new here-I'm type 1 1/2 ??
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| Thu, 03-20-2008 - 11:02am |
Hi there,
I just found your board yesterday and thought maybe I'd join you. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 3 years ago. I had gestational diabetes with both my children and it went away when I delivered. Then suddenly, I got it w/o being pregnant. :-(
The doctors say I'm Type 1.5....I can't really remember exactly what that means, but it's something like I'm not producing insulin on my own, but respond to oral medication. I'm not on insulin. I am 38, 5'8", 137lbs, have never been overweight, have always been very active. I've never had to diet and feel its a cruel twist of fate that I have to diet now. People think I'm vain when I skip dessert...if they only knew that I'd LOOOOOOVE a couple scoops of chocolate ice cream! Or a bag of sour cream and onion chips....or half a bag of M+Ms...that's is currently calling my name from my hidden Easter Sunday stash. hahah!
Anyway, I know that most of you are Type 2 and I've seen a couple that are Type 1. Does anyone have any knowledge about Type 1.5?
My sugars have been high since Christmas. My meds haven't been cutting it. (Truth be told it's because I hadn't stopped eating junk since the holidays) So, I started a very strict diet a couple weeks ago and things are totally under control now....but I'm starving! I've lost weight- haven't weighed myself, but I can tell. Not that I'm against losing weight - c'mon, I'm a woman :-)- but I'd rather eat!! And now I'm pmsing and my willpower is going out the window. I seriously want some black jelly beans.
Didn't mean for my introduction to be such a novel (or rant), but here you go! Thanks for reading!
-M

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Never heard of "Type 1 1/2" - I'm dx'd type 2. As far as dieting, what you're doing sounds like a calorie controlling diet which, while helpful for those diabetics who are overweight(like me), calories aren't the main thing for diabetes - carbs are. If you're hungry and don't need to lose more weight, EAT! But make sure what you're eating is low-carb - go for proteins and low-fat fats (like low fat cheeses or yogurts) or low glycemic veggies. I find that I do best if I eat about every 2 to 3 hours, but keep my carbs lower at each time. So, instead of 30-40 grams of carb for breakfast, I try to stay between 20-25 grams and then have a small snack (15ish grams of carb) mid morning. Lunch is usually around 25-30, with a small mid afternoon snack. Then dinner is slightly larger (30-40 grams of carbs). By spreading it all out, I usually don't get very hungry but at the same time I'm not messing with my blood sugar either. I know that if I start feeling hungry or deprived, I'm more likely to go blooey and snarf down something that's not my best choice. If I allow myself small controlled portions of things, like having a teaspoon full of semi sweet chocolate bits with a whole grain cereal, I can control my blood sugar, my weight, and my cravings for 'snacking'.
Obviously, YMMV
--Deb
I've done a small bit of research by googling "Type 1.5 diabetes" and it is also known as LADA - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults. It is characterized by a very slow autoimmune destruction of insulin producing cells (similar to type 1) and doesn't usually have the insulin resistance typically seen in type 2, although it is possible for insulin resistance to develop over time. Also, type 1.5 folks are more likely to be slim where type 2 people are more likely to start off overweight. Type 1.5 diagnosed people are likely to need insulin within about 4 years of diagnosis where type 2s may not need it for a decade. In some cases, using 'typical' type 2 medications such as metformin and glyburide are helpful (in addition to diet and exercise).
There's a bunch of info out there about this - the ADA website has some info, it's on wikipedia fwiw, and there are lots more (a couple million hits in just that simple search).
--Deb
Hi Promises,
Usually they refer to a type 1.5 as a person with type 2 diabetes who needs insulin. These type of diabetics behave like both varieties of diabetics at the same time. But
Here is some more information for you to look for. There is another "kind" of diabetes called MODY. There are six variants of MODY and one of them responds to using antidiabetic meds which allows the person to use the insulin that they secrete. There is much research being done on this area of diabetes.
At this point the researchers are saying there are 16 types of type 2 diabetes. To say that the care of diabetics has become complicated is an understatement. But this does explain why people respond so differently to the disease and the treatment.
I hope this helpful for you.
Edited 3/23/2008 11:20 pm ET by cl-maryfrances40
Gee I thought I was doing good to know I am type 2!!!!
Can just imagine if
Hello and welcome. I am a Type II on insulin....I just started the insulin yesterday but was on oral meds before that with only one really helping me - metformin - but get this....I lost TOO much weight on it....I had no appetite....I am not sure if this is common or not but it was what happened with me, so since I wanted to try and have a baby soon anyway they put me on insulin. I am very much still working the exact carb ratios and stuff out with my doctor.....never a dull moment.
I am glad that you joined the board everyone here has always been so helpful. I am sure that with a doctor and good dietician's help you can get things under control again.
Thanks everybody.
I see that, like about everything else in life, you get different opinions and advice and you just have to sort through!
Hi,
Now you learned two very valuable lessons about diabetes. First of all, you do need a controlled amount of carbs. Carbs supply your brain with nourishment and also raise your blood sugar. Second lesson, carry something with you in your purse because you never know when you are going to need something. There are special bars, like glucerna, for diabetics. I have been trying the fiber one bar but I am afraid that it raises my blood sugar too quickly and drops it just as quickly.
While you are well, look in the Hanging On folder and find the article about treating hypoglycemia. It is really important for you to know how to treat it. I hope you are also carrying your meter with you because your meter is your friend and will tell you what is happening to you.
I hope your husband survived you removing your clothes in the car!! I am laughing but I do understand how how and sweaty you become when your blood sugar is crashing. It isn't comfortable or a pretty site. I am so glad that you are feeling better now. Just be prepared for the next time.
There was one other comment that I forgot to make: Metformin doesn't cause weight loss in all diabetics. The long acting versions don't cause the side effects of the shorter acting version and they don't cause weight loss but it does allow you to voluntarily decrease the amount of food that you are eating because it decreases your appetite.
Is there a reason that you take it all at one time? Ask your doctor but perhaps it would help you if you split it into two doses and took it with breakfast and dinner. Just a thought.
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