I am at my wits end. I am a Type 1 of some 40 years standing. It behoves me to admit with my current age and size, if I mention that I am a diabetic, it would not be unfair to assume I was Type II.

I have two issues that need addressing then. 1)My weight and 2) my out of control diabetes. The only time in my life that I had 'reasonable' control was when I had my third child and I was rung daily / weekly by the diabetic midwife. It wasn't, as you'd expect, the desire to look after the health of my unborn child that had me motivated to maintain a semblance of control. It was more being answerable to the midwife and having someone who actually cared about helping me maintain good control.

So I figured that the most logical step would be to try and find a substitute midwife. I asked my diabetic clinic nurse. She scoffed at me and said she didn't have time to help out. What? She has an hour every 3 months to WASTE my time and hers but can't afford 1-2 minutes a day to check over my blood sugars - an activity that would actually be priceless in terms of achieving positive results? She suggested trying my GP's nurse. Tried that with the same reaction - "Haven't got the time". Had a brilliant inspiration and asked if the personal trainer at the gym could help out (along with the obligatory exercise encouragement). Nope - outside of her scope. Even tried a PT with a diabetic husband but still no go.

So I thought I'd try my luck for some inspiration on this forum. Does anyone have any bright ideas where I might get the service I'm after? I'm happy to negotiate a price for such a service.

Alternatively, is there a Type 1 out there who is in the same boat (wants to lose weight and gain some diabetic control along the way) that we could correspond and bouy each other along the way?

Or, is there a empathetic and savvy Type 1 out there who's got it all together and who would like to champion my cause? Ie: to receive my logbook daily and acknowledge my ups and downs, my achievements and/or blow outs etc,etc?

Thanks, Annie.

Hi Annie,
Welcome to the Club noone joins voluntarily.Save this website address in your Bookmarks, and record details of your log in passwords etc as we often lose members because they forget.

You have made a start on taking charge of your Diabetes, simply by signing up.The main enemy of Diabetics is themselves.
We all have a condition its our chice whether we take control of it, or let it rule our lives.

I am a Type 2, so won't be able to personally help much but there are some recipes on the Type 2 forum you are welcome to try.Most of our Type 2 members have sucess on lo carb diets

Usually we ask newbies to tell us a bit about themselves (DON'T REQUIRE ADDRESSES OR PHONE NUMBERS) but weight ,height, age if you are not coy,medication, Hb1Ac.

Do you have a meter? ARE YOU AWARE OF ALL THE FREEBIES YOU ARE ENTITLED TOO?

Hi A wonderful place to start.. I know that when I first joined up to this forum a few years ago it was to try to get my diabetes under control and it helped immensely to have people around that are in a similar boat or have been in the past and can give help or guidance.

Im type one and have been for 20 odd years now. Im not over weight but I have been in the past.. It might, as Col. sanders said, be good to get some general stats: Age, weight, Hba1c etc.. Do you log your tests? What meds are you on?

IM 27, 64kg's, my last hba1c was 7.3, I havent logged in a while and im on Lantus, novo rapid and metformin for my diabetes and PCOS. I also take other things like iron, Vit D, creon to digest food and folic acid

Welcome to the forum and I hope you get what you are looking for!

Hi Annie, Welcome to the board, you have come to the right place for support and advice.

I am T2 approaching 70yrs old ( where did those years go to??) I am not over weight at 62kg my last Hba1c was 5.9 am not on any medication, my diabetes is controlled by diet and exercise, I was diagnosed nearly six years ago, I follow the low carb plan although I confess to falling off the wagon from time to time.

The people on the T1 & 2 boards are very supportive so feel free to visit us over there as well, we are a good sounding board for anyone who has a question or query no matter how trival you may think it is. Perhaps we can help you keep on the straight and narrow, some people have struggled over the years to control their weight but have finally worked out what works for them.

Good luck on your quest to get your condition under control.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

From the other Annie

Thanks everyone for your contributions.

Bryan, yes, I do have a meter. I first got one back around 1979 - over 30 years ago in the days when you'd have to do a visual check against a colour coded key and you'd cut the strips in half to double the number of tests you could do. I also have a CGMS that I couldn't live without. Freebies? I like the sound of that. I am aware that you can get free replacement batteries for your meter. Is there more?

KC, I am abysmal at logging my tests. I think that is the essence of why I made the post in the first place because I recognise the value of recording and reviewing your tests. But I need someone on my shoulder to make me accountable. Med: Humulin R, Thyroxine, Asprin, Enalapril. I did for a long time self prescribe calcium and folic acid but got a bit windy when the reports came through that the calcium in tablet form (as opposed to dietary calcium) was bad for the heart and not a heart protector as I'd been led to believe. I backed off the folic acid at the same time 'just in case' it was the same situation. Have done the Omega capsule thing but have opted to consume salmon in the diet instead. Iron - probably a good idea but I do consume a reasonable amount of red meat. Vitamin D - enquired with a GP (who I have since ditched!) whether she'd put me on Vitamin D. She pooh-poohed the idea and I've not followed it up. I'm hoping that a few rays of sunshine might be enough.

Annie, your comment re falling off the low carb plan had me chuckling. I have a 'tendency' to try and go low carb-ish but .... well, there's Easter eggs that aren't particularly low carb and ..... ;-) I 'tend' to avoid processed grains. But going from my weight, I obviously am not avoiding all that I could!

Age: 50yrs
Sex: Female
Height: vertically challenged
Weight: horizontally buffered
Happy to share exact details with anyone volunteering to buddy me!
HBA1c: just went for one today and I'm hoping it's a vast improvement on the last one of 8.1 (now you see why I'm asking for help!!!!)

Good luck with your HbA1c Annie. Keep coming back, we will help you keep on the straight and narrow and support you in anyway possible. What area do you live in? I am in Hawkes Bay.

Luckily Easter Eggs/Easter Buns are not my thing, I have lost my sweet tooth apart from the odd piece of chocolate.

Will post the HBA1c when I get it. I'm in South Auckland. Hunua to be exact.

"Normally" - if there is such a thing - I have no problem resisting the goodies on the DO NOT TOUCH list. But sometimes I go on a bender. Quite often after one of those hypo's that really get to you and knock you for six. And sometimes the occasion demands that you misbehave - like Christmas or the kid's birthday parties.

I dont resist very well. In fact I often eat chocolate and bad things.. My last Hba1c was 7.3 and I really should stop being naughty and get it under 7 since im planning pregnancy!!

The hypos? Yep, I had one of those a couple of weeks ago and was awake for hours into the night trying to fight too much injected insulin!!

Being diabetic does not mean that one has to give up enjoying oneself at Christmas , Easter etc but you just Don't go silly over it.

Being Diabetic does however mean that one has to accept a change in one way of eating, and way of life.For example one stops living to eat and replaces it with, eating to live.

You need to test after eating various foods to see how it affects your Blood Sugar Levels - everyone of us reacts to certain foods differently, so this is something you have to do on your own as their is no textbook.I find if my Blood Sugar Levels (BSL) are good my weight comes right.

The ideal range for Hb1Ac in my case is under 6.9

Foods to avoid are white bread, rice , pasta, potatoe, hot cross buns unfortunately are not good news either, darn it all.

Hi Annie,
I am also terrible at logging..
Can you download your meters and CGMS? You would have all the info you needed.. I use Co-pilot which is a free download and I LOVE the statistics and averages reports...

Could you join a WW or Kate Morgan program? One with lots of emotional support. There is a thread on Reality Check about Weight Watchers..

I absolutely LOVE the new Cadburys Dark Chocolate and Peppermint Marshmellow Easter Eggs... I know what its like to have a very sweet tooth ...

Good Luck..

Hi Annie, Just another thought, do you have a Diabetes Society near you? are you a member? or do you have a DNE you could visit and ask if there is anyone else who is a member that could like company for walks, outing, visits etc that would like to buddy up with you.

When I was first diagnosed I went along to a Diabetes meeting, I got chatting to a lady and we agreed to keep in contact to support one another (I am in Napier she was in Hastings) we talked about our ups and downs. After awhile it petered out as I seemed to be the one always phoning her, she had my phone number if she wanted to get in contact.

Anyway just a thought you could try, if I was closer I would be happy to help you out.

Good luck.

Hi Annie

I joined up with the Diabetes Society last week. I was even on the committee many years ago but got very disillusioned with the focus on Type II's (because that is where the numbers are and therefore the costs) and the mentality of 'one size fits all'.

I did go to the Papakura support group meeting yesterday but I chose a day that they were just going for a walk in the gardens rather than having a meeting. They also have their meetings in the middle of a week day that does not suit my commitments. Not that an evening meeting would suit me any better!

My DNE was the first person I approached. She was the one to say, in effect, go away and don't bother me. Her attitude was - come to your appointment, get weighed (although they don't do anything with it nor comment on it), get your blood pressure done (although you have to specifically ask what it is), show your logbook (that the one I don't have because I'm not motivated to fill it in) so I can go tut-tut and I'll see you in another 3 months. Have these people got no perception of how inconvenient it is to knock off work to see them? And for what!?!? I was told that they are funded on the basis of through-put. The more patients they see, the more funding they get. That was fairly discouraging but quite enlightening too. Somewhere I read that surely it is better to treat 1 person well than to treat 10 people poorly. I'm pretty sure I did not read it in the clinic waiting room!

That is an appalling attitude from your DNE and one way to turn a person right off. What about your GP, some have a diabetic nurse on site or at least on particular days that you can see. Have you discussed your plight with someone from the Diabetes Society, they can be very helpful. Here in HB you can phone and be offered some advice/comfort and we also have meetings were they get in guest speakers.

I really feel for you, if I can be of any help please PM me.

Take care and don't give up on finding the right person to buddy up with you.

Hi, Annie DM

I'm an overweight Type 2. Thanks for your post about the DNE. I'm one of the 10 that was poorly treated because of the through-put. I'm so grateful the DNE is no longer at the Medical Centre. The Practice Nurse that deals with Diabetes at the Medical Centre is only available 9.00 am to 11.45 am on a Tuesday and with my commitments, that's not convenient so I see my GP insead.

There is a Health Complaints Authority where one is fully entitled to lodge a complaint against bad service from a Health Professional, my advise is lay a complaint, you do not have to take that kind of treatment.

Do it now.

Bryan, you may have a point. But in what way would it benefit me? It's just going to take up time and not get me what I'm after.

Annie, the GP's nurse was the same. No time to give that sort of service. Interesting that my DNE explained that the diabetic midwives had the time to provide an excellent service because they were looking out for the unborn child. Like my life is of no importance?!?! How to make someone feel unimportant, huh? Never mind, I've got a big enough head to feel important in my own right. :-) Re the Diabetes Society - I keep meaning to call but every time I get around to it, it's well out of office hours. To be honest though, I guess I'm not optimistic as I have had a volunteer ring me when I was involved with the Society. It was a dear old lady who's heart was in the right place but she just didn't understand that I didn't have a fixed dose - ow much I have depends on how much goes in the mouth (plus all the other factors).

Loulou, I do hope your GP is working out better than the dud DNE. I'm still working through GP's looking for a good fit since my SuperGP moved away. They all seem to be charging like a wounded bull these days and if you dare overstep the allocated 15 minute slot, you're told to p off and make another appointment another day! Now that I do find totally unacceptable. Like anyone else, I do like to be seen on time without having to wait forever but a bit of interest in the person rather than the all important dollar would be nice at times. Whatever happened to the altruistic motivations for going into medicine?

I first encountered the Diabetic software problem at the Med Centre when I was diagnosed six years ago and not even the PHO governing body has been able to help. Me and other Diabetics "disappear" - no longer in the system. I can't believe I've "disappeared" again this year. If I wasn't on a yearly eye check, I'd abandon my Diabetes because the system is too hard.

MM i have to admit, Ive been lost a number of times now. Last time I saw my DNE was maybe a year ago? Ive recently called to follow up and i was told i live in a new area therefore i need a new doc, which is fair enough.. But still, the system has massive kinks

It is your choice entirely, but if you take a stand, it will not only give you strength of character, and also indicate that you are not going to take crap from people supposedly in a profession of helping people - and doing the opposite.

There could be others in the same situation and the Authorities may simply be waiting for further corroboration before they act.

Hi Annie. I am over 50 & on insulin for 45 yrs. I never log anything. I do the test & thats it. If my tests & weekly average are OK I dont see the point of writing it down. I once recorded it all diligently & when I saw the Specialist at Grnln he barely looked at it. I was very cross at the time. The exception would be if I feel my control isn't quite right & my insulin needs a tweak, which is possibly where you are at the moment. I think we all need to keep in mind we are human & while I have gone through times of attempting perfection(in control terms) its just not realistic to be able to do that all the time.

On A1C's I know we'd all like them to be lower, but also there is a lot of pressure to be a lot lower than once was possible. It's not so long ago that maintaining an A1C close to 7 was not considered a realistic possibility for any length of time. I don't think we should beat ourselves up over it.
I think my last one was 7.8 & my doctor moaned on a bit, but 15 yrs ago he would have thought it was wonderful. Admittedly I have been a lot lower.

The best thing for my control was changing to Lantus/Novorapid.
I rarely have bad hypos now & it has changed my life in terms of freedom of timetables & also being a lot easier for my family re mood swings etc. Plus not worrying about the exercise hypo.

I think most womwne once they head towards 50 start having weight issues. Not just us, but it does seem very hard to lose.
Mine has crept up & at the moment I walk an hour before breakfast 3 days (mainly weekends as I work) plus do something else physical at the weekends. I try to eat mainly fruit, vege & salad with bit of low fat protein thrown in, during those 3 days.
Its a bit austere, but shifting the weight is really hard work & that seems to do it for me even though its a slow process.

Dont know if thats any help, but its nice to swap notes.

Ailsa

Hi Ailsa,

Thanks for posting.

What i think Annie is looking for is a buddy for moral support in her weight loss- most of us are far flung around the country so this may be a tad difficult to arrange - support via this BOARD IS DEFINITELY possible.

With regard to your statement re women over 50 v weight gain.My DW who has had Type 2 since 1983 used to be Size 20 + these days she is lucky to weight 65 kilo.No special diets, we gave them up as useless years ago, but sensible lo carb eating where possible.It seems to me that once ones BSL'S are in control the weight problem adjusts itself.