Type 1 Diabetes, a 2 Year Battle!

Hi there,

You are young and I imagine it must be alot to deal with at such a young age. I was diagnosed 2 months ago at the age of 27 and initially I thought this was got to be a real struggle. But I quickly learnt through reading these forums, discussing with my DSN and consultant that it shouldn't and doesn't need to change my life. Yes I have to do a few extra things in the day but in general nothing has changed and over the past few weeks I haven't even noticed it really.

I think you need to come to terms with it yourself, you have the support there just try and understand this doesn't need to make you depressed, you can enjoy a long and happy life just like everyone else but firstly accept it. You have lots of support around you who want to help you but you need to try and not push them away but they also need to understand that this is something you have to deal with yourself first before you can really let anyone in.

Injecting yourself I can't comment on too much because it doesn't really affect me, but where do you inject yourself and how do you do it. Before a week ago I was injecting straight into my stomach which sometimes stung, but I now have learnt that if I pinch the skin out then insert the needle i don't feel anything. Also I believe the thigh, and bum are good places to inject because they are the most fleshy part. I don't think they will let you have a pump until you can prove that you want to control it yourself.

I know it is hard but stay strong, and just remember this doesn't have to change you or your life and the sooner you accept this the sooner you can start getting on and enjoying your life with your boyfriend and your family.

Thanks
Steven

Hello Greyhoundjoe!

Firstly let me say that although it can all seem bleak at times you can get your diabetes under control. Like you I was diagnosed in my teens and had a hard time accepting the fact that I had this life changing condition.. I did not look after myself properly and had a couple of trips to hospital.

The good news is that by coming on here you have admitted that you have a problem and that's the first step to resolving it. Unfortunately I can't give you any wonder cures or quick fixes as there is no silver bullet... good control is down to you and you alone.. you need to take control of the diabetes before you develop complications or worse..

The next piece of good news is that taking control although it may seem really daunting can be achieved in a few simple steps and if you undertake these even 80% of the time you will see a massive improvement in your blood sugars..

When I needed to take control I done the following:

1. I started to test... testing hurts, its not pleasant and none of us like it but it is essential if you are to take control. At a minimum test before a meal and two hours post meal..

2. Keep a record... Keeping a record of your tests and injections and carbs is not just to please the diabetic clinic or your GP... without it you can't see patterns and control your diabetes.. Make a note of all your blood readings.. the carbs you eat... the insulin you inject.. If your out an about and don't want to look odd writing things down do what I do take a quick look and then shove the packets in your bag for recording later. After only a few days I bet you will see trends in your sugars i.e. high at certain times or 2 hour post meals are high etc... you can then start to act on this..

3. Go on a carb counting course (or learn about it yourself!) I have never been on one.. I just measure the carbs from the packets and then I worked out my ratio's.. starting at 1 unit of rapid per 10g of carbs until I figured out what I needed..

Start by making small adjustments and work up to bigger changes and it wont feel so daunting..

Reference the pump... ironically to use a pump correctly you need to be able to count carbs and calculate insulin.. I suspect the hospital don't believe you have the commitment to do this (be that fair or not!).. so perhaps by starting your recording (say in a spreadsheet or what have you).. then next time you go you can demonstrate that you are trying to take control.. I suspect maybe they will be more receptive then..

At the end of the day the management of your diabetes is down to you.. people can try and help but it's something you need to get to grips with.. this forum is here to help you do that.. so please if you have questions / queries then do ask!

Good Luck

SORRY TO HAER THIS JOE IF IT GIVES U ANY COMFORT IM NEVER BELOW 15+ AND 25+ EVERY DAY

Hiya,
take a deep breth and breath. :wink: Many diabetics have been in the same situation and like you are going to do is turn it all around.
Take one day at a time, having a bad day? there's always tomorrow which will be better.
Remember also that your blood sugar results are just numbers to be corrected up or down or left the same with no intervention needed. Start afresh with testing and write all your numbers down and your insulin amounts. This way your correct dosage can be worked out easier. Your needle fear, have you a guard/shield to hide the needle? If not ask for one. Do you use the numbing cream as well? Many people use it and say it works very well.
Feeling depressed would be due to your high blood sugars. Once you have them down then you will feel better in yourself as well.
Being needle phobic does entitle you to a pump, but only if you look after yourself. If you wont or can't carb count or do your injections as you are suposed to then no you can not have a pump. This is due to having to be very dedicated to testing and adjusting your levels. DKA can come on very quickly when using a pump incorrectly.
Cornwall is well renowned for not dishing out pumps so you do have to fight hard for one. As things stand though you stand no chance. But once you have things sorted as in testing and injecting and carb counting then fight for it. I am happy to help as took on the PCT for my pump funding :evil:

Where abouts are you in Cornwall?

carbsrok...
gud for u that u have sorted things out i have no problems with injecting nor any fear of neddles as in covered in tattoos before i started taken insulin i was on metiformin and diet i dropped to about 12 stone from 13.5 stone a started the insulin in my 2011 and im about 14 stone my problem is blood sugars will no stableise i ran a full marathon just before i started insulin im due to satrt trianning again but my energy levels just dont hold out i was a fit person this time last year and going to start a no carbs diet plan as from monday any tips :think:

JACKIEC123 said:

carbsrok...
gud for u that u have sorted things out i have no problems with injecting nor any fear of neddles as in covered in tattoos before i started taken insulin i was on metiformin and diet i dropped to about 12 stone from 13.5 stone a started the insulin in my 2011 and im about 14 stone my problem is blood sugars will no stableise i ran a full marathon just before i started insulin im due to satrt trianning again but my energy levels just dont hold out i was a fit person this time last year and going to start a no carbs diet plan as from monday any tips :think:

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Hi Jackie,
I think either (more than likely) I didn't write my post to well or you misunderstood it.
I've never had problems with injecting or needles.

As you blood sugars are so unstable do you honestly think it's a wise thing to start running before you can walk? :crazy:
You need to sort out your basal insulin first then sort out your carb ratio.
There are a couple of good books available from Amazon, called using insulin and think like a pancreas, which will help you understand how to control your diabetes.
There's also a good web site called run sweet which you can google.

Just a quick thing about your needle phobia, have you tried holding an ice cube to the skin for a few seconds before injecting, this numbs the skin and should stop you feeling anything?

Steven

Joe,

I don't have the same issue with the injections as you do.. I didn't particularly like them at the start but then I think you would have to be odd in the head to like sticking needles into yourself!!

The problem with diabetes is that it is a silent killer.. if every time you had high blood sugar you had agonising pain or lost feelings in your hands or feet or what have you then it would be 100 times easier to get motived because hell the needles aren't nice but they are better than the alternative.. Unfortunately diabetes doesn't give us these warnings straight away and it can take many years for the problems to develop but they are developing like it or not.. I don't want to come across as harsh! or being horrid on purpose but the bottom line is that anyone with poor control is killing themselves.. that's the black and the white of it..

Hopefully by posting on here you have turned a corner and can find your motivation.. for some diabetics this comes easy for others we need a kick up the backside.. as I said before mine was a not so particularly nice stay in hospital and now later in life I have my partner and daughter that motivate me to keep well controlled.. you need to find your motivation.. you can and you will have a long and normal life... you can do anything that a normal person can do but you need to take control of your situation.

You need to sit down with your family and develop a plan.. the target being your long term goal of getting a pump.. you need to put together a structure that you can follow in regards to testing and injecting and recording.. and you need to share this daily with your family.. explain to them how you feel what you want to achieve and ask for their help.. at the end of the day your family love you and will support you but I suspect they are feeling as lost and out of control as you are.