Name: Sweta Mehul Upadhyay Age: 38 yearsOccupation: IT/Software professionalMy husband Mehul Upadhyay is 42 years old and he is also an IT professional.DiagnosisMehul was diagnosed with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA) in March 2021. He has had no issues or any indicators in earlier years which could have helped us with early diagnosis.By end of February 2021, Mehul had symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, body fatigue/weakness, muscle spasms and blurry vision. He lost 6 kilos within 10 days. All this lasted for 10-15 days whilst we went to see couple of doctors. Mehul underwent tests which confirmed his blood sugar level was 430+ mg/dL. He also had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).Since Mehul had DKA with high blood sugar, we immediately went to hospital and got him admitted to get urgent medical intervention. He was hospitalised for next 5 days wherein his blood sugars were stabilised through insulin therapy. He was discharged with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes solely based on his age. He was prescribed oral tablets and insulin for next 15 days.We had to learn how to take insulin jabs via syringes and pen for next two weeks. Mehul went through several episodes of blood sugar fluctuations when his sugars were either too high or too low over the next two weeks. After reading and learning about different types of Diabetes, Mehul went again to see a doctor and this time around a diabetologist suggested some more blood tests i.e. C-Peptide and GAD Antibodies.The result of both tests were positive confirming that Mehul had LADA and not Type 2 Diabetes. He was taken off all oral medication and placed entirely on basal and bolus insulin regimen.It took another month or two for us to get a better understanding of everything pertaining to his LADA diagnosis and began to better manage his sugars. Mehul started using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring device. We also started connecting and interacting with other dia-buddies via Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.Impact of the diagnosisOur life turned upside down. We were initially shocked because of his hospitalisation due to DKA and drastic body weight loss that he experienced just within 10 days.We had fair idea about Type 2 Diabetes but most of the reasons that cause Type 2 Diabetes did not apply to my husband. We researched further and tried to learn more about Diabetes and came to know about LADA which essentially causes DKA and weight loss. We consulted a diabetologist within two weeks from his discharge from hospital and got correct diagnosis.LADA requires round the clock awareness and overall better control on all aspects of your day-to-day life. All activities you do impacts your blood sugar levels and therefore It is necessary to continuously monitor blood sugar levels.Managing DiabetesMehul is using Freestyle Libre which enables continuous blood sugar monitoring. As a result, he is able to better manage his blood sugar levels.His last two HbAlc reports were 5.9 and 5.4 which further motivated him to continue to better manage his Diabetes.MedicationMer Mehul was diagnosed as having LADA, he started basal and bolus insulin regimen. For basal, Mehul takes a long acting insulin which has helped him improve his HbA1C from 5.9 to 5.4. For bolus, he has been ona short acting insulin. We both learned how to administer insulin via syringes and pen post his discharge from hospital. Mehul uses the insulin pen for self-administering whilst I help him take shots using the syringe. We use various mobile apps to titrate the insulin dosage as per Mehul's carbohydrates intake.Fitness routineMehul is very active. He walks every day and does strength and resistance training at home. Continuously monitoring blood.DietMehul is on a moderate carbohydrates diet (complex carbs). He avoids food items which spike his blood sugars like simple/high carbs. He is not fussy eater and doesn't give into his taste buds and hence it's easy for him and me to manage his diets. We more or less keep his meal options the same with portion control which helps us manage his sugar better.His breakfast includes one small size simple wheat paratha, eggs/omelet, tea without sugar and a handful of almonds and walnuts. For lunch he eats two small size wheat rotis, one bowl of dal, one bowl veggies/subji and one bowl curd. For dinner, Mehul has one small size simple wheat paratha, one egg white, one bowl veggies/subji and one bowl curd.Family supportOur entire family are very conscious on daily basis and support him to better manage his sugars. My 10 years old daughter, Mehul's parents and I all try to provide him the support system that he requires. To bevery frank, this takes its toll and it takes a lot out of you too to manage your loved one's LADA Thankfully we both are mature and prepared (mentally) to face it given our age and life stage.To concludeYou must be very patient and mentally stronger than your loved one who has LADA in order for you to support him/her in his daily fight against the condition. It takes time and patience to be a care giver. Be involved in the process talk to the doctors, seek a diet consultation, take the help of latest technology to check blood sugar levels. Knowledge is key to emerge triumphant while managing LADA
Name: Sweta Mehul Upadhyay Age: 38 yearsOccupation: IT/Software professionalMy husband Mehul Upadhyay is 42 years old and he is also an IT professional.DiagnosisMehul was diagnosed with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA) in March 2021. He has had no issues or any indicators in earlier years which could have helped us with early diagnosis.By end of February 2021, Mehul had symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, body fatigue/weakness, muscle spasms and blurry vision. He lost 6 kilos within 10 days. All this lasted for 10-15 days whilst we went to see couple of doctors. Mehul underwent tests which confirmed his blood sugar level was 430+ mg/dL. He also had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).Since Mehul had DKA with high blood sugar, we immediately went to hospital and got him admitted to get urgent medical intervention. He was hospitalised for next 5 days wherein his blood sugars were stabilised through insulin therapy. He was discharged with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes solely based on his age. He was prescribed oral tablets and insulin for next 15 days.We had to learn how to take insulin jabs via syringes and pen for next two weeks. Mehul went through several episodes of blood sugar fluctuations when his sugars were either too high or too low over the next two weeks. After reading and learning about different types of Diabetes, Mehul went again to see a doctor and this time around a diabetologist suggested some more blood tests i.e. C-Peptide and GAD Antibodies.The result of both tests were positive confirming that Mehul had LADA and not Type 2 Diabetes. He was taken off all oral medication and placed entirely on basal and bolus insulin regimen.It took another month or two for us to get a better understanding of everything pertaining to his LADA diagnosis and began to better manage his sugars. Mehul started using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring device. We also started connecting and interacting with other dia-buddies via Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation.Impact of the diagnosisOur life turned upside down. We were initially shocked because of his hospitalisation due to DKA and drastic body weight loss that he experienced just within 10 days.We had fair idea about Type 2 Diabetes but most of the reasons that cause Type 2 Diabetes did not apply to my husband. We researched further and tried to learn more about Diabetes and came to know about LADA which essentially causes DKA and weight loss. We consulted a diabetologist within two weeks from his discharge from hospital and got correct diagnosis.LADA requires round the clock awareness and overall better control on all aspects of your day-to-day life. All activities you do impacts your blood sugar levels and therefore It is necessary to continuously monitor blood sugar levels.Managing DiabetesMehul is using Freestyle Libre which enables continuous blood sugar monitoring. As a result, he is able to better manage his blood sugar levels.His last two HbAlc reports were 5.9 and 5.4 which further motivated him to continue to better manage his Diabetes.MedicationMer Mehul was diagnosed as having LADA, he started basal and bolus insulin regimen. For basal, Mehul takes a long acting insulin which has helped him improve his HbA1C from 5.9 to 5.4. For bolus, he has been ona short acting insulin. We both learned how to administer insulin via syringes and pen post his discharge from hospital. Mehul uses the insulin pen for self-administering whilst I help him take shots using the syringe. We use various mobile apps to titrate the insulin dosage as per Mehul's carbohydrates intake.Fitness routineMehul is very active. He walks every day and does strength and resistance training at home. Continuously monitoring blood.DietMehul is on a moderate carbohydrates diet (complex carbs). He avoids food items which spike his blood sugars like simple/high carbs. He is not fussy eater and doesn't give into his taste buds and hence it's easy for him and me to manage his diets. We more or less keep his meal options the same with portion control which helps us manage his sugar better.His breakfast includes one small size simple wheat paratha, eggs/omelet, tea without sugar and a handful of almonds and walnuts. For lunch he eats two small size wheat rotis, one bowl of dal, one bowl veggies/subji and one bowl curd. For dinner, Mehul has one small size simple wheat paratha, one egg white, one bowl veggies/subji and one bowl curd.Family supportOur entire family are very conscious on daily basis and support him to better manage his sugars. My 10 years old daughter, Mehul's parents and I all try to provide him the support system that he requires. To bevery frank, this takes its toll and it takes a lot out of you too to manage your loved one's LADA Thankfully we both are mature and prepared (mentally) to face it given our age and life stage.To concludeYou must be very patient and mentally stronger than your loved one who has LADA in order for you to support him/her in his daily fight against the condition. It takes time and patience to be a care giver. Be involved in the process talk to the doctors, seek a diet consultation, take the help of latest technology to check blood sugar levels. Knowledge is key to emerge triumphant while managing LADA
