Newly diagnosed Type 1 - HELP!

Poppysmum said:

My Husband has been diagnosed Type1 today, I need diet advice please, I thought we ate healthily but his readings have been 22+
Please help - where can I get advice & diet sheets?

Thanking you in advance X

Click to expand...

Hello Poppysmum, sorry to hear of your hubbys diagnosis,its obviously come as a big shock and can be a bit overwhelming to start with.

Type 1 is an auto -immune condition where the body attacks the pancreas and that stops the insulin from working. Don't blame yourself or diet etc it has nothing to do with lifestyle, its just one of those things. A lot of people suffered a viral infection or another similar illness before being diagnosed with Type 1, I suffered shock, became ill with something else then the diabetes followed,

It's best for your hubby to see a Diabetes nurse or his doctor and try to get as much information as possible on Type 1. He is obviously on Insulin, so he will need to match the insulin to the amount of carbs he has with each meal. The library is a goodplace to start and also you can google diabetes as well. A forum like this can be very helpful and supportive. If he doesn't have enough Insulin with his meal, his blood sugar could rise quite a bit, called a Hyper and if he has too much Insulin then that can cause a low blood sugar, called a Hypo. Always carry some hypo treatments such as glucose tablets or lucazade, coke or jelly babies/jelly beans to help get the sugar level back, under 4 is classed as a Hypo.
Theres a lot to take in, but in time, it will get easier.

Best wishes to you and hubby RRB

Poppysmum said:

Robinredbreast - Many thanks for your reply. You say my hubby should be on Insulin but he's not, all he's been given is the monitor thing, strips & pricker. He did the the Diabetic nurse today but no mention of Insulin?!?

Click to expand...

Aahhhh, Type 1's( myself included) would go on Insulin straight away,maybe he type 2 then or they are unsure of what type he is then? When I was diagnosed and in hospital I had to have Insulin injections and thats it for life. Type 2 and Type 1 are completely different and need different medical advice. Type 2's can be on diet alone, diet and tablets or some have to take some Insulin as well. If he isn't Type 1, then please disregard any info about type 1's medication. Do you know what the the doctor or hospital actually said?

Best wishes RRB

Poppysmum said:

Yes, she told him it was Type 1 Diabetes and he should control it thru diet, he is only 36 but he is overweight and doesn't do enough exercise. He has also been referred to eye cliniic - "Rhino" something?? at our Hospital, something to do with an eye test as he is having trouble driving at night, which prompted him to visit Dr firstly.
Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

Click to expand...

Hi again, what you have written above is the symptoms and medication of a Type 2, not Type 1. Type 1 cannot be controlled with diet, we have to have Insulin to keep us alive as our bodies do not produce it anymore. It does sound as though the Nurse has got the type's muddle up. Honestly Type 1 diabetics MUST have Insulin for the rest of our lives.

Well done to your hubby for actually going to his doctor when he knew something wasn't right and good luck with the hospiat eye tests.

Why don't you google Type 1 and then Type 2 and then you would get the right information about the different types, regarding symptoms and medication and then go back to doctor or nurse. Best wishes RRB

There must some confusion which you will need to clarify asap from doc or diabetic nurse. A type 1 will have to have insulin injections. Usually 1 for a background insulin and another to be taken with every meal. However a type 2 will be usually be required to see if diet and excercise helps first. If not usually prescribed tablets and sometimes if all fails then insulin.

Sent from my GT-S5360 using DCUK Forum mobile app

Both are bad to have. Arguably type 1 is the worst but easier to manage as i have no food restrictions personally as I can insulate for them though not as straight forward as that due to hypers and hypos. Alot if type 2 have to very carefully monitor there carb intake and alot of type 2 follow low carb diet and excercise to increase their insulin sensitivity. However both need to be closely monitored to avoid complications.

Sent from my GT-S5360 using DCUK Forum mobile app