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seeking support

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nicole_1135

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Southampton
Hello everyone!
I'm Nicole, I was diagnosed with diabetes (type 1) in 1999, at the age of 9. As a child/young adolescent I had good control, mostly because of my mother making sure that I did! However, since about the age of 15 anything resembling good control has been non existent. Up until last week, I never tested my blood sugar or watched what I ate or even injected regularly.
I decided about 3 weeks ago that I need to sort my life and my health out and summoned up the courage to meet with my nurse (whose calls I had been avoiding since I saw her last July). Since Monday I have been testing my blood sugar and doing my injections and insulin dosages properly.
The thing i'm worried about is I tend to have these epiphanies, get back on the straight and narrow and do everything as I'm supposed to, for about a month. Then I fall back off the wagon and my sugars are all over the place.
I though that maybe if I sought some extra support I might actually make it this time, and kick this thing in the a**e once and for all. I know that my lifestyle has to change, and has changed so far. But I want it to actually become a lifestyle change and not just a whim that I get bored of within 2 weeks. I want to be healthy and I want a good Hb1AC.
Any advice anyone can give me would be very very much appreciated.
Thanks!
Nicole :)
 
Nicole...you're certainly not the 1st to fall off the bandwagon!!!!!and to then try to climb back on board again!!!!! You'll do it.

I think the main thing is: you have to have a good balance of things in your life- i.e probably everything in moderation so to speak..... that way it isn't so hard to handle the diabetes.

When I was first diagnosed I was brilliant, and I fell off, and got back on board. I was lucky not to get any complications from my falling off days, and I count my lucky stars for that-as I must have had many!!!!

You will do it, but you have to have a balnce of the diabetes with enjoying yourself. You are young, and I guess not wanting to stand out from the crowd with your diabetes.....as you may have had this sort of thing imposed on you from your first being diagnosed and under parental control...that is only a guess though....

You will get back to handling your diabetes with your lifestyle....it should not be one or the other....

Loads of advice and support will come from here....glad that you have taken the first steps to climb back on board....well done for just doing that....
 
Welcome to the Forum, Nicole.

You've come to the right place for good advice and support ! :D

You will find plenty of other Type1's here whose experience can answer your questions plus give you the kick up the a**se you were looking for ! :lol: :lol:

You are right that it is a lifestyle change and the secret to that is to tailor it to your life style so that you won't get bored with it.

Here is the advice that Ken and I give to new members. I hope you may pick up some tips from it.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306&start=0

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002&start=0

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091&start=0



Sue/Ken.
Click to expand...
 
Hi donnellysdogs!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
I've promised myself that i'm going to be completely honest with myself and everyone else about how i'm managing my diabetes. Past nurses and dr's have been furious with me when i've tried to be open about how i'm doing/feeling and have treated me like i'm an imbecile. I was terrified last week when I saw my nurse and told her how **** I was doing, but her reaction and yours have strengthened my resolve to be open about my diabetes.
I'm so used to feeling guilty and ashamed about how rubbish I am with testing and injecting, it's odd to feel proud for making that first step! I really appreciate how welcome you've made me feel on here and it makes me want to do the best that I possibly can so that I might be able to help someone else in the future.
Thank you :D

Hello Sugarless Sue,
Thank you for your advice about diet and carbohydrates. I have in the past very tentatively tried carb counting and have been referred to a course in 6 weeks time. I'll definitely take this advice on board and involve my nurse aswell as I want to have the best possible control of my sugar levels.

Sincerely,
Nicole
 
Hi,

Well done for trying too get yourself in order.

Similar age, similar occupation - or lack of - Student and whilst not being Type 1 can sympathise too a certain degree, since being diagnosed I have given up all the usual student delights - alcohol and take-aways, lost 3 stone, 5 stone in total and have discovered a whole new life.

I know it is incredibly hard and not fair but unfortunately these are the cards we've been dealt, I have embraced it and am doing and feeling great.

It's seem you lack some self-discipline, all I can recommend for that is taking up some kind of sport which aids in your effort - Rowing for me.

I hope it all works out well for you and wish you all the best,

Ben
 
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