New to the forum

[Courtney7]

Hey all this is my frirst post I'm from melb in Australia. I have had type1 going on 11years now and had a few complications with nerve pain and fibromyalgia, once the pain set in my levels would go sky high. I spent 6months in hospital as they had no idea how to treat me, I ended up leaving hospital and going to my local gp, various doctors pain clinics and did daily meditation for the last year I have been pain free, now on no meds other than my insulin and very excited to start planning for pregnancy. My Hba1c ran around the 8 to 9, when I got fibromyalgia they ran at 12 I'm excited now that I'm on top of things my lastest hba1c in nov was 7.7 and my dr said this is great for me and deffinatley a time i can start thinking about pregnancy as in the past is was a no way with my levles...and as of feb 7.4. I have an app with my doc on Monday to do blood tests, check my levels and have our first clinic discussion officially about me getting pregnant I'm very nervous and came across this site to have some support, I have no friends that have any form of diabetes or immediate family so it's hard for others to understand. Really hope to make some support friends on here. I have started taking folate 5mg in early feb, had my injections for flu and mmr and gotten blood tests to take to my app and had a pap smear I'm trying to get all this done and get myself in gear so I don't waste time or waste my dr time at hospital. Any other suggestions of things I may need done in pre planning, also I've heard it is hard to get pregnant being diabetic and can in most cases take a lot longer than non diabetics is this true?

[Gladtobehere]

Sorry, I can't answer your questions, BUT I can say WELCOME to the Diabetesforums, you will find lots of great information and support from a many women going through the same experience you are contemplating.

Congratulations on bringing those numbers down.

The most important thing to consider as you contemplate children and the future is to keep your attitude positive! So if it takes a little longer it is imperative that you enjoy the process. Just keep thinking "it is hard work, but somebodies gotta do it!" )

Keep up the good work and I am sure you will do well.

Good luck!

[linda505]

Hi Courtney and welcome to the forum - I can't give you any advice on Type 1 and pregnancy but I am sure that someone will chime in here soon. Everyone here is very helpful and they have lots of experiences to share. Congrats on your recent progress!

[Steal]

Welcome. It did not take me long to get pregnant. I have two girls, 13 months apart and I was pregnant with each one after the first month of trying. We feel super lucky and know that isn't always the case, but our experience was not a lengthy process. For many, there may be other factors when it comes to conception that are/aren't related to diabetes. You can try to control the ones that you can. The biggest is the A1C. It sounds like you have worked hard to get it down and if this could continue it would be great for you, conception and your future little one. I began my first pregnancy at 6.5, which is where my doctor insisted I be before trying to conceive. Once I found out I was pregnant, I became so focused and got it down in the low 5's, which I never thought would be possible. I know that keeping my A1C in this place did add a plus for aiding in conception, but genetic/hormonal/life factors add to this too. During pregnancy, our bodies become so resistant to insulin (by the end) that it really helps to have things lowered at the onset, to help ease this transition.

I don't know that there is anything else that you can do pre-conception other than take care of yourself, eat healthily, take pre-natals and exercise moderately. It certainly can help to have the body in a healthy rhythm and routine.

Certainly everyone has different experiences and you are welcome to look back at my comments and posts from my own pregnancies.

Good luck to you.

[Moonpie]

welcome, can't give you any advice about the pregnancy, but glad to see you have started taking folic acid.

[adiantum]

Welcome Courtney,

Glad you found us here where you will get the best support possible

[Courtney7]

Thanks for all the support and replys! Seen my endo yesterday she is really happy with all my blood sugar checking and planning she ordered a few more tests for a recent hba and to check that the rubella injection that I had 5weeks ago has taken etc. so she tells me all results will be back in a 24hr period and to call the hospital back and ask for the results or ask for her and let them know it's important as she leaves to go overseas for 3weeks the day after.. So I called the hospital she was not in today and they refused to give me any information over the phone even thought I could tell them all my personal details they also refused to post them out as they saidnu must be given all results even hba by a dr.. I explained to them she told me to call as if the results re all good she is happy for me to start trying it all depends on the rubella and current hba. I am so **** frustrated I guess all I can do is call tomorrow and hope to god I can speak to someone with some sense and somehow get my results sooner rather than wait 3weeks more then if the rubella hasn't taken I have to have it again wait 6weeks and do a re test it's hard to be so patient with them and wait around when all I want to do is get on top of what needs to be done and start trying when it is safe to do so. Grrrrr

[Steal]

That has to be so frustrating. All you can do is call back and keep calling back. My test results are released to me online, but it is difficult when you are reliant upon someone and they are not there to verify in person. Is there any record that your doctor said to release them? Anything written down that you can fax or email them as proof? It must be so frustrating. I mean, who else wants these test results? I hope you get your information soon and get your green light to get started.

[Courtney7]

Thanks for the reply steal after many phone calls to the hospital appointment and frustrating ends I received a call at 5:30 the day after and it was my endo she gave me the results and told me that she never got any messages from reception about me calling grrr. But the great news is that my tests all came back great, my injections all worked and I'm protected for everything I need to be from (as I work in childcare with babies) so I have the green light to start trying so it's all good news from hear, I shall continue to test 15+ times a day get my levels to stay under the best control my hba is 6.9 my dr is happy with that so I will start and continue to focus on bringing it down and cross my fingers that a little baby is ready to be made haha

[Subby]

Courtney, if you are looking for some further ideas for control as you go, I can recommend the pump and accessing the CGMS. Locally, the pump is often well covered if you have decent private health insurance. All of mine was covered. It did take some time to get onto it, maybe 6 months (I'm not entirely sure why) but that was 4 years ago and things might be sped up. The consumables are covered with NDSS and are affordable. To get onto that, talk to your endo, but be aware not all endos are pump savvy or even pump approving.

CGMS - constant glucose monitoring systems - aren't yet covered at all here in Australia, but some hospitals/doctors/clinics will loan out the reciever if you buy a sensor (about $50 a pop from memory) and this should last for 6 days. It gives you a readout of your blood sugars through the day and can really educate you on what is working, what is not, how you are going overnight, etc. Even just a couple of days can be invaluable to understand what your blood sugars are doing, and hone in on tighter control. You can use CGMS without having a pump.

Ask any questions here, it's a great resource. Good luck with your goals!

[Courtney7]

Hi subby thanks for the advice, I don't have health insurance and am not currently on a health care card I have to go as a public patient for now and the pump is not an option for me cost wise I'm not to fussed with extra injection etc I've thought about the pump a few times and looked itno it but as I said price wise it's not really an option for me at this time and I worry that baucause I am very rough I would some how rip the thing out its a weird though I have.. I'm not afraid of injections yet I'm weird about the pump idea go figure haha. I've had the cams before a few years ago for night time testing over a 5 day period but as I said that was a few years ago and although the results did vary the drs didn't really give me much info about how the results could help me or any real advice, what type of help did u get by having the cams maybe I should ask about it again with my new endo.

[Steal]

Courtney,

Just so you know, I was the same way when I thought about the pump. It might not be an option for you now, but when it comes to being Type I, we all get over our internal fears about stuff and if this is something you end up desiring, you will figure out how to fit it into your life. I really thought that it would be a hinderance, but it is anything but. Okay, enough pump raving.

I do not have a CGM, oddly enough after my little pump rant, I think I am the same way about CGM. I just can't imagine a second hook-up, but I think it is an excellent option for those that can. For me, I test incessantly, and more-so when pregnant or trying. When I was trying to get my sugars down, I focused on the whole day and then on certain times. I would act as my own CGM and test every hour or even half hour and then I would have a true, true picture. I did this throughout the night, as well. I also fasted for portions of the day to ensure my basal rates were accurate. Testing in the middle of the night was really the biggest eye opener. There were random rises and fluctuations that certainly could impact my overal A1C and control.

Another thing to keep in mind will be the location that you tend to give your shots. I got used to trying new locations while pregnant. Some places will react better than others and I found that only one side of my body seemed to work for pump location. I also had to quickly shift from my stomach to my hip. Part of that switch was in my head, I felt strange about trying to insert my inset in my stomach while pregnant (I know, I know - it is totally fine, so don't follow my wacky ways). But, I also had never used the hip. It is just a thought that might help, if you are used to giving shots everywhere- great. If not, maybe try seizing this before opportunity to get a sense of how sensitive particular locations are pre-pregnancy.

I don't know how it works for the uninsured in Australia, but it seems as though you have a plan. I hope all works out well and hope to hear good news soon.

[Subby]

As Steph says it's very common to think the pump sounds a hassle, but usually people drastically change their mind on using one (not absolutely always though). That said, yep, without private you'd be paying full price here. If you do get the opportunity to get private insurance, this would be one great reason to do it. In the meantime, there's no reason shots can't get you through. It's great you have no problem with the amount of shots, I'm the same. I take up to 15 a day because I can only take small amounts in one spot or the insulin doesn't work, and I still don't really mind them. I still count shaving as generally more hassle.

I think trying the cgms again is a great idea. You should get a better readout these days. What you would need to do is thoroughly log everything over those days (food, doses, stresses etc) and then compare the chart with your log. Basically, you need to do the work to decode what is doing what, hopefully your endo might help a bit but it's basically up to you. If you can line it up, feel free to post again closer to the time and we can talk about it then.

[Courtney7]

So I've deciidede that after your advice of a pump I would call up about insurance and see what it would cost me etc after almost swallowing my tongue at $1300 approx for 2 different insurance company's I've decided to continue what I'm doing as although I could save like crazy and do it it also means taking more time off work at this current stage to go get pump set ups and donthenhow to use them and food basil rates etc and then waiting 12mths to be able to try because if I'm paying that much each year then why would I not go private for pregnancy.. So my choice is to do my insluin myself even if that means more than 20 shots a day and 40tetsts of my blood if thats what it takes then I'm willing to do it. That being said me and my partner had already tried last mth and I've just done a test and I was negative which was a bummer however first try over onto the next one and my blood readings have been pretty good a few sneaky highs in the mid morning so have adjusted my lantus by 2 and set more alarms in the am. Fingers crossed in the next few mths something's amazing will be in the making.

[Courtney7]

Dont know if anyone follows this thread anymore but so excited I have to share.. No I'm not pregnant yet but..so in only 4weeks I have gotten my hba1c from 6.9 to 6.1 and I have just been doing my normal thing, still had highs here and there but I really was worried it had gone up, over the moods and feeling really confident about dropping it even more, my endo is concearned about the quick drop and warned me to try not to drop it to much lower quick as your body can loose hypo recognition so with that in mind I'm still really excited and had no1 to share it with!! Round 2 for trying to conceive comming up. As long as my levels stay put I'm willing to be very patient.