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Type 1 Newbie to forum

suematt

suematt

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2
Hi all,
My name is Sue. I have been diagnosed with type1 diabetes since 1982, I was 29 first diagnosed during pregnancy but unfortunately it never went away. I started counting carbs a few years ago and it worked brilliantly. I test my blood sugars 6 times a day every day, so you might know what my finger tips now look like. I am getting rather concerned at the moment my blood sugars are all over the place, they can drop suddenly or be very high.
I have bouts of depression and get so angry with myself for not controlling my blood sugars. I have tried altering my humalog insulin and lantus but can never seem to get it right. I have been seriously thinking about asking my GP if I would benefit by using the pump method.
Could anyone help I am at the end of my tether.
Than you
 
Hi Sue and welcome to the forum :)

If your under the care of a hospital diabetes clinic ask your DSN or Consultant about the possibilities of moving over to a pump, there has to be a clinical need so you do have to meet the NICE criteria or your Consultant can still make a case under the ABCD recommendations.

Here's some good information on how insulin pumps are provided by the NHS:

http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/alt-insulin-pumps/is-it-provided-by-the-nhs/
 
Hi @suematt and welcome. I was diagnosed 30 years ago and repeatedly declined even considering a pump as I knew nothing about them. I started using a Dexcom CGM, and that opened up the appreciation of micro dosing and at that point I serious considered a pump. The two things have been eye opening and life changing and I would definitely encourage you to look into at least a pump, but also CGM/Libre Glucose Monitoring if you can.
As with everything, some people love pumping and/or CGM/Libre Glucose Monitoring but some hate it, but the control it affords me is invaluable. With just two blood tests per day, I calibrate my dexcom and that gives me a constant, and accurate reading every 5 minutes. For me now, blood tests are a pleasure, and hold meaning and value, as I am able to interpret the information, and utilise it with the pump.
 
Hi suematt welcome to the club. I was diagnosed back in 1991 age 28 as type 1 and I'm sure I've been on a very similar journey as you,. I tried carb counting and it was great for a year or so, but in all honesty I was only dabbling with it. After awhile the control wasn't as good as it had been, which is when my consultant suggested I consider doing a Dafne course. I was sceptical I mean what could they teach me I had year's of experience at being diabetic. It was a week long course and I learnt so much I truly was amazed. If you have a chance to get on a course take it, I'm sure you'll benefit from it. Since I did the course I still have the bad days as I think a lot of us do, but now I have a better understanding of what is wrong and how I can overcome the problem and get back on the happy track. All the answers are out there, it just needs someone to show us where they are. Good luck.
 
Hi suematt, welcome to the forum! I have been T1 for some 30 years now and I am 52. I am experiencing a worsening in BG control as of late, and my doctor said it is probably due to menopause, which makes control more difficult and BG levels definitely more erratic… He advised I just check often and devote more time and brain to try sorting things out, but without turning obsessive. There's so much about BG levels that we can't control, please don't feel angry with yourself. Remember that your body does not just lack insulin, but at least other 5 glucose-managing hormones (insulin is the only one we can replace… still imperfectly, as yet), so reaching a next-to-normal BG control is a bet most of the time, no matter how hard we try. Of course we keep trying, because whatever little bit we can do goes all to our advantage. But manually performing the functions of a pancreas IS a risky and tricky and overwhelming task. We are bound to blow something now and then… but we should congratulate ourselves on our many achievements as well. (Heroes. We're absolute heroes, focus on that one).
As for a pump, I don't know. I never used one, but my sister did (for 10 years or so) and has recently gone back to MDI, she told me her pump had brought no significant improvement. Whether a pump can be useful or not depends on so many things, so yes, you are right: the best thing would be to ask your GP, he can surely help you making a decision.
A big hug and best, warmest, wishes.
 
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