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Newly diagnosed at 19 years old

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ams01

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi guys. I got diagnosed with diabetes type 1 4 weeks ago and it’s taken a toll on me. I’ve been managing A levels and my epilepsy, now I have diabetes to deal with. It’s all been too much and I’ve honestly been quite paranoid about how diabetes will affect me in the long term. I have it under control but I’m still upset and sad with myself. I want it to go away and I’m so sick of it. I’d really appreciate some advice on how to sort of ‘get on with life’ I guess :(
 
Have you told your team how you are feeling? They may offer you professional support if you do, its a huge life changing thing and we do grieve after a diagnosis, diabetes burnout happens too, please do reach out if you feel you need to but remember we'll always be here for support too! xx
 
I will definitely speak to them when I go in next week. Thank you very much 🙂 x
 
ams01 said:
I will definitely speak to them when I go in next week. Thank you very much 🙂 x
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if you have a contact number or email address don't be afraid to use it and get in touch sooner, they are there to help and support you when you need it, I don't have epilepsy however my partner does so I know how difficult it can be from the outside and the same for him with my Type 1 but we both manage as best as we can, you'll get there and learn to live again xx
 
ams01 said:
Hi guys. I got diagnosed with diabetes type 1 4 weeks ago and it’s taken a toll on me. I’ve been managing A levels and my epilepsy, now I have diabetes to deal with. It’s all been too much and I’ve honestly been quite paranoid about how diabetes will affect me in the long term. I have it under control but I’m still upset and sad with myself. I want it to go away and I’m so sick of it. I’d really appreciate some advice on how to sort of ‘get on with life’ I guess :(
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Hi Ams01,

Welcome to the forum! Just wanted to pop by and say that it's perfectly understandable to be overwhelmed, sounds as though you have a lot on your plate.

The initial diagnosis comes as a shock for most people let alone those doing exams and having other health concerns to deal with! The good thing is that with time, there's a good chance that you'll be able to get on top of things. It's just about getting to know and managing your numbers.

One thing I will say is that the more stressed you feel the more stressful it can become. We're here to support you on this journey so please be gentle with yourself.

We've also got a section for dedicated to young adults so do have a read when you get a chance https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/young-adults.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have no matter how big or small 🙂
 
Thank you so much everyone! I highly appreciate this and it’s made me feel a whole lot better 🙂
 
Hi and welcome. We’re here for info and to offload onto. It’s a weird time to be diagnosed with the pandemic and can make you feel more isolated but there’s always someone here for you.
 
Hi @ams01 Be kind to yourself. You shouldn’t be sad with yourself. It’s not your fault you got Type 1. How you’re feeling is very, very normal. It does get better gradually. Type 1 becomes more a part of your life and not so much in the forefront of your mind.

Take one day at a time. I remember well how hard those first weeks were. You’re not alone. Ask questions here and vent here all you want.
 
Thank you very much guys 🙂 I was just wondering how long it takes to get used to it? The idea of having to stick needles in me 4 times a day isn’t my definition of fun and I’m quite scared to eat at times because when my glucose levels slightly increase, I feel guilty and horrible.
 
Hi @ams01, and welcome to the forum. I've only recently been diagnosed (also 4 weeks ago), so i get what a shock it can be. As already mentioned, we will go through a grieving process, so the way you are feeling is perfectly 'normal'. Remember one thing from the off..... it isn't your fault. I think this is very important. When i was told, i immediately thought to myself 'what if i hadn't had those packs of jellies' or 'what if i hadn't had that big bowl of ice cream for desert last night'. That's irrelevant. Its not your fault!

The support from this forum is invaluable. There is a wealth of information and real life experiences here, so don't be afraid to ask questions, if you don't know, you don't know. Sorry to hear about your epilepsy and with your exams on top of that, i get that everything feels overwhelming atm. Just know that diabetes is controllable. Yes its a change to how you was before, but it doesn't have to be a change for the worse.

May i suggest a book (which was suggested to me on this forum) - 'The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes'. It really is excellent and the way its written is fantastic. It certainly put my mind at rest after the first dozen pages.

One thing to be aware of is what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else. But, once you've found what works for you, it will become routine. And, if you do have a lapse, due to that lush cheesecake you had last night, don't feel bad. Next time, just substitute it for one of the many cakes available on the Recipes section of this site

So, try not to feel sad and don't beat yourself up - just know that you've now joined a family of nearly 4 million people who live normal lives with diabetes, day in, day out (some for several decades) 🙂
 
Hi and welcome from me too.
The testing and injecting will gradually just become an everyday routine like cleaning your teeth. Yes, it takes a bit more thought but you gradually find it just becomes part of your daily routine. I can't give you a time scale on that as it happens so gradually, you don't realise at what point it stops being a big issue.

As regards eating and your levels spiking, you should know that non diabetic people get spikes in their BG levels too after eating, during intense exercise and during stress and illness, so don't feel guilty about it. You need food to live so don't be frightened of it. Try to think of it more like a computer game where you are trying to keep your levels within a certain range.... I am not sure what range you have been set, but those of us with Freestyle Libre sensors aim for keeping between 3.9 and 10 for a minimum of 70% of the time. If you can do that you are winning! If your health care professionals have set you targets of 4 and 7, I personally think this is unrealistic and sets you up for failure and being demoralized.
If you haven't got a Freestyle Libre sensor system to monitor your levels then ask about getting one to help you as they really are a game changer... and a pretty cool bit of kit.... even for a tech dinosaur like me!

Anyway, please make yourself at home here. We will support you in any way we can because we all understand the frustrations and challenges you face with diabetes let alone your other serious condition and stress of exams etc and this is probably the worst time to be facing this diagnosis as professional support is limited at the moment. If it is any consolation, I have learned far more from the good people here on this forum than any health care professional and credit the forum with not just my improved health but also my sanity! I hope you find it equally beneficial.

Why don't you join us on the Group 7-day waking average" thread each morning where we post our morning fasting reading and share little snippets of info about our readings, our plans for the day and a bit of banter.... it's a bit like an online coffee morning for diabetics!
Group 7-day waking average? | Page 3412 | Diabetes UK

Don't bother trying to read it through from the beginning, just jump in tomorrow with your reading and you will soon get to know us and us you. X
 
Hi @ams01 , welcome from me.
It will take time to get used to it, in time it becomes habit but right now diabetes wise you are on a steep learning curve , due to Corvid we are in somewhat difficult times , you are probably worrying if your diabetes and Epilepsy will play well or not with each other .
You are in good company here , many of us are managing with multiple conditions , so even if we can’t be of any practical help we do understand.

Please try not to be scared to eat, throughout the day a non diabetics glucose levels fluctuate , it is not normal for glucose levels to stay stable , Sometimes they will go up to 10ish. It’s just that their pancreas and liver work well together and something has thrown a spanner in the works with ours lol.
Ask all the questions you need to , we’ll do our best to help .
Try to look after yourself too .
 
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ams01 said:
Thank you very much guys 🙂 I was just wondering how long it takes to get used to it? The idea of having to stick needles in me 4 times a day isn’t my definition of fun and I’m quite scared to eat at times because when my glucose levels slightly increase, I feel guilty and horrible.
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It’s a gradual process @ams01 I don’t remember exactly, but I think at around 6 months I was more used to the practical side of things, but that it took maybe a year or two to ‘accept it’.

Please, please don’t be scared to eat! Your immune system destroying your islet cells is NOT because you ‘ate wrong’ or ‘ate too much’. When you get a ‘bad’ blood sugar result now that’s NOT because you ‘ate wrong’ either.

Even in people without diabetes, blood sugar goes up and down throughout the day and night.

You have been diagnosed four weeks! Don’t set yourself impossible targets. Your blood sugars should be coming down gradually. You should expect some higher numbers. Even when somebody has had Type 1 for decades, they still don’t get perfect numbers 100% of the time.
 
Thanks @Inka - I was just typing exactly the same advice but you type faster than me!
 
@Inka - ah, of course, my apologies.... doh 🙄

@ams01 - does go to show how good the information from the contributors of this site really is 😉
 
No need to apologise @Bazzlejet 🙂 Easily done.
I’m sure your recommendation will help any Type 2s browsing here anyway🙂
 
The amount of comments and support I’ve received has made me much more confident and happier with myself. Thank you so much to all of you for giving me advice. I’ll try my best to get on with daily life and hopefully get used to it
 
I’ve also been set targets between 4-9, as I’m a quite a small person. I have ordered the freestyle libre but the needle terrifies me lol.
 
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