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New to Type I! Help! :)

E

eabhamurphy

Well-Known Member
Messages
94
Hi there,
Ive was diagnosed with type I last Thursday, im 23, spent 5 days in hospital, totally shocked but im okay with it now, just have to learn as much as I can about it and adjust my life I guess. Obviously with type 1 Im taking 4 injections a day, its lucky ive never had a problem with injections..anyways I have a few questions and would really appreciate some advice from you wise people..

-I was diagnosed in Belgium,but i live in England and I am wondering what the system is for prescriptions for diabetics is. Are test strips allowed on prescription for type 1s or will I have to buy these myself? I understand the other meds are free on prescription. Are there any costs I need to be aware of besides diet? (im a student..)
-Snacking....whats the deal? no insulin...no carbs? can one 'work the system' or do i need to follow it ridigly. would i get away with a cafe latte in between meals?the nurses seemed to think this was a ridiculous question ...
-Do you put weight on easily with the new eating regime? My BMI is 20 so I not overly concerned,its just ive been replacing sweet with fat and I dont know if anyone has any experience of how this works out? dont want to create anymore problems..
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Its wonderful that such a websit exists, it makes me feel a little more connected to the world during this transition. Thanks!
Eabha xx
 
Hi Eabha,
Welcome to the forum. i wasdiagnosed type1 last december and it took me ages toget my head round it and post anything on this site!
I'm still adjusting to it all myself so I'm probably not the best person to be advising about dosage etc. i can tell you that as a diabetic you are now entitled to free prescriptions so at least that's one less expense to wotrry about! This includes test strips.i too was abroad when diagnosed. I was on holiday in India and ended up in a coma in intensive care! needless to say I was pretty frightened by the whole experience and when I was admitted to hospital bavk in the uk I had lots of questions. many of these were laughed at or dismissed by some of the nurses. i don't think any question is too trivial or stupid- especially when our lives are potentially at stake! I certainly don't want to become comatose again!

Anyway, I hope I've been of some help and I hope you adjust to your new lifestyle. Yes, this forum is brilliant, it makes me feel almost normal again and makes me realise that I'm not alone.

p.s. I think insulin can facilitate weight gain but I havent become overweight in the 7 months i;ve been taking it and i'd certainly be dead without it!

Good Luck,
Tara
 
Hi Eabha.
Welcome to the forum. Take a good look around, especially the Type 1 Diabetes area. I am sure one of our more experienced T1's will answer your questions later ?

Ken.
 
Hi Eabha,

Fellow T1 here, welcome to the Premier League of diabetes!
You haven't wasted any time getting to grips with it and that's very impressive (head in the sand is soooo much easier).
All your meds, including test strips, should be free on prescription. If your doctor tries to restrict your test strips, ask him what he would do if faced with the risk of hypoglycemia.
Yes, insulin is an anabolic (fat building) hormone. You are slim, like most T1's, often because of this chronic lack of insulin, but the pounds will creep on if you abuse the stuff.
Replacing sweet with fat is a very smart move. You'll need much less insulin, you'll stay slim, and your lipids (cholesterol levels) will be the envy of your friends.
Keep it up, you're off to a great start.

fergus
 
Premier League ?

Fergus...is that the Scot's premier league ? or the English PREMIER LEAGUE...? :lol:

Ken.
 
For snacks I find that nuts are best. Brazils, Walnuts, Pecans etc. Keep away from or severely limit peanuts and cashews.
 
Hello,

On the latte issue - I would swap your coffee choice to an Americano with pouring cream; the latte is of course mainly milk so all the lactose there will inevitably push up your blood sugars. Coffee and cream is much lower carbohydrate and therefore easier to handle. It has the added bonus of being cheaper too!

All the best

Dillinger
 
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