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Hi

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AaronH83

AaronH83

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed as type 1 3 weeks ago. I'm having real trouble coping, it's the latest in a long line of health related problems for me this year. In March I was taken into hospital with sepsis, I lost 5.5 stone and went from a 6ft 17 stone ice hockey player to an 11.5 stone bean pole with no strength. I lost my job because of it. My doctor has diagnosed me with PTSD on top of my already existing depression. I haven't worked since. My partner doesn't understand and it has put real pressure on the relationship to the point we are two single people living under one roof. I was diagnosed after I went to the doctor with thrush, and mentioned in passing I was always thirsty. She asked me to come in for a fasting blood test, which I did. That was a Thursday and on the following Monday she rang to tell me to get to A&E and I needed insulin. I was admitted for two days until they got my glucose down. My HbA1C was 138. I've also lost my hgv licences so the one job I always fell back on in times of need has been torn from me. I don't mean this to come across as a bleeding heart but I really don't know where to turn or what to do besides try my hardest to keep my glucose under control and hope I get my licences back. I'd love to hear from anyone who is in a similar situation.

Love, Aaron.
 
Hi. Yeah just diagnosed last week its just like a shock isnt it i cant get my head round it like. I keep waking up in night and my heart is racing i keep thinking my blood sugar is high so im gona die thriugh night. Its getting me down and its been 7 days since i was told i was rite in insulin.
 
Hello Aaron Welcome. Omg you are going through the mill.
 
Hi Aaron. It's all pretty scary at first,and I know that dealing with other issues at the same time makes it 100x worse. This forum is a great place for advice and guidance, or to have a right good old rant 🙂 .It will get better - honestly.
The forum can also be used by others to find out about diabetes etc and to try and understand what it is like for those living with it. Maybe this could be a useful resource for your partner too?
Good luck!
 
Welcome to the forum, glad you found us 🙂 Just one of the things you have mentioned that have happened would be hard to cope with, so don't be hard on yourself and its ok to feel rubbish about it all, you are mourning the life you had without all these complications. Perhaps that is what your partner is doing too? I think you are right to start with trying to get a grip on your blood sugars. They can really effect your mood and if you can achieve a little improvement there, it can be a small positive step forward. This is a great place to be, with lots of friendly, lovely people.🙂
 
Hi Aaron,
Welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear you've been having such a hard time. You've certainly come to the right place, this forum is brilliant for support, everyone is caring and helpful so ask lots if questions, and rant away when you need to 🙂
What insulin regime have you been put on? Have you been taught how to count carbs yet?
It may be worth asking your doctor about a course you can go on to learn how to adjust your insulin to your food, it's often called DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating) although it has a different name where I live. Often partners can come along to these things as well, which may be helpful for you both. I put my husband through the mill a bit before I was diagnosed, he didn't understand why I was so changed (tiredness, grumpiness etc) and although he did his best to help after diagnosis, he didn't really understand diabetes. Which is completely understandable, it's such a hue condition. He started coming with me to all my appointments with the doctor, diabetes specialist nurse, consultant etc. He now understands diabetes almost better than me, and I find this invaluable. He often asks questions for me that I forget to ask. So this might be something you and your partner can do. It's just an idea, but it's something I found helped immensely for me.
 
Thank you for your kind words everyone. It means so much to me. I'm on 18 units of Lantus, 8 of Novorapid with breakfast, 10 with dinner and 14 with tea. I've had a couple of hypos which scared me. I'm due to see my diabetic nurse later this month and she mentioned about DAFNE so I'm hoping that helps.
 
AaronH83 said:
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed as type 1 3 weeks ago. I'm having real trouble coping, it's the latest in a long line of health related problems for me this year. In March I was taken into hospital with sepsis, I lost 5.5 stone and went from a 6ft 17 stone ice hockey player to an 11.5 stone bean pole with no strength. I lost my job because of it. My doctor has diagnosed me with PTSD on top of my already existing depression. I haven't worked since. My partner doesn't understand and it has put real pressure on the relationship to the point we are two single people living under one roof. I was diagnosed after I went to the doctor with thrush, and mentioned in passing I was always thirsty. She asked me to come in for a fasting blood test, which I did. That was a Thursday and on the following Monday she rang to tell me to get to A&E and I needed insulin. I was admitted for two days until they got my glucose down. My HbA1C was 138. I've also lost my hgv licences so the one job I always fell back on in times of need has been torn from me. I don't mean this to come across as a bleeding heart but I really don't know where to turn or what to do besides try my hardest to keep my glucose under control and hope I get my licences back. I'd love to hear from anyone who is in a similar situation.

Love, Aaron.
Click to expand...
Hi Aaron ...not surprised you're finding it difficult...a diabetes diagnosis is hard to come to terms with...never mind all the additional problems it can bring with it...so sorry to hear your home life has become pressurised too...like you I was diagnosed recently...six weeks ago after going to GP with an infection...off to hospital...14 days of intravenous antibiotics...then one by one...DVT...High Blood Pressure...call from GP after blood test...its Diabetes...then endometrial biopsy...self employed so during all of this not working... felt crushed...however it does get better...now feeling more philosophical about my diabetes...understanding it better than I did...still have a lot to learn...but I am getting there...need to try and control BG...most important thing...it must have been a real shock...possibly shocking for your partner too...I'm sure things will improve...give yourself some time...early days.. you will get support and advice here without any judgment or disapproval ...keep us updated.
 
Welcome to the forum, Aaron. Sorry you have to be here. Diabetes, especially when treated with insulin canhave big effects on job prospects, as I know from personal experience - diagnosis with type 1 diabetes in New Zealand aged 30 years made my BSc Marine Biology virtually useless, as I was no longer allowed to SCUBA dive professionally nor work in Antarctica or on research ships. I had only just got a driving licence, and immediately lost right to dirve minibuses or vans. I had resigned from Territorial Army with the aim of emigrating, but had to return to you and was not allowed to rejoin TA. However, I have done further training and found jobs I can do eg I've been teaching orienteering yesterday and today.
So, my suggestion is to break down problems into small bits and solve those. What are your skills and interests?
 
My skills are fairly limited. I have a military and law enforcement background as well as truck driving. I was once a parts adviser but it drove me half insane being stuck indoors all day. I play ice hockey but have been advised not to until my BG is under control. I play guitar too.
 
That's a pretty wide range of experience. As you mention a military background, I suggest you contact a charity such as Walking with the Wounded, who have training schemes and advice services for ex military personnel. I provided medical cover for WWTW fundraising Cumbrian Challenge in May and was very impressed by the staff, volunters and beneficiaries who I met there. While Help for Heroes only help people who served since 2000, WWTW, British Legion etc help anyone who served in armed forces at any time.
When you're ready to return to ice hockey, try these websites for people with type 1 diabetes who do sports: www.runsweet.com and www.teambloodglucose.com
 
Hi AaronH83,

I feel some of your pain. Going from an invincible robust sportsman to weak and confused is exactly what happened to me.

A year ago I had an episode on an exercise in Kenya and I got choppered to hospital to get sorted. I am type 1.5.

After the dust settled I finally started accepting what my body does, took the drugs and I am fitter and stronger than I was before. There is virtually nothing that I can not do that I didn’t before and I have not been discharged either. I got my C and C+E licence back last week and the delay was only because it was not essential and I did not chase it up.

No such thing as a soldier with limited skills!
 
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