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State Of Shock

I'd just like to thank everyone who has read and/or commented on my post. It has made me feel lots better about things, and it's reassuring tot know that you all look out for each other.

I've decided that being one of 350,000 makes me special, and have decided to approach life that way from now on.

The advice regarding my carbs and eating has been gratefully received, and my new diabetes cook book popped through the door at 7pm, so I'm about to have a read of that.

I also hear the advice about not filling my brain too fast, good advice indeed. It's time to focus on me and my family, getting my routine together and organising myself. I'm determined to enjoy the weekend and tomorrow I will be productive at home while getting some rest too.

Cheers all, and I'll be around. I like to talk, so feel free to reply!
 
Hi @Shilts Welcome to the Fabulous World Of T1D where every day you learn something new, even old farts like me .

You say your bloods have been fluctuating between 15 and 4?

Sounds like my kind of day except I have fluctuated between 12.5 and 1.8 , think I can think why thats happened but still going to blame the weather
 
Ah yes, we ALWAYS blame the weather. Or sock colour.
 
Hi all... Just a few words of encouragement really.... I've had type 1 for 38 years and I have been through uni, had two children and am allergic to insulin..... Mmnn.... That makes blood glucose readings interesting... All I'm going to say here is... I started with using test tubes to check urine for sugar every day, you could only get one needle free in NHS which required sterilising after each use, so my parents opted to buy disposable syringes in packs of ten for me, which having two a day resulted in lasting only five days.... Expensive definitely, then the pens came out and is have too buy the screw on needles.... What I'm really trying to say here is, there is always progress and new gadgets to aid treatment for the diabetes, but in the end, it's you and it together for life, you need to find what works for you, I eat carbs every meal otherwise I'm ill, I inject for what I eat and it works, I've so far not suffered any diabetic complications, so it's working for me... The best advice I can offer, is read, analyse, try, record results and then decide if a certain way is working better than others... I need a twenty gram portion of carbs mid morning regardless of what I'm doing, my body tells me.. Listen to your body, it'll tell you to rest, eat, exercise etc... Good luck with your new addition to the family, type one diabetes x
 
I've been T1 for 48 years and though it's annoying it hasn't really stopped me from doing anything I've wanted to do. (Luckily I've never had the urge to be an astronaut or join the army.)

In the medium to long term I'm sure you'll learn how to carb count, get put on a basal/bolus regime (or in the long term even a pump) which will allow you to adapt your insulin so you can eat the amount you want when you want. (NO need for low carb unless you want to go there, though excessive carbs aren't a great idea.)

In the short term, you do need to know about HYPOS (short for hypoglycaemia). This is when your blood sugar goes too low (less than 4 though most people are OK in the high 3s). The symptoms are slightly different for everyone, but most people feel shaky and hungry and, if they go low enough, start to feel confused, irrational and may even hallucinate before they pass out and potentially go into a coma. No need to panic here, because our livers are very good at pumping out sugar when our blood sugar goes too low, and most of us are very good at recognising when our blood sugars get too low, but you do need to get in the habit of carrying glucose around with you, and make sure your partner knows what to do if you go low, specially at night. And get in the habit of doing a blood test before you drive a car, because low blood sugar and driving is a recipe for disaster.
Sorry if I'm sounding like doom and gloom here, hopefully you've already been told about hypos at the hospital, but they are something you need to know about from day 1, because the consequences of having one when eg driving a car, can be so serious. In practice most T1s (I would say all but I know there are some superhero/heroine T1s out there who have miraculous blood sugar control) get hypos, and deal with them just fine, but it is scary the first time it happens, and it is well worth having your nearest and dearest know about them. (T1 tip, it is incredibly annoying when you're just feeling irritated about something and your loved ones ask you whether you're hypo....).

Good luck, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it all soon enough, it's just a lot to take in all at once.
 
EllieM said:
T1 tip, it is incredibly annoying when you're just feeling irritated about something and your loved ones ask you whether you're hypo....
Click to expand...

Whole heartily agree with that statement!
 
Hi @Shilts, Welcome to you from Adelaide, Australia where we speak a strange version of English, wear strange footwear, if at all, have rotary clotheslines and opposite seasons to you.
Whatever age it might happen at, a diagnosis of diabetes is up there with crashing in a car or plane, the final stretch on bungy jumping or one's worst nightmare. The good news is that it is survivable.
I was diagnosed in 1966 at age 13 with TID and 51 years later I am still going strong. A carpal tunnel release operation there, cataract operation here, so nothing major complication-wise and diabetes did not stop me canoeing and kayaking on long wilderness trips, cycling, playing squash (all in earlier days) or indulging in slightly more sedate past-times and hobbies in these past few years. (all the sort of things you say to others " Do not try this at home)! My age is noted in a certain Beatles song.
Although I can understand that being an astronaut going to the Moon might be beyond my medical clearance I still walk with ankle and wrist weights. You never know when a mission to Jupiter might come up !!
In 1966 forums like this did not exist, or glucose meters, fancy insulins, disposable syringes and needles, pens or insulin pumps. So the advantages today are just awesome !!
If it was my endocrinologist welcoming you I am certain he would be suggesting you ensure you have a good normal age retirement scheme in place. The outlook is that good.
Please keep posting about your experiences as you navigate your changed life. We know almost all the pitfalls, short-cuts, long-cuts, snakes and ladders. Best Wishes !!
 
I hope you're feeling a bit better today both mentally and physically.
As you get the insulin injections then your diet can be more variable than a type twos, though I have to confess that I am perfectly happy as a type two just on the low carb option (I am also insufferably cheerful in the early morning even at silly o'clock and in the rain) and with that mixed insulin you might really need to have carbs to counteract the effects - so knowing the carbs in various foods or drinks might very well help in keeping stability or restoring it.
 
I have a rotary clothes line...
 
Mel dCP said:
I have a rotary clothes line...
Click to expand...

Yes but when your upside down in the world the rotary clothes line goes in the opposite direction to those who live right side up.

It's a scientific fact I'll have you know
 
I got great control on M3. Separates haven't achieved the same.
I'm tempted to ask to go back on M3 even though I'd be on way more total units. Its control was great, for me. And I lost some serious overweight pounds of fat and excess muscle.
As a type2 on insulin I still need good control like you but have severe insulin resistance to nursemaid too.
 
Mel dCP said:
I have a rotary clothes line...
Click to expand...
Ah ! The invention has spread from these shores to you ! I recall as a kid being sternly warned by my father to not keep running and holding onto one of the arms of the device and being whirled around. But how else was I going to learn about angular momentum?
 
Knikki said:
Yes but when your upside down in the world the rotary clothes line goes in the opposite direction to those who live right side up.

It's a scientific fact I'll have you know
Click to expand...
Um, what about the wind direction as a factor in the rotatory direction? As a kite flier I state my case ? er kite !!
 
Hi and welcome, I can see you have been given a warm welcome and great advice so I don’t need to add anything more.
Like you I like to think I’m now “special” I don’t refer to my diabetes as an illness, it’s a condition and I see it as a blessing as it gave me an opportunity to take control and make changes that have enabled me to get my blood sugars back into the normal range, I’m well on the way to being at my ideal weight and I’m healthier and fitter so it’s a win all round for me.
Good luck on your journey and remember there are lots of other special people here who are willing to help you, best wishes
 
Knikki said:
Yes but when your upside down in the world the rotary clothes line goes in the opposite direction to those who live right side up.

It's a scientific fact I'll have you know
Click to expand...
Rotary clothes lines are fine, no matter on which side of the equator you are, but I wish I could get rid of the coriolis effect on my blanket. It gives me cold feet.

And, @kitedoc , no wind to speak of in my bed, so that can't be the cause.
 
Sending you hugs and I have to say your forum name gives me the giggles. With my blurred eyesight it looks like something else!
 
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