[stevenhorr]

Hi everyone,

My name is Steve, and I was diagnosed with Type 1 (after a misdiagnosis as a Type 2) 1.5 years ago. Things haven't been easy, as it happened during my first year as a full-time elementary school teacher in Canada, and I ended up in the hospital with ketones and chest pains. I am currently on Novorapid and Levemir, but have been having a heck of a time controlling well. I eat relatively well, check my levels maybe 10 times a day, and walk my dog daily, but experience a lot of highs and lows.

Additionally, I have had weird exercise intolerance for about 12 years following a bad round of strep throat. I used to be very athletic, but now so much as mowing the lawn usually sends me into a 2 day bout of brain fog, sinus congestion, depression, chills, aches, and extreme exhaustion. I was actually excited when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, thinking that this would cure my CFS-like symptoms, but they have in fact become worse. If anyone knows anything about this, or can recommend anything, I will be very appreciative! Not being able to use my body has been the worst thing in my life. I would much rather have to inject insulin for the rest of my life than remain unable to go for a jog or dig in a garden without getting ill.

Anyway, I am trying to remain positive. I have a child on the way, a lovely wife and dog, and am a substitute teacher, photographer, and musician. I hope I can get on the pump some day. I also hope I can learn from you all here and share whatever I can in return.

Sincerely,
Steve

 

[breezeonby]

Welcome to the forum Steve! Would you mind telling me what CFS means? I can only guess. I hope you will feel comfortable here and I hope you have time to visit often.

 

[Richard157]

Hello Steve, welcome! What is your diabetes management like? Do you use carb counting and let the number of carbs you are going to eat determine your premeal and presnack insulin dosages? I need 1 unit of fast acting insulin for every 6 carbs I eat. That is called a 1:6 carb ratio. What is your ratio? How many points will 1 unit of Novorapid decrease your blood sugar when you take 1 unit of insulin? That is called your insulin sensitivity level. Mine is 12 in the day time and 30 during the night. Carb ratios and insulin sensitivities can vary throughout the day.

If the previous paragraph makes no sense to you, then you need to learn about those things in order to have good control. There is a book called "Using Insulin" by John Walsh. Many things, including the ones I have mentioned, are in that book. You can buy the book on amazon.com.

I have been type 1 for 64 years and I did not have good control until I started carb counting and learned so much about the proper use of insulin.

Have you tested when you are having those reactions while exercising? It sounds like you are having hypos (very low blood sugar) when exercising. You should have your blood sugar well above 6.0 before exercising. Testing before, during and after your exercise is important. You should have your meter and glucose tablets with you at all times when exercising.

I could go on and on, but I would rather you ask specific questions before I make any more comments.

Richard

 

[stevenhorr]

>What is your diabetes management like? Do you use carb counting and let the number of carbs you are going to eat determine your premeal and presnack insulin dosages?

I counted my carbs religiously for the first year, but now mostly kind of intuit how many units to give myself. It works out well most of the time, except very recently. My ratio was 1:10 for the longest time, but I'd say it's now about 1:5, but more like 1:3 or 1:4 in the morning for some reason. Also, I wonder about my sensitivity changing. I'll have to learn more!

>There is a book called "Using Insulin" by John Walsh.

Thanks! I think I'll get myself a copy.

>Have you tested when you are having those reactions while exercising?

Oh yeah. It's definitely not a hypo reaction. These symptoms started 12 years ago, about 10 years before I became diabetic. Blood sugar levels don't seem to affect my exercise reaction at all, whether high or low. I've checked them like crazy during a post-exertional episode, but have yet to have a hypo or see anything out of the ordinary.

Anyway, thanks for the info, Richard! It's good to hear that you have good diabetic control. I hope I can get it back soon, too.

Steve

 

[stevenhorr]

Hi Breezeonby,

Thanks for the welcome! CFS is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I don't necessarily have it, or at least haven't been diagnosed with it, but I do have rather severe post-exertional malaise lasting over 24 hours, which is a hallmark symptom of CFS. CFS is, so far, the only thing I can find that kind of matches my symptoms. I've ruled out Lymes, Graves, adrenaline issues, and many other suspects. Still trying to get to the bottom of it.

Steve

 

[Shanny]

Hello Steve, and welcome to DF. I hope you can get a good thorough medical workup sometime soon and get to the bottom of what's causing such severe symptoms.

Thank you for joining us and visit often!