Hi all, yup, have lived with this for over ten years now

[nadinbrzezinski]

and I do have it under control, but I have to work at it.

It can be done.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. It's definitely a lot of work

But far easier than I assumed it would be - my first thought upon diagnosis was "holy shit, this is a death sentence." That was only six weeks ago, and I've already settled into the "lifestyle".

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Once you learn to county carbs

it is easy. I had advanced practice, dad had it for since I remember, and when he was finally given Insulin. we learned, all of us, extremely well.

[Holly_Hobby]

2. Hi, do you take anything for kidney protection? n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Doc gave me a blood pressure medication

at the lowest level prescribed. That works.

[Holly_Hobby]

5. I've been on BP meds too,

but I don't have high blood pressure and it makes me low. Like 40/55.

I've tried lots of them, but I get hives or muscle pain from most. My doctor said not to take only half because it would be like taking nothing. I worry about the lows.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I have had no issues with that

[EvolveOrConvolve]

7. Wow, 40/55 is a scary BP number

At a level like that I don't think I'd even be conscious.

[Lunacee_2013]

8. Type 1 for 25 years.

Got it when I was 3. It's been one hell of a ride! A few tricks I've picked up along the way: test, test, test! Watching it and learning your blood sugar's patterns makes life easier. Plan your meals ahead, you can have some sugar if you plan for it. Try to make the base of your food pyramid fruits and vegetables. Lean meats and nuts are a good idea too. Exercise is basically mandatory. You'd be surprised how much a 30-45 min. walk can lower your blood sugar. The effects can last for up to 36 hours too. Weight lifting is a great idea also because muscle uses insulin better then fat. Swimming, hiking, walking, jogging, gardening, buying your own free weights, you don't need to join a gym to stay in shape. I started walking for an hour 3 times a week and dropped my blood sugar by close to 100 points. After that I stopped eating bread and went down another 50.

I've been through it all, dka, low blood sugars, black outs, numbness, loss of vision, nerve damage, kidney worries (not a whole lot of damage, yet) , even a pancreas transplant. Ask me anything!