and able to deal with everyday life and was a bit more rational about things
We got carb counting with the dietician and it was food diaries every week and an appointment once a month but I started to enjoy doing it started to see to benefit and knew that a wee slip wasn't going to be criticised or frowned upon a pump was mentioned and I dismissed it I didn't want a daily reminder of this condition on my belt or my possession I was given an aviva Xpert meter one I love and still have and actually don't mind using bringing it out to test and everyone looking to see what that new found piece of technology is
And then I found this place and what an amazing place it's fill of very knowledgable friendly people who will do what they can to help and I read a lot of success stories of insulin pumps this got me thinking so after much research I asked about it was shown one and thought long and hard eventually I thought ok lets do this so I had numerous appointments with DSN , consultant and dietician got to tick All the boxes attended a course run by my local health board where I have met two people both type 1 who have become very good friends and who I attend my appointments with now as well as share good and bad days with and have built up a very strong support network
So I finally got my pump on 06/05/2014 I was scared but that support network was there that help was there I trusted people in the health board for the first time since diagnosis I now enjoy going to appointments something I never ever thought would be possible and more importantly since January my HBa1c has dropped from 77 (9.4) to 50 (6.7) yes it's been hard work and I guess what I'm trying to say is baby steps knowledge is power if you know what you are doing then things don't seem so bad and you know what to expect
I love my pump and will never give it back it's hard work but something I now actually enjoy dealing with, passing on my knowledge that I have gained to others posting on here in reply to others cries for help I have even found the confidence to leave my job of 16 years to join the nhs starting Monday something I would never have done even 6 months ago my life is so much better and I have control it's tough but hopefully this rather long post will let you see what can be done and what can be achieved you are not alone there are people here to help you you have done the biggest step next one would be to do something about it phone your DSN or GP or whoever it is you get your care from explain how you feel what is going on hopefully you will find someone like I have to support you and turn things around

Good luck I am always around if you need someone to rant at or a shoulder to cry on just pm me if required it's a tough slog but one that is very definitely worth it

Danae x

P.s sorry my essay is longer than yours ;)
 
Thank you so much for your replies guys! It's so good to find some people who understand. A lot of people in my life just say 'Oh, just do it properly' and don't understand it's hard to do.

jack412; I've printed off those things from the links you gave me and I've downloaded that App. Thank you so much for that information.

Danae; Thank you for such a detailed and in depth response. It's made me feel so much better to hear someone's been where I am and got through to the other side. I seem to massively struggle with getting days where my depression is bad and I get somewhat suicidal so then I'm not interested in looking after my diabetes - I have arranged to have my medication sorted which usually helps stop the depressive episodes because for the most part I am over the depression unless I miss some of my medication.

I went to see my DSN this month, after not seeing her since October. She said she'd help keep an eye on it, I have another appointment with her on 10th July, but I don't know what I should be asking her for...what kind of course could I go on? I also have an eye screening appointment next month which I'm dreading because I'm worried what damage will already have been done - I have avoided these appointments purposely because of that reason and I just hope if I ignore it it won't be happening. My DSN is also referring me to a dietician but I don't know when that'll be.

So, if I try to do some baby steps from tomorrow...if I try to do two readings tomorrow (morning and evening) will that be an okay step? At the moment I'm not doing any tests except the odd one after a few days. I'll try to do two every day for a few days and then up it to three then four. I've got an Aviva Expert one so it's good to be able to put in carbohydrate amounts etc.

At the moment I'm having trouble actually eating properly partly due to just picking at little bits of food when I feel like eating and also because of not having much money I can't really afford food shopping. Does anyone have any tips for cheap and easy food which are good for diabetes etc?

Danae - I'm glad things have gone so well for you :)

Thanks.
 
Thank you so much jack412, those links are really helpful.

I have just had a read through the workbook after printing it off and found something I had no idea there was an equation to work out - correction insulin...usually if my blood sugar is high (when I've actually tested it) I just take a guess at what I should take and that usually ends up in a hypo and then I yo-yo back and forth.

Thanks.
 
I think once your confidence is up a bit about you handling your insulin and BG, you are going to feel a lot better about it.
Then there is the needed health weight that will quickly arrive when you do get your bloods sorted. It can be quicker than your sense of body image can adjust to it and you don't recognise your self in the mirror. with the low carb you can adjust how quickly it is and hold at a weight for a while if you want to. While you get use to the new healthy you
 
Katie_Smurf said:
correction insulin...usually if my blood sugar is high (when I've actually tested it) I just take a guess at what I should take and that usually ends up in a hypo and then I yo-yo back and forth..
Click to expand...

Work out your TDD (total daily dose) by adding your basal and bolus doses together, so say your basal dose is 20 units and your bolus needs to cover food amounts to 18 units a day, that would be a total of 38 units, you then divide 100 by that figure (TDD) and what your left with is the amount 1 unit of insulin will bring your bg down by.

So 100/38 = 2.63, therefore 1 unit will drop your bg down by 2.6mmol. This is just a rough guide but works in most cases.
 
HI. There are many on this forum who suffer some form of mental illness so you are not alone. As another poster has said, do try first to get your Basal right by checking your first thing in the morning fasting level. This should be between 5 to 7 mmol (using UK measures). If it isn't make small changes over several days to get it into the right area. Then concentrate on your carb-counting and Bolus ratio. To get back into regular testing and checking concentrate on the main meals first and then gradually check and inject for others as needed. Do adjust the Basal to get that right. Personally I only inject for meals larger than, say, 40gm carbs so usually don't cover breakfast and I don't split my Basal. So, I may only test once or twice a day and inject 3 times. My diabetes sugars are fairly predictable but others find they need to do more. See if you can at least get some daily routine in place to start with
 
@Katie_Smurf How is it going, is your head still spinning with all the info thrown at you? Just take it a bit at a time and don't let us overwhelm you by trying to take it all at once
 
Hi Katie, I'm new on here this is actually my first comment lol. I know exactly what u mean, its so hard to not eat whatever u want that u just rebel against it. Im also 25, have been type 1 for almost 8 years and I'm not carb counting, my dsn has put me on a waiting list for a Daphne course.....iv been waiting a year now. Its just a guessing game. Here if u want to chat!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Dear All - please suggest as per my mother diabetes gets high as well as low in one day , mostly its high all day goes up to 300+ and in night it gets low up to 60-70 , though she is using insoline twice a day 20 units in day and 10 units in the night and she is not using suger at all , please suggest how to control it in this scenario
 
ayesha leghari said:
Dear All - please suggest as per my mother diabetes gets high as well as low in one day , mostly its high all day goes up to 300+ and in night it gets low up to 60-70 , though she is using insoline twice a day 20 units in day and 10 units in the night and she is not using suger at all , please suggest how to control it in this scenario
Click to expand...
you may find it better to start a topic on the insulin page and ask your question, so it will be noticed.
this may help and is in usa numbers
http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/download/insulin_adjustment_workbook_complete.pdf
 
Thanks guys. It's going slowly. I have done my blood sugars a few times which is more than I have recently. I've been shopping to places like Aldi etc that has meant I've been able to buy some decent meat and salad stuff which I guess is better then the processed stuff and chips etc I've been eating lately. I really appreciate all of your support. I'm still finding it hard and it's increased my anxiety quite a lot...but I'm trying baby steps x

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Katie_Smurf said:
At the moment I'm having trouble actually eating properly partly due to just picking at little bits of food when I feel like eating and also because of not having much money I can't really afford food shopping. Does anyone have any tips for cheap and easy food which are good for diabetes etc?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes!
  1. Don't buy your lunches or takeouts - three days of decent sandwiches made at home (plus fruit, etc.) will cost less than your average Costa / Starbucks / McD, etc. for one meal;
  2. Buy your veg from Aldi - they're generally the best value (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/about-aldi/useful-information/store-locator/)
  3. Buy apples, bananas and satsumas / clementines from Lidl ( http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/785.htm )
  4. If you eat meat, Aldi is also extremely good value - especially their "Ham trimmings" (although you need to search out a pack to get one without too much rind)
  5. Shop around for bargains / bulk buys on household items such as toilet rolls, etc. Stores like QD and B&M can be very good - that is, if they're in your area; (this can free up money for more/better food)
  6. Buy good quality (thick, rolled) porridge oats - Jordans or White's, etc., (but again, check online for special offers before you shop as you can pick up the organic range for around £1 a box) and make yourself a bowl of 30grams (weight of porridge) with 300ml of full fat milk for breakfast - it'll fill you up really well for most of the morning, it will give you better blood sugars than the usual breakfast cereals, AND it can help to lower your cholesterol! (One box of Jordans - 750g - will last a single person 25 days @ 30g per day).
  7. If you're not coeliac and you eat bread, buy small loaves of Hovis wholemeal - they're around 60p, and each slice of bread is only 8grams of carbs, rather than the usual 16-20 of the larger loaves...
  8. Buy dark chocolate (65%+) rather than milk - it'll help with the carb and chocolate cravings and is quite good for your health (but only in moderation!) Aldi and Lidl sell a good range, including flavoured ones - which can help if you've been brought up on Cadbury's etc.
  9. Don't buy fizzy drinks or squash - and especially those with artificial sweeteners! They'll only make you hungrier, and more carb addicted, as well as costing a fortune - drink tap water, it's perfectly safe and positively liquid refreshment!
  10. Search out markets and local BME / Euro stores for wholefood bargains, such as lentils, rice, etc. Always go wholemeal / wholegrain where-ever possible.
  11. If you reduce your meal portions (which may not be too hard at the moment if you're picking) then this will help you to spread out a cooked meal over two or more days (depending on what and how much you've cooked... veg-based meals are generally much cheaper - especially those using British staples, like onions, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, etc. Soups, risottos / roasted veg meals can last up to three or four days if kept in a fridge.
I hope this helps... good luck!
 
Katie_Smurf said:
Hi all.

I've just joined here because I'm looking for some help and advice with my diabetes and no one around me has it.
Click to expand...

...And I bet they're all experts though: "just get on with it" // "all you have to do is inject a few times, blah, blah, blah"

:arghh:


Katie_Smurf said:
So, I was diagnosed when I was 7 (I'm 25 now) but I seem to have missed out going through the phase where you start to learn to control the diabetes yourself >.<
Click to expand...

Yep, that's you, me and er, just about everyone else on this forum at some point in our collective diabetic lives! ;)

Katie_Smurf said:
When I was first diagnosed my mother took tight control of my blood sugars/injections and as soon as I hit high school I felt like I was free...so while I'd eat sensibly at home but at school I'd binge on chocolate and sweets and basically anything I could.

This doesn't seem to have stopped. I still eat whatever I like but I know I shouldn't, I just can't seem to stop myself. I don't bother doing my blood sugars hardly at all and I try to keep up with the injections but because I'm not carbohydrate counting or doing my blood sugars it's just a stab in the dark more than anything.
Click to expand...

Just as everyone else has stated before me:
  1. You're not alone or the first to have been going through this;
  2. Diabetes is hard - especially when you're living in a world full of enticements ("because you're worth it" :banghead:)
  3. Take it slowly and methodically - 'baby steps'
  4. Well done for recognising the need to take control - it the first of many important steps!
  5. Diabetes is affected by carbs and can also lead you into a catch-22 carb-addiction cycle that's really hard to break - especially if you've been doing it for a long time...
  6. Don't expect total success or constancy of change, and don't be too hard on yourself if you have a relapse or two - kicking the carbs is no less difficult than stopping smoking, etc.

Katie_Smurf said:
I need to get control of my diabetes but I seem stuck in the mindset that if I ignore it, it'll go away which I know is ridiculous. I guess I'm just looking for some tips to help me keep on track.

I have mental health problems as well (depression, BPD, anxiety etc), and I have dabbled in diabulimia and I'm struggling to stop myself slipping down that slope.
Click to expand...

Your diabetes control issues will have made this much, much worse for you - the more steps you take towards taking control of your diabetes, the lighter, happier and healthier you will feel! It doesn't happen overnight, but believe me it does shift and in very odd ways! If you aren't already receiving diabetes oriented support, ask your DSN / GP to refer you for some - something like CBT could help you retrain your brain

Katie_Smurf said:
Sorry for the essay, I just can't seem to keep on track and really need some help.

Thanks
Click to expand...
No worries - we're all in the same boat, even if we are all rowing with different strokes and in slightly different directions! Good luck - and keep posting :)
 
if you are anything like me, I come home with a basket of veg, and a week later 80% gets thrown away. I found the frozen stuff is best for me, with fresh longer lasting veg. lettuce is about the only throw away what's left, veg I have now
 
ConradJ said:
Yes!
  1. Don't buy your lunches or takeouts - three days of decent sandwiches made at home (plus fruit, etc.) will cost less than your average Costa / Starbucks / McD, etc. for one meal;
  2. Buy your veg from Aldi - they're generally the best value (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/about-aldi/useful-information/store-locator/)
  3. Buy apples, bananas and satsumas / clementines from Lidl ( http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/785.htm )
  4. If you eat meat, Aldi is also extremely good value - especially their "Ham trimmings" (although you need to search out a pack to get one without too much rind)
  5. Shop around for bargains / bulk buys on household items such as toilet rolls, etc. Stores like QD and B&M can be very good - that is, if they're in your area; (this can free up money for more/better food)
  6. Buy good quality (thick, rolled) porridge oats - Jordans or White's, etc., (but again, check online for special offers before you shop as you can pick up the organic range for around £1 a box) and make yourself a bowl of 30grams (weight of porridge) with 300ml of full fat milk for breakfast - it'll fill you up really well for most of the morning, it will give you better blood sugars than the usual breakfast cereals, AND it can help to lower your cholesterol! (One box of Jordans - 750g - will last a single person 25 days @ 30g per day).
  7. If you're not coeliac and you eat bread, buy small loaves of Hovis wholemeal - they're around 60p, and each slice of bread is only 8grams of carbs, rather than the usual 16-20 of the larger loaves...
  8. Buy dark chocolate (65%+) rather than milk - it'll help with the carb and chocolate cravings and is quite good for your health (but only in moderation!) Aldi and Lidl sell a good range, including flavoured ones - which can help if you've been brought up on Cadbury's etc.
  9. Don't buy fizzy drinks or squash - and especially those with artificial sweeteners! They'll only make you hungrier, and more carb addicted, as well as costing a fortune - drink tap water, it's perfectly safe and positively liquid refreshment!
  10. Search out markets and local BME / Euro stores for wholefood bargains, such as lentils, rice, etc. Always go wholemeal / wholegrain where-ever possible.
  11. If you reduce your meal portions (which may not be too hard at the moment if you're picking) then this will help you to spread out a cooked meal over two or more days (depending on what and how much you've cooked... veg-based meals are generally much cheaper - especially those using British staples, like onions, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, etc. Soups, risottos / roasted veg meals can last up to three or four days if kept in a fridge.
I hope this helps... good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you Conrad for such a detailed response! I have been shopping at Aldi etc for fruit/veg/meat etc which has been better than previous. I'll buy some oats when I get my money through on Friday as I do find I snack a lot through the day. I have taken on all these suggestions and will try them out :)

ConradJ said:
...And I bet they're all experts though: "just get on with it" // "all you have to do is inject a few times, blah, blah, blah" :arghh:
Click to expand...

Yeah that's pretty much the response I get. Everyone thinks that because I've had it for years I should find it easy now.


ConradJ said:
Yep, that's you, me and er, just about everyone else on this forum at some point in our collective diabetic lives! ;)
Click to expand...

ConradJ said:
Just as everyone else has stated before me:
  1. You're not alone or the first to have been going through this;
  2. Diabetes is hard - especially when you're living in a world full of enticements ("because you're worth it" :banghead:)
  3. Take it slowly and methodically - 'baby steps'
  4. Well done for recognising the need to take control - it the first of many important steps!
  5. Diabetes is affected by carbs and can also lead you into a catch-22 carb-addiction cycle that's really hard to break - especially if you've been doing it for a long time...
  6. Don't expect total success or constancy of change, and don't be too hard on yourself if you have a relapse or two - kicking the carbs is no less difficult than stopping smoking, etc.
Click to expand...
I am trying to do everything in baby steps, and I have another diabetic appointment next week which I find helpful having it so soon. I've done my blood sugar a fair amount recently (not enough but more than before). I am struggling with being in a carb cycle that seems hard to get out of...I'm hoping if I get the job I'm going for it'll mean I can buy decent food as opposed to buying cheap and easy stuff.


ConradJ said:
Your diabetes control issues will have made this much, much worse for you - the more steps you take towards taking control of your diabetes, the lighter, happier and healthier you will feel! It doesn't happen overnight, but believe me it does shift and in very odd ways! If you aren't already receiving diabetes oriented support, ask your DSN / GP to refer you for some - something like CBT could help you retrain your brain
Click to expand...
I have been feeling somewhat better with my blood sugars being a little more controlled. I have been through DBT/CBT for depression/anxiety but nothing diabetes focussed. I'll mention to my DSN next week about some more focussed support.


ConradJ said:
No worries - we're all in the same boat, even if we are all rowing with different strokes and in slightly different directions! Good luck - and keep posting :)
Click to expand...

jack412 said:
if you are anything like me, I come home with a basket of veg, and a week later 80% gets thrown away. I found the frozen stuff is best for me, with fresh longer lasting veg. lettuce is about the only throw away what's left, veg I have now
Click to expand...
Yes, this has always been a problem for me. I've been buying fruit and actually getting through it and bought the odd bit of veg; I'll buy some frozen stuff when I get my money on Friday in the hope it lasts longer.


At the moment I'm a bit up and down with it all still. I seem to find I'm picking at stuff through the day which is when things always go unsettled because I don't want to have to do my blood sugar and an injection when I'm just having a snack because it'll mean I'm doing loads each day. I think I need to stop the picking at food rather than make myself do the sugars/injections...especially as I'm trying to lose weight and it's always on a sword edge because of the diabulimia issues I've had in the past.

Anyway, thanks for your continued support guys, it's really helping to have people to talk to who understand and know it's not as simple as 'just do a few injections' etc.

x x x
 
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