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New Member and a few concerns.

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
S

Simon_drums

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed this week at 38 years old with type 1 diabetes still in a shock, I have been off work for a few days and so far have managed my blood sugar levels, my main concern is I am a tradesman (carpet fitter) and my job is very physical.
I'm just wondering if there are others on here with similar jobs that could offer me some advice to help manage my diabetes while at work?
Cheers everyone
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the forum @Simon_drums , from another late starter (53)
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It is a shock at any age, but it is a manageable condition.

How did your diagnosis come about? If you had very high levels they will want to bring them down slowly, and then it will take a bit of time to sort out your insulin doses. These vary for everyone and it is a case of trial and improvement, and also you will be taught how to make your own adjustments to your doses.

When I was working I had different doses for work days and for weekends. When I was busy and active I found I needed less insulin as I was using up more of the glucose in my blood. This will all become part of your new normal life. Talk to your Diabetes Specialist Nurse about this and don’t be afraid to keep asking questions of them. They are there to help you learn to self manage.

However good we become at making adjustments, it is important to have a hypo treatment with you at all times. I use Jelly babies as they are easy to carry with me. Others use cartons of juice, dextrose tablets, other sweets, ... I avoid chocolate (for a hypo, but still eat it at other times) as the fat content slowthe release of the glucose, and if you are hypo you want it to bring you back up quick. If you work with others it would be worth mentioning about hypos, even if it is only to tell them that there may be times when you just have to STOP and WAIT. That is not always easy to do, but it is essential.

There is plenty of help and support available on here. Any questions that arise, just ask.
No one will mind, as we have all been there.
 
My advice is to test lots. Don’t see it as ‘time-wasting’, see it as time-saving as it will allow you to work to the best of your ability. Take hypo treatments and plenty of snacks. You might also find it easier to stick to the same breakfast and similar lunches so your results will be more predictable.

What insulins are you taking and when?

Also, do tell people you’re working with so they’re aware and know why you’re stopping to test and what to do if you have a hypo.
 
Hi and welcome from me too. Another late starter with type 1 (@55yrs old)

Something which would be very beneficial to you would be a Freestyle Libre so that you can quickly and easily scan your levels when you are working to keep track of things rather than having to stop, get your meter out and finger prick. It is available on the NHS if you fit the criteria but it can be privately funded and many of us did that until we got it on prescription. Not cheap but worth every penny for the extra confidence, peace of mind, ease of use and extra data it gives you. It is made and sold by Abbott Laboratories if you are interested in doing some research on it. If you are laying carpets, the last thing you want to do is risk a spot of blood on someone's new furnishings.
 
Simon_drums said:
I'm just wondering if there are others on here with similar jobs that could offer me some advice to help manage my diabetes while at work?
Click to expand...

Worked in physical job not long after being diagnosed, insulin was different then same principle applies now, test bg carry extra carbs & glucose.

Its doable mate, if hypo's get frequent you need to make adjustments to insulin, consultant nurse will advise on that front.
 
Simon_drums said:
Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed this week at 38 years old with type 1 diabetes still in a shock, I have been off work for a few days and so far have managed my blood sugar levels, my main concern is I am a tradesman (carpet fitter) and my job is very physical.
I'm just wondering if there are others on here with similar jobs that could offer me some advice to help manage my diabetes while at work?
Cheers everyone
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum @Simon_drums

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

The good news is that as others have said T1 is a manageable condition, and from airline pilots, to sports pros and rock stars there are thousands of people with all sorts of jobs who have worked out ways of working with T1 along for the ride.

We had a long-standing member until a year or two back who worked as an electrician ‘up and down ladders all day’.

Asking your Dr or DSN for some advice about dose adjustment because of the physical nature of your work is well worth it.

Aside from that I’d agree with the suggestion of a Libre (which means you can check BG whenever you want and as many times as you want), and also that a ready supply of fast acting carbs like lucozade or jelly babies will be important while you experiment.

You may find you need lower doses for food on working days, but you don’t want to run high either, so it will all be a bit of a learning curve!

Good luck and let us know how you get on 🙂
 
SB2015 said:
Welcome to the forum @Simon_drums , from another late starter (53)
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It is a shock at any age, but it is a manageable condition.

How did your diagnosis come about? If you had very high levels they will want to bring them down slowly, and then it will take a bit of time to sort out your insulin doses. These vary for everyone and it is a case of trial and improvement, and also you will be taught how to make your own adjustments to your doses.

When I was working I had different doses for work days and for weekends. When I was busy and active I found I needed less insulin as I was using up more of the glucose in my blood. This will all become part of your new normal life. Talk to your Diabetes Specialist Nurse about this and don’t be afraid to keep asking questions of them. They are there to help you learn to self manage.

However good we become at making adjustments, it is important to have a hypo treatment with you at all times. I use Jelly babies as they are easy to carry with me. Others use cartons of juice, dextrose tablets, other sweets, ... I avoid chocolate (for a hypo, but still eat it at other times) as the fat content slowthe release of the glucose, and if you are hypo you want it to bring you back up quick. If you work with others it would be worth mentioning about hypos, even if it is only to tell them that there may be times when you just have to STOP and WAIT. That is not always easy to do, but it is essential.

There is plenty of help and support available on here. Any questions that arise, just ask.
No one will mind, as we have all been there.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I had lost 3 and a half stone over a few months and also constant thirst and needing the toilet all the time.
The docter took my bloods on Monday night got the results on Wednesday and sent me straight to hospital to be put on a drip im still in shock, hope you are keeping well and thanks for the advice
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome from me too. Another late starter with type 1 (@55yrs old)

Something which would be very beneficial to you would be a Freestyle Libre so that you can quickly and easily scan your levels when you are working to keep track of things rather than having to stop, get your meter out and finger prick. It is available on the NHS if you fit the criteria but it can be privately funded and many of us did that until we got it on prescription. Not cheap but worth every penny for the extra confidence, peace of mind, ease of use and extra data it gives you. It is made and sold by Abbott Laboratories if you are interested in doing some research on it. If you are laying carpets, the last thing you want to do is risk a spot of blood on someone's new furnishings.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice I am looking into to ot at the moment
 
nonethewiser said:
Worked in physical job not long after being diagnosed, insulin was different then same principle applies now, test bg carry extra carbs & glucose.

Its doable mate, if hypo's get frequent you need to make adjustments to insulin, consultant nurse will advise on that front.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate just to be able to support my family hope your well
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @Simon_drums

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

The good news is that as others have said T1 is a manageable condition, and from airline pilots, to sports pros and rock stars there are thousands of people with all sorts of jobs who have worked out ways of working with T1 along for the ride.

We had a long-standing member until a year or two back who worked as an electrician ‘up and down ladders all day’.

Asking your Dr or DSN for some advice about dose adjustment because of the physical nature of your work is well worth it.

Aside from that I’d agree with the suggestion of a Libre (which means you can check BG whenever you want and as many times as you want), and also that a ready supply of fast acting carbs like lucozade or jelly babies will be important while you experiment.

You may find you need lower doses for food on working days, but you don’t want to run high either, so it will all be a bit of a learning curve!

Good luck and let us know how you get on 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks very much some for the good advice I will keep you posted.
 
Most people like jelly babies, coke, fruit juice or glucotabs for fast acting carbs for hypos. For after hypos i like nairn oat biscuits, or nature valley bars, or the lunchbox size packs of oreos or maltloaf, but basically whatever you like. The usual advice for hypos is 15g fast carbs, wait 15 minutes, then when above 4 have 15g slow carbs. Not sure if you usually take or buy lunch, but you may find it easier to take a packed lunch then you know what's in it. Having the same lunch for a while, or keeping a food diary could help you figure out what does or doesn't work for you.
 
Thankyou so much for all the help and advice I compled my first week back to work pretty smoothly, my work have been amazing and given me a lighter work load until I get back on my feet.
I pushed it a bit more on Saturday while fitting a carpet for my Dad and I did go low but recognised it and had some food and felt better.
I think my plan is to get a libre as it would help no end also finger pricking while my fingers are covered in fluff and glue isn't ideal
 
Ideal candidate for a Libre on the NHS - are you 'under' the hospital clinic or your GP? Anyway, which ever - ask for one and keep asking till you get!

The newer version (Libre 2) is being released in the UK very soon - they've told us not to ask for it until January but not make a special appointment, just at the next one we have after that. So - get the foundations laid by broaching the subject !!
 
trophywench said:
Ideal candidate for a Libre on the NHS - are you 'under' the hospital clinic or your GP? Anyway, which ever - ask for one and keep asking till you get!

The newer version (Libre 2) is being released in the UK very soon - they've told us not to ask for it until January but not make a special appointment, just at the next one we have after that. So - get the foundations laid by broaching the subject !!
Click to expand...
It is still, not appearing on Abbott site yet either as I ordered more sensors at the week end.
 
Well I wasn't expecting it until 2021 anyway cos Libre and the NHS told us not to. Would be an utterly gobsmacking first in 70 years if summat appeared sooner than they said.
 
trophywench said:
Well I wasn't expecting it until 2021 anyway cos Libre and the NHS told us not to. Would be an utterly gobsmacking first in 70 years if summat appeared sooner than they said.
Click to expand...
They did state Abbott were expecting it in December. Though NHS in January.
 
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