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jlgardner1

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Type 1
Hi there,

Over the last 72 hours I have been diagnosed with Type I diabetes. I am 21, have no family history of diabetes and extremely fit and healthy, so it has obviously come as quite a shock to me. I first noticed my vision to deteriorate, followed by increased thirst and need to go to the toilet! I went to the doctors thinking I would just need a higher prescription for glasses and was rushed to hospital with the possibility of going into ketoacidosis! The last few days have been an absolute whirlwind and I'm just trying to find a way to cope with the challenge of now managing my diet, measuring my glucose levels and injecting myself and am seeking some advice with how to get starting with it all?

I am on holiday at the moment visiting my family in Dubai, and will be returning to the UK to carry on with my degree at University of Exeter and was wondering what the process was with gaining medical support, registering myself as diabetic, contacting my GP etc. so that I get all the help and monitoring I need? Obviously this is not how I was planning on spending my holiday and is extremely overwhelming at the moment, however I have come to realise it is just something I will get used to doing and shouldn't affect my day to day life that much, nevertheless any support or advice I can get I would thoroughly appreciate!

Thanks a lot,

Jemma
 
Welcome to the forum Jemma,

If you can get a letter, or copies of the records from the hospital. All you need do is take them to your GP once you're back in the country. How are you doing otherwise? All this must have been quite a shock.
 
Hi Alison,

That's great thank you I will make sure I do that ASAP. I'm doing better thank you, had lots of ups and downs over the last few days. Particularly been struggling mentally as I am supposed to be preparing for my final exams of my 3rd year at University and obviously not concentrating very well! Starting to get back into the routine and activities I had been doing whilst on holiday, but with most of my friends being in the UK it is hard to distract myself from the harsh reality of everything with my family constantly monitoring my diet and glucose levels at the moment!

I have my first appointment with the specialist out here tomorrow, since being diagnosed, where I am guessing I will be finding out about fast acting insulin injections as opposed to the one shot I have been prescribed with to take in the evenings before bedtime?

Cheers,
Jemma
 
Well, there's plenty of practical and emotional support to be found here, along with a huge knowledge base on every form of diabetes. I'm sure, between us, we can answer most questions. Sound like your family are taking good care of you.
 
That's really good and useful to know thank you. Of course they are, and I know I couldn't do it without them! 🙂
 
jlgardner1 said:
That's really good and useful to know thank you. Of course they are, and I know I couldn't do it without them! 🙂
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Jemma

I was diagnosed at 21, in my final year at Uni and with no family history of diabetes as well. Make sure you speak to your director of studies, or equivalent, about what has happened as they may take it into consideration when working out your qualification. I fell just below a grade boundary and had a viva and because of the extenuating circumstances they put me up a grade.

My parents fussed over me something awful to begin with. It took them a while to come to terms with the diagnosis too, and to realise that I was perfectly able of looking after myself. Where do you live when at Uni - are you in a shared house? if so it would be good to get your flatmates some information about the D, so they can be aware of what signs to look out for.

Rachel
 
Hi Rachel,

Sounds like I'm going through exactley what you did which makes me feel a whole lot better. Did you handle it in a similar way (i.e. ups and downs), how did you find the lifestyle adjustments? It's all happened so quickly at the moment I still can't believe it has happened!

Once my parents realised that I was able to manage it myself and would ask them for help when I needed to, and obviously keep them informed at this early stage, they seemed to have backed off a bit, trying to make everything as normal as possible which I find a lot easier to deal with. Yes, I'm in a shared house at University and have informed my housemates who are already letting me (and my mum via Facebook!) know that they'll be here for me when I get back which is really good. I have also contacted my personal tutor at University who has said I should go see here once I return to Exeter to discuss what I have been going through and how it has affected my ability to revise.

Is there any advice you can give me with how to manage the diabetes being diagnosed at this age and this point in my life? Anything you consider to be a major adjustment?

Thank you,
Jemma
 
Hi Jemma
Welcome to the forum!
I was diagnosed aged 19 at the beginning of my first year at uni. No family history either.
Great that you're living in a shared house - I know my mum was a bit worried about that aspect. I know it might sound stupid / obvious but might be worth remembering to have some form of glucose (dextrose tabs, juice, jelly babies) next to your bed in case of night time hypos.
Diabetes shoudn't affect what you "can" or "cant do/achieve" in your life...all you need is a bit of planning 🙂, and of course knowledge is power so the more you read up on it the better.
I have only recently joined the forum - I wish I had joined sooner -this place is gold mine for information so dont forget to come back here if you have any questions!
Good luck
 
Hi Jemma,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, what a shock for you. My son was diagnosed aged 4 so quite a different perspective, in that obviously I was the one who had to learn all the necessary care for him. I would really really recommend you get this book (Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-1-Diab...8&qid=1366393807&sr=8-1&keywords=ragnar+hanas

Don't be put off by the title into thinking it's only for kids - it is the best book on caring for type 1 diabetes that I have come across, written in a positive and easy-to-read style so you can learn what you need to.

Knowledge is power - I know that feeling of being overwhelmed but don't worry you'll soon feel more in control, and it won't stop you living life to the full 🙂
 
Hi Cleo,

Thank you I will definitely keep some form of glucose by my bed, and with me at all times! I have just been given my fast acting insulin (more injections!!) but am on a fixed dose for now, but I feel a lot more in control of my health as well as psychologically!

Thanks everyone

Jemma x
 
Thank you very much for your advice, I will have a look into the book you have advised me to buy. Any extra information at this point is useful to me so that I can get my head around everything and manage my diabetes as fast and simply as possible, with minimum break downs/complications!!

Cheers,
Jemma

Redkite said:
Hi Jemma,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, what a shock for you. My son was diagnosed aged 4 so quite a different perspective, in that obviously I was the one who had to learn all the necessary care for him. I would really really recommend you get this book (Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-1-Diab...8&qid=1366393807&sr=8-1&keywords=ragnar+hanas

Don't be put off by the title into thinking it's only for kids - it is the best book on caring for type 1 diabetes that I have come across, written in a positive and easy-to-read style so you can learn what you need to.

Knowledge is power - I know that feeling of being overwhelmed but don't worry you'll soon feel more in control, and it won't stop you living life to the full 🙂
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Hi Jemma and welcome to the forum.
As you are in Exeter you should be refered to the Exeter hospital, they have a very good reputation.
 
Hi Jemma, welcome to the forum.

Are you testing your blood sugars yourself? Which insulins have you been given?

I hope you manage to get to grips with it quickly, i know its a lot to take in but we are all here to help as ask questions or if you want to moan about your diabetes
 
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Welcome to the forum Jemma 🙂

Hopefully the campus surgery has improved since I was there (which was, umm, more then a few years back) - I never actually transferred to the on-campus GP but did use the emergency clinic once. But then home was only 2 hours away.

Depending on where your shared accommodation is, don't forget you may need to test after a strenuous walk because exercise makes insulin more effective (thinking Cardiac Hill here).

Good luck!
 
Hey Jemma!

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis! Must have been a great shock.. but you sound really quite positive about it all 🙂 Shame that it had to come at such a difficult time but hopefully your university will be accommodating, I know i've read that most take on that it isn't a sudden thing and usually goes on behind the scenes for a long while before it's diagnosed. I was diagnosed during GCSE's and that was bad enough!!

I'm here to tell you of the facebook page me and Vicki (Persil) run, for students with diabetes! I hope i'm okay to post this here but think it will be in your favour for sure :D Anyway, search for Student Diabetics UK on FB and we are there! It's great for support and every ones so nice 🙂
 
Hi Jemma!

Diagnosis is horrible whenever it happens, but in your final year at uni, where I'm assuming you have dissertation and finals...that's no fun! I thought diagnosis before A Levels was bad enough!

I'm sorry you have to be here, but at the same time, this is a very good place to be. The forum is a great support network with lots of lovely people always on hand to offer advice and answer questions.

If you ever need to chat, feel free to send me a PM.
 
A big hello to the forum from me too, Jemma.

Me being a type 2, I can't help much (if at all). But as you've seen already (I hope) there are plenty on here who are extremely knowledgeable/helpful.

I'm sorry that anyone is diagnosed with type 1 at any time, but when they're in the middle of exams it must be awful!! You sound like you're a 'trooper' though, so good luck with everything!

Best wishes,

Andy 🙂
 
Thank you for the recommendation, I will definitely look into it. Any extra information at this point is useful!

Redkite said:
Hi Jemma,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, what a shock for you. My son was diagnosed aged 4 so quite a different perspective, in that obviously I was the one who had to learn all the necessary care for him. I would really really recommend you get this book (Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-1-Diab...8&qid=1366393807&sr=8-1&keywords=ragnar+hanas

Don't be put off by the title into thinking it's only for kids - it is the best book on caring for type 1 diabetes that I have come across, written in a positive and easy-to-read style so you can learn what you need to.

Knowledge is power - I know that feeling of being overwhelmed but don't worry you'll soon feel more in control, and it won't stop you living life to the full 🙂
Click to expand...
 
Cheers Andy, will find some way to get through everything at the moment I'm sure!

Andy HB said:
A big hello to the forum from me too, Jemma.

Me being a type 2, I can't help much (if at all). But as you've seen already (I hope) there are plenty on here who are extremely knowledgeable/helpful.

I'm sorry that anyone is diagnosed with type 1 at any time, but when they're in the middle of exams it must be awful!! You sound like you're a 'trooper' though, so good luck with everything!

Best wishes,

Andy 🙂
Click to expand...
 
Hi Vicky,

Yes I've noticed this is a great place to gain help and support, particularly in these early stages of my diagnosis. Really helps me accept everything by talking about it and hearing how other people dealt with everything, and the fact that other people have gone through the same thing! Definitely using the message boards to my maximum advantage!

Jemma

Persil said:
Hi Jemma!

Diagnosis is horrible whenever it happens, but in your final year at uni, where I'm assuming you have dissertation and finals...that's no fun! I thought diagnosis before A Levels was bad enough!

I'm sorry you have to be here, but at the same time, this is a very good place to be. The forum is a great support network with lots of lovely people always on hand to offer advice and answer questions.

If you ever need to chat, feel free to send me a PM.
Click to expand...
 
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