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Nearly 50 single Dad

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Trevor Carpenter

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Type 2
Hi I am coming up to 50 this year. I am a single dad of a 6 year old, just diagnosed with Diabetes. Struggling a little, with constantly needing to go to toilet, really restriction me getting out.
I have always been a large guy so wasn't really a shock, but now, I obviously little scary. Most being concerned can I really change my lifestyle enough? Also scared that i could loose my job, because of it.
 
Welcome to the forum Trevor, from a fellow T2.
 
Trevor Carpenter said:
Hi I am coming up to 50 this year. I am a single dad of a 6 year old, just diagnosed with Diabetes. Struggling a little, with constantly needing to go to toilet, really restriction me getting out.
I have always been a large guy so wasn't really a shock, but now, I obviously little scary. Most being concerned can I really change my lifestyle enough? Also scared that i could loose my job, because of it.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum Trevor. Glad that you have found us.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis of T2, but to reassure you this is a manageable condition.

Your higher glucose levels are because your body is not able to cope with the amount of carbohydrates that you are eating, as there is not enough insulin being made to balance this.
Many people on here manage their condition by reducing the carbs that they eat, and increasing the amount of exercise that they do.

Why do you think that you might lose your job? Let us know what your specific concerns are around this.
 
I’m 53 and was diagnosed just around my birthday. Yes you can change your lifestyle.
This place is a great resource and it’s full of generous people who will happily give advice and share their own experience of diabetes and anything around it so never be afraid of asking anything.
 
Hi @Trevor Carpenter welcome to the forum, hopefully you’ll find lots of advice, support and information to help you along the way. The constant need to use the toilet should ease now you have been diagnosed and can begin to get your blood glucose levels lower. There are very very few jobs that you would no longer be able to continue in following diagnosis. Is there an element of your work you think would now be compromised, or are there required medical standards that you think you may now not meet? Have you been started on any medication? It is often medication side effects that are more of a concern where work is related for safety reasons, such as insulin and HGV driving, but even that is possible, it just requires more stringent medical assessment.
 
There is also insulin resistance. T2 have difficulty using the insulin they have.
 
Welcome to the forum. I know it can and will be difficult but the frequent bathroom trips should ease now you are diagnosed and hopefully taking medication. If you have any questions, ask away.
 
I was diagnosed at the age of 65 and have decided I'll keep working until I can't manage it. I am 69 now and if anything, doing more work than ever. I weight a lot less, fit into smaller clothes and am far more active than when eating lots of carbohydrates - and it was healthy carbs too if there are such things.
 
Hello @Trevor Carpenter welcome to the forum,🙂 hope you find the forum useful to you for some of us its a life saver.
 
Welcome to the forum @Trevor Carpenter

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but try not to be too anxious or downhearted. Diabetes is a potentially serious condition, 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. Many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. And the extra regular checks they now have mean that any potential problems will be spotted earlier and can be treated sooner.

As others have said, there are very few jobs which cannot be made to fit around a diagnosis of diabetes (including commercial airline
pilot), but do ask specific employment questions - and if no one on the forum has any experience, we can ask DUK legal boffins directly.

When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.

Many people find keeping a ruthlessly honest food diary is a good first step.

Fire away with any questions you may have - nothing will be thought of as too obvious or ‘silly’. 🙂
 
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