Bit new to all of this

[Jon P]

Hi team; need a bit of advice.
My names jon and I'm 47. Just got diagnosed with type 1 four weeks ago, it's been a bit overwhelming but getting used to it. I've been a chef for a long time unfortunately with this I'm a terrible eater..eating unhealthy has been a constant for me just snacking on things and tons of sweet stuff...not alot of exercise..heavy smoker..but started to give up the fags a few months ago and got addicted to chup a chubb lollies to ease off the fags (had to give them up now as well lol). So far (obviously I've had a bit of time on my hands of late) ive got into a good eating habit, knocked the smoking on the head, exercising most days and managing my injections well I think.my questions are these, I saw my doctor when I first thought something was up then went to the diabetes clinic, felt it was very rushed appointment ..the doc was very brash and rushed just felt he was trying to get me out of the clinic as quick as posd thinking this was due to corona virus, these appointments have now been cancelled and just phone conversation being done in future. I was told a lady would ring me and check my lantus levels each week, this happened once but then stopped, got told she was I'll but should they still be happening??? Was told by the clinic I was to be given an eye appointment part of the 15 essentials but this has not materialized and I'm getting a bit panicky and upsetting that I'm missing out on treatments because of this corona virus situation...is it normal for this to happen??? What is the normal time frame for things ??
On another point I work in a very hot kitchen I'm taking this will effect my insulin levels and injections ....are there any chefs out there who deal with this?? Is it better to get a automatic monitor considering health and safety regs in kitchens???...when I go back to work someday lol ..is this going to be manageable..getting breaks isn't possible at the right times...any help will do..bit worried I might need a new career but a bit old for all of that.
Sorry I know it's a lot of questions any advice is very welcome

 

[stephknits]

Welcome to the forum Jon and sorry to hear you have been so poorly supported. Whilst I can understand lack up face to face appointments, they should definitely be ringing you to check how you are doing and you should ideally have a phone number for the hospital diabetes team of nurses to ring with any questions etc.
You are correct in that working in a hot environment will have an effect on your blood sugars. A freestyle libre devise will help track your numbers and be easier to use than pricking your finger in a busy kitchen, you Amy well qualify for one on the NHS , someone will post the guidelines for me, but I know people who have got them because of their jobs. Also, eventually, you may like to consider an insulin pump as you will be able to control your background insulin (what I currently your lantus injection) much better and have could have a work profile set up for when you are there.
When things have calmed down a bit, I would strongly recommend getting a referral to your local hospital team, as they will be much better able to support you and give you access to tech etc.
In the meantime, do ask anything here, we will do our best!

 

[trophywench]

The lady that rang you was most likely one of the clinic's Diabetes Nurse Specialists - they usually have more than one and should still be available on the phone. Hence - ring the hospital and ask to speak to one! People don't stop being diabetics out of hospital and we all need their support when we're in trouble - even when we've had it nearly 50 years !!!! so you shouldn't feel guilty!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis @Jon P

Its a crazy time in healthcare (and the world generally), and it’s bound to have an impact on the run of the mill services while so much capacity is being devoted to handling the pandemic.

Sorry you’ve missed some of your follow-up phone calls

Hopefully you can make contact and get a bit more support from your team.

As for the eye checking, try not to worry about that. Changes to the eyes generally happen over several years, and your area is likely to have a certain month when eye screening happens, so your name will now be on the list for when that next comes around. Even if that’s 11 months from now, that will most likely still be fine, but if you have any concerns with your eyes in the meantime, do discuss it with your GP. You should now get free eye tests, so you could even book into a high street optician - some of them are pretty thorough.

Do you drive? You should inform DVLA and your insurers if you do.

As for work, another new member was wondering about their career in teaching recently, and whether it was making it difficult to accommodate their T1. All jobs carry moments of stress, and insist that they come first and demand all of your effort and attention at times, and managing T1 is now another ’job’ you have alongside yoir paid work. If you were working multiple paid jobs you would need to structure them carefully, navigate around each of their demands and pressures and put things in place to make it possible to satisfactorily perform at both of them. Your joint careers as chef and part time pancreas are just the same. you will need to balance their demands, but if you love what you do, you will find ways of making them fit together 🙂

You should be able to access Freestyle Libre glucose sensors on prescription, because their is a clause in the national guidance which specifies the needs of people’s working environments when fingerstick BG monitoring may not be practical.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @Jon P welcome to the forum.

As @everydayupsanddowns says not a good time to join the Diabetes club. However you seem to have gained a good knowledge of how to support your condition, your lifestyle change is to be commended although the food side of it may be a bit of a challenge. My brother owns a restaurant in Cornwall and is the head chef, he picks all day and very rarely sits down to a meal although under the present circumstances he probably does. A good idea as @stephknits says push for a Freestyle Libre and pump which should make your work and general life easier. As TW said it was probably a DSN (Diabetic Specialist Nurse) that phoned you and it`s very important you keep in touch with them, you should have a contact number for them if not do as TW says phone the hospital and get one. Keep in touch and ask any question at anytime.