Hi, my name is Rebekah, and I have had type 1 diabetes for about a year now. My story is a little odd because the doctors thought I was a type 2, and treated me with a lot of pills that made me sick and did not help my blood sugar. My first A1c, was 8.7, and then after treatment, my A1c was 13.1. After switching doctors, I was diagnosed as a type 1 and started taking insulin, that was right around this time last year. First it was one shot, then 2, and about in January I went up to 5. I am 27, diagnosed at age 26, and I do not know very much about what to do, and I really struggle with trying to talk to people about the disease, because unless you live it, it is very hard to understand. I am looking for some friends and some advice. I am sure I will make mistakes, but I would also like to be able to learn from the mistakes of others, so I don't I don't alway have to learn from my own. Besides being a type 1 diabetic, I am also a high school science teacher, and my kids are my life. I am an active outdoors person, I love to run and walk and swim, or whatever is going on. I have recently hit a wall, however and have been feeling really down. I know this is something that happens, but it is just so unlike me to feel this way, and I thought this would be a good place to go to for support.
Hi Rebekah,
Welcome!!! There are lots of help and good people here. All you have to do is post in the forums. I didn't get misdx'ed. I guess being DKA in ICU made it simple. LOL My a1c at dx. was 13.8, oh and I did this at age 52. I am also on shots and not doing bad. If you have any question or need help just ask!!!. Again Welcome to Juvenation.
Thanks so much! I know being able to talk to supportive people like you, that know what I deal with will help so much!
Hi there! Slowly, you will begin to figure things out, but I know it can be so frustrating, especially since everything really is trial and error and everyone reacts to things to differently! That can make it hard, but you will get it :) I was diagnosed when I was 9 and just had my first baby a few months ago. I went through some ups and many many downs, but I think I have finally "got it" thanks to places like this!
Please let me know if you need anything at all... we've got to be here for each other!
Oh, and have you thought about getting a pump? I LOVE mine :)
Thank you!!! I am not sure why but the idea of a pump scares me. If you don't want to answer this that is okay, but I was wondering if you had trouble getting pregnant, and what was your pregnancy like? I have no children, but want like 5 :) I am scared that I will not be able to because I have not had a menstrual period since January of 2009. Mybe its just the stress of being newly diagnosed????
Rebekah -
A belated welcome from a fellow Ohio T1. It looks to me like you are off to a great start and doing very well! There are a lot of amazing people here and plenty of support. Where mistakes are concerned, there are probably one or two I haven't made... but probably only one or two, LOL - I've been at this since 1983 and I'm a member of the "learns-best-with-frying-pan-to-the-head" crowd - does that qualify as being a "tactile learner?" The good news is that some of the mistakes I made aren't even options any more (times and technology have changed).
Welcome aboard - great to have you with us and I look forward to seeing you around the posts!
Cheers!
A-D
Thank you so much!! Everyone is so kind, and caring! I am glad I found it, it is a great support group!!