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Posted 1/22/2006 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
 Let me introduce myself my name is Shane Kessler im 34yo from Louisiana. I have just be diagnosed with  type 1 diabetes. sad Im a Fireighter/Paramedic in good health. I was floored just yesterday I was told I have the disease. I dont know if its normal but I feel like I have been told my life is shorter now. I feel like I wont have much time left. I have ALWAYS been healthy as a horse. Im so depressed and everything seems uncertain. As a Paramedic I see people all ths time on dyalisis with diabetes and now they have kidney failure and that scares the crap outta me. I know I may be overeacting but iham sooo scared right now. Its like I can only see the negative and not the positive.

 Im the kind of guy that  goes and goes and goes and dont slow down unless im sleeping. Im so confused about what to eat what not to eat what converts to this and that. Its sooo overwhelming. Im so scared of loosing my feet or eyesight. Im trying to be strong and my wife is soo wonderful ahe is doing all she can to help me cope. But I feel like im all alone. Please tell me there is life after this and that I can live a long time without losing anything. I know I sound like a wuss but im soo scared.

   I feel like if I talk to others with it maybe I can get some support menatlly. I just dont understand how this can happen to me!!! As as Paramedic I have no problem starting IV's on other people but find myself unable to stick myself and have to get my wife to do it. Are these feelings normal will I get a better out look?

Posted 1/22/2006 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shane,

Well, to be honest with you, you probably will shorten your life due to diabetes.  You may only live another 50 to 60 years instead of 70+.

Finding out that you have diabetes and doing something about it BEFORE all the complications have set in is the best way to live a long happy life.  There has been lots of research to show that if you keep your BS under very good control, you can dodge all the nastiness that is usually associated with this disease.  The best way to do that is go get some education on how to do your insulin dosing.  There is carb counting, there is reacting to blood sugar readings, etc.  The best thing is to meet with a diabetes educator or doctor that can go over the different methods and help you pick one that is best for your lifestyle.  As far as what to eat??  Well the same advice.  Ice cream and snickers bars are gonna have to go on the forbidden list, but aside from that, there aren't a whole lot of restrictions.  What education about a diabetic diet is going to do is simply put you on a healthy eating habit that would help you live longer regardless.

Now, about the needles.  I use B&D ultrafine short needles  31g 8mm.  They are really really thin and slide right in so that most times you never feel them go in.  Using a thigh or your stomach is easy and if you ease the needle in rather than just poke it, you'd be surprised how painless it can be!  Get some short fine needles and I'll give you a short course on how to do pain free injections after you have them! 

Shane, the only inconvenience to being diabetic is having to deal with the insulin.  If you are careful about exercise, diet and your meds, you can live a very healthy happy life!

scool  Warren

Posted 1/22/2006 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Ice cream....? (Jeannie is close to tears!) And to add my 3ยข here (Chutz says we have to raise it because of inflation you know!) you may even have 1/2 cup of ice cream if you skip your bread and/or potato at dinner about once every three weeks or so. As a paramedic you see the really ill people who have not been being careful about their self management. They are the ones who didn't follow their doctor's advice and paid the price. Judging the disease by them is kind of like passing judgement on all teenagers after visiting a juvenile facility.

As soon as you understand a little more about this you will be less fearful and more able to absorb the info you need. And we will be here every step of the way to answer your questions and help you figure out how to adjust to your new lifestyle. Hang in there buddy! The cavalry is coming! tongue
Posted 1/22/2006 8:27 AM (GMT 0)
Shane,
Yes the feelings you are having right now are very normal. I think we all went through it when first Dx with it. Hang in there buddy it will get better!
Many people that get diabetes are in better health because they took the bull by the horns and committed to controling it instead if it controlling them.
First things on your to do list now is get to a diabetes educator and a good endo. If you dont know of one in your area, being a paramedic ask the nurses "if you had diabetes how would you see"? This way you are not asking them to recommend a doc, which they all wont do but if you phrase it that way it gives them an out to tell you who they would see.
As you are getting you bs under control carry some glucose tabs with you at all times, that way you are prepared for the first low bs you will have to deal with. If you start feeling shaky, get the sweats, or just feeling wierd, check your blood sugar and have the glucose ready.
I am sure I am not telling you anything you dont already know, but it helps to be reminded and prepaired.
Please post here anytime you feel the need to, even if it is just to "vent". We all do it for time to time and it helps. We have been there and will be here for you.
Hang in there
AL
Posted 1/22/2006 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I know im over reacting and im sure everyday  accepting  my disease will get easier. Do any of you know of any good sites that will help me with food selections? What about that drug Dibectine (sp?) is it hype or what? I go back to my personal doctor Wednesday. Should I request a referal to an Endocrinoligist?
Posted 1/24/2006 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Yes you should ask to see a Endo.
There is a post here "Good hints for shopping for diabetic related foods" that I reposted not to long ago that has some good info in it.
As far as Diabectine I am not sure about it, so havent even really given it much thought.
AL
Posted 1/24/2006 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Shane,
I purchased a product online called CalorieKing that helps me keep track of my carbs, fats, proteins and fiber every day. It's helped me a ton! I think you can try it for free for 2 weeks, or at least you used to be able to. Just be sure to eat lots of vegetables. They're high in fiber, low in calories, great for you and help keep sugars in line. Go easy on the fruits and refined starches like white bread and rice. Your body treats them like sugar. I'll do some research and try to be more helpful when I have a bit more time.
Posted 1/25/2006 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Shane:

It's only diabetes you have just like 18 million others out here.
I say only because I had the same thoughts and feelings as you till I thought it over and realized that there are lots of people with Cancer, AIDS and any number of worst illnesses that they can't manage like ours.
As others have said, watch what you eat, exercise and keep taking your meds and you will be fine, you will find out what your can and cannot eat as time goes buy but I find I can eat most anything except soda, potato chips, and pastry, white rice and a few others but I can eat a half cup of ice cream once a week and three ounces of oven roasted potatoes of some kind but not baked or boiled the thing I found out was my diet was mostly ok it was the amount of the portions I ate that caused me problems, experiment with portion control and see how well you get on.
You sound like a young healthy guy and I am sure you will live a good many years without complications if you just manage your diabetes even if sometimes you really get bummed out.
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