Really new to T1

[E_Lou]

So I am 22 years old and just found out I have Type 1 about 3 weeks ago. My dad has it, so I knew the basics. I dont know of anyone my age dealing with it, but it definitly sucks. I like to go out with my friends and I know you arent supposed to drink much, but can it be done carefully? like with lots of testing and food? are certain drinks better than others?

also, I found that I gained weight as soon as I started on insulin, like 10 pounds. I guess this is pretty normal, since before diagnosis I had lost a bit of weight, but I have read that taking insulin makes u gain some weight and its hard to get rid of it...is this true???
Thanks if anyone can help. I have been looking through this site and its been helpful so far.

[KCP]

Hi E Lou! Welcome to the site! You'll learn heaps from everyone here.. SUcks that you have to be here, but HI! :hello:

[Emm]

Welcome to DF, E_Lou :)

YES you can still drink when diabetic. It's like you said, just test a lot and make sure you're eating. It's important to keep an eye on your numbers afterwards as well as alcohol can have funny effects on your BG. You might go to sleep at a nice pretty 5.5 and wake up quite low or miles high, depending on what you drink, what you ate, and how much walking/dancing etc was involved. Alcohol is a tricky one to predict, so be careful.

Another important thing... make sure people around you know you're diabetic. If you should pass out or start acting weird they'll assume it's the drink and you could left to it when all you need is a bit of sugar. Someone has to know what to do and how to treat you.

A lot of us have given up on drinking. I still drink, but almost never more than just one or two. Scares me too much (chicken! lol). If you're careful about it and take it easy you'll figure out how to do it safely :)

The weight gain. Ahhhh yes. SUX doesn't it! I was so happy when I was a skinny little thing at diagnosis. I'd never been skinny in my life! Then I started insulin, got a whole lot healthier and a whole lot rounder. *sigh*. It is possible to lose weight on insulin, but it takes a little more careful planning. I really think exercise is our best friend - well, 2nd best friend, our BG meters come first!

In my humble opinion, insulin to blame for just a small weight gain (a different amount in each of us, of course, hard to pick a number) and the rest is because we eat to prevent hypos, or add more carb to our diets due to bad doctors advice (eat them if you want, but why add MORE? our bodies can't handle 'em!), or we get less exercise because we're scared of hypos... etc. It takes a while to settle after diagnosis, but at some point when we're more confident it gets easier to stop gaining / start losing weight.

Great to have you here with us... I think you'll love this place, there's a wealth of information and wonderful people :)

[Dewey]

So I am 22 years old and just found out I have Type 1 about 3 weeks ago. My dad has it, so I knew the basics. I dont know of anyone my age dealing with it, but it definitly sucks. I like to go out with my friends and I know you arent supposed to drink much, but can it be done carefully? like with lots of testing and food? are certain drinks better than others?

also, I found that I gained weight as soon as I started on insulin, like 10 pounds. I guess this is pretty normal, since before diagnosis I had lost a bit of weight, but I have read that taking insulin makes u gain some weight and its hard to get rid of it...is this true???
Thanks if anyone can help. I have been looking through this site and its been helpful so far.

Hi E_Lou & welcome. :shakehand Yes, you can drink safely by testing more and not going overboard (drinking too much). I can't say how each person reacts when they've had drinks, but have found that my bgs are affected depending on the type of drinks I have (i.e. sweeter drinks can cause a rise in bgs, while dry drinks can cause a slower elevation...some drinks have been known to decrease bgs initially, then cause elevations later). I've heard that eating snacks or grazing slightly will help in keeping you from becoming too intoxicated and keep you from dropping too low. However, it is a balancing act and testing more frequently is the best way to keep troubles at bay.

It's really hard to say whether insulin causes weight gain or not. There are so many factors involved, and everyone has his or her own views on it. People have argued this for quite some time now. Some believe that the more insulin a person takes, the more they have to eat to prevent or treat lows (correcting). Others feel that eating in & of itself has caused weight gain (and that more insulin is then required)...It's somewhat of a vicious cycle in that regard. Personally, I think it's a little of everything, and almost anything is possible. We're different & things affect each of us in different ways.

[gettingby]

Hi E_Lou and Welcome.
You don't have to give up much because of D. Just do everything in moderation. That's the key.

[xMenace]

Welcome Lou,

Insulin doesn't make you fat, but it does make you hungry. As your understanding grows, keep in mind the objective of NOT feeding your condition(s). One example is exercising. You were probably taught to eat extra to cover the impending low. It makes more sense to cut back on insulin instead, but that's hard to do without good planning.

The cycle is subtle and vicious: shoot, eat, go too high, shoot to cover, get hungry, eat, go high gain, shoot, get hungry ... before you know it you're fat. Be strong willed. Ignore the hunger and exercise.

[tcc123]

Hey E lou. I am 20 and was diagnosed over the last summer. It definitely at first feels like a huge change but once you get into the routine of diabetes it isn't that bad.
I still drink, just not as much. Almost all of the time drinking lowers my blood sugar. I stick to miller lite (4g carb/beer) or whiskey and diet coke. I am on the pump and for each beer I drink I lower my basal insulin to 0 units/hr for 2 hrs/drink (i am honeymooning so my pancreas is still making a good bit of insulin). I test alot more when I drink too. As long as you test and either eat or lower your basal insulin by a good bit drinking will not hurt you more than any other person.
As for the weight gain the 10 lbs is normal I gained 15 almost immediately. I have leveled off since then. Just don't go overbored on the carbs and make sure your insulin matches your food so you don't have to feed the insulin and thus eat more.
If you need any more help just pm me. I know exactly what you are goin through
Cary

[Funnygrl]

Hi E-Lou. I'm almost 21. I was dx'ed when I was 19, so there are people your age dealing with it. Welcome to the group!

[E_Lou]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies. It was nice to hear from people my own age, dealing with the same issues.

It seems like the key to everything is moderation. I used to party with my friends a lot, so I guess its nice to know I can still go out and have fun. Although I will have to be very careful. (definitley a lifestyle change:argh: )

As for the weight, I think its really easy to eat way more than normal cuz I have for sure, to correct and eat full meals and all that. As well as way more carbs, so I will cut back on those a little.
I am sure I will have way more questions as time goes on, but this site is great for help. Feel free to msg me anytime! Thanks!

[AJ21]

Hi E_Lou.
I also am in my 20's, got diagnosed @ 21 and turning 25 in a few weeks.
I personally have never been a drinker, but I know a lot of other diabetics that do, and some overindulge, and some don't. it's all about moderation though (as you and others have mentioned)
As for weight gain, I only gained about 10 lbs more than what I was before the whole 'losing weight thing' began. It's hard to shed those 10 lbs extra, but it's also worth the fight. In doing so, it keeps me constantly working out and that results in better blood sugars.
Given, lately my glucose levels have been ridiculous, but that's due to lack of exercise.
Anyways, I also just joined here yesterday, but I've been dealing w/ this condition for almost 4 years. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to msg :)

[Tattoo azz]

Hi E_lou
I was diagnosed when i was 8 in 1982,i know what you're going thru.Try and keep off beer,the sugar will raise your bg's at first but then in the middle of the night you will come crashing back down.Try spirits with diet mixers but don't go overboard.Everything in moderation.Come in to Flashchat anytime , most of us visit at least once a day

[tennischica]

Hi there and welcome to the forum, I am also 20 and I was diagnosed when I was 18, so I can kind of relate. It can be hard to adjust to lifestyle at first but once you find a groove you will be much more comfortable: ) I can't stress enough the importance of testing your sugars because you want to see which things will affect your blood sugar, also note the importance of exercise. As far as drinking goes, I just check my sugars more often, make sure I am eating a little something here and there. I ususally avoid the sugary "pretty" drinks and stick with a glass of wine or a low carb beer, but different things have varying affects on different people, so just keep testing and experimenting. Best of luck with all of the new changes & alterations and stay positive: )

[Stuboy]

Hi !! Welcome!!

Trust me, there are MANY our age with T1D... you are not alone!

Drinking... you can drink... just dont get smashed off your face, and MAKE SURE YOU EAT before you sleep...the effects of not doing so can be, in some extreme cases.... fatal... sorry!

Hope you like it here... lots of info around and feel free to ask any questions you have!

Btw, im 23, diagnosed at 22 Type 1 :D

[HJCollins]

Hi E_Lou, Im 21 now and was dignosed with type 1 when I was 16. It takes some getting used to but hang on in there and url soon get the hang of it!

[MJM]

Hi E-Lou,
This is old father time speaking. I was diagnosed at 13 all of 48 years ago. I had the misfortune of overdrinking in my 20's and ended up in hospital more times than a dog wags it's tail, and as a result I nearly got a red card.
The main thing to remember is that diabetes affects each person differently so a broad advise thing is best here. With me it was a case of too much alcohol really made my blood sugars hit rock-bottom. Now I probably overindulged most of the time, but with diabetes the KEY word here is MODERATION and I think you mentioned that yourself. Moderation is the key to everything. When I was first diagnosed I was forbidden so many things I had to check to see if I could even breathe. It's totally different now and you can eat most things without it doing you any harm.
I eat between 220 - 280 carbs daily (approx 2250 calories)and I still don't put on weight because with the exercise I get the calories are burned off. To put it another way, you need to burn off the carories you eat each day to avoid putting on weight.
Of course go out with your friends but let your best friends know that you are diabetic and how to react if your sugars do go low. You can always carry gulcose tablets with you in case of emergencies. they are prob the fastest acting thing you can take. Each tablet is 5 carbs, so take 3 if you feel yourself going low. People who go low can get aggresive or act like they are drunk, so let your friends know this. Also when you go low you may refuse to take the glucose. Best thing then is to drink a bottle of lucosade, which is also fast acting.
Read all you can, as the more you know the better you'll be able to control it, and good control is vitally important. As you say, with your father having diabetes you are reasonably familiar with what should be done. So like someone else suggested always try to be positive and life will be rewarding for you. All the best.

[Opal]

Hey E-Lou! I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago too (8/1/07) and I'm 23. I understand exactly what you're going through but I'm finding as I do little things, its slotting into place more. For example, I was a bit worried about eating out then yesterday my mate dragged me out for a pub lunch and it was no big deal at all! I haven't ventured out for a couple of drinks yet but I never drank much before anyway.

I find its the silly things that worry me but I'm slowly getting used to having to think about a million new things every day!

[ClaireZk]

Hi E_Lou. I'm new to the forum, but I just wanted to let you know that I also a Type1 20-something (I'm 25). I was 9 when I was dx'd, so I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to get diagnosed as an adult. I feel fortunate to have been young enough that I can't really remember the disruption.

That having been said, hang in there! Things will get easier as you get more comfortable with your new "lifestyle." It's not fun and I've wallowed over how much it sucks too, but its not all bad. Most of the time, its not something that bothers me... It's just something I do, like second-nature, without really thinking about.

As for the drinking/weight gain, you should talk to your Endocrinologist about stuff like this. I think they have this standard diabetic mealplan/lifestyle/schedule that they assign to everyone, but part of their job is to tailor your treatment to you and help you live YOUR life with diabetes. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is still your life. You are young and there is no reason you shouldn't be able to do all the things you want to do! Their job is to help you find a way to do these things safely and comfortably. So if you feel like you're missing out, don't be afraid to speak up!

I hope this helped a little bit. I know it must be really hard right now, but things will get better-- I promise! But if you need someone to complain to I'm here (and so are many others I'm sure)! :)

[davebeerman]

Hi! I am new to this forum! I am 17 years old type 1 diabetic from Hamburg, Germany. I have had a pump (Disetronic D-TRON plus) for 4 years now and got my new deltec cozmo today.
I can't tell you if diabetes made me drink less, cause I was diagnosed when I was 9 years old (not drinking yet). So basically learning about drinking and experimenting with alcohol always went hand in hand with my diabetes for me. If you are in control of your levels, then I don't think that diabetes should stop you from drinking. Especially when using a pump it might be somewhat easier to control everything when youre drinking. But if you do choose to drink (especially when you drink the **** outta yourself) you should always be extra cautious! My advice: check your blood sugar levels every hour (at least) when you are drinking. I always do that, and I must say: I saved myself allotta trouble by checking all the time and I was able to prevent some hypoglycemia's.