Going to work. Newly diagnosed

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AliceRachel10

AliceRachel10

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hey again,

So my gp has kept me on sick because of the troubles I've had settling into having type 1 diabetes.

My sick note runs out 7th June.

I'm petrified to go to work.
I'm scared of having a hypo out and about.
I'm scared of having a hypo around people I don't know.
I'm scared of discrimination (I know it's not allowed but some people even just dirty looks)

The weekend I went into hospital and was diagnosed I had just qualified as a level 3 nail technician and now it's knocked my confidence.
 
I think you'd benefit from some counselling to get your head round your dx and life in general as it's a lot to take in.
Ask at your surgery for it they should refer you or if they have someone in house to help.
 
Hi Alice,
you need to put on your big girl pants and starts to live a normal life, the more you hang back/hide the harder it becomes (as you have found out) As Dolly suggested ask your hospital team for some help. Perhaps also consider a gradual return to work so just try for half a day for a few days then every other day. Boys scouts were always told to be prepared in this case though it's Alice who needs to be prepared, make sure you have some hypo treatment handy so you can treat any hypo and you will be fine.
I've been on insulin for 52 years and never had dirty looks or been discriminated against. Obviously had a few silly remarks aimed at me over the years. I'm still here though and live a normal life just as you can as well.
((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
Edited to add my congratulations to your new qualifications as well, as missed that off last night.
 
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Starting your Level 3 work is another new step. Are you returning to the same place of employment? If so, you know the routine, lay out, where you can keep your kit, hypo remedies etc.
As others have said, get on with living.
 
AliceRachel10 said:
Hey again,

So my gp has kept me on sick because of the troubles I've had settling into having type 1 diabetes.

My sick note runs out 7th June.

I'm petrified to go to work.
I'm scared of having a hypo out and about.
I'm scared of having a hypo around people I don't know.
I'm scared of discrimination (I know it's not allowed but some people even just dirty looks)

The weekend I went into hospital and was diagnosed I had just qualified as a level 3 nail technician and now it's knocked my confidence.
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Hi Alice. i agree, that counselling or support from healthcare team would be a good route to go. Well done with your new qualification
 
Congratulation on your level three, and sure you will get your confidence back. I can identify with your fears and getting professional help as others have mentioned could be good. Once you start working, your confidence will build and you will manage any situation very well. I find it helpful to make sure I don't tell myself scary stories about what could happen as that only feeds the fear. I had my worst fear happen, a hypo whilst I was speaking on a panel speaking to a audience and managed it fine, everyone was very understanding. Generally people are kind and want to help, do keep sharing here with how you are doing. Hugs
 
Hi.

I was exactly the same. But the hardest part is going through that door.

Advice: keep hypo treatment on you. Even if you don't use it, it's great just having it there.

You can be quite discrete with injections, but I've only ever had one dirty look, and that was in a very posh restaurant.

You get all the stupid comments ('I could never do that.' 'Doesn't it hurt.') and then there's the misconceptions ('are you sure you can eat that.') But my answer to these people is usually 'my diabetic nurse says I can.'

You'll find that mostly people are interested in the disease more than judging. And mostly people are well meaning. If you are unfortunate enough to meet someone who judges, they aren't likely to change their mindset, so pity the and move on. 🙂 but mostly it'll be interest.

I'm in the habit of being open about being a type one. Then if I need any help, I know my colleagues will help me. I'm also very open to them asking questions, even the annoying ones like 'doesn't that hurt'.

The hardest step is going back. But once you're back at work you'll find you fit into a routine.
 
Hi. I agree that I think you need to be open to your colleagues (or one or two of them) about your T1. I felt better knowing that if I had a serious hypo at work, they knew the symptoms,where my hypo treatment was and what to do.
As Amberzak says most people are genuinely interested and I kind of treated it as an education session for them on diabetes.
 
Hi, I think once you do your first few days back you will feel better... I was only diagnosed last year and felt totally scared and worried about going back aswell. ( turbs out i had nothing to worry about and wasnt as bad as i thought). I went back on a Friday and done 2 weeks of half days my works idea but it really helped, I still struggled with some tiredness but I tbink this is normal and gets easier as you get back into routine. You still have a few weeks until you have to go back and you might feel differently by then, I was off 8 weeks but that was what the doctor decided I needed it, but I was so glad to get back and be in a routine which I find helped a lot aswell. Sorry it's long bit hopefully it helps a little.
 
Just be upfront with people Alice and you'll be amazed how they watch out for you. They'll be masses of diabetics amongst your clients, we get everywhere! :D Sue is right, be prepared, test regularly and look after yourself. You're young and this doesn't have to be the big bad condition that keeps you in the house so start a gradual return to work and tell people you feel scared. You just might be surprised. Some will say daft things but just laugh at those comments because they come from clueless minds. Best wishes.
 
I think I was lucky in a way, getting wrongly diagnosed type 2 for 9 months. Firstly. I was used to the idea of having diabetes and when I was eventually rediagnosed it wasn't because of DKA, but just ketones and continued high bs. By the time I got to have insulin I wa just extremely grateful to feel vaguely ok again. I took an afternoon off to go to A&E (the dr rang me at work and told me to go) and then a couple of hours to be given the insulin and pens on a Friday afternoon. I was back at work Monday morning, so didn't have time to worry (which I would have done). I was concerned about hypos and in fact had my first one at work, posted about it on here and everyone was lovely and helpful! No one at work noticed and as others have said,hardly anyone ever noticed injecting, testing etc.
Perhaps go on a few days out before you go back, if you haven't already, to get more used to being out and about. Best of luck.
 
Hi Stacey.
Well done on your level 3 that's great news. I had 9 weeks off work for various reasons main one being stress and I absolutely dreaded going back I even drafted out a resignation email. When i first took the job I had I kept my diabetes from them but realised it wasn't fair to keep them in the dark unless anything happened with me.i hope you get sorted and things work out
 
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I felt lucky too (Steph) cos I was diagnosed in July during the school holidays and had a couple of months to get used to the new situation. I can't remember being worried about going back to work cos my bag / meter / juice is always right next to me in my classroom. In fact, I found work a relief after months of focusing solely on my diabetes...and to this day, if I'm feeling down the kids always cheer me up. 😛

Good luck going back to work.🙂 And congrats for getting your level 3 qualification...that takes hard work and talent. Which goes to show - we're all so much more than our diabetes!:D
 
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