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Newly Diagnosed and scared

Geordie Newbie

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi.
After years of being Type 2 on Friday I was diagnosed as Type 1 and if I’m honest it knocked me for six. I can normally cope with most things but I am surprised how much this has hit me.

I work different shifts each week so my lunch can be at different times every day. I get 15 minutes break on a morning, half an hour lunch, and 15 minutes on an afternoon. Sone lunch times I have no appetite but by my last break I can be starving.At the moment I have a horrendous thirst, especially on a night, which leads to countless toilet trips during the night. I have no idea what to eat for my meals, to snack on or to drink to get rid of this thirst.

Hopefully I can find some answers on here. I have nobody to support me, my brother just doesn’t want to know, which isn’t helping.
 
Hello there, I'm type 2 and very new to this but I just wanted to say there are so many people on this forum who will help you. It has been a real life saver to me. I'm so sorry about your bro, but you'll get loads of support on here. Sending you a big hug xx
 
Hi Geordie, welcome to the forum, what a shock for you. I’m Type 2 but will tag in two fellow moderators who are Type 1 to help you. @Diakat & @urbanracer
 
Thanks @Rachox

@Geordie Newbie - hi! The thirst will reduce as your numbers come down. For now if still thirsty water, fruit teas or zero carb soft drinks are the best choices.

What insulin are you on as that will affect answers on meals and breaks.
 

Hi @Geordie Newbie and welcome to our little corner of the internet.

Arguably being a T1 does present more issues than being a T2 but we have a few members who have been diagnosed for decades and are living happy lives without complications. I know it's easy to say but relax, it gets easier.

Your polyuria (night time weeing) is a classic symptom and usually stops quickly when you start to bring your blood sugars under control. The thirst is the body's mechanism for flushing out toxins so that too will abate.

What meds have they put you on or are you still waiting for that conversation?
 

I am on NovoRapid during the day and Humulin I Kwick Pen for nights
 
Good - we don’t have to worry about fixed meal times then!
Are you on a set dose at the moment?
 
Hello, and welcome, @Geordie Newbie !
If you're type 1, the way to get rid of the thirst is insulin. Once you learn to use it to keep your blood sugars at reasonable numbers most of the time, the thirst will be gone, as it's the high bg that makes you thirsty.
Geordie Newbie said:
I work different shifts each week so my lunch can be at different times every day.
Click to expand...
No problem. You'll probably get 2 insulins, a long acting and a mealtime one. The mealtime or short acting is taken before food, regardless of the time.
Before, a lot of T1's were on mixed insulins, forcing them to lead very regular lives. The basal/bolus (Long acting/mealtime insulin) is a lot more flexible!
 
You've probably been started at a low dose for safety. There is no way to predict how much insulin someone needs without trying and seeing what happens. It can vary from 6 units a day to over 150 or more. It takes some time to come close to the right dose, wish you all the best!
 
It will end up getting pretty easy, honest. It just becomes a routine to treat and deal with.

As someone said they will start you on a low dose because they don't want you to drop too low. You are probably in the honeymoon phase which means you are making some insulin still. So that makes dosing a little trickier for a bit.

I'm a vegan. My "snacks" instead of a meal would be a easy or ready made protein drink, a nut bar or soy jerky. Quick and easy if you don't have the time. We just need to take our insulin appropriately for what we eat.
 
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