I'm a new one, too.

[xxheartstrings]

Hello everyone,

I was reading through a few of the posts and I feel like I might be on the younger side of the spectrum of posters here. I am a 21 year old Type 1 diabetic, diagnosed when I was 11. Just "celebrated" my 10 year anniversary on the 14th of March. Is it strange that I remember my diagnosed date?

I'm currently on the insulin pump and have been since October 2005. So far it has helped me control my sugars better but I am still working on being a bit more responsible with my care. My goal in the next 3-6 months is to get my a1c down to below 8. I'm using a Minimed Paradigm 715 with Silhouette Infusion Sets. I'm actually really excited right now because after almost 9 years of injections in my stomach area, I finally ventured to putting my site in my thigh and it was very successful (at least so far)!

I figured that it might be easier to get advice/support here than from family and friends. Diabetes doesn't run in my family so they have a hard time understanding. The parents usually just lecture/chastise me and can't really offer any helpful ideas on what I can do to improve my control. Hopefully I can find some ideas here!

[KickStart101]

Hey There Heart!! Welcome to your new Community.
We're glad that you found us. Yes, aren't Families just
so helpful when they don't have it. ;) (actually some
are). :D But the Best one to look after your condition
is you and your Health Team.

There is a roomful of Diabetes info here, different opinions
and Good People. Try what you think that will help you.

We don't know of any Type 1's in our Family either. But
of course, People died yrs. ago of heart attack at a young
age, etc. and I'm sure no one even knew why. Many
People today have heard of Diabetes but don't know what
the symptoms are cause they are not interested.

There are other People your age here and younger ones
even. You'll get to know many of them in time. Enjoy!!

[xMenace]

Welcome.

Yes I remember my Dx date. It's Oct 19, 1975.

Your target is 8 NOT! Your target is now below 6.5 in 3 months and below 6 from then on. At 8 you are still at serious risk of complications. They do not discriminate. This is very do-able.

If you don't know what basal testing is, here's some links to get you started. IMO it is the foundation for good control.

HOWTO profile your Basal Rates. (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/howto/baslr.html)

Integrated Diabetes Services - Diabetes Management (http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/pump_bt.shtml)

Diabetes Self Management (http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/article.cfm?aid=2161)

Insulin-Pumper's HOWTO (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/howto.shtml)

Ratio Calculator (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/howto/ratio.cgi)

Basal Rate Estimator (http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/howto/basal.cgi)

Index of Diabetes Technology pages: Insulin Pumps, Insulin Pump Comparison, Blood Sugar Meters, continuous glucose monitoring devices, noninvasive monitoring, diabetes software. (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/dia.php) <-- You need to understand your insulin's behavior. When you add .2 units to your 8am basal, you need to know when it will impact.

[Nasda]

Welcome Heart,
I am new here too, we can all learn together.
Nancy

[lgvincent]

I was also in the 5th grade when diagnosed. I started taking insulin on February 29, 1968. The only reason I remember is because of the odd date. That, and I kept the first vial of insulin for many years afterwards. I remember how awful I felt when I went into the hospital but as soon as I started taking insulin, I'd sit in the hall and wait for the meals to be served. I'm surprised I didn't try to eat the plate and serving tray, too.

[GhostRydr]

Welcome to the forum. I remember by diagnose date too, May 2 2007... not too long ago.

Welcome!

[Diana]

Hi, and welcome.

I'm 22, and have had type 1 since I was 13, pumping for about 6 years now, on and off. Hope you find the forums really useful, I know I have.

Looking forward to talking to you!

Diana

[notme]

Welcome to the forums Heart. I actually do not remember the exact date of my diagnosis. I do remember it was mid October.

I am glad you have decided to join. I gained so much from this site in the way of blood sugar control.

[amyjo29]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will find this site very helpful. I am a type2 and was diagnosed with gestation diabetes in late November but officially diagnosed with Type2 on April 16, 2007. There is not a big history of diabetes in my family only 4 including me. Grandparent, uncle, and cousin... they live all over so it's hard to talk to my immediate family about this. Not even my husband understands what I'm going through. We are all here for you and you can certainly get good advice from the pros. Good luck and please try to shoot for a lover A1C anything 6 and under shows really good control. :cool:

[xxheartstrings]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. Yes, I know that 8 is still high for an a1c but I have been consistently "scoring" much higher than that for awhile now. I am trying to hit 8 with my next test and of course hit 6 after that.