[chopin]

Please dont judge, I just want some answers.

I was diagnosed as type 1 about 4 weeks ago. I am 29 years old.

Had 2 doc appointments at my local surgery in 3 days, 2 blood tests, one fasting, one not. One showed levels of 15.0 mmol/l (270mg/dL), the other 25 mmol/l (450mg/dL). Both were done in the morning at 8am. Doc sent me to hospital, I also had ketones of +3 on the urine test and sugar in my urine. My lifestyle for the last 2 years has been below sedate. It has been **** right lazy, with an intake of carbs that is disgracefull.

Now I did drink heavily, and the last 2 months had done so every second day. I also did consume a low carb/high protein diet, though in the few days previous to diagnosis had overconsumed choclate and other sweet stuff. My weight at diagnosis was approx 105kg (231lb), with a height of 1.88m (6'2").

Having been sent to hospital I was diagnosed as type 1 in DKA state. I did inform them of the overconsumption of alcohol and sugar previous whilst I was there. I was then put on NovoMix 30/70. 10 units before my brakfast and evening meal though I have reduced this to 8 in the last 4 days with no change in my BS readings!

Apparently due to my weight and height (BMI of approx 28) I have to be type 1? [I am 15kg (33lbs) overweight!]. No c-peptide/GAD65 test have been taken. I have asked to take the tests but keep getting told I am type 1 and their is no point wishing otherwise!

After discharge (I discharged myself) I have kept on a low carb diet. I have drank alcohol 3 times. Once the same day as I discharged myself (BS high of 15mmol/l), once 2 weeks after (BS high of 10.8 mmol/l), and today (BS high of 6.0mmol/l).

At all other times, sticking to a low carb diet, though refraining from alcohol, my readings before and after food have been between under 7mmol/l (126mg/dL).

Now my diet has gone low carb with no sweets/chocolate for nearly a month. I have been also excercising approx one hour a day daily.

One other thing, I have noticed that if I eat carbs, even complex ones at breakfast, that my BS level spikes. This includes high fibre (non sugar added) muesli with all dried fruit removed. If I eat the same thing later on in the day my BS is fine. I have read about the dawn phenomonon.

I find it exceptionally easy to control my BS with diet. The question is:
-Am I honeymoooning?
-Am I type 2 and was in a state known as alcoholic ketoacidosis?
-Am I pre-diabetic, which due to alcohol and bad diet went into DKA?
-Am I non-diabetic who was in alcoholic ketoacidosis with high BS [hyperglyceamic] (according to the studies its rare but possible)?
-Is it possible my natrual dawn phenomonon reading is exceptionally high and has possibly caused a false diagnosis?

I am aware that a possible over consumption of alcohol could be the cause of the t1 diabetes and ask everyone to not comment on my previous or current lifestyle, just the possibility of misdiagnosis.

Thanks to anyone that responds!

Martin

[chopin]

Ah, one other thing! I do also smoke which I believe causes higher BG/BS readings. Again I request noone comments on this and if I really am type 1 do plan to quit!

Martin

[DCaplinger]

Some of that is accurate, some of it isn't. Type 1 has nothing to do with alcohol use. You are either Type 1 or you aren't. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease. You could drink all day and night and not cause your immune system to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas. If an anti-body test was performed, and you tested positive, then you are a Type 1 diabetic. In which case, bro... lay off the darn alcohol before you kill yourself.

DKA is DKA, regardless of the cause. It's the body's way of telling you that it's starving for energy. The elevated sugars mean you are diabetic.

Spikes after breakfast are not uncommon. My worst spikes are after breakfast, that's because for me, my insulin resistance is at its worst in the morning, so I end up having to take more insulin to cover the same amount of carbs as I would in the afternoon.

No one is going to judge you on your past. All we can do, is make you accountable for your current actions, and what you do with your future. You are the patient. It's up to you to cooperate with your treatment. Until you do, you'll be an out of control diabetic... and you'll be causing yourself harm you'll have to deal with down the road.

Regards,

[chopin]

I forgot to mention my HbA1c level which is 9.2% (avg 12mmol/l). Though like I said I had been drinking heavily for 2 months every second day. My eyesight has also improved since starting on insulin and normaling my BG/BS levels. Even though my eyesight had been constant for 3 years previous. Could this be that the glucose levels in my eyes have normalised and I have been t2 for a long while?

[chopin]

I was told by my diabetic nurse that possibly my overconsumption of alcohol had caused the t1, hence what I wrote in the OP.

[DCaplinger]

I am not sure what your diabetes nurse has been reading, however the last time I checked, alcohol is an aggrevating factor, but not a cause, of diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the body has little or no insulin because the immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses — has attacked and destroyed the insulin-producing cells (the beta cells) in the pancreas. That's it, plain and simple. Alcohol effects how the carbs are released from the liver. Alcohol cannot cause your body to mistake your pancreas for a virus or bacteria.

Regards,

[chopin]

I am confused, even on this forum I have read that it is okay to drink as long as I control my BS/BG level. Is this not correct?

If whilst drinking I spike to 10mmol/l, and eat after drink hence not going hypo. Doing this will cause damage? Surely if I spike to this level twice a month for instance and the rest of the time stay within 4-6.5mmol/l my glucose levesls in general will be fine and so will my HbA1c, or am I mistaken?

After all life is for living! There is no point living if you don't enjoy yourself whilst your here?

Thanks for your response,

Martin

[Jalama]

Originally Posted by chopin

Had 2 doc appointments at my local surgery in 3 days, 2 blood tests, one fasting, one not. One showed levels of 15.0 mmol/l (270mg/dL), the other 25 mmol/l (450mg/dL).

I'd have to say this pretty conclusively makes you a diabetic and type 1 seems right.

Originally Posted by chopin

I was then put on NovoMix 30/70. 10 units before my brakfast and evening meal though I have reduced this to 8 in the last 4 days with no change in my BS readings!

The 70/30 is rather old school in diabetes management, not very reliable in results. This may explain why you have been able to decrease it without changes in your blood sugar.

Originally Posted by chopin

One other thing, I have noticed that if I eat carbs, even complex ones at breakfast, that my BS level spikes. This includes high fibre (non sugar added) muesli with all dried fruit removed. If I eat the same thing later on in the day my BS is fine. I have read about the dawn phenomonon.

This seems to be more evidence that you are a type 1 diabetic. Dawn phenomenon refers to your glucose being high when you first wake up, not after you eat.

Originally Posted by chopin

I find it exceptionally easy to control my BS with diet. The question is:
-Am I honeymoooning?

When a person first becomes a type 1 diabetic their pancreas may be working sporadically before it quits completely. Please know that your lifestyle did not cause this, if you were going to become diabetic, it was going to happen regardless. I have read of some evidence that suggests a sudden trauma may precipitate emergence sooner though. Nothing you described sounds like this though.

It sounds like you were not comfortable with your health care team. This is a tough time emotionally and physically. Do yourself a favor and find support both socially and in your health care practitioners. You are off to a good start joining this forum, there are many good people with lots of knowledge here. Keep the faith baby.

[DCaplinger]

Originally Posted by chopin

I am aware that a possible over consumption of alcohol could be the cause...

That is the answer to your question. I would never tell anyone that it's not okay to have a drink every now and again (or even daily), however it has to be in moderation. There is no data to show that a single drink (or even two) per day will cause any major issues. That's why we like to use the term YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). What works for me, may not work for you. What works for you, may not work for the next guy.

The best I can say is to experiment. It shouldn't take long for you to know if you can tolerate any alcohol or not. I drink a bit during football season, but I won't allow myself to get drunk anymore. It's not worth the risk.

Regards,

[Gordonm]

If you continue on this path your life will be extremly short. If you want to "enjoy" life like this than by all means continue and don't expect good health for very long. Drinking moderatly and I do mean moderatly not getting drunk 3 or 4 times a week is doable but not advisable. Yes I have a beer on occasion but always am in control. I know you do not want to be judged but your come here for honest opinions. I hope you grow up and take control of yourself and you can turns things around.

[chopin]

One other thing. The reason I wish to know my type is that if I am t2 I have read I can cure or partially cure myself.

I feel that *if* I have brought this disease on myself, I will do my darn best to cure myself. I have previously lost 40kg (88lb) after I left university, and will happily lose half that and excercise 1-2hrs daily if I can release myself from the burden of injections!

Kindest regards to anyone reading or replying to this thread,

Martin

[DCaplinger]

Martin:

In all seriousness, it may not be that simple. If you haven't already, you need to have an anti-body test done. If it turns out positive, then it's done. You can do things to live a healthier life, but you will forever be a diabetic. Diet changes can help with the amount of insulin you'll have to take, but you will still have to take insulin. If you don't like MDI (multiple daily injections), then you can look at pump therapy.

Regards,

[chopin]

<i>"When a person first becomes a type 1 diabetic their pancreas may be working sporadically before it quits completely. Please know that your lifestyle did not cause this, if you were going to become diabetic, it was going to happen regardless. I have read of some evidence that suggests a sudden trauma may precipitate emergence sooner though. Nothing you described sounds like this though."</i>

Strangely enough my father has recently had a heart procedure done, and I have been feeling under stress. I am also of a nervous dispoisition.

I have read the theory that diabetes may be a disease of the nervous system previously.

Quite frankly, I just find it all very weird and strange atm, I am not sure why this has happened to me with no history of t1 in the family and grandparents and great grandparents all living to 70+.

I am also just a little pissed off and looking for answers! Even if the answer is I have caused this myself!

Regards to all,

Martin

[chopin]

I have asked for a GAD65 and c-peptide already. It is not quite so simple in the UK. The diagnosis is done! Fighting for confirmation is difficult.

For instance, I have had my cholestorol also measured. My chol is high (7.1mmol/l), however triglycrides are in optimal range (1.6mmol/l). Seeing as triglycerides are inv proportional to HDL I may still be in the 5:1 ratio. Oh no, they dont pay for diabetics in my Primary Care Trust to have HDL readings, its to expensive.

I have complained to my member of parliament. We shall see what comes of it!

FFS!

[chopin]

One other thing again, regardles of if I inject 20 units (with approval) or 10 of the Novomix, and excercise for 2hrs flat, I cant get hypo. I flatline at 4mmol/l (88mg/dL) and thats it!

When I have had a drink since dx I have also flatlined at this level and never gone lower? Even getting up in the night to check (paranoia)!

Is this just me? BTW When I was diagnosed I was so fit and healthy, had ECG, x-ray, blood taken etc, that they were shocked?? Doc said at my high BS level I should be having symptoms?? She said she guessed I was disposing of the extra BS/BG in my urine as I was droping fast?

When I have asked a local GP what the normal peak/drop level is for a non-diabetic, he said it depended and everone is different.

Could it be that my peak BS is out of range of normal and still not be diabetic?