Still getting my head around things.

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Killik_13

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Well, I've been meaning to do this for a while...

My name is Tom, I'm 20 years old, three months away from 21, and three months ago I was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes after collapsing twice during an appointment with my GP (my first with that GP, actually), and spent the next two days in hospital. It didn't come as much of a shock as I'd been feeling lethargy, light headedness and fluctuating appetite/thirst for over two months, and knew those were symptoms associated with Diabetes. Having said that, I think the fear of having it confirmed kept me away from a doctor long enough for things to get out of hand.

For about a months I handled injections and blood testing fine, and it didn't feel like it impacted my life at all, in fact I lost a significant amount of weight even after going onto insulin, and felt the healthiest I ever have. But since the start of April I've found myself lapsing, only injecting every other day, not bothering to refill testing strips meaning I've had to inject blind. I finally kicked myself into action today and restocked everything and am going to try and stick to a routine religiously from now on, I don't want a repeat of the last few weeks.
 
Hi Tom, welcome to the forum 🙂 I don't think it's that unusual to be able to just get on with it at first, because it may not feel real and that this is going to stay with you. We get used to, on the whole, recovering from illnesses, so it can hit home quite badly when the realisation happens. The insulin will have immediately made you feel much better, but after a short while I think you forget how you might have felt before and this is when you start feeling the new pressures. But I always think that it's better to pay the diabetes a little respect and do what is required for a few minutes each day rather than worry and feel guilty for trying to ignore it 🙂

It's great that, after your short period of trying to ignore things, you've decided to try and get back on track 🙂 There are lots of people here who have been through the same feelings and emotions, some recently diagnosed like yourself, and some with many years of experience, so just about every question or concern you have will find something to hopefully put your mind at rest or add to your understanding.

What insulin regime are you on? One of the best bits of advice I could offer you is to get hold of a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. It explains all the different areas where diabetes can require a little extra thought, providing an extremely useful reference. You might also want to get a support and information pack for people with a recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes from JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), and excellent organisation that supports all Type 1s.

Let us know if there is anything you're not sure about and we'll try our best to help! 🙂
 
Hi Tom. Welcome 🙂

Well done for making the come back. Some people spend a long time in the wilderness and it can come back and bite some of them later in life.

For you it's plenty early enough to get back into the routines. As Northerner said, the Ragnar Hanas book is brilliant. I wish it had been around when I was diagnosed.

Ask any questions that spring to mind.🙂

Rob
 
Hi Tom and welcome to the club🙄

I have been one of 'those' Robster mentions!! I had my head in the cloud for 8years. I now regret it as I have complications. I was diagnosed at 19. At that age, i went through a similar pattern, it is all new and so much to take in. I felt invincible, I would go to my clinic surrounded by older people with limbs missing, sight problems and then I'd look at myself and feel like the big D could never ruin me!

My few little tips (rather than advice as non of us on here are trained to give personal medical advice!)
Firstly...keep uptodate on new technologies, new things on the market as I was on 2 injections a day(quite old routine) and never even knew about pumps until I re-engaged with services. It also helps to get on your soapbox with other diabetics, as non-diabetics, with the best will in the world, just don't understand!
Secondly...think back to how crappy and ill you felt prior to diagnosis(all those months you evaded the GP!) and how it is not much of a life to be waking up multiple times in the night, disrupted sleep just to pee out excess sugar!! To be walking around a shop knowing that you 'just can't wait' to open the bottle of pop even before paying for it! and the fuzzy eyesight, the dry mouth, the snappy moods, the tiredness etc

i find both of these things really help me when I used to think about giving up on control.
Also it is worth saying that a fair few of us on here are on insulin pumps which are a revoluntionary way to control, but the clinics expect you to prove that you have tried the MDI routine first. If you give up/be lacksedaisy then they 'may' not want to invest in assessing you for pump funding!

Anyway a few tips for you and pop on here and post any questions you have regarding all things D (and some not) and hope you get on ok with get back into control, good luck!!!!:D
 
Hi Tom, and welcome to the forum, a wonderful place for friendship and advice.

I just wanted to add a few comments from a mother's perspective. I don't know whether you still live at home or not, but I can guarantee this is tearing your parents and siblings to pieces too. If you start messing with it, it will impact on them as well and try as they might, they will be powerless to do anything about it, it has to come from you. My son was diagnosed 18 months ago days before his 16th birthday. He conformed brilliantly to his regime for the first 6 months testing and injecting regularly and he had brilliant control. Then he got lazy. Now, almost a year later he is still all over the place. He is under threat of hospital admission at the moment to get him back under control, I seriously fear for his wellbeing and ultimately it all comes down to him needing to realise he HAS to do it.

As his mum though, it is driving me to distraction. With the benefit of maturity I can really understand potentially what he is doing to his body and fear so much for his future if he carries on like this. I appreciate I can never truly know what it's like to be in yours or his position, but for just a few minutes 4 or 5 times a day just to take time out to test and inject, to make you feel well and avoid really nasty complications later in life, seems to me the sensible approach to take.

You are that much older, and it sounds like you are already realising that. As others have said, you can still remember vividly how awful you felt pre-diagnosis, so it really isn't worth it. Those symptoms come back so quickly if you 'forget' to inject. Keeping on top of your testing and injecting will keep you feeling well and getting on with life just like everyone else.

Good on you for recognising that you were getting into bad habits and turning yourself around. You will only benefit in the long run.

Do keep posting on here, we are a really friendly bunch and at times you will find the advice and friendship invaluable.

Tina
 
Hi Tom

I also understand what you've been going through. I was 22 myself.

Now - what support are you actually getting from the NHS to come to terms with 'all this' ? Have you actually told anyone medical that you are having these probs? Because there is help available as 'Diabetic Distress' is a recognised problem area like a bear trap waiting for all of us to fall into. And many of us do fall into the pit. However - in order to get help with anything whether it's your car engine that needs assistance or you - you have to ask for that help!

Nobody will think you are 'weak' or 'potty' in the slightest. It isn't a 'failing' on your part at all. If you'd been in a multiple collision of the motorway nobody would bat an eyelid if you needed some help to get over it mentally. Just because diabetes doesn't make a crashing noise when it slams into you and there's no blood to speak of - doesn't mean to say it isn't the same sort of trauma. Because it is.

I would hope that you are being seen by your hospital diabetic clinic, in which case you should be able to contact your DSN - Diabetes Specialist Nurse -by phone. Make that call.

If you don't have a DSN, see your GP and ask to be referred to one.

Good luck! - you will get there, honest!
 
Welcome to the forum Tom 🙂 It's good to hear you've gotten yourself back on track, what insulins are you on? x
 
Hi Tom

I would just add that once you get your head round it and get into a 'regime' of testing and injecting as you should (and need) to do, it turns out that you CAN do anything that you would have before. It shouldn't stop you.

Before I had diabetes (diagniosed at 27) I did a bit of exercise and lived fine but since diabetes I was sort of sputrred on to push it a bit and started doing half marathons and stuff. I am no super fit human but it just showed me that it doesn't stop you doing anything and living a really healthy, full and fun life (interspersed with tests and injections I can't deny!)

Since diagnosis I have always engaged with the health specialists and can't imagine not doing so this is my tip and they are there to help and in my experience largely do a good job of this - although they need guidance from us lot!

Good luck and stick with what you need to do and you will soon find life goes on alright and you just fit it around your life, rather than the other way round.
 
hi tom, and welcome. as others before me have said, i am glad you are realising you need to control your D. i was diagnosed 2 years ago and struggled to keep on top of my BGs. i am now getting to grips of my BGs and working hard to keep my levels down. i am keeping fit (which being in the military is a must) and enjoying life as i would without D. it just isn't worth neglecting your diabetes because the problems that can occur in the future are very unpleasant and would impact greatly on your wellbeing.

try to keep a sunny outlook on your future. stay fit and look after yourself.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top