Type 1 Female in 20’s Diagnosed 8 years ago, struggling to juggle life.

[Bruce Stephens]

I’ve had terrible sugar drops mostly when I go shopping i can test my sugar s and can be 9 then 10 mins walking round a supermarket I start to feel weird and can drop to 5 and feel shaky and panic feeling so now hate going shopping

With any luck once you start using Libre (or Dexcom, or one of the other CGMs) you'll be able to see what's happening. It's hard to manage things with just two points. (Having said that, for Libre the graphs are drawn based mostly on one reading every 15 minutes. Even so, the graphs usually show a plausible story of what happened.)

I'm guessing a graph will show that when you're at 9 you're really falling like a stone and going hypo in the supermarket is nothing to do with the supermarket itself. (On the other hand it's possible that's completely wrong.)

 

[Clarelryxx]

With any luck once you start using Libre (or Dexcom, or one of the other CGMs) you'll be able to see what's happening. It's hard to manage things with just two points. (Having said that, for Libre the graphs are drawn based mostly on one reading every 15 minutes. Even so, the graphs usually show a plausible story of what happened.)

I'm guessing a graph will show that when you're at 9 you're really falling like a stone and going hypo in the supermarket is nothing to do with the supermarket itself. (On the other hand it's possible that's completely wrong.)

Thanks for reply as a newbie I’m constantly learning and dealing with how my body is feeling it’s mentally exhausting I’ve only been on insulin 6 weeks and have now got the challenge for my 1st evening out and now wondering how I’m going to manage as the meal isn’t booked till 8pm and will need something to eat before I go out I guess

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for reply as a newbie I’m constantly learning and dealing with how my body is feeling it’s mentally exhausting I’ve only been on insulin 6 weeks and have now got the challenge for my 1st evening out and now wondering how I’m going to manage as the meal isn’t booked till 8pm and will need something to eat before I go out I guess

Your symptoms sound a bit like this but I'm not sure if it applies if you are Type 1
Reactive hypoglycemia is a drop in blood glucose (sugar) that occurs after eating. Symptoms usually develop within four hours of consuming food and may include shakiness, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and sweating.

 

[Rose trustman]

Hi,

I’ve come here because I really don’t know where else to go. Feeling so many emotions around my diabetes at the moment.

Just started a new job after working from home throughout whole pandemic/lockdowns etc.

Don’t think my mental health is in a very good place but don’t want any medications as that’s all they throw at you. Constantly trying to improve it myself but nothing really helps. Time off work helps as can do stuff I enjoy but that is not a long term fix. Feel like I have no time for myself, always either working, thinking about work, having to check bloods, give insulin etc and just feeling I’m in a cycle of low moods and constantly chasing my tail. I don’t want it to effect my work but it already is. Feel like I’m in fight or flight mode every single day. Feel like my new job is against me for having diabetes, don’t feel supported by anyone, feel like I’m making a big thing over nothing but can’t help my emotions.

I would like to become pregnant within the next few years so trying hard to tighten my control and to get an insulin pump and CGM all feels like a loosing battle as control is never good enough.

Feeling like the world is against me, which obviously is not normal and not a nice way to feel.

When I had a docs appointment I have been asked to make up the time, which I feel like I never have any of my own time, where do we stand with this? My appointments are regular and always will be. I want to become part time already starting this job but not sure if I should ask yet and not sure how to justify my reasons. My head is absolutely scrambled

Has anyone been In a similar position or felt a similar way, how did you get out of it? Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey- I couldn’t feel more similar. In fact reading your post I related so much I actually wondered whether I’d written it and forgotten I had. Also in my twenties, hoping to get pregnant in the next couple of years. This year I got told I have retinopathy and I’ve started getting tingling in my right foot. I can’t seem to get my hba1c down below 8% despite testing all the time. So yeah, sorry I don’t know how much this will help but I just wanted to say you’re absolutely not alone in feeling like this. I would reach out to your diabetic healthcare team at your hospital, and speak to maybe HR at work? Anyway, I hope you’re okay xx

 

[trophywench]

Well an employer of any size better recognise diabetes as a disability for any employee, because the Law says it is and therefore reasonable adjustments need to be made, whether they like it or not, really. Of course it's a lot simpler if they embrace their responsibility and even the Law can't guarantee that! However - a council surely must have the proper resources to deal with such thing within their staff HR policies - were you not issued with a staff Handbook?

 

[Honey45]

Hey- I couldn’t feel more similar. In fact reading your post I related so much I actually wondered whether I’d written it and forgotten I had. Also in my twenties, hoping to get pregnant in the next couple of years. This year I got told I have retinopathy and I’ve started getting tingling in my right foot. I can’t seem to get my hba1c down below 8% despite testing all the time. So yeah, sorry I don’t know how much this will help but I just wanted to say you’re absolutely not alone in feeling like this. I would reach out to your diabetic healthcare team at your hospital, and speak to maybe HR at work? Anyway, I hope you’re okay xx

Wow, seems like we’re in a very similar boat here! Have you seen your healthcare team recently? Have they tried to help with any changes for better control? The best thing I done was to actually not be worried about giving more insulin (bolus) than I was used to. Finding out a ratio of insulin for me is now every 5g of carbs I give 1 unit 1:5? So I divide all of my carbs by 5 in my calc at mealtimes to give me my insulin amount. Are you on Libre? I’d love to chat more and see what we can learn from eachother to help eachother out! So hard isn’t it

 

[Honey45]

Well an employer of any size better recognise diabetes as a disability for any employee, because the Law says it is and therefore reasonable adjustments need to be made, whether they like it or not, really. Of course it's a lot simpler if they embrace their responsibility and even the Law can't guarantee that! However - a council surely must have the proper resources to deal with such thing within their staff HR policies - were you not issued with a staff Handbook?

Thank you, I feel like hearing all of this is making me feel like I need to stick up for myself more. So any problems I come up against now regarding this I’m going to know my stuff which helps. I think it must just be lack of knowledge on their side, so I’m hoping my manager can advocate for me and get me the rights I deserve actually. Thank you!

 

[Honey45]

It seems to be 2/3hrs after I’ve eaten meal so I’m guessing I might need something to snack on before I go in to shop to hopefully keep my levels up but just not sure what the best things are to eat

Ok, so could be that the amount of insulin you have with that mealtime is too high, are you in a position where you are able to make any tweaks as I know you said you’re new to it so you may need to just ride it out until you see your healthcare team and pick it up with them. But to me it sounds like it could be too much so if I were in your same position I would make sure I have carbohydrate counted the meal correctly firstly, and give your insulin accordingly and if continues, adjustments probably need to be made to the insulin amount or if unable to do that yet, definitely expect it and eat a carby snack before going shopping (using your energy) really hope that helps for now? Let me know!

 

[Inka]

Have you tried alternative cannula sites, currently using legs as, much like on injections stomach can get overused then problems occur.

Yes,I’m using my legs at the moment 🙂 Just so fed up with worrying about absorption problems. It’s like an added kick when Type 1 is hard anyway. Oh, for an insulin that didn’t cause issues!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Honey45

Thanks for sharing your experiences, frustrations, and difficulties - which certainly seem to have resonated with others on the forum!

Diabetes burnout can be really draining, and a real slog to work through, but it can be really helpful to just pour it all out, and to know that you’re not alone in the struggle

Hope you are able to clear up some of the issues with your work, and gradually work through things to a place where you are more at ease with things.

Have you tried things like mindfulness to help with your mood? There’s good evidence that they can be very effective

 

[soupdragon]

This rang so many bells with me @Honey45 in terms of the frustration of trying to manage diabetes alongside living a full life.
It's good to hear that the job is positive for you in terms of your career but I sympathise with the effect of going back into a workplace. There is enough to get to grips with in terms of a new job without all the challenges of juggling the demands of diabetes as well.
Hoping that as you settle in to the job that things become easier and that you are given more support from your diabetes team.

 

[HelH]

Shopping is definitely a danger time for me too - we don't usually consider it to be exercise but it is! I'm not sure I have mastered it but I generally go shopping shortly after a meal and/or have a milky coffee before or during expedition. With or without cake/biscuit/scone!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Shopping is definitely a danger time for me too - we don't usually consider it to be exercise but it is! I'm not sure I have mastered it but I generally go shopping shortly after a meal and/or have a milky coffee before or during expedition. With or without cake/biscuit/scone!

There have been a bunch of posts featuring this very phenomenon!

My wife banned me from coming to ‘help’ at one stage when the kids were tiny - two toddlers is tricky... two toddlers and a randomly hypo husband - horrendous!

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Honey45 snd welcome to the forum.

Just catching up, and your post has certainly shown you that how you are feeling is not uncommon. I know that I hit burnout, as I set myself totally unrealistic targets and I took me a one time to reach out for help, and to reset my expectations (with a lot of help from others on here). I would encourage you to ask for help, even if it is a bit of a wait. I also took a bit of persuading to take medication for depression but it enabled me to steady myself and then make effective use of the counselling and develop long term strategies. For self help the book Dealing with Diabetes Burnout might be useful. It Gives a different way of looking at what is happening With a lot of exercises that are helpful, and matched a lot of what I did with the counsellor.

I hope that you are able to sort your appointments during Work. They certainly should not be counted against your time. I look forward to hearing how you get on with that.

I am one of those that is now looping. I self fund my sensors, which need replacing once a week. My changes for cannulas is every 2/3 days. I would not want to go back from this as it has given me time to do what I want to do whilst it gets in with making adjustments to my background insulin every 5 min, dealing with any minor wobbles. It still gets in a strip and needs a bit of help in extremes, such as illness and prolonged exercise. I was already on a pump and as @Bruce Stephens says we are a skewed population, but I think it is the way that things are heading, but rather slowly.

You are juggling a lot of different pressures, and there is loads of experience to tap into on here, as well as heaps of support as you have already seen. Keep in touch and let us know of your progress.

 

[gillrogers]

It seems to be 2/3hrs after I’ve eaten meal so I’m guessing I might need something to snack on before I go in to shop to hopefully keep my levels up but just not sure what the best things are to eat

ive worked out that if im dropping not to down more than half a unit of carbs in relation to the previous meals ratio if its showing a steady drop. So if my meal ratio was 18/1 then approx 9g worth of carbs. If its a fast drop then ill go a units worth and sit down for a bit if im near bottoming out. So you could top yourself up with a half units worth of carbs before you shop . Half unit is what i go on. It could be differant for you.

 

[gillrogers]

@Honey45 , i know exactly how you feel. I have a lot of stress on board and im in a constant battle with my bgs and managing the stress and anxiety of that along with my daughters severe mental health problems. Its exhausting. At the moment im battle to go to work as my control is much beyter than ever and so my basal has dropped alot and it looks like my bolus ratios are changing too. Im on lyumjev has i have resistance but the way things are going i might be abke to ditch that as it looks like it may be working too quickly for me which soubds like my resistance is lessening.

Somedays i just want to switch it off and hide in a dark room. Im like that today and i find myself in here on days like that and i can guarantee someone will pick me up one way or another. Theyve been more helpful to me than the docs or my db nurses at the hospital who are lovely.

 

[helli]

My understanding is that our employers need to make "reasonable adjustments" to allow us to manage diabetes thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act. However, I am not convinced this is always interpreted as taking paid time off for appointments. This is not the first time I have heard of employers asking people to make up time.
Looking at it from the other side, when I did my DAFNE course, there was a young lad who always took a whole day off for his bi-annual review even though the appointment was just down the road and no longer than 90 minutes. I hope he is an exception but I share this to explain why it is not always simple.
I am lucky that my role gives me flexibility to attend my appointments but, for me, it is important to make up time because I want to share the load of work with my colleagues. This is another angle to consider, if I am not available, my colleagues have more work to do and I do not want them to think i am not pulling my weight.
All jobs are different and allow for different levels of flexibility. It is not possible for a teacher, for example, to hold their class at another time.

 

[Leadinglights]

My understanding is that our employers need to make "reasonable adjustments" to allow us to manage diabetes thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act. However, I am not convinced this is always interpreted as taking paid time off for appointments. This is not the first time I have heard of employers asking people to make up time.
Looking at it from the other side, when I did my DAFNE course, there was a young lad who always took a whole day off for his bi-annual review even though the appointment was just down the road and no longer than 90 minutes. I hope he is an exception but I share this to explain why it is not always simple.
I am lucky that my role gives me flexibility to attend my appointments but, for me, it is important to make up time because I want to share the load of work with my colleagues. This is another angle to consider, if I am not available, my colleagues have more work to do and I do not want them to think i am not pulling my weight.
All jobs are different and allow for different levels of flexibility. It is not possible for a teacher, for example, to hold their class at another time.

Where I worked people were allowed time for medical appointments but expected to only take the time that was actually needed, if they worked part time then they were expected to make them if possible for the time when they were not working or makeup the time.
I know of places where the sickness policy was people didn't get paid for 1 or 2 days sick but did if they had 3 or more days so people just took 3 days regardless.
It was always a grey area when it was when people had to take time to take children for medical appointments.

 

[Honey45]

Welcome to the forum @Honey45

Thanks for sharing your experiences, frustrations, and difficulties - which certainly seem to have resonated with others on the forum!

Diabetes burnout can be really draining, and a real slog to work through, but it can be really helpful to just pour it all out, and to know that you’re not alone in the struggle

Hope you are able to clear up some of the issues with your work, and gradually work through things to a place where you are more at ease with things.

Have you tried things like mindfulness to help with your mood? There’s good evidence that they can be very effective

Thank you @everydayupsanddowns

Good news, I requested 10 days annual leave extra to buy and pay monthly for, it was declined. They said if I’m worried about appointments for my diabetes to go to Occupational Health. I’m currently being referred and I have no idea what they can help with, I’m actually nervous I’m going to say the wrong things?

You know what, I’ve done body balance, yoga and mindfulness in the past and all through lockdown and I loved it, now… I don’t feel like I even have an hour to spare my mind is running wild or I have something to do to prepare for the next day… I know I need to just start it to do something for myself, but I will always be thinking that I should have done something else in that time to prepare me for the next day… what I want out of the meeting is to have more time off work I think, I don’t know if that’s even possible. I want to be part time but not sure how I would cope with that money wise, but mentally I think I would be much better.

 

[Honey45]

This rang so many bells with me @Honey45 in terms of the frustration of trying to manage diabetes alongside living a full life.
It's good to hear that the job is positive for you in terms of your career but I sympathise with the effect of going back into a workplace. There is enough to get to grips with in terms of a new job without all the challenges of juggling the demands of diabetes as well.
Hoping that as you settle in to the job that things become easier and that you are given more support from your diabetes team.

Thank you!

Yes I think going back into work for anyone is a challenge after working at home for years, being your own boss in a way… let alone with diabetes and a new job. Thank you for validating how I feel. Thank you, slowly settling in now… had a referral to Occupational health so waiting on that now… not sure what will come of it.