[jdstein11]

I just found out that I have diabetes this past Friday, and I'm already like a pegboard with all the holes in me. While I thought it was cool that I was losing weight over the past few months, and though the thirst thing was odd, now that I know what was causing it, I think I'd rather have the weight back!

Anyway, I'm just hunting around for people to answer my questions in between my daily calls to my doctor, and this looks like a solid place to visit and get the guidance I'm seeking. I'm getting the hang of figuring out how much insulin to inject before every meal, but my blood sugar has spiked a few times, resulting in a "whoops!" moment or two, which I'm sure will get better with time.

The weirdest thing for me is that I've been an athlete all my life, with a few years off since my 7 year-old was born, and have been in decent shape since and in good health, but now all of a sudden my doctor looks at my 361 count and says, "Yup; you have diabetes." I mean, talk about a slap in the face by reality! Even though he told me it wasn't anything I did wrong, I still wonder a little, you know?

Sorry for the ramble, and I'm really ok with knowing that checking my sugar level and injecting myself several times per day is now added to my routine, but I still am shaking my head at the reality of my situation. S**t happens, I suppose, so why should I be any different?

Anyway, here I am, a newbie, so I'll be reaching out for guidance, and thanks in advance.

Regards,

Justin

[Dewey]

Hey Justin, and welcome to this vast and always growing family. You've picked a great place to learn lots, meet new and wonderful friends, and share your experiences as you go along. It sounds like you're really getting a handle on things, and that's awesome. on the 361! (I was 400 or there abouts when diagnosed back in '82). It sure is surprising when life throws these curve balls our way....but you sound like you have a decent attitude about it, so that'll really help as you learn the ropes. Just remember one thing: "Diabetes is Never an Exact science....Just when we think we have it figured out, some of the 'rules' will probably change."

[duck]

You can still be an athlete and be a diabetic...There were a couple lineman in the NFL who were diabetic as of a few years ago, along with a number of runners, baseball players, etc. Oh, and being in great shape doesn't seem to be a factor in staving off Type 1 diabetes.

It can be overwhelming at first, but it'll become second nature to you. I'm glad you found this forum!

[jdstein11]

Thanks, Duck; love the signature, BTW!

I just swung from 300 to 63 in a couple of hours, which left me a little shaky, but now that I've had lunch, I'm hoping things settle down.

What are the reasons for going on a pump? I've heard a little about them (in my REALLY short time since I was diagnosed) but I haven't gotten to that chapter yet w/my doc.

[duck]

I went on a pump for the control aspect it allows. I was dx'd in 1990 and looked into getting a pump in 1997...Then again in 1998 and again in 1999. I say this over and over but what finally made me pull the trigger and get one was that the NPH I was on tried to kill me three times in six months (twice in one month) and my girlfriend/now wife found out the pump could make me less moody.

You can have good control on MDI, I'm not disputing that...I just feel that a pump is more intensive therapy that can allow for a healthier and more flexible lifestyle for a person with diabetes.

Personally, I feel that any new Type 1 needs to "pay their dues" and learn to live with diabetes on MDI before going on a pump. MDI will be the fall-back should pump therapy fail or should your pump break and no replacement is forthcoming, so one should understand how to treat Type 1 with MDI, IMHO. But then there's that part of me that says diabetics should aggressively get after this thing, and to that end the pump is the best tool. So...

What is your insulin regimen right now (types used and when)?

[Clint]

Welcome Justin!

I am an athlete as well. I play softball, raced dirt bikes, and just love sports in general. I was dxd @ 24 with type 1 and this past january I got a pump.

This is an awesome place to learn and vent, Lord knows I have vented a time or two

Also, dont let this disease get you down. No one has it down pat 24/7/365 as the rules do change without notice

Again, welcome!

[camjen1]

Hello Justin,

I am T1 and when first diagnosed it also hit me hard. I don't think you would be normal if it didn't affect you.

In the beginning it was like I gotta do this, I gotta do that, I can't eat that but in the end it really grows on you.

There are alot of people here to help you so please feel free to ask all the questions you want. I wish I had someone to talk to when first diagnosed but unfortunetly I didn't have a forum like this.

Keep your head up as things will get better as you get the hang of it.

[archimeech]

I played 5 years of Varsity Soccer in a cut throat league during highschool, played basketball, and ran track; all while being a diabetic. Although, now that I'm older, I'm feeling worn out and I hurt all over everytime I try to do anything. A simple game of raquetteball, where I wind up running the wife around the court as I stand in the middle and laugh just makes me ache all over. but it's still fun to see her running so much!

[HeatherP]

Welcome Justin. I'm sorry you have to join our club. Once you've had a chance to look around a bit I think you'll agree that this is THE website for support and information. I was completely traumatized when first dx'd - my Mom was Diabetic and I knew what I had from the symptoms but it still left me shell-shocked. It takes a while to adjust, and be able to absorb all the knowledge you need to manage on a day to day basis but you'll find it gets easier with every day that goes by. Please always remember there's no such thing as a stupid question, so anytime you need clarification don't be afraid to speak up. I hope you'll visit often and make some new friends!

Nice to meet you,
Heather
(T1 for 14 years)

[YouthIncJr]

WELCOME JUSTIN,

I was dx when I was 5. I am now 36. You can lead a pretty normal life and continue to do the things you have always done. I am pretty active now, have to be, don't want to have heart surgery again. I just need to learn do do things alittle differently, then before. check your sugars, maybe eat some CHO before and activity, but it is all good. actually, Being active will help control your BG. I agree with Duck. learn the MDI first then look into the pump. They are great, the flexibility with activity and with eating are worth it. NOT to mention the control.

~Jr

[daddyo]

Welcome aboard Justin, this a great place to learn, share, vent, chit-chat, or just find the information you might need to live with this day to day.

[Cinnabon]

Welcome Justin!!!
I wish I didn't have to welcome you, but most importantly, WELCOME and we are all here living stronger with Diabetes.This is a great place where you will learn SOOOO much. Trust everyone when they say things will fall into place... THEY WILL!!! You must have the patience. I was there where you are, but at a much earlier age. When kids where stuffing their face with candy and ice cream I was learning how to take shots. Feel free to ask away, we are to help out!!

[am1977]

Welcome Justin

This is a great forum and I think you will find a lot of helpful and supportive people here. It is a bit overwhelming at first, I still remember how awful I felt, but it does get better. Do your best to educate yourself on the disease, assemble a good medical team and team for support (like us ), test your blood sugars often, and follow your meds/insulin routine. It seems like a lot of first, but with time it becomes second nature .

Good luck to you and please drop in anytime

Andrea , Type 1 MM 511

[jdstein11]

Originally Posted by duck

I went on a pump for the control aspect it allows. I was dx'd in 1990 and looked into getting a pump in 1997...Then again in 1998 and again in 1999. I say this over and over but what finally made me pull the trigger and get one was that the NPH I was on tried to kill me three times in six months (twice in one month) and my girlfriend/now wife found out the pump could make me less moody.

You can have good control on MDI, I'm not disputing that...I just feel that a pump is more intensive therapy that can allow for a healthier and more flexible lifestyle for a person with diabetes.

Personally, I feel that any new Type 1 needs to "pay their dues" and learn to live with diabetes on MDI before going on a pump. MDI will be the fall-back should pump therapy fail or should your pump break and no replacement is forthcoming, so one should understand how to treat Type 1 with MDI, IMHO. But then there's that part of me that says diabetics should aggressively get after this thing, and to that end the pump is the best tool. So...

What is your insulin regimen right now (types used and when)?

As a newbie, what is MDI? I'm taking Novolog Penfill before every meal and Lantis before bed. I'm trying to figure out how to balance my BG throughout the day, but I've taken an avg. of 63 ml per day of the combination b/w the two.

[jdstein11]

Originally Posted by Clint

Welcome Justin!

I am an athlete as well. I play softball, raced dirt bikes, and just love sports in general. I was dxd @ 24 with type 1 and this past january I got a pump.

This is an awesome place to learn and vent, Lord knows I have vented a time or two

Also, dont let this disease get you down. No one has it down pat 24/7/365 as the rules do change without notice

Again, welcome!

Thanks, Clint. As if sticking myself 4-5x per day and the testing wasn't enough, yesterday I got blurry vision that comes and goes. Today it's much worse, to the point where I was uncomfortable driving to work. My doc told me this is common and there's no telling when it will clear up, maybe a day, maybe a few weeks, but that it's due to excess BG in my blood. Ugh.