Type 3 Diabetic

[Rubadubman]

22/01/2023
Hi Laura and others on this thread.
I had the rear half of my pancreas removed last June, (including Spleen and Gallbladder). A scan had previously revealed a ‘possible’ pre-cancerous lesion.
The biopsy thankfully proved negative. I had a post op follow up app and blood test innDecember.

The result was an HbA1c marker of 55, putting me in the diabetic spectrum. I was mildly shocked as I had not been forewarned that I may (likely) to become diabetic.
A second blood test two weeks ago gave a similar result. I’m now awaiting GP’s guidance and advice.
I’ll keep this thread posted with developments.

 

[JAT1]

Welcome to the forums. I found them immensely helpful and I trust you will too. I had the Whipple back in 2007 and was diagnosed type 1 in 2018. Since then I have been learning and researching daily about diabetes. The low-carb diet works best for me to keep my blood sugar in range (keto is hard on my gut). I have a meter and test regularly and everyone here would probably recommend that too. Ask any questions you have. It can be quite hard at the beginning to get used to being diabetic but thankfully it does get easier with time. The best thing about diabetes is that it is a disease you can do something about and therefore live a long and happy life, unlike many other diseases. When I got my blood sugar monitor and the druggist was instructing me on its use, he told me that "diabetes is a self managed disease" and that made me realize how much my diet and blood monitoring mattered. Attitude is extremely important - optimism makes all life's hardships easier.

 

[Rubadubman]

Welcome to the forums. I found them immensely helpful and I trust you will too. I had the Whipple back in 2007 and was diagnosed type 1 in 2018. Since then I have been learning and researching daily about diabetes. The low-carb diet works best for me to keep my blood sugar in range (keto is hard on my gut). I have a meter and test regularly and everyone here would probably recommend that too. Ask any questions you have. It can be quite hard at the beginning to get used to being diabetic but thankfully it does get easier with time. The best thing about diabetes is that it is a disease you can do something about and therefore live a long and happy life, unlike many other diseases. When I got my blood sugar monitor and the druggist was instructing me on its use, he told me that "diabetes is a self managed disease" and that made me realize how much my diet and blood monitoring mattered. Attitude is extremely important - optimism makes all life's hardships easier.

Thank you for those words of wisdom, it has certainly helped me mentally. I'll look at the blood sugar monitor options, I'm sure it would take away some of the uncertainty of the finger stick method.
Thanks again.

 

[JAT1]

Actually, I use a meter (oops - not a monitor) so I finger prink before eating and 2 hours after, sometimes if I am uncertain 1 hour after, then 2, then 3 and then 4. However, over the years I have learned how foods usually react with me. If a have under 10 carbs in a meal, I don't do all the checks. Many people here use CGMs and the like and one advantage I see to them is you can see your percentage 'time in range' TIR which is an important indicator and that can help in avoiding spikes which I understand are not good even if for a short period as well of course for the hypos.

 

[plantae]

The other thing I like about my libre 2 is that is has alarms. I don't feel any different when I'm having a hypo (although I do afterwards I've learned today). I'm sure the libre alarms have kept me out of hospital more than once. If the libre says I'm low, though, I always double check with a finger prick. At the doctor today my alarm went off... I had no idea I was low... not even an inkling. Contour confirmed; I'd dropped from the 4s into the 2s in, I dunno, it must have been less than 10 minutes. Now I'm tired and a bit confused but the low has been treated and long gone... I didn't feel it at the time