Month / April 2015

by alternative diabetic

Oct 1992….My 2nd Endocrinologist !!

Just in case someone doesn’t know what an Endocrinologist is …

Endocrinologists have the training to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body. The common diseases and disorders of the endocrine system that endocrinologists deal with include diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders. (8 Sep 2014 Google)

I hadn’t had diabetes for long so transferring to a new Endocrinologist was easy… my diabetes continued to be difficult to control especially as I was pregnant! Due to my age and the fact I was  diabetic,  I had to have an Amniocentesis test. They also referred to it as a Grays test! All I can say is I’m glad I had got over my needle phobia!!

Amniocentesis (also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT) is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections….(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amniocentesis)

The Endocrinologists wife was a nutritionist, and helped me change my diet , in those days you had to count your carbs i.e. an apple was 10 carbs… I was too scared to cheat as I was worried about the development of the baby!…

Apple =10 Carbs

Apple =10 Carbs

by alternative diabetic

Sept 1992…Given the green light to start a family..but I was already Pregnant !!

I followed all the guidelines, I was on an insulin called Actrapid injected 3 times a day before meals and Ultratard injected before bed ..I avoided anything with sugar and became obsessed with recording my sugars as I was determined to bring my HB1C down ! (I have kept diaries for the past 23yrs of injection sites and sugar readings and hypos ..which occurred most days !!) We decided to go for a holiday in Europe , where most of the food was self service so I didn’t worry about portions and could eat at the times I wanted.

I went back to work soon after being diagnosed , September 1992 I was given the green light to try for a family, my HB1C was 6.8%. Little did I know I had already conceived and was 1 month pregnant !!

I conceived in August 1992, due date being April 1993. The monitoring began! My 1st Endocrinologist.. wanted me to have the baby in a local hospital but my Gynaecologist (whom I had known for a few years) lived in central London and I had to choose ..hence bye bye number 1 hello my 2nd Endocrinologist!!

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by alternative diabetic

July 1992… Reality began to sink in , things I didn’t know !

Even though it was many years ago certain things don’t change, I had to surrender my full driving licence ! I then had to be assessed by a doctor and a form completed to re-apply for a driving licence for 3 years and then to continually apply every 3 yrs onwards !!

I  subscribed to  Diabetes UK  to receive a magazine called Balance showing the latest changes to medication and problems I may encounter..I actually paid to be a life member .. I figured once a diabetic always a diabetic !

I also subscribed to Medic Alert for a bracelet highlighting the medication I was on! I hated the feeling that I had an illness and everyone had to be aware , so I purposely bought trendy versions of everything to hide the fact. I didn’t join any forums or clubs as I didn’t want to see what happened to diabetics further down the line ! The whole thing scared me !!

I had to see a dietician, I was taught to carb count ,  although over the years the guidelines have changed! I had to keep a diary of my injections & sites (4 a day) also food diary !  I really thought my life would never be the same again!!

I began to suffer drops in blood sugars every day , Hypoglycemia otherwise known as Hypos ! I was told until I was stable this would happen, so I began my regime of pricking my finger at least 7 times a day …

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