New job and diabetes.

[Dorgeler]

Good morning forums,

I have started a new job last monday and I am a Type 1 diabetic for 6 years now.

Just now I felt a little off so I knew exactly what time it was, so I grab the trusty old GM and test myself, and I get a blood glucose reading of 22.

My work are aware of my situation, and the GP has advised me to seek help if I get above 14, having said that, I don't want to make HR think they hired a dud.

I have given myself a corrective dose of insulin and am waiting for it to hopefully go down but in my experience this leads me to feel off for the rest of the day.

Anyone else ever been in the same boat?

Thanks for your time reading.

 

[Deleted Account]

To be honest, it depends what your job is.
I have been at work, had high BG, taken a corrective dose and carried on. But I had no customer meetings that day and I don't operate heavy machinery.
Legally, your employer is expected to take your diabetes into consideration but I can also understand your concern. I wouldn't want an employer questioning me every time I had a diabetes appointment or my colleagues not feeling I was pulling my weight because I kept being off with diabetes related problems.

If I was in your boat and still able to work with a high BG, I would do so and mention my situation to a friendly colleague. Perhaps you can word it in a way to ask them to keep an eye out for you?

 

[Dorgeler]

To be honest, it depends what your job is.
I have been at work, had high BG, taken a corrective dose and carried on. But I had no customer meetings that day and I don't operate heavy machinery.
Legally, your employer is expected to take your diabetes into consideration but I can also understand your concern. I wouldn't want an employer questioning me every time I had a diabetes appointment or my colleagues not feeling I was pulling my weight because I kept being off with diabetes related problems.

If I was in your boat and still able to work with a high BG, I would do so and mention my situation to a friendly colleague. Perhaps you can word it in a way to ask them to keep an eye out for you?

Thank you for your reply.

I work in a very active IT environment, if I'm not on the phone I'm walking all over the building helping people. I have elected to monitor the situation as I go today. I'm sure it'll be fine but this disease really does inspire paranoia!

 

[db89]

Hi @Dorgeler I have a similar role but haven't started with a new company since my diagnosis. I know it can be difficult when blood glucose is on the move out of range to take corrective action and still concentrate on the day's work.

My company have been good with me and allow me to get on with it, test when I need to etc. - I usually take some of my kit with me (meter, glucotabs etc.) if I'm not going to be near my desk for a while. I would keep an eye that your correction works as expected with another test a few hours after you took the correction so you don't risk staying too high or dropping too low later. Hopefully just one of those blips T1 likes to throw at us and you will be able to get on with the rest of your day

 

[Diabeticliberty]

With respect the diabetic condition does not need to inspire paranoia. In my own experience people around you genuinely just want to help. You do however need to give them a gentle nudge in the right direction and educate them, at least a little bit. For a lot of years after my initial diagnosis I refused to discuss my own condition (inspired paranoia here perhaps) I eventually realised that if I got myself into difficulty people were frightened to attempt to help me because of my own odd attitude to my own condition. I very much hasten to add that I am not for one second suggesting that your own attitude to your condition is odd. I test my blood freely and administer insulin freely and without any sense of embarrassment or attempts to cover up my own condition. My employer, colleagues and a large chunk of my clients are aware of my condition and to varying degrees what it entails. I owe it to myself and to them to explain, providing of course that they are interested enough to ask. Now to address your question directly there have been times following late night or early morning hypo's when in my job I feel dreadful. There are times after high blood sugars when I feel equally ropey. I suspect as diabetics we all do. Finally before I finish wittering on, very best of luck with your new job.

 

[noblehead]

Just now I felt a little off so I knew exactly what time it was, so I grab the trusty old GM and test myself, and I get a blood glucose reading of 22.

It's likely due to the stress of starting a new job if your bg levels are constantly running high at work, once you settle in you should see some improvements overall.

The book Think Like a Pancreas it offers up some tips on dealing with stressful situations and adjusting your insulin.

 

[emmay]

Good morning forums,

I have started a new job last monday and I am a Type 1 diabetic for 6 years now.

Just now I felt a little off so I knew exactly what time it was, so I grab the trusty old GM and test myself, and I get a blood glucose reading of 22.

My work are aware of my situation, and the GP has advised me to seek help if I get above 14, having said that, I don't want to make HR think they hired a dud.

I have given myself a corrective dose of insulin and am waiting for it to hopefully go down but in my experience this leads me to feel off for the rest of the day.

Anyone else ever been in the same boat?

Thanks for your time reading.

Hi Dorgeler
Hope ur sugars are settling down now.
I have been in a similar situation at work but you know I looked round my office and realised that a few people there didn't look like they were operating at 100%, for various reasons some had been at a colleagues leaving drinks the night before!! Everyone has a blip but ur probably a bit more conscious of it as it's a new job etc, am sure it will sort itself out. X

 

[Lord Midas]

Like you @Dorgeler I work in an IT environment, though it is software testing. I've highs and simply taken a dose of Humalog and cracked on. For about 95% it doesn't impact my work or ability the other 5% is having the hot sweat and a small lack in concentration.

However, if I'm having a hypo that is much more noticeable. I tend to have bad shakes (don't know if that's common amongst diabetics) and can't concentrate. Speech and movement are affected too. Fortunately, I have colleagues who know this and ask if I'm alright.

Saying that the very same colleagues will come into work with a stinking cold and spread their germs

I'd say you'll be ok. Once you get your BS sorted you'll feel better in of yourself. And this will have a positive impact on your new job.