So I've had terrible control..

Many of us can relate to your story @Samsquamch

I'm pleased your taking positive steps to get your diabetes under control, if you look into a carb counting course such as DAFNE this will help improve things as will reading the book Think Like a Pancreas to get a better understanding about type 1 diabetes, also have a good read around the type 1 section of the forum and if you have any questions do come back and ask.

Just one more thing, as you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy you do need to be careful about lowering your bg levels too quickly as this can sometimes make matters worse, I suggest you have a chat with your diabetes consultant and Ophthalmologist (if under their care) about how you should approach improving your diabetes control.

The following has some great advice and information on diabetic retinopathy:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html

@Samsquamch

a) Not personally and I consider myself very lucky to be diagnosed at 30 years old and not 6 like you!

b) Yes. You need to draw a line in the sand now and look ahead. By all means look back if only to see what you don't want to go back to. This forum will arm you with all the tools you need to get your BG levels on track and use your GP/diabetic consultant as much as you can too. If your goal is <7 then go for it, it's achievable but set yourself some smaller targets to begin with and work your way down.

You will get a tremendous amount of advice and suggestions from the forum. My party line is always exercise so keep that up, slow and steady to begin with. It's like every change in life, give yourself a few months and then look at what you've achieved and you will be amazed. Stick in.

Fair play for wanting to take control, absolutely no time like the present !

Yes you are healthy - you are alive, now capitalise on this, keep a diary, include your carb intakes, time eaten, doses, write it down or get a smart phone app like Glucose wiz. This will help you see patterns and figure which insulin needs adjusting.

As quoted above, get into exercise, use a bike or gym but do daily exercise, set yourself a target and get Strava or a fitness app for your phone.

I am an oldie at 42 but diagnosed 3 years ago, took me a year to get over the shock, but am doing everything I possibly can to stay fit, I have background retinopathy probably from the time I was undiagnosed but hope to reverse this with better control. I don't want to get any complications so eat low carb, test 6 times a day, exercise and stay tuned to this forum to pick up tips, although I feel fairly knowledgeable I still know I can learn alot more. I have learnt it takes work to achieve a level playing field with type 1 but once you get there it's easier to manage and becomes less of an obstacle to leading a normal life.

Good luck my friend - we are all here to help

Hi Samsquamch
welcome to the forum

a) i can relate to some of it -- i have some background retinopathy and have had treatment for it but I still drive and can see fine and i am 57 having been T 1 for about 43 years

b ) Yes i do believe that with the hard work and determination you are showing you can be healthy and live a long happy life.
remember that Diabetes is like running a marathon race -- very long and there will be times you feel fed up or not want to be bothered , but at those times remember the goal you have set -- that long and happy life.

and we're always here to help if needed

Yes samsquamch I can relate to you ,for the first 10 years I abused my diabetes,I have probably done what you have done and more but at the age of 24 I started to really look after my diabetes and turn my life around.Yes you can be heathy again.i have been type 1 for over 52 years and only have a couple of very minor complications.Well done you have already made the big step to sorting yourself out.

Samsquamch said:

Big thanks to all of you guys for your kind words onwards and upwards from here then (except my BG.. that can stay down)

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Good luck @Samquamch,
"No one can go back and make a new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending"

diagnosed 2006.but I think I have had it longer. I too had a bad attitude towards helping myself.i wasn't *****. hut problems with my eyes .and effecting my private life I am gonna try to change thing's.wish I had the brain to understand. It all ....best of luck to you mate..your young. and.you have hope and drive

Hi Sam.

Yes. My normal HbA1c was well over 10.
My problem was I fell into the crack and got 'lost' in the system about 19 years ago. About 8 years ago I asked my Dr for help and was referred to a specialist DSN who put me on the road to a BERTIE course which is similar to a DAFNE course.

Its a gradual thing and it has not been easy but I have reduced my HbA1c down to 6.6.

Yes I recently had erratic blood sugar levels I was advised by a fellow diabetic who is also a pharmacist to take my basal dose half in and do one half am and one before bed, and add units where required once your basal dose is correct your short acting dose will be easy and you won't need to worry about your levels. Doing this you will be high for a few days but as your body adjusts and you add units either end for basal you will hit the nail on the head
I started doing this last month it took around 2-3 weeks to get right but now I see a smooth blood sugar level instead of a erratic one