Type 2 / Type 1

[dazzeur]

I have been quiet here for a while and sadly things have got worse for me.
I've just had bloods taken to see if I am actually Type 1 now.
Been on metformin 1000mg twice a day and also gliclizide 80mg twice a day and it hasnt been helping me enough.
Yesterday they moved me off the gliclidize and now onto insulin. Still working out, but am on novorapid 4 units before lunch and dinner and levemir before bed, while testing when i wake up, before lunch, before dinner and before bed.
It's all a bit much of an information overload so any further advice, tips, help etc, please let me know.

I feel one of the big difficulties I am facing is they say I am an anomaly. I am young for type 2, old for type 1 and they are trying to work me out and what works for me.

Also, should I be telling my work colleagues anything? I guess it is more possible for me to Hypo now, so what would I tell them?

 

[Deleted Account]

Welcome to the club!
Ask any questions you want - there are plenty of us around with type 1 (although, type 2 is more popular).
Diabetes is a constant learning curve. I have had type 1 for nearly 15 years and learn something new all the time.
But you don't have to know everything at the start ... think of it as a marathon rather than a sprint.
There are days my BG stays under control and days when it behaves like an annoying teenager ... or toddler.

If you take a read of this thread, https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/type-1stars-r-us.150597/, you'll see how many of us have good days and bad days.

Don't worry about being an anomaly - I don't think you can generalise about people.
However, the idea of being "old for type 1" is unlikely to be true. More than half people with type 1 are diagnose over the age of 20. I was diagnosed in my mid 30s and there are others on the forum diagnosed older than that.

 

[KK123]

Hi dazzeur, I was diagnosed 15 months ago at the grand old age of 57 and the Consultant told me it is not that unusual. The fact that they are looking at you as an individual is a good thing because in the end, that is all that matters. That YOU get the right regime for YOU. It's good that they are doing specific blood tests too although sometimes even these results may not be 100% definitive. What work do you do?, I think that you should speak to your Occ health dept in the first instance. With you just starting on insulin your glucose levels may go up and down and if you do go hypo at work they won't have a clue what is going on. As a reminder (if you drive) make sure you tell dvla although they may already be aware because of previous glucose lowering meds?. I am guessing that you have a glucose monitor for testing before and after meals? x

 

[dazzeur]

I have a monitor to test. The nurse gave me the Contour Next One which seems good.
I am 37 so I guess I am not too old or young - just this happens.
Today is day two of injecting and I am trying to learn as I go.

For work, I am office based, but still would like to be able to inform my colleagues what to do if I hypo or something else? What else could happen that they would need to know about?

Also, what about alcohol? I don't drink regularly but when I do drink, I do enjoy a fair few gin and tonics.

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @dazzeur Yes it helps to know sooner rather than later as unfortunately many type 1's get diagnosed as type 2's first, what's vital now is getting your BG levels under control so you are in the driving seat. I was diagnosed at 38, mine was fairly easy to detect as it came on within a week and was very poorly, but others I know have had much more subtle symptoms which could easily get mis-diagnosed. I know it's a shock and whirlwind but once you get your knowledge on it then it will get easier.

Personally I would tell anyone you work with, saves the embarrassment of having a hypo then trying to explain why you're talking nonsense or staring into space, I didn't tell a boss once when I was having a hypo then sent him an email with the wrong name addressed on it, he pulled me up for it and then had to tell him afterwards but felt so embarrassed.. doh !

Also you can drink, have a life etc, it's all do-able, I like a drink too but now am careful to moderate and finish with chips/carbs when I do