Don’t know who to talk to

[Emmakeets]

Hi

I’m still here but I’m still struggling. I don’t know who to turn to anymore.

Since March I’ve lost 20kg. I don’t take my insulin until I’m so ill with ketones I have to. I’ve been in DKA in the last month and ended up in resus for extremely low potassium. I weigh myself every time I go to the bathroom I’m obsessed with losing more weight.

I’ve been to the doctors and told my doctor and the diabetic nurse at the doctors surgery how I was feeling. Explained my sugars were high 20s and I was throwing up and they just sent me home and said I need to speak to the hospital team.

I’ve spoken to my consultant who was actually really understanding and has referred me to a psychologist but it’s been 10 weeks and obviously these things take time especially with covid.

The trouble is I’m scared. I’m exhausted fighting this all the time and I know the damage I’m doing to myself. I’ve lost the support of my mum as I’m now in tier 4 I can’t see her anymore and that’s making it so much harder too.

I just don’t know where to turn anymore

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Oh bless you. You’re going through a lot and you will feel physically awful as well as your mental health problems.

Is there a local MIND? I know ours has crisis services still available. Support for eating disorders in adults is really difficult to get because of cuts let alone with the pandemic.
Do you have some friends who can help you to be accountable for taking your insulin or your mum?

In the midst of everything that’s going on at the moment it’s not uncommon to look at elements you can control and for you that’s around weight and medication and even though you know that’s resulting in an unhealthy pattern it’s still hard to break those cycles.

It’s good that you’re reaching out for help.

 

[grovesy]

Hi

I’m still here but I’m still struggling. I don’t know who to turn to anymore.

Since March I’ve lost 20kg. I don’t take my insulin until I’m so ill with ketones I have to. I’ve been in DKA in the last month and ended up in resus for extremely low potassium. I weigh myself every time I go to the bathroom I’m obsessed with losing more weight.

I’ve been to the doctors and told my doctor and the diabetic nurse at the doctors surgery how I was feeling. Explained my sugars were high 20s and I was throwing up and they just sent me home and said I need to speak to the hospital team.

I’ve spoken to my consultant who was actually really understanding and has referred me to a psychologist but it’s been 10 weeks and obviously these things take time especially with covid.

The trouble is I’m scared. I’m exhausted fighting this all the time and I know the damage I’m doing to myself. I’ve lost the support of my mum as I’m now in tier 4 I can’t see her anymore and that’s making it so much harder too.

I just don’t know where to turn anymore

Have you contacted the the charity for Diabetic eating Disorders. Sorry I forgot the name of them but I am sure @everydayupsanddowns will be along to give us the name.

 

[trophywench]

It is now a Facebook Group - see Online Support — DWED: Diabetics with Eating Disorders

 

[grovesy]

It is now a Facebook Group - see Online Support — DWED: Diabetics with Eating Disorders

Thanks Jenny!

 

[Lucyr]

Sorry you’re going through a difficult time. I think that even in tier 4 if you need support to keep your health then that is acceptable, so if seeing your mum helps you manage to take insulin then you should be able to continue seeing her for support.

 

[Flower]

Hi Emma,

I'm really sorry to read what you're going through. Please don't despair, there is help around but it can take effort, time and knocking on doors to find it- not helped by Covid. Do you have a DSN at the hospital who knows you? I would focus on the hospital team rather than your GP, problems with insulin omission etc are not uncommon in hospital diabetes clinics and they aren't your fault, it is an illness that needs support and help. I know how incredibly hard it is to even talk about it but it is the only way to start to get help. Did your consultant suggest any other help- dietitian /DSN- to find a way forward for you?

I lived with diabulimia for many years through my 20's and 30's and I know what a powerful grip it had over me, I couldn't get myself out of the cycle despite being really unwell and knowing what problems I might be causing. I struggled to find help and a lot of the help didn't actually address how I was feeling or give me a starting point to get back to a better place with my diabetes. Being told just to take insulin and carb count doesn't touch the conflicting issues going on.

Does your Mum know what you're going through? can you FaceTime/chat for some support? I'd ring the consultant's secretary and ask about the referral and contact your DSN if you have one (otherwise request to be referred to one). It takes energy to find help and a way through and is exhausting when feeling so low but please don't be put off.

Did the hospital give you any follow up appointments after DKA?

It is really tough and I wish I could think how to help you right now. You deserve a happy healthy life and at the moment things are out of kilter. High blood sugar feeds the exhausting cycle but if you can start to take small steps it all helps to make things less of an overwhelming battle. I wish you well

-I was going to suggest DWED as above.

 

[Bloden]

Sending (((((((Hugs))))))) @Emma Lowery. Keep reaching out for help. Like Flower says, you deserve a happy, healthy life.

 

[Inka]

Sending you a huge hug @Emma Lowery It must be so hard. As well as the advice about DWED above (who have some lovely people), have you tried some of the more generalised eating disorder sites eg BEAT?

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Diabetes makes everything harder but especially any issues with eating. It’s impossible not to think about food because you have to do it in detail every single day multiple times. It really is hard.

You’re not alone. All I can say is that once you get a foot on the step out of this hole, it becomes easier every step up you take. XX

 

[Paulbreen]

Hi

I’m still here but I’m still struggling. I don’t know who to turn to anymore.

Since March I’ve lost 20kg. I don’t take my insulin until I’m so ill with ketones I have to. I’ve been in DKA in the last month and ended up in resus for extremely low potassium. I weigh myself every time I go to the bathroom I’m obsessed with losing more weight.

I’ve been to the doctors and told my doctor and the diabetic nurse at the doctors surgery how I was feeling. Explained my sugars were high 20s and I was throwing up and they just sent me home and said I need to speak to the hospital team.

I’ve spoken to my consultant who was actually really understanding and has referred me to a psychologist but it’s been 10 weeks and obviously these things take time especially with covid.

The trouble is I’m scared. I’m exhausted fighting this all the time and I know the damage I’m doing to myself. I’ve lost the support of my mum as I’m now in tier 4 I can’t see her anymore and that’s making it so much harder too.

I just don’t know where to turn anymore

Hey Emma, I’m sorry to hear that you are going through so much, about 10 years ago I decided enough was enough and for a few weeks and ate what I liked, drank way too much beer and more.
When I woke up in intensive care with 6 different drips going into my arms and a lot of machines doing a lot of beeping etc etc, I’m sure you know the scene, apparently I was in a coma for 3 days, I have no memory of it I decided to at least try and put my insulin in myself as needed.
You have many more things going on that need your attention so just feed the diabetic monster and hopefully it won’t be the one compounding everything else.
im not sure who you reach out to in the UK. I live overseas but your diabetic team would be my first step which you have done already but lean on them more to get you some urgent help.
it’s hard to be alone with this but I’d say just reach out here, your always going to find someone to hear you rant, answer your questions and most of all listen to your positive achievements
I for one will always answer you when you need a leg up
Paul

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for sharing with us Emma. Do reach out to DWED and BEAT

DWED: Diabetics with Eating Disorders

dwed.org.uk

or try the BEAT Helpfinder https://helpfinder.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Diabulimia is a recognised condition, and it is known to be a real risk for people living with diabetes, particularly young women.

You deserve help, and support is out there, but unfortunately you may need a bit of determination to access it.

Do reach out to Diabetes UK’s Helpline too. They have an advocacy service who may be able to help you get the support you need.

 

[Emmakeets]

How do I know when it’s time to go to the hospital? I was in with DKA a couple of years ago and when the consultant came round after I was feeling better she said ‘this could all have been avoided if you’d just taken some insulin and monitored your sugars’.

My blood sugars are 31.3 and my ketones are 5.6. They’ve been worse before but I guess i get confused because the stuff I’ve read says over 3 but then I got told off when I went in before

 

[Flower]

Hi Emma, I'm so sorry you're in this situation but if you are unable to take some insulin yourself then with high blood sugar and ketone levels I would go to A&E. It is an illness and it's easy to say 'just take some insulin' but it doesn't work that way. I wish you well - you're not wasting their time.

 

[Inka]

How do I know when it’s time to go to the hospital? I was in with DKA a couple of years ago and when the consultant came round after I was feeling better she said ‘this could all have been avoided if you’d just taken some insulin and monitored your sugars’.

My blood sugars are 31.3 and my ketones are 5.6. They’ve been worse before but I guess i get confused because the stuff I’ve read says over 3 but then I got told off when I went in before

I absolutely agree with @Flower Go in and get help now @Emma Lowery That’s a very high blood sugar and you have ketones too.

Sending you my best wishes. Take care. X

 

[rebrascora]

Also agree, you need hospital treatment now with those readings. You are doing damage to your health by leaving it any longer. DKA can cause permanent damage to your organs so leaving it until you get that far makes things so much worse... also it could develop into DKA before you are able to notice and do something
Please go to hospital now.

 

[Inamuddle]

Hi Emma, I am so sorry to hear what you are going thru. I really don'tcare if you are in tier 4 or outer mongolia you really need some support now and your mum should be able to help you. If someone needs care the rules don't apply. Please find someone to help you because i really want you to get better. Please call someone for help Sue x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So sorry to hear you are in this situation @Emma Lowery

And also really really sorry that you seem to have been told off before for seeking help. Help is exactly what you need now, and time is of the essence. High BGs and high ketones are very worrying. Please do go to A&E.

If you can take some insulin, even a small amount, that will help. Keep your fluid intake up too.

Big hugs to you. This must be really hard for you. You can make it through though. It will not always be this difficult.

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Emma Lowery , please don’t avoid giong Otto the hospital based on the comments last time. I would encourage you to go to A&E. You need some help to get both glucose and ketone levels down.

If you can take some insulin as well that will help to start bringing your levels down.

 

[Inamuddle]

Good morning @Emma Lowery i am thinking of you this morning and hope that you are getting some help. I would send to a private message but don't know how sorry. There is hope its just so bloody hard to find at the moment. If you can get to A&E it would be a start.

 

[KARNAK]

Emma this is Ted @KARNAK if you haven`t already you need help now, instantly.

Pick the phone up and phone 999 no messing, you have a beautiful baby daughter and a wonderful
husband be there for them, with your readings you may already be in DKA.

Don`t mess about Emma this is your life, do it now please, we all love you.
xxxxxx