Hi Everyone, new member

Just wanted to introduce myself and thank you all, as the information I have learned from here is a great help.

I am a 41 year old male newly diagnosed type 2 about a month ago, went into hospital about a month ago kith a kidney stone and came out with diabetes. "Just my luck lol".

To say I was devastated at first finding out was an understatment it made me feel suicidal, not something I would ever follow through though. My mum and younger brother have type 2 but neither look after themselves, i on the other hand have always been very active and currently go to gym 3 times a week play football and squash on a regular basis and try to eat healthiy, never smoked drank or done drugs. I felt guilty that I have had 2 children whom my genetics have put at risk of developing this now.

I was given the option by the diabetic nurse I saw in hospital to try either tablets or insulin and decided on the insulin as it gives me more control.

With the passing of a little time I am a little more optimistic about the future and it seems that with a little thought and planning life might not be as bleak as I first thought.

I don't have the same control of my condition as some of you yet but I hope to get there soon it's been a steep learning curve with much yet to learn

Once again thanks to all who go to the trouble to help others on forums such as this.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

Welcome to the club!

I've been a type 1 diabetic since 1978. It has not interfered with my life in any significant way. I have always tried to follow 'the rules' whatever they may have been at the time. To try to ignore them is stupidity in my opinion as it can only lead to disability and death. I have been following the DAFNE rules for about 18 months now and they have proved an enormous improvement on the earlier regimen. It allows much more flexibilty in your lifestyle so that the fact that you are diabetic can go almost unnoticed by others. Of course, those with whom you are in regular contact, friends, colleagues, family, should be made aware of your condition so that they can recognise the symptoms if you are having a problem and know what to do about it. If you are having a hypo you may not be able to tell them, and may resist their efforts to help. They need to know that they should continue those efforts no matter what you say at the time. Another problem is that people unaware of the condition can often assume that you are drunk and just leave you to 'sleep it off'. This is the worst thing they could do of course.
Don't be alarmed by this. If you maintain good control it may never happen; even if it does, it is not usually as bad as it sounds.
I have had quite a lot of bad hypos over the past thirty years, despite my best efforts, but I'm still here, everything is still present and still works. I think that if you are going to have something, diabetes is one of the best things to have.
Don't forget to notify the DVLA and your insurance company.

Kind regards,
Roger

Hi Charlie, nice to have another new member. Like Roger, I was diagnosed in 1979, at the age of 10years old! (32 years ago).... I'm almost the same age as you Charlie. Being diabetic hasn't stopped me doing anything in life, I've lived and travelled overseas and also had a baby, who, thank the Lord at the moment is NOT diabetic. Stay positive, you will have days when you want to bang your head of a brick wall but every day you will learn and just being engaged in your condition is a huge step in the right direction to eliminating complications. I haven't always been so careful, I was a complete rebel during my teenage years. However, most of the time since then I have done my best, and after 32 years I have no complications yet....Hang on in there and get support from fellow diabetics...we all understand eachother! Good luck