Diabetes - late onset T1
Discussion
Mrs telford_mike and I have just enjoyed 3 weeks skiing, but I noticed while we were away that she was sleeping a lot (2 hour early evening naps) and she wasn't skiing nearly as well as usual (she's an instructor, and s
t-hot as a rule).
Anyhow we got home last weekend and she wasn't getting any better, and by Thursday she was sent to A&E by her GP. Turns out she has type 1 diabetes.
Age 48, healthy lifestyle, weight in proportion to height. What the hell caused this?
She got out of hospital today and came home with a sackful of monitors, needles, insulin, a sharps bin and God knows what else.
Bit of a shock. Anyone have a similar experience?
t-hot as a rule).Anyhow we got home last weekend and she wasn't getting any better, and by Thursday she was sent to A&E by her GP. Turns out she has type 1 diabetes.
Age 48, healthy lifestyle, weight in proportion to height. What the hell caused this?
She got out of hospital today and came home with a sackful of monitors, needles, insulin, a sharps bin and God knows what else.
Bit of a shock. Anyone have a similar experience?
Mr and Mrs T-M
Sorry to hear about Mrs T-M's diagnosis but be assured that there is LOTS of help out there. Firstly, Type 1 DM is not a 'lifestyle disease', it's an autoimmune disorder and it can strike anyone at any time, as you have discovered. If you haven't already done so, book an appointment with your GP a.s.a.p. and ask for a referral to a Diabetes specialist Dietitian and a Diabetes specialist nurse. The former will explain to Mrs T-M all about diabetes and how different food types will / won't affect her blood sugars and the latter will tell her all about insulin, calibrating doses to eating habits and managing blood sugars etc..
Whilst you are waiting for these appointments, have a look at the Diabetes UK web-site: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/type1-diabetes.html
HTH
Sorry to hear about Mrs T-M's diagnosis but be assured that there is LOTS of help out there. Firstly, Type 1 DM is not a 'lifestyle disease', it's an autoimmune disorder and it can strike anyone at any time, as you have discovered. If you haven't already done so, book an appointment with your GP a.s.a.p. and ask for a referral to a Diabetes specialist Dietitian and a Diabetes specialist nurse. The former will explain to Mrs T-M all about diabetes and how different food types will / won't affect her blood sugars and the latter will tell her all about insulin, calibrating doses to eating habits and managing blood sugars etc..
Whilst you are waiting for these appointments, have a look at the Diabetes UK web-site: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/type1-diabetes.html
HTH
Really sorry to hear this. My Dad developed Type 1 Diabetes in his late 40s. His mother had it. He was showing the same symptoms eg sleeping a lot, really thirsty etc. He was a very fit man and always kept himself trim but the doctors said that it was likely that he had a higher risk factor because his mum had it.
He lead a full and active life with it
He lead a full and active life with it
Type 1 DM = body does not make insulin - usually acute onset - type I is now generally thought to be some kind of auto immune condition where the body destroys or inhibits islet cells
Type II DM = body is resistant to insulin
type II is the 'lifestyle' disease although it is still possible to get Type II even if you aren't 'high risk' due to genetic factors.
Type II DM = body is resistant to insulin
type II is the 'lifestyle' disease although it is still possible to get Type II even if you aren't 'high risk' due to genetic factors.
Thanks all. Mrs t_m has now survived 36 hours at home, and it looks like she's responding well to the jabs - BG (I'm learning some terminology) is down to mid-teens, which is a lot lower than it was 
Tons of aftercare booked, and apparently there's a requirement to inform DVLA and insurance company, which sounds a bit gloomy.
Thanks again for the encouragement and info.
Tons of aftercare booked, and apparently there's a requirement to inform DVLA and insurance company, which sounds a bit gloomy.
Thanks again for the encouragement and info.
telford_mike said:
Thanks all. Mrs t_m has now survived 36 hours at home, and it looks like she's responding well to the jabs - BG (I'm learning some terminology) is down to mid-teens, which is a lot lower than it was
Tons of aftercare booked, and apparently there's a requirement to inform DVLA and insurance company, which sounds a bit gloomy.
Thanks again for the encouragement and info.
DVLA is only gloomy if you drive group 2 vehicles - as it gets pulled and you have to 'earn ' it back ... Tons of aftercare booked, and apparently there's a requirement to inform DVLA and insurance company, which sounds a bit gloomy.
Thanks again for the encouragement and info.
My advice from working as a paramedic...
-Be wary of Hypo/Hyper glycemic episodes. Read up on the signs/symptoms.
-Keep a log of blood sugars so you can spot patterns emerging.
-Keep sugary stuff handy. Lucazade, Glucose tablets are my favorite short term sugar things. Bread, jam, bananas etc for longer sustained sugar release post hypo.
-Don't be afraid to call an ambulance if she goes into a diabetic coma or gets in a situation where she won't co-operate and eat/drink.
Hope that helps.
-Be wary of Hypo/Hyper glycemic episodes. Read up on the signs/symptoms.
-Keep a log of blood sugars so you can spot patterns emerging.
-Keep sugary stuff handy. Lucazade, Glucose tablets are my favorite short term sugar things. Bread, jam, bananas etc for longer sustained sugar release post hypo.
-Don't be afraid to call an ambulance if she goes into a diabetic coma or gets in a situation where she won't co-operate and eat/drink.
Hope that helps.
Keeping a diary of readings is essential to help keep BG levels under control.
In the same diary, keep a log of how much carbohydrate is being eaten.
That way, you can learn how much insulin is required to deal with certain amounts of carb.
This is the basis of the DAFNE programme (www.dafne.org.uk) which is specifically for T1 diabetics.
Get to grips with that, and it is possible for a diabetic to have BG levels averaging in single figures, which massively reduces possible complications in later life.
I think of my diabetes (28 years since diagnosis!) not as an illness, but just as a condition.
ETA: whilst insurance premiums will be affected (in the wrong direction!) there is one tiny benefit... All prescription medicines are exempt from charges..., she will need to apply for an exemption card from your local NHS trust... GP will help with that.... But don't underestimate how much that can be worth!
I suffer with hay fever really badly at certain times of the year, and my anti histamines and eye drops etc all come on prescription rather than paying the likes of Boots for them!
In the same diary, keep a log of how much carbohydrate is being eaten.
That way, you can learn how much insulin is required to deal with certain amounts of carb.
This is the basis of the DAFNE programme (www.dafne.org.uk) which is specifically for T1 diabetics.
Get to grips with that, and it is possible for a diabetic to have BG levels averaging in single figures, which massively reduces possible complications in later life.
I think of my diabetes (28 years since diagnosis!) not as an illness, but just as a condition.
ETA: whilst insurance premiums will be affected (in the wrong direction!) there is one tiny benefit... All prescription medicines are exempt from charges..., she will need to apply for an exemption card from your local NHS trust... GP will help with that.... But don't underestimate how much that can be worth!
I suffer with hay fever really badly at certain times of the year, and my anti histamines and eye drops etc all come on prescription rather than paying the likes of Boots for them!
Edited by Meeja on Wednesday 10th April 06:46
The cause of type 1 diabetes has not yet been identified though genetics play quite a big part the trigger has yet to be found.
For all you need to know or just chat with others on a message board like this one, this is the best place.
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/
For all you need to know or just chat with others on a message board like this one, this is the best place.
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/
I was diagnosed with T1 34 yrs ago. Care and tech much better now, as others have said keep BS diary and monitor regularly. It's a right pain but care becomes as normal and regular as brushing your teeth. I use orange juice to correct a hypo (you will find out about these) when out and about you can use hypo stop gel (available otc or prescription) followed by a twix.
Try not to get obsessed sugar swings will happen.
Try not to get obsessed sugar swings will happen.
Me partner Joy has T1. Diagnosed at 14 now 41. Not had too many complications due to luck and working hard at it (and it is hard work).
Telford Mike, I guess you live in Telford. we do too. We've had dealings with 2 consultants. Dr McCloud and Dr Moulik. Dr McCloud is based in Telford. good chap who knows his stuff. We're now with Dr Moulik who runs the insulin pump clinic in shrewsbury. Very good doc who cares for his patients.
Once things settle down have a think about borrowing a Freestyle Navigator continous glocous monitor from the Hummingbird Centre in Shrews. You insert a sensor on to your stomach which reads your BG every 5 mins for 5 days and sends it in real time to a hand held monitor. It helps you understand your BG and how it changes. We bought one a couple of years ago and it helped immensly.
The insulin pump clinic is run from the Hummingbird Centre. You might be eligible for a pump. Joy has had hers for a year and it makes life a lot easier.
Also, try to get onto the DAFNE course. It'll explain carbs, exercise and BG interaction.
Good luck
Telford Mike, I guess you live in Telford. we do too. We've had dealings with 2 consultants. Dr McCloud and Dr Moulik. Dr McCloud is based in Telford. good chap who knows his stuff. We're now with Dr Moulik who runs the insulin pump clinic in shrewsbury. Very good doc who cares for his patients.
Once things settle down have a think about borrowing a Freestyle Navigator continous glocous monitor from the Hummingbird Centre in Shrews. You insert a sensor on to your stomach which reads your BG every 5 mins for 5 days and sends it in real time to a hand held monitor. It helps you understand your BG and how it changes. We bought one a couple of years ago and it helped immensly.
The insulin pump clinic is run from the Hummingbird Centre. You might be eligible for a pump. Joy has had hers for a year and it makes life a lot easier.
Also, try to get onto the DAFNE course. It'll explain carbs, exercise and BG interaction.
Good luck
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff