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Anxiety

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Nic:)

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

Just wanting some advise from people in the know, I'm struggling with anxiety related to being at work and working shifts as I feel I don't have much control over when I eat and what by blood sugars are doing? Is this normal and does anyone have any advise for working shifts and managing my blood sugars effectively??

🙂
 
Hi Nic, I'm not a shift worker myself so can't really advise on that - hopefully someone who can will be along to help. However, for all diabetic workers the employer must make reasonable adjustments so that, for example, you are able to test when you feel it is necessary, and eat if needed. It's especially important when you are on insulin that you make the time to look after yourself and your employer needs to recognise this also. Have you discussed your diabetes with your superiors/managers? Rather than worrying and trying to battle on it should make you feel much better about things when everyone is aware of the situation.

I think the anxiety should decrease as you become more accustomed to the 'new you'. Again, try not to become overwhelmed by thinking of all the possibilities, just try to plan ahead where possible and be prepared. Many people find the idea of low blood sugars scary, but my experience is that the actual scary ones are very few and far between - I've had a handful in the past 5 years, but the vast majority have been of the type 'Oh, I feel a bit low/odd, better eat a jelly baby', and that was sorted! 🙂
 
Yeah my employer is pretty good and I work in a&e so couldn't really get a safer place haha... I think it's my own embarrassment at the minute but like you say I'm sure it will get better with time and ill learn not to care and my health is more important thankyou for your help 🙂
 
Nic:) said:
Yeah my employer is pretty good and I work in a&e so couldn't really get a safer place haha... I think it's my own embarrassment at the minute but like you say I'm sure it will get better with time and ill learn not to care and my health is more important thankyou for your help 🙂
Click to expand...

The best approach I have found is to take the bull by the horns and you will quickly get over the feelings of embarrassment. So, test when you need to, or inject if needed - hopefully your work colleagues will not be worried by the sight of needles! Trying to hide your condition just adds extra stress and having diabetes is nothing to be ashamed of - although it's possible you may get some people displaying their ignorance of the condition and asking stupid questions occasionally! 🙂
 
If shift work/time pressures mean that eating at regular times is problematic, then you will need a treatment regime that accommodates that. Most likely either MDI or pump therapy, with properly adjusted basal (by an ongoing series of occasional fasting tests). That way you should be relatively confident of your BGs remaining fairly stable with missed/delayed meals - as long as you can adapt/adjust for activity!

This page gives a good overview - http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=120
 
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