Hi, I was miss diagnosed initially as type 2, then 6 months later confirmed as type 1 at the age of 37.
Big change to life and a lot to get used too, started commuting in jan this year and have now built up to 3 days a week, just under 20 miles each way.
Would appreciate any hits and tips as very much still learning and hating hypo's!!!
Happy to share any of my ltd knowledge as I suppose I am LADA
If you're on injections, try to get on a DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) course as soon as you can - I wish I'd been able to do it sooner. This, coupled with eating a healthy, balanced diet means you'll be able to treat yourself to 'bad' foods now and again and not feel bad about it.
If you don't go to a diabetic clinic once a year, go to your GP and start ASAP. They should check all the important things, such as long-term blood sugar, your eyes, feet, weight and blood pressure.
Carry a ten-pack of Glucotabs with you all the time for getting out of hypos (the raspberry ones are the best IMHO). They come in a plastic tube and you can get 100-tablet refills off the internet and fill them up when they get empty. I always find the glucose tabs wrapped in paper fall apart before I ever use them. I have several packs around the house and some at work, in my cycling bag and so on. Don't leave the house without them. Another good thing for hypos are those small cans of Coke, apparently they have just the right amount of sugar in them to raise you out of a hypo. Follow it up with some long-acting carbs.
Test your blood sugar regularly but don't overdo it (remember stress can raise it!) and keep in contact with your health professsionals for advice. The way I see it, if you can keep your blood sugar under control then you're not much different to a non-diabetic.
It is a big change, but you'll soon get used to it. Don't be afraid to ask for help and advice if you need it from anywhere you can, including here. You're already doing a good thing by regular cycle commuting - keep it up, you do more miles than me! Oh yeah, it's also worth getting a Medic Alert necklet/bracelet with your details on in case of an accident or a bad hypo where you need help from others. You'll hopefully never need it but it's useful to have, and is recognised worldwide.
although i probably shouldn't have said that. Having the pump is great can just turn it off for the ride and put it back on afterwards and everything seems to work
