[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

banie01

banjobongo wrote: »

my guess is that it depends on whether you have fairly good control or not, if you do, then again - my guess - is that you are pretty much the same as any normal health person, but if you do have good regular control then you are at a higher risk. I am not a health professional, just a normal man with recent Type 1 diabetes, so if there are any experts out there reading this, is my guess correct?

I know T2 and T1.5, in particular are a high risk for Covid-19 as the disease is itself quite inflammatory in nature.
T2 + T1.5 generally have raised cytokine levels and these generally result in a heightened and prolonged inflammatory response.

This coupled with the insulin resistance that many T2s have, which also adversely affects inflammatory response can lead to poor Covid-19 prognosis.

Good control as always is key to good diabetic health.
I don't know too much about the T1 complications, so can't comment.

But couple poor control of either type, raised BG and such will lead to the body of the average diabetic being akin to a Petri dish for disease.
High sugar, warm environment inside many of us.

This would be a great question for the consultant AMA.

banie01

banie01 wrote: »

This would be a great question for the consultant AMA.

just asked this over in the AMA, will share any answer when I get it

Buford T. Justice XIX

metroline wrote: »

Should diabetics be taking extra precautions now?

It's included on the HSE coronavirus page as one of the higher risks - does anybody know if we're at more risk of getting the virus, or more complications, higher mortality etc?

Just to add to what the posters above have said, diabetics in general have a higher chance of having a worse reaction to the virus and have a higher probability of needing hospitalisation and ICU care than non diabetics.

My social contacts will be zero for the next few months but my OH is still working so she will be the main source of infection for me so she is doubling down on washing and disinfection to keep it out of the house.

hadepsx

Just a shower thought: in this country it is very hard to get disability allowance for type one diabetes, well that I know of. So if a type one diabetic is on jobseekers allowance, how does the current situation of social isolation and so on, regarding covid19, allow that person to attain a job. Considering that diabetes has been name checked in the high risk category for this virus? Are there many cases of diabetics on disability allowance?.

CramCycle

hadepsx wrote: »

Just a shower thought: in this country it is very hard to get disability allowance for type one diabetes, well that I know of. So if a type one diabetic is on jobseekers allowance, how does the current situation of social isolation and so on, regarding covid19, allow that person to attain a job. Considering that diabetes has been name checked in the high risk category for this virus? Are there many cases of diabetics on disability allowance?.

My neighbour was. I was a bit disgusted in my youth as he ran his own truck business and was working every day (think he ran the business through his sons name). I remember being told i should go for it but I don't see my Diabetes as a disability, in some cases it maybe but not for me. For JSa in the current situation, I imagine they will just continue on it, I can't see people being bumped in the current climate for not being able to look for jobs.

up for anything

I crept up over the borderline into T2 diabetes last June. I was in denial for quite a while. I finally began the HSE diabetes course a couple of weeks ago and was looking forward to the session with the nurse in order to ask questions about the mechanics but this has been cancelled due to the present crisis.

I'm normally all over something like this and reading up on it so as I know and understand as much as I possibly can but I'm struggling at the moment with lots of family stuff and I just can't get to grips with it.

Is there an idiot's guide to getting blood sugar levels in good order in a hurry and also one that describes the relationship of eating to testing and when to do the pin pricks to make sure I'm recording the right levels.

I'm sorry, I know I sound like a total gobshite and I am.

CramCycle

Not a type 2 but done work with quite a few. For finger prick testing, it's similar to type 1s but probably not as often. Before meals, not after. Don't get down about daily readings, keep a track over a few days or weeks and see is there a trend, or are certain parts of the day worse than others. Simple rules are eat healthier and eat less, and do more exercise than you currently do.

Let's say your diet is OK but you notice your higher at lunchtime. Your exercise is minimal between 8am and noon. Have a timetable and get out for a walk, increase it's length over time. Small changes once they are maintained are a good way to start, drastic changes often fail as they are hard to maintain over time. Start small and increase to where you want to be is my recommendation for most, not all, type 2s.

Pickboosgo

Their is an online course for type 2
https://www.diabetes.ie/type-2-prediabetes-online-learning-course-launched/

up for anything

Pickboosgo wrote: »

Their is an online course for type 2
https://www.diabetes.ie/type-2-prediabetes-online-learning-course-launched/

Thank you. I will do this.

CramCycle wrote: »

For finger prick testing, it's similar to type 1s but probably not as often. Before meals, not after. Don't get down about daily readings, keep a track over a few days or weeks and see is there a trend, or are certain parts of the day worse than others.

I was told by the doctor but this was early last December that I should do the finger prick test a couple of times of week. Am I better to step it up so I get a better idea of where I am going wrong (at the moment everywhere) or stick to the twice weekly checking, do you think?

CramCycle

up for anything wrote: »

I was told by the doctor but this was early last December that I should do the finger prick test a couple of times of week. Am I better to step it up so I get a better idea of where I am going wrong (at the moment everywhere) or stick to the twice weekly checking, do you think?

The key in my opinion for T2DM is consistency, do it at the same times every day (or before the same events eg Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). Days where your pattern has been unusual to the norm, don't bother or make a note of it in your log book. A couple of times a week its to vague. If you work Monday to Friday, then those would be the days to focus on as your pattern will be different at the weekend. Don't react to a few days of bad bloods, keep it going for a few weeks, see are they consistent. Ramp up the exercise over time and see ii that has a benefit (over time). Same with the food, don't crash out onto a low carb low fat no annything doet, just reduce what you already take or substitute it with healthier options, over time any of these three things should lead to a steady reduction in resting BG levels.

This is IMO, and i don't know you, and this advice sis very generic based on a random person, you may be different, shift work is harder to deal with for example. Maybe your super active over the weekend and sedate all wweek or the other way round, no matter what though, follow those simple guidelines and it is no bad thing for you.

Harry Palmr

I have a routine check up next week, I'll need to get my bloods taken in the next day or two for that consultation. I really do not want to visit a hospital given I was in with the diabetic nurse for an hour only three weeks ago and the last consultation was only in November. The circular that came in the post was the same as usual nothing about any tweaks to the system. I have a vision of the blood waiting area being full, with public and staff wandering past as they go from one OPW to another

What would you do?

ohnonotgmail

If it was me, and my diabetes was ticking over as normal, then i would leave it. It wouldn't be worth the risk.

RobbingBandit

Have developed foot ulcers again this past week seem to be stabilized over the weekend can't reach diabetic team or gp and next podiatry appointment for April was postponed indefinitely.

CramCycle

My next appointment is the 3rd April, I'll be ringing to cancel today, just not worth it. My team are quite good and consult over email all the time so hopefully thats the way it will go.

banie01

@Rob my advice on that would be to try and get hold of someone on your care team.
You know better than most of us on here how much trouble ulcers can cause you.

@Up for anything, monitoring of your BG for T2 is important particularly if you are taking insulin or a sulphonylurea. If you aren't on insulin, it's not so vital IMO.
Far more important is portion control, carb reduction, increased fibre and as much exercise as you can manage.

If you are not taking insulin, you only receive a limited amount of test strips per year on your LTI.
Now, this may not be an issue if you are also purchasing other meds under the DPS scheme but if funds are tight, multiple tests per day as a non-insulin dependent diabetic can get expensive.
The online course above is good, I will see if I still have the literature lying around from my DESMOND course.
If I do, I'll drop you a PM and post it to you, or if preferred scan it and share it that way.

@Harry and CramCycle.
100% agree that for T2's consistency is important.
@ Harry, The routine appointments and the visit to the phlebotomist before it are a worry alright.
My next one is due towards the end of April.
I'm lucky enough that my control is still good. I am expecting the appointment to be cancelled and TBH if it isn't and my current level of control stays the same I'll likely cancel/reschedule the appointment myself.

Social distancing in OPD2 out in UHL honestly isn't feasible IMO, and I'd much rather that more brittle patients were looked after 1st before I take up any of their time.

Those of use with good control, with no diabetic complications or with a good handle on the complications we do need to be sure that now more than ever we look after ourselves.
Our self-care means more resources, no matter how few can be redirected to the fight to come.

That doesn't mean we ignore ulcers, floaters or lousy control!
Of course, we look after those the same way we always have, by seeking medical attention and advice.
More important than ever for us with chronic illness at the moment, is self-care!
Mind yourselves, folks.

RobbingBandit

I got through to diabetic centre they'll have my podiatrist call as soon as they've finished their daily clinic my concern is the ulcers are on my non Charcot foot thanks for the advice stay safe everyone.

banie01

RobbingBandit wrote: »

I got through to diabetic centre they'll have my podiatrist call as soon as they've finished their daily clinic my concern is the ulcers are on my non Charcot foot thanks for the advice stay safe everyone.

Brilliant! That those ulcers are on your "good" foot would have me worried even more!
Glad you are being looked after.

RobbingBandit

Definitely concerning but I'm gonna wait to hear thanks again

kowloon

What do people make of this?

https://www.sciencealert.com/type-1-diabetes-looks-like-it-s-actually-2-separate-diseases-scientists-discover/amp

banie01

kowloon wrote: »

What do people make of this?

https://www.sciencealert.com/type-1-diabetes-looks-like-it-s-actually-2-separate-diseases-scientists-discover/amp

The thinking towards most Diabetes other than lifestyle acquired T2, is that there is a broad spectrum of disease and cause.

Take T1 as it's classic presentation in childhood.
Likely genetic and inherited. There is also a broad body of research now pointing towards later T1 presentation being related to viral infection or an immunological malfunction.

Similar research for T2 points to both congenital and infectious or immunological response that causes beta and islet cell response to become permanently skewed.

I read a scandi research last year that I did post here that identifies at least 7 presentations of diabetes.

CramCycle

kowloon wrote: »

What do people make of this?

https://www.sciencealert.com/type-1-diabetes-looks-like-it-s-actually-2-separate-diseases-scientists-discover/amp

Basically f you get it really early in life your not getting a cure anytime soon, which is the thinking, although not iimplicitly stated, by researchers for years, i don't think it is anything new.

RobbingBandit

Got an appointment for specialist clinic tomorrow morning foot is throbbing now probably due to appointment mind over matter thanks again for the advice earlier.

up for anything

banie01 wrote: »

@Up for anything, monitoring of your BG for T2 is important particularly if you are taking insulin or a sulphonylurea. If you aren't on insulin, it's not so vital IMO.
Far more important is portion control, carb reduction, increased fibre and as much exercise as you can manage.

If you are not taking insulin, you only receive a limited amount of test strips per year on your LTI.
Now, this may not be an issue if you are also purchasing other meds under the DPS scheme but if funds are tight, multiple tests per day as a non-insulin dependent diabetic can get expensive.
The online course above is good, I will see if I still have the literature lying around from my DESMOND course.
If I do, I'll drop you a PM and post it to you, or if preferred scan it and share it that way.

Thank you for the advice and if you are able to find the lit, great. Either way is good for me.

banie01

up for anything wrote: »

Thank you for the advice and if you are able to find the lit, great. Either way is good for me.

I'll take a look for it over the next few days and scan it.
I'm fairly hopeful I actually know where it is! Which for a married man, is actually astonishing if it isn't beer or a remote control :P

RobbingBandit

Three ulcers caught in time to not need antibiotics just have to stay off my feet for the next week

ebbsy

RobbingBandit wrote: »

I got through to diabetic centre they'll have my podiatrist call as soon as they've finished their daily clinic my concern is the ulcers are on my non Charcot foot thanks for the advice stay safe everyone.

I use gel insoles.


And make sure they give you a protective boot if the ulcers are on the bottom of your foot. They will heal quicker.

ebbsy

metroline wrote: »

Should diabetics be taking extra precautions now?

It's included on the HSE coronavirus page as one of the higher risks - does anybody know if we're at more risk of getting the virus, or more complications, higher mortality etc?

I wear a mask, as it stops me from scratching my face, which I am prone to do.

RobbingBandit

ebbsy wrote: »

I use gel insoles.


And make sure they give you a protective boot if the ulcers are on the bottom of your foot. They will heal quicker.

I have active Charcot Arthropothy in left foot it's not active in the right foot where the ulcers have developed.

RobbingBandit

They have given me protective footwear for about two years now vacoped boot on left and insoles for the right for two years too the ulcers can happen with pressure or friction as well as high bg I've caught them early enough this time and have to go back next week to have them assessed. I have very bad neuropathy in both feet long story short just glad I caught them early.

Harry Palmr

Just got a letter cancelling my appointment. So they are suspending out patient appointments for everyone presumably.