Diagnosed 1.5 last month

[David_S]

Hello my name is Dave. I was diagnosed as type 1.5 10/20/06. My wofe made me go to the PCP for a bad headache at the base of skull, top of my neck. I had also been loosing weight over I guess the past 6 or 7 months. I am a mailman and I walk sometimes 4 hours a day. I didn't think much of drinking more water or going to the bathroom more often because it seemed to go with the amount of exercise and water I drink at work. Well the PCP didn't think much of it but ran some blood work . A week later I was told my sugar level was 383. I was told to come back that day. I tested at over 600 as the gluc. read " HIGH". I saw an endocronologist and he put me on insulin right at the office. I am 37 yo, 6'3 and weigh 175. The dietician wants me to gain 15 pounds. My wife and I are following the 2,800 calorie diet closely. My numbers started to look good after three days of 10 units lantus at night and novolog according to a scale. They remained higher at night.. over 200 at bedtime. So now I gave 2 units novolog before dinner. We are so new to this and it seems like all we do is read labels, plan meals, check sugar, injections. When will this become second nature? It feels like it controls our day.

[trpack]

Welcome aboard David, glad that you found us. Your wife sounds very supportive and that is awesome, it helps alot. Things will become second nature before you know it. I was diagnosed in June and I do not read a whole lot of labels anymore because I know what they are for the types of food that I eat. The best advice that I think you will hear is to test, test, test and then test some more. I tested before I ate, an hour after, two hours after and then again at three. Because of this I feel that I know what each type of food, each med and each exercise will do to my sugars. Good luck and ask all of the questions that you want.

[David_S]

Thanks for your reply. I guess over time we will get used to all of this. The main question I have now is about how to keep the novolog from freezing up when I am at work delivering mail, walking outdoors for hours at at time. I am in Pittsburgh, Pa. My wife contacted the novolog compnay and they sid to keep it in my pocket, on me to keep it warm. I guess I will have to keep the glucometer warm as well or it won't work right. SO much to figure out ! Yes we are testing and have a blank journal. We are keeping track of what we eat and the numbers before and after. It helps me see what I do right !

[Cyborg]

Glad to hear you were correctly diagnosed type wise. Welcome aboard, hope to see you around. :wavey:

[Keezheekoni]

Welcome to the board! I haven't seen a mail carrier walk through a neighborhood since I lived in California. Here in WA, they deliver in their trucks to our curb mailboxes... :) Okay, not totally true, I saw our postman at the dentist office the other day...he was lying down there! :rofl:

As far as your new routine becoming second nature, it'll come! Once you've got your ratios at the right numbers, it'll get a lot easier. :) Sometimes that can take a few months, but it's definitely worth it!

Congratulations to your wife for being supportive. I know a lot of people who have partners who are not so helpful. Give her a big hug for us! :D

[mary1812mary]

Don't worry, in time you will get used to the regimen. My hubby and I are both on pumps, test at least a dozen times a day, but we don't miss a beat! We walk, ride our bikes, go on vacations, etc. Of course, you will be checking your bgs often and compensating with insulin. Sometimes there are difficulties, but it's worth it to try to keep in good control.

It's great your wife is supportive. It makes HUGE difference!

Mary

[NoraWI]

David, what you need is an insulated pack to carry your insulins. For hot weather there is the Frio insulated pack that is activated by running cold water over it. There must be something to keep insulin at a *warmer* temperature in cold climates. You might contact the manufacturer of "Frio" and see if they make something. Google "Frio insulin pack." It might bring up others who sells diabetic supplies. Otherwise, look into camping stuff.

[David_S]

Thanks NoraWI... I just got the new one touch mini.. it is small and fits in my pocket. It was only $20 too. I have been looking at camping eqp. and it seems bulky so far. Thanks for the tips.