My name is Stephen, but you can call me Med. I’m 35 years old, I enjoy running, soccer, films, music, and craft beer. As of May 25th, I am officially a member of the type 1 diabetes club (I’m told it’s quite exclusive.
At diagnosis my A1C was 14.9, fasting BG 449, and ketones 2+. Since then my average BG is 107 with only one reading above 200 (darn Memorial Day barbecue) but more lows than I’m comfortable with. Last week my endo gave me the okay to start exercising again and I feel better than I have in a long time.
Everyone around me, from my friends and girlfriend to my employer and medical support team, has been fantastic.
Oddly enough, I would say that my life hasn’t changed all that dramatically. I mean sure my fingertips feel like raw meat and I have to stick myself with a needle 4 times a day, but I’ve always been very aware of what I eat and how I take care of myself. This has just given me a reason to be a little more disciplined. Sure, it’s annoying, and I would change it if I could, but there are so many worse things that could happen.
So I’m rambling a little bit here. Thanks for reading.
Welcome to TuD, Stephen and congratulations on the great work getting your numbers down. You are probably still in your honeymoon (sorry!) but it sounds like you have been learning all the needed skills and have a great attitude so you’ll do very well!
Sorry you had to join the club, but as long as you’re here, you might as well enjoy the party. We have some real nutcases here, but every once in a while they say something profound, mostly right after they jump off the diving board. You’ll find out! LOL!!!
Hi Med…your finger tips shouldn’t feel like raw meat. We stick the !*@! out of them all day everyday, but with ultra thin lancets, you shouldn’t have to suffer that part of the drill. Ask your doc about that. Welcome to the club and good luck to you.
The other thing is that after a while, your fingers get callused, and then you don’t feel the sticks as much. Every once in a while, you hit a small blood vessel, and it can be very painful, but most of the time you won’t feel it at all.
Hi Med,
Welcome to the club. We type 1’s are the place to be. he he he. I have been a member for 30 years.
Sounds like you are on your way to really taking care of yourself and have a great attitude about being diagnosed.
I wish you the best of luck in your new diabetes adventure. You can do it! We all have learned on this site. Hope you find it helpful too!
Hi Stephen – I mean Med! Your “rambling a little bit” is not rambling at all; in fact, it’s very uplifting! Glad things are going well.
The most intriguing part of your message, I think, is the title: “Just another type 1”. Why intriguing? Well, first it’s because it suggests that there are hundreds or thousands of us Type 1’s out there. Most newly diagnosed T1D’s feel alone. You don’t. But looking beyond that is the fact that it suggests that we’re all the same, and we’re not. If there is any medical condition where one size does NOT fit all, this is it. Just look around TuDiabetes.org. We’ve got pumpers, MDI’ers, flatliners, slow-pokers, low-carbers, indulgers, parents, children. The differences between people with T1D are as dramatic as the differences between people themselves. Within the T1D fraternity, we are all very different, and also very supportive. From the outside, though, maybe we are all appear to be “just another type 1”.
I see from your profile that you’re from Lansdale, PA. I used to live in the area (no longer) and had a great endocrinologist- one I was introduced to during an unfortunate visit to the ER (more on that another time). He had offices at Frankford-Torresdale Hospital in NE Philly and also on City-(Line) Ave in Bala Cynwyd. It’s been 7 years since I’ve lived there and seen him, but if you ever need a recommendation, feel feee to ask.
It’s great that you have such a healthy outlook on your diagnosis. I remember being devastated at first but then flipping that attitude to one that is focused on health and looking at diabetes as just another reason to make healthy choices. Your ahead of the game with your great attitude.
Welcome! I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 25 years, and must say, every now and then when I squeeze a finger a little blood comes out, even though I use very fine needles. I suppose after 25 years that might happen lol
By any chance do you have a gold-copper crown on any molar? That is most likely the reason I became diabetic the year after.
I’m glad gold is so expensive now because it forces dentists to suggest white composite and porcelain as a crown.
It sounds like you will take the best approach and your health will even improve.
I find if I do a lot of walking it makes a huge difference into the next day, so if I do plan to walk for 3-4 hours I take less insulin that day. That is not undertaking it, it is simply being aware that insulin sensitivity suddenly increases as soon as you deplete the glycogen stores in the muscles and this works for both types 1+ 2 and the low reaction can come hours after the exercise.
That’s why I was miffed that they could only say test before and after a 14min exercise routine last November 14. I felt they missed the point of the effect lasting longer than the 14 minutes, but they couldn’t stop people eating and drinking. But this November it needs to be mentioned and perhaps two after tests reported one immediately after and results for the rest of the day.
The other point about that test is that sometimes blood sugar goes up on exercise if glycogen stores are released from the liver, but it is more than made up for in the hours following.
