h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I meant to comment on your having diabetes and then finding your daughter has now developed it, but got so behind in the backlog, I didn't read that when it was mentioned.

First off, you're lucky you survived your mis-diagnosis.
I was also mis-diagnosed, only they thought I was a Type I. We didn't have health insurance, and my BS was high enough that they just assumed! It took 11 years before I found out that wasn't the case -- forgetting to take my insulin a *lot* after my husband's death -- if I'd been Type I, I wouldn't be typing this.

My heart goes out to you and your daughter, for what you're both going through. What you said about the fact that she's facing so many changes right now and for the coming few years on *top* of that diagnosis is wrenching. The frustration that comes with this shark of a disease hits all of us -- we never know until we test what's going on, and then it's often not what we expected.

There is good news, though -- the drugs are all better than they were, and the results of the diabetes control trial in '97 has really cut down on the damage. There are better meters, better formulations of insulin (human DNA types are *miles* better than the old pork ones!), better delivery systems (like the Flexpens and the pumps) -- and having a team working together on the case is *very* helpful.

I may not be the *best* example, but look at it this way, I'm still around. If you ever have questions or just want to vent, I'm usually around for a listening post/cheering section. My email is rhodesdee2 at gmail dot com -- just include your "hootoo name" in the subject line, so I can find it.

Hi and thanks for taking the time to contact me. I really appreciate your kind words.

I was originally diagnosed Type 2 in 2004 and put on medication after 6 months (Gliclazide and Metformin), despite loosing 2 stone in 6 months. After Leaving the RAF in 2005 I put a lot of weight back on due to unhealthy lifestyle. By late 2006/early 2007 my blood sugars had bottomoed out at 10+ and I was put on Insulin. Due to Ketoacidosis all the weight I had put back on, had come off and lost 3 stone.

I was diagnosed Type 2 on Insulin in August 2007 and put on a stone in 3 weeks!!

When my daughter was diagnosed in May as Type 1, they did some checks in June and eventually got my bloods back last week and I am Type 1, however ironically my daughter has presented C-peptides in more recent blood tests and she may be Type 2. However they lost the bood results for the anitbodies for Type 1 so they arent sure. The blood results are in, but because her Doctors secretary is to busy she wont get them till her next check up in November

Oy, such a complicated ailment! Back in '78 (at age 28), when I was diagnosed, it was *assumed* I was Type 1, as it was almost unheard of back then for anyone under the age of 40 to have Type 2, unless they were Pima Indians. Step forward to now, and there are often 12 year olds who are Type 2! I think it's an effect of our Western diets and our activity levels. Also, it's possible to be what's called over here a Type 1.5, which means that while you had Type 2 originally, things have been off-kilter long enough that you've become very insulin resistant (to what your own body supplies). I guess what I'm trying to say is, hang on, it'll straighten out!

I'm working on mine, and I hope to make some progress -- otherwise, I could lose more of my sight. On the whole, I'm not doing badly, considering how poor my self care gets when I'm stressed out. I've been very stressed out the last 6 years with work and health issues.

Seems like your side of the pond is up on the latest info, too, which is great news! I had to look up C-peptides...

Hi SC, sorry please excuse my ignorance I didn't realise you were across the water!! Where about's are you, if you don't mind me asking?

I've never heard of Type 1.5 but it does fit the bill as a description, they said here I should have been diagnnosed as slow presenting Type 1....

It's funny how attitudes have changed just in the past 20-30 years. I remember reading stories when I was young of people being stopped in the cars by the police and charged with D and D (DUI), only for it to turn out that they were having a hypo episode. The police here are a lot more aware now of possible effects of Hypo/Hyper glycemia

I live in Los Angeles, California, on the Left Coast of the United States. I'm just downhill from the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.

You're right about how things have changed. The police over here are more aware of diabetes effects on drivers. Usually this can be dealt with when being pulled over by carryiing a card in your wallet with your info on it -- doctor, etc. However, if you get pulled over for that over here, you're likely to lose or pay more for your car insurance. Best bet, I always carried granola bars and those little 6-8 oz juice cartons for emergency calories/blood sugar boosters -- and not in the trunk! They don't need to be refrigerated, so very handy. A small cooler style lunch bag that fits under the seat is perfect. When in doubt, haul it out, low blood sugar being worse while driving than a small blood sugar rise. Ask your team which are the best choices, if you're going to do this.

Sounds like you're what would be called Type 1.5 over here (although they've probably got a medical term for it neither of us could pronounce!). I take insulin by choice (better control), but by now I would've been on it anyway -- the oral drugs will only work for 15-20 years in the best case scenarios -- then, it's insulin. Good news about that is that now the needles are shorter, thinner, more convenient to use (one piece "pens" versus vial and syringe" and it doesn't hurt at all.

Hope you and your family had a great weekend. I was supposed to go to a lecture by Sam Harris, but my friend (my ride!) couldn't make it.

Doggone-it -- gremlins stole my ) !

Sunny California, I'll get there one day!!

I was terrified of even going on insulin 3 years ago as I thought the needles were going to hurt!! Its fine though, I use 6mm needles but my daughter has 4mm needles designed especially for kids!


Had a great weekend, took the kids to see 'Despicable me' very very good film, they all loved it

I saw the ads for that and I'm planning on seeing it with a friend of mine, but he's sidelined for still a while longer...so, hope it's still playing!

Yesterday was good, anyway -- read a good book, and ed at my crazy cats acting up.

It's well worth going to see, brilliant film.

guess its probably about half 9 in the morning there, it's half 5 here. Nearly home time and then another night of study

What are you studying? Something marvelous, one hopes!

Lately, I've been trying to figure out how I can either convince someone to hire me, at my age and health level, or start my own gig from home. Diabetes is an expensive business, without good healthy insurance.

I am studying a Level one 30 point Module towards a degree in Computing in Technology, long long way to go yet. Probably wont finish till 2015, my good lady is at home (I work away Mon-Fri)with the 5 kids and running the house and she is doing a Level 1 60 point course!!

I forget that Health Insurance is expensive over there, we are lucky here, all diabetes care is free on National Health Service. I am truly greatful for this.

I'm sure someone will hire you!!