Benefits help please.

[Foxley 83]

Hiya, i have introduced myself before but i am still coming to terms with being diagnosed type 1 only in November. I am wondering does diabetes type 1 qualify for pip benefits? Also in my job i had to reduce my 10 hours a day to 5 hours and stepped down from deupty manager to practitioner and taken a pay cut. I work in private childcare. I have also waiting to hear from universal credit. I feel absolutely lost and alone. Any advice would be appreciated. TIA

 

[janw]

It doesn't sound likely unfortunately. There is an older thread that might help you understand that you need to have severe mobility issues in order to be eligible HERE
I am not sure why your hours have been cut or your job position affected, that should not happen because of your diagnosis, it would be classed as discrimination. I worked with children for the last 18 years of my working life from babes in arms, nurseries and junior youth groups up to 12/13 years - and I can assure you that few of my fellow workers were without their own ailments, myself included - but children are very good at being adaptable and there are life lessons to be learned too, which is no bad thing 🙂
I hope you get things sorted - there is always the Citizens Advice that might be able to offer you sound advice, though I know it isn't always easy to get an appointment due to them having had cutbacks etc in recent years, more's the pity.
Also do check this out from the main site HERE

 

[Foxley 83]

It doesn't sound likely unfortunately. There is an older thread that might help you understand that you need to have severe mobility issues in order to be eligible HERE
I am not sure why your hours have been cut or your job position affected, that should not happen because of your diagnosis, it would be classed as discrimination. I worked with children for the last 18 years of my working life from babes in arms, nurseries and junior youth groups up to 12/13 years - and I can assure you that few of my fellow workers were without their own ailments, myself included - but children are very good at being adaptable and there are life lessons to be learned too, which is no bad thing 🙂
I hope you get things sorted - there is always the Citizens Advice that might be able to offer you sound advice, though I know it isn't always easy to get an appointment due to them having had cutbacks etc in recent years, more's the pity.
Also do check this out from the main site HERE

It was a decision on both our parts as i was and still struggling with daily work routine, suffering with multiple hypos a day. Doing everything i am told. If i am honest I am finding it more mentally difficult. I feel so depressed and feeling like I shouldn't be, but i can't help how i feel.

 

[janw]

You seem to have a lot to cope with, if your hypos can be brought under control with help from your team, then that should start to make you feel better, which will then make everything else seem less daunting. I don't know much about T1 but there are many on here that could offer you advice, assurance and help you along the pathway. It can feel quite depressing when first diagnosed, sometimes we feel as though we are left floating in a rough sea, but once you get more stable and find your way to be more in control (we are never in full control, but it does get better for most of the time - diabetes is an unpredictable creature, out to baffle the best of us). Your fellow T1s have a whole wealth of knowledge and will be happy to help you. Try and keep strong. I don't know a lot about universal credit, though I know it gets paid in arrears for my daughter and her partner, depending on how much money he brought home from work the previous month - she is a stay at home mum plus an OU student (and now expecting #2) and that is how they get the benefit, but that's as far as my knowledge goes. It will all work out for you, just give it a little time to all come together. Remember that you are not alone, others have been on your journey before and can help you gain the strength and knowledge you need. Hang on in there xx

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Foxley 83

I am sorry to hear that you are finding things so difficult at present. Diagnosis at any age is a big shock, and takes time to get more used to. It will never be perfect but your team should help you to make adjustments. Have you spoken to them since diagnosis and explained how you feel. As @janw has said your workplace should make reasonable adjustments to help you maintain your employment.

You mention that you are having very regular hypos, which means that something needs to change regarding your insulin. Which insulin(s) are you using? If you are in Multiple Daily Injections with two separate insulins: A bolus which is the quick acting, which will deal with the carbs you are eating, and another for the background or basal insulin , which deals with the glucose your liver dribbles out all the time to keep you going, your team can work with you on how to alter these. Do you have a team that you contact to discuss this.

As you are so recently diagnosed, you may well be in the honeymoon period. You could have some beta cells left that are tired but still working intermittently. Things makes things more unpredictable. I found this at the start when I was teaching so had to keep a tight check on my levels between lessons. School made adjustments for me until I was better able to manage.

Do come back with more information. Whilst we can’t advise you on changes to your doses, there is lots of experience to tap into on here. So keep the questions coming.

 

[Foxley 83]

Hi @Foxley 83

I am sorry to hear that you are finding things so difficult at present. Diagnosis at any age is a big shock, and takes time to get more used to. It will never be perfect but your team should help you to make adjustments. Have you spoken to them since diagnosis and explained how you feel. As @janw has said your workplace should make reasonable adjustments to help you maintain your employment.

You mention that you are having very regular hypos, which means that something needs to change regarding your insulin. Which insulin(s) are you using? If you are in Multiple Daily Injections with two separate insulins: A bolus which is the quick acting, which will deal with the carbs you are eating, and another for the background or basal insulin , which deals with the glucose your liver dribbles out all the time to keep you going, your team can work with you on how to alter these. Do you have a team that you contact to discuss this.

As you are so recently diagnosed, you may well be in the honeymoon period. You could have some beta cells left that are tired but still working intermittently. Things makes things more unpredictable. I found this at the start when I was teaching so had to keep a tight check on my levels between lessons. School made adjustments for me until I was better able to manage.

Do come back with more information. Whilst we can’t advise you on changes to your doses, there is lots of experience to tap into on here. So keep the questions coming.

Hiya i am on levemir twice a day use to 6 units am and pm and novid rapid before meals a ratio of 1 to 15. But have got advice since and changed the pm levemir to 5 units and the novid rapid at lunch time before my walk to work to ratio of 1 to 18. This seems to be controlling my hypos better. However still struggling mentally. I was given the iApt do a self referral, but if i am honest find the site confusing and don't what to do. I have people in my life trying their best to be supportive but feel don't really understand what i am feeling and i feel they are getting fed up with my moods.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Foxley 83

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time

A diagnosis with diabetes can cause significant emotional upheaval, as well as the physical demands - many people liken it to a form of grieving, with just the sort of emotions you have described, and the chaotic unfolding of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - which might come in any order, and quite possibly several in the same day.

You are just at the beginning of your life with diabetes, and some adaptation and adjustment is bound to take a little time. So be kind to yourself, and take things one step at a time.

Diabetes can be a nuisance, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. It shouldn’t stop you from having a satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding career either. 🙂

 

[Foxley 83]

Welcome to the forum @Foxley 83

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time

A diagnosis with diabetes can cause significant emotional upheaval, as well as the physical demands - many people liken it to a form of grieving, with just the sort of emotions you have described, and the chaotic unfolding of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - which might come in any order, and quite possibly several in the same day.

You are just at the beginning of your life with diabetes, and some adaptation and adjustment is bound to take a little time. So be kind to yourself, and take things one step at a time.

Diabetes can be a nuisance, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. It shouldn’t stop you from having a satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding career either. 🙂

Yes you have basically described every emotions i am feeling daily, some days worse than others. Even before the diabetes i have suffered with depression and got diagnosed on the 7th year of my mum's death who had dementia and died at the age of 62 and i was carer. I know in my head this a major part of i am feeling and i like to believe she was still looking after me, i just wish she was still here, i would feel a lot safer.

 

[Inka]

Hi @Foxley 83 The mental load of Type 1 is often underestimated. I find the best way is to take one day at a time, and even one hour at a time. Focus on the ‘now’ and try not to worry too much about the past (what went wrong with your blood sugar) and the future.

Reducing your Levemir was sensible. Many people find their split isn’t 50/50.

As for work, it is exhausting. I know some people are all “Oh, my amazing career is still super-amazing and I still work 12 hours a day and come home bursting with energy, go to the gym for two hours, then eat the world’s healthiest meal while I admire the flat line on my Libre” but most people aren’t like that. Type 1 is a full-time job on top of any other job(s) you might have.

I know people will disagree but personally I think it’s not fair that we can’t claim some extra benefit like DLA or whatever. Parents of Type 1s get benefits because of the extra work they have to do, yet that work magically disappears when we become adults?

You’re not alone. Please feel free to offload here. We can offer practical suggestions but also just some emotional support. It is hard, but the time shortly after diagnosis is hardest of all. It does gradually ease off.