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Hi Alice,

Sorry to hear your manager is not being very understanding. What would they have done if you had needed to spend a few days in hospital, as is the case for some people on diagnosis? I know you are worried, but you do have employee rights (and in fact people with chronic health conditions are covered by disability and equality legislation), so you are entitled to time off for appointments etc. and reasonable adjustments. I really do think you should get yourself signed off work for a week or two to give yourself chance to learn the basics of managing your diabetes and deal with the shock of the diagnosis. The very fact of being signed off by a doctor will underline to your manager that this is a serious condition and not a frivolous one. They cannot legally terminate your employment for needing time off for your diabetes. Chin up! 🙂
 
Hi Alice,

I'm 31 and type 2, so in the different situation to you, but I wanted to stop and say Hi.

I was diagnosed at the beginning of Nov 13, I'd not had any symptoms and it was only found out due to an unrelated blood test. So I can completely understand the shock, the grieving and the general want to crawl into a hole and pretend it isn't happening... I really do. I also suffer from depression and have really been struggling since I was told I had the condition, I've had more panic attacks in the last couple on months than I have in years. I also understand how annoying it is for everyone to offer their own stories.... if one more person tells me I can't eat/drink something I will swing for them! They are trying to help, but they don't actually understand what living with this condition is like.

But you will get there. I'm still learning, still coming to accept this, trying to alter my lifestyle to fix around the diabetes, but it is possible. This Forum has helped so much and like me you found it really quickly which is a blessing. Keep asking questions, and if you are really stuggling to get your head around this and I know how you feel would it be worth taking some time off? At the end of the day you are unwell and starting a new lifestyle, taking time for yourself is not failing it might be what you need.

Your post really effected me and please let us know how you are getting on.

You are not alone, never feel that.

Take care

Miss D x
 
Hi Everyone. I spoke to my nurse (am having to give daily readings to adjust insulin), and said how low i'm feeling, she said it's completely normal. That it will get better, and was really sympatheic. I know it will get better, but right now I can't see it. Just see today, and how bad I feel today. I am an emotional person anyway, but feel like one more stress and I'll break.

Manager update - she did take the work, but don't think any will be done. I will just do it next week, (when hopefully feeling better). I guess, I can only do so much, can't grow extra arms!!! Would've been nice to just have some taken away so I don't have to stress about it. It took alot for me to say about the workload, but felt like it was just pushed aside. I don't understand about the comment the director will think im not coping - what did she mean by that?? Of course I'm not coping! If things don't improve, I will go to HR. Can work refuse you to be in? Is that why she said that??

Hi Miss Doodle - thank you for your comments. It is difficult with everyone saying oh you can't eat this, that etc. It's 'nice', I should really say helpful to hear someone else experienced the quickness and shock of diagnosis. Definately the crawling into oblivion is a strong feeling right now. Luckily I've not had a panic attack during this, (do suffer them), but have the feeling of it could come on at any point. Just have kalms on hand 🙂

I feel people try to understand by asking me questions about 'it', but I don't have the answers right now, so don't feel I'm able to get people to understand or try to understand when I don't know.

I have my appointment for clinic on Friday, so will try to obtain more knowledge then. One other thing atm, is the bruising - am I pressing too hard. I bruise easily anyway, but am finding am bruising with this, and bleeding sightly. Will I just get better at it?? :confused:

Thanks everyone. One of those days when you just want a hug..........x
 
Hi

What setting do you have your lancet on? you may need to turn it down, I only have mine set on 1... anything else and I feel like I've completely pierced my finger!

As for them in understanding it... they never will fully unless they suffer from it to. I have a lovely friend who is trying to learn what she can (she studies animal sicence so finds it interesting:confused:) and one thing we did which really shocked her was testing both of us after we had eaten. We'd been out for dinner and had the same thing, got back to her's and about an hour or so later did a finger test, mine was somewhere about 15ish and her's was 5.4... suddenly she actually saw what the difference was.

Oh and have a huge virtual hug from me!
 
Thank you very much! 🙂

I had it on 3, but found it was too sore afters, so turned down to 2. Will it work on 1, I will have to try later, and hope that helps. Thanks, 🙂

Yes at least then they can see a difference in numbers so easier to explain. I guess it's because I look perfectly healthy (except the odd bruise and spot now and again lol), they find it difficult to see.

Will keep you all posted with my progess.
 
Alicey said:
Thank you very much! 🙂

I had it on 3, but found it was too sore afters, so turned down to 2. Will it work on 1, I will have to try later, and hope that helps. Thanks, 🙂

Yes at least then they can see a difference in numbers so easier to explain. I guess it's because I look perfectly healthy (except the odd bruise and spot now and again lol), they find it difficult to see.

Will keep you all posted with my progess.
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Mine does, it's all a bit of trial and error. You will get there.

Same here, ok I'm a little overweight, but healthy enough. I think so many people think that there should be a physical sign of illness... we don't have that, but don't be afraid to explain it and talk about it. When I popped out for lunch today the lady in my local cafe tried to give me full fat coke, when I asked for diet she looked at me funny... I just explained I was diabetic and full fat coke was really bad for me. She was so apologetic!
 
Re the bruising, if you mean bruised fingers from lancets, definitely start from no.1 depth. If you mean bruises from injecting, what size needles have you been given? It may be that you've been prescribed 7 or 8mm needles when 4 or 5mm would be better for you.
 
Bruising from both - lancets am going to try on 1 later today, but hope that helps. Have got 5mm needles for pen, which use in tummy for 3 meal times, and leg for levemir at night. Have bruised in both areas, but not every time. Have tried doing slower, and not pressing too hard but doesn't seem to help. Also seem to have developed red spots there,as if its bleed right at surface but not come through. Hard to explain 😱

Ooh I'll have a look at that link
 
Alicey said:
Bruising from both - lancets am going to try on 1 later today, but hope that helps. Have got 5mm needles for pen, which use in tummy for 3 meal times, and leg for levemir at night. Have bruised in both areas, but not every time. Have tried doing slower, and not pressing too hard but doesn't seem to help. Also seem to have developed red spots there,as if its bleed right at surface but not come through. Hard to explain 😱

Ooh I'll have a look at that link
Click to expand...

I bruised more frequently in the beginning, but after a while I rarely got them. The red spots are probably just where the needle has gone through a capillary and nothing to worry about. Are you pinching up the skin before injecting?

Also, with fingers, try to use the sides of the pads, not the centre. Make shure your fingers are clean and warm, and wait a couple of seconds after pricking before squeezing gently for blood - this may help 🙂
 
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