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Recent Diagnosis

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J

Jessica Brown

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,

Just discovered this forum so I thought I'd write a post! I'm 24 and was diagnosed with T1 about 2 months ago after originally visiting the GP about vocal problems I was having (I'm a keen singer) - I thought that since I was there I might as well have a general health MOT as I was constantly tired, and a surprise raised HbA1c level sent me to the consultant where I was diagnosed.

Obviously I was expecting something along the lines of vocal nodules (confirmed yesterday that I'm nodule-free, hooray!), so a diabetes diagnosis was a big shock. I've had amazing support from my friends and family, my PhD supervisor, the hospital team, and particularly my partner who has been an absolute rock since the start. I think I knew something was wrong for months/years but didn't know what, and funnily enough, ever since I've had answers it's been like my vocal issues never happened!

I was lucky to have been caught fairly early, so I jumped straight into doing injections. At the moment I'm only on Levemir (8 units twice per day) but I understand I'll be taking mealtime insulin sooner or later. I'm currently controlling my diet with fewer carbs and sugary snacks, and I and my sugar levels are feeling much better for it (though still unpredictable), but I have recently been feeling quite down.

I'm around 7 months into a Physics PhD, and my diagnosis came around the same time as a critical deadline (report, viva, presentation etc) and a death in the family, so I've been forced to power through a bit, and now things are starting to hit me more. I was wondering whether these feelings are common and if it might be a combined effect of starting insulin? If so, are there alternative long-acting insulins that might be better for me? This is also probably one for my nurse/consultant who I'll be seeing again in a couple of months.

Looking forward to getting to know you 🙂

Jess
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Cant advise on anything to do with insulin im afraid, just wanted to say hi. Glad to hear that you are nodule-free!
 
Hi Jess and welcome- sounds like you've had loads going on:( - glad you have a supportive family and partner 🙂. Number one is to take care of yourself!!! xx
 
Hi Jessica

Welcome to the forum!

With everything you’ve got going on, it’s not surprising that it’s come as a blow to your mental and emotional wellbeing, to be honest. I would probably give the Levermir a chance before switching as of all the long acting insulins it’s probably the most flexible. Are you getting good numbers with it?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed it might be worth asking your GP about some talking therapy. I found CBT gave me some useful techniques when I went through a period of mild depression and anxiety after my Mum died and my work stress was particularly bad.

I hope you are soon feeling happier.
 
Radders said:
Hi Jessica

Welcome to the forum!

With everything you’ve got going on, it’s not surprising that it’s come as a blow to your mental and emotional wellbeing, to be honest. I would probably give the Levermir a chance before switching as of all the long acting insulins it’s probably the most flexible. Are you getting good numbers with it?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed it might be worth asking your GP about some talking therapy. I found CBT gave me some useful techniques when I went through a period of mild depression and anxiety after my Mum died and my work stress was particularly bad.

I hope you are soon feeling happier.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice - I'll definitely bring it up in my next appointment. I've been assured I can ring the on-call diabetes nurse whenever I'm having a crisis so it's good to know that's there. Also, my PhD programme offers CBC (coaching rather than therapy) so I'll probably take advantage of that.

I think the numbers are good, I've only had one mild hypo of 3.9 when I injected in the morning and then fell back asleep before eating breakfast! Otherwise, it's not really been above 8.5 which is good. I'm expecting a rise in a few months or so as my body settles down.

Will keep an eye on these forums for advice/comments!
 
It's utterly normal to feel like that after the shock of diagnosis - without any more 'things' going on - so don't on any account worry about you being any different to any of the rest of us in that respect.

Good grief - I'd find myself in tears on odd occasions for flippin years after I was diagnosed! It just progressively became less often until I remember thinking one day - blimey I haven't done that for ages! - and that was the last one. It took me 3 months to collapse in uncontrollable tears after my dad died, too. So much to arrange and sort out at the time and then you're straight back to work and your own life etc.

The important thing, as said - is seek expert help if YOU consider you might need it. You can use logic for a lot of things concerning diabetes, I still have conversations with myself debating should I do this, that or the other - to decide on a course of action - but logic only deals with so much, not everything.

You are on what I personally consider to be the best 'background' insulin and it's not just me - it is what the most up to date NICE Guidelines for T1 diabetes, recommend too! It is much more flexible - easier to adjust successfully - up or down as necessary. However - every flippin one of us is different - and only time will tell what you need and when you need it.

This is a marathon, Jess - not a sprint!
 
Hello Jess, and welcome 🙂

I'd agree with the others who've said that feeling down is more likely to be a combination of the PhD and family stresses and your diagnosis all happening at once, not the insulin. If in the longer term you find you don't get on with Levemir there are alternatives, but I'd wait a while first and see how you get on. I had to change to a different insulin from the one (Lantus, not Levemir) I was put on initially, so it does sometimes happen that someone doesn't get on with a particular type, but Levemir has a much better reputation.
 
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