Slightly Overwhelmed

[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! :1eye:

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. :eek: 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. :thumbsup: 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." :D

[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! :thumbsup:

[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. :whistling

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 :mad:

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.:thumbsup:

[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! :D

[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 :nerd:, Type 1 MM 511

[jdstein11]

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. :whistling

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]

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 :mad:

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.

[jdstein11]

My doctor told me that sometimes when newly diagnosed diabetics are treated aggressively they can sometimes kick-start their pancreases to beging producing insulin again. He only told me this, not to give me hope for a reversal, but because I didn't understand how the other night I went to bed with a reading of 90 and didn't take a shot and then woke up only at 151. He told me that someone who wasn't producing insulin could expect to wake up without a shot before bed with a reading around 3-400, so my body is producing some insulin, at least a nighttime.

Any thoughts?

[Clint]

hey man, np. Right after my sugars started to come down, I lost all up close vision for about 2 weeks. My vision came back after that. Luckily, I could still drive and the job I had was just repitition so I could literally do it with my eyes closed.

MDI = Multiple Daily Injections

This disease gets old in a heart beat. I used get all depressed and in a pity party, then my wife would tell me to just deal with it :) Its hard, it stinks, but with the people here on this forum, you can have the support you need.

[Dewey]

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.
MDI stands for multiple daily injections. Hope this helps. :)

[Clint]

My doctor told me that sometimes when newly diagnosed diabetics are treated aggressively they can sometimes kick-start their pancreases to beging producing insulin again. He only told me this, not to give me hope for a reversal, but because I didn't understand how the other night I went to bed with a reading of 90 and didn't take a shot and then woke up only at 151. He told me that someone who wasn't producing insulin could expect to wake up without a shot before bed with a reading around 3-400, so my body is producing some insulin, at least a nighttime.

Any thoughts?

Ya, mine did that for awhile too. Basically you still have some islet cells making insulin and by taking insulin you are relieving the pressure they were under.

I bet you will be up and down alot, and you may enter the Honeymoon period where you wont need as much insulin for awhile..

[jdstein11]

hey man, np. Right after my sugars started to come down, I lost all up close vision for about 2 weeks. My vision came back after that. Luckily, I could still drive and the job I had was just repitition so I could literally do it with my eyes closed.

MDI = Multiple Daily Injections

This disease gets old in a heart beat. I used get all depressed and in a pity party, then my wife would tell me to just deal with it :) Its hard, it stinks, but with the people here on this forum, you can have the support you need.
Well all I know is that I'm struggling to read the screen. Good thing I can type!

[Clint]

what I did to help was went to Walmart and bought some cheap reading glasses and used thouse until my vision came back

[YouthIncJr]

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.


MDI = Multiple Daily Injections

[jdstein11]

what I did to help was went to Walmart and bought some cheap reading glasses and used thouse until my vision came back
I might try that; today is worse, and driving back from my main office yesterday afternoon was VERY tough since I had to concentrate so much. At least I can work from a satellite office until it clears up.

I'm having a really tough time seeing type on the screen, and yesterday afternoon I was in a management meeting where we had to read reports with teeny tiny type; I couldn't read it at all! I just had to follow the conversation to be involved.

I know this will get better, but let's just say I am starting to wonder what's the next surprise that this disease will throw my way. Anybody want to help me know what's lurking around the corner?

[duck]

I might try that; today is worse, and driving back from my main office yesterday afternoon was VERY tough since I had to concentrate so much. At least I can work from a satellite office until it clears up.

I'm having a really tough time seeing type on the screen, and yesterday afternoon I was in a management meeting where we had to read reports with teeny tiny type; I couldn't read it at all! I just had to follow the conversation to be involved.

I know this will get better, but let's just say I am starting to wonder what's the next surprise that this disease will throw my way. Anybody want to help me know what's lurking around the corner?

High blood sugars, low blood sugars, kidney disease if untreated, blindness if untreated, etc.

Then again, with good control all this stuff can be put off.

[jdstein11]

High blood sugars, low blood sugars, kidney disease if untreated, blindness if untreated, etc.

Then again, with good control all this stuff can be put off.
"Put off"? Fabulous. My battery is running low as I left my power cord at home, so I think I'm going to stop by Wal Mart to see if cheap glasses will help. This is ridiculous!

[duck]

"Put off"? Fabulous. My battery is running low as I left my power cord at home, so I think I'm going to stop by Wal Mart to see if cheap glasses will help. This is ridiculous!

There are many diabetics (and some on this board) who have had this disease for decades and suffered no major complications because of maintaining good control. "Put off" isn't so bad as having a kidney removed, methinks. :D

Oh, for us guys, if you ever have a low during sex, "it" kinda stops working. Fixable reeeeal fast with sugar, but something to keep in mind just in case. :eek:

[Amanda_Jo22]

Welcome to the forums Justin! (wish it were under better circumstances). I'm glad you found us.

My doctor told me that sometimes when newly diagnosed diabetics are treated aggressively they can sometimes kick-start their pancreases to beging producing insulin again.
Any thoughts?

What your doctor was talking about is called a honeymoon period. It's a time early after diagnosis where your body still does produce some of its own insulin. For some people, this period might last 6 months to a year or so. I had a very long honeymoon period (3 years) which is not the norm, but hey you never know.

[duck]

I never had a honey-moon, boo-hoo-hoo! Hmmmm, and my wife and I never got away for a honeymoon after getting married. Weird, must be karma.

Amanda_Jo, you make me jealous! :p

[Littlebit63_99]

Welcome to the forum, Justin!!!! Lots of info and friends to be found here.

jdstein11, I was toodleing along just fine with this disease and all it's snags. Just part of life. Untill 1996. I was in a very severe car accident. If not for that and the following neck surgery, I would be in great shape today.
I was very athletic. And will be again after my transplant.

I had no major complications prior to the accident. It has just been a downhill slide since. Most people can control diabetes and live very active, normal lives. As a matter of fact, the more active you are the better. Your heart and circulatory system (eyes, feet, legs, nerves) stay the best if you are active.

[jdstein11]

There are many diabetics (and some on this board) who have had this disease for decades and suffered no major complications because of maintaining good control. "Put off" isn't so bad as having a kidney removed, methinks. :D

Oh, for us guys, if you ever have a low during sex, "it" kinda stops working. Fixable reeeeal fast with sugar, but something to keep in mind just in case. :eek:
No, I have no illusions about what my goals are with this disease, and I know that even though I was just diagnosed that I'm learning fast about what's important.

Thanks, Duck for the sex effect heads-up. Another reason to keep my sugar consistent, huh? ;)

Well, amazingly, the cheap glasses are perfect! Cool to be able to see what I'm typing again!

[duck]

No, I have no illusions about what my goals are with this disease, and I know that even though I was just diagnosed that I'm learning fast about what's important.

Thanks, Duck for the sex effect heads-up. Another reason to keep my sugar consistent, huh? ;)

Well, amazingly, the cheap glasses are perfect! Cool to be able to see what I'm typing again!

Keep in mind that sex is "physical activity" (duh), so it can have a lowering-effect on your blood sugars...With that in mind, plan accordingly, LOL. Also, it is not unheard of to have a hypo sometime in the night afterwards. :whistling

[jdstein11]

Keep in mind that sex is "physical activity" (duh), so it can have a lowering-effect on your blood sugars...With that in mind, plan accordingly, LOL. Also, it is not unheard of to have a hypo sometime in the night afterwards. :whistling
Plan accordingly? Like the Levitra commercials. Too bad we can't have insulin give us the flexibility to not have to worry about "when the time is right" ;)

So erectile disfunction sufferers have a 36-hour window, yet diabetics only have until the insulin wears off after 4 hours? Doesn't seem fair, does it?

[Clint]

Duck - been there too ;)

Glad the glasses are working... I had to do the same thing...

I didnt have a honeymoon or a honeymoon period either :angry: oh well....

[Amanda_Jo22]

I never had a honey-moon, boo-hoo-hoo! Hmmmm, and my wife and I never got away for a honeymoon after getting married. Weird, must be karma.

Amanda_Jo, you make me jealous! :p


Ahh the honeymoon isn't all it's cracked up to be (at least the diabetic honeymoon isn't... :p ) It kinda sucks b/c you never know when your pancreas will decide it wants to kick in, so you never really know what to expect after a meal.

[jdstein11]

Well, the other night I forgot to take my Lantus nighttime dose and woke up only 8 points higher, so my doc told me it was my body controlling my level. I'll just keep checking, right?

[jdstein11]

You won't believe it: only one day and I broke my glasses already! Stepped on them this morning while setting up my computer in the office. Now I'm a 1-armed bandit!

[Clint]

yup, keep checking.

[duck]

You won't believe it: only one day and I broke my glasses already! Stepped on them this morning while setting up my computer in the office. Now I'm a 1-armed bandit!

Dude...if you had your glasses on, this wouldn't have happened. What were you thinking???


:p

[jdstein11]

Hey - it's not like I'm used to wearing glasses inside. I blame Wal-Mart; if they hadn't given me such a cheap-a** case that is too tiny to fit the glasses in, I'd have had them nice and safe on my desk instead of ground to bits under my shoe! :hypocrite

It's ok; they're balancing quite nicely using only one arm. ;)