Newly Diabetic (Type 1)

Wow, that’s a lot to deal with. I understand why she’s overwhelmed. It gets better with practice, but it’s never easy. I am a longtime type 1 and even after over 20 years I get frustrated at times. When I first got diagnosed I started having panic attacks. I sought treatment and they went away. I’ll provide a few suggestions that might help.

Foster a good working relationship with an Endocrinologist and Certified Diabetes Educator. Contact by email is crucial if you need help between visits. A nutritionist is also helpful.

Wear a CGM and when comfortable transition to an insulin pump. It’ll do a lot of the work for you.

Join online diabetes communities. And attend online and in person conferences. Check out website TCOYD. It’s led by 2 endos who are type 1. They offer much info, videos, support, entertainment and humor. Their annual conference is in August if she’s near San Diego. Being around others who share is invaluable. These people are incredible. Check out their music videos!

Always keep a sugar source nearby. Check for ketones if blood sugar is unusually high. Don’t let others discourage you with negative stories about diabetes.

Good luck to your sister. Please post how she’s doing.

@celia16 Thank you for your kind and supportive thoughts and suggestions. They are much appreciated, and I will both look into them for my own understanding, then pass them on to my sister. This diagnosis was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back for her and only added to her deep depression and high anxiety levels. Thankfully, she lives with her husband, who's been an incredible caregiver and support, but he's also human. My siblings and I are trying to help support from the outside, which is why I reached out here. I am trying to get my sister to learn to live with diabetes, as opposed to it being more of a hopeless/death-sentence kind of thing for her. Unfortunately, so many I know have diabetes, but on the positive side, they are managing it successfully, as they continue to live their lives to the fullest. Again, my heartfelt thanks to you!

Hi, That is a double whammy your sister is hit with. Good she has support from her family. I test as pre=diabetic and am wanting to avoid diabetes. I read alot about it. I came across this book in particular that is very good written by a Type 1 diabetic. Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Another good book, I think, Is Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes
by Jenny Ruhl . Her book is online. What I have learned is when you eat a carb always eat some fat or protein with it. And eat small meals and space them. Good luck.

@vjs003 thank you for your response and suggestions. i will look into the books you mentioned, since i've been doing my own independent research on reputable sites, such as the ADA (Amer Diabetes Assoc), etc. i'm 70 and just this year my A1C was just beyond the high of normal range, so now i'm considered "pre-diabetic" as well. Diabetes runs in my family, largely on my Dad's side (him, his brother, his mother were full blown diabetics and insulin dependent). my other sibs are also in that pre-diabetic category, so no surprise. since my change (and prior to my sister's cancer diagnosis, and subsequent diabetes), i've been committed to staying where i'm at. my doctor encouraged me to pay attention to the carbs and sugars, and keep up on the exercising. weight is no factor for me, as i'm trim and active. anyway, my sister's condition has spurred me even further to better educate myself and try to help her too.