I think that you are right that there are a lot of people out there with undiagnosed diabetes and misdignosed diabetes and that the best possible outcome of this thread is that people may be able to recognize symptoms of a problem which will cause them to investigate further. Specifically that adult-onset diabetes is not necessarily type 2, which a lot of people (including Drs) assume.

"So, I still think its fine for folks to self monitor, but of course the intention is to share the results with their doctor."

I agree, 100%.

Sara's A1Cs have consistently been in the 6% range since she was diagnosed (minus that test at diagnosis) she's been in the low 7s a few times, but that's rare for her. Now that she has been able to tighten her nighttime basal rates and increase her # of BG readings with the CGMS I expect that she will be in the 5% range on her next visit. She has also never had a severe hypoglycemic reaction or been hospitalized. She sees her endo every three months and goes through the full gamut of tests for general health and complications; after 14 years she has no evidence of complications whatsoever and her doctors estimate that she has a less than 5% chance of developing complications in her lifetime if she continues her current level of control.

Your diagnosis must be particularly terrifying to you because of your Dad and I can't imagine what that must feel like for you; all I can say is that things have changed *so much* even since Sara was diagnosed; the insulins that are available are so much better/more predicatble, insulin pumps are a huge help, and the means of testing and ensuring good control are light years from where they were even 10 or 20 years ago.

I got a kick out of your story of riding your bike in to have your glucose tested.

And no, I don't think your tone was (overly) defensive; and I truly didn't/don't mean to come off as telling you what to do. This has been a really interesting thread and I think that by sharing what we all know, we've probably all learned something. You and I both have a lot of personal history from this disease; you react with the knowledge of what diabetes did to your father and how your body is reacting to its circumstances. To me, your diet/response looked a lot like Sara's instinctual reaction in the year leading up to her diagnosis: avoiding sugars/carbs because she felt bad when she ate them, losing weight, etc. So I think it's natural to compare concerns and experience and I hope that I haven't offended you with all of my questions/comments.

Please keep us updated on your antibody tests and progress. I hope that you continue to do well and feel good.

A few random links that you might find interesting:

http://www.insulinfactor.com/graphic..._exercisel.pdf
http://tudiabetes.com/forum (<- there is a forum specific to type 1.5 and an interesting low-carb v. insulin discussion there as well)

Anne