• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Feeling so low after diagnosis in december

Janine22

Janine22

Member
Messages
21
Location
Arbroath
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi.

I was diagnosed as type 1 in December following admission with ketoacidosis and almost not being here to tell the tale.

I thought I was managing well and coping with my new lifestyle. Was back at work working full time and enjoying life again if only just having to change my diet and check my bloods before insulin. All seemed to have settled well.

Then I started having hypos overnight and it's turned everything upside down. My confidence is shot I'm scared to be on my own. It's affecting my work as I sometimes have to work on my own and with asking my bosses if I can work in areas with other members of staff they are then questioning how I can continue doing my brownie unit, which is adding to the stress.

I am feeling that I'm in a bit of a downward spiral at the moment and want to know if others have gone through the same and is there a light at the end of the tunnel.

Also does anyone know of any support groups that meet in person?

Janine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I am T2 but just thought I'd say hi! Am sure someone will be along shortly but perhaps you need to book an appointment with the doc and talk about meds! Take care and big hug!
 
Thanks scandichic

I've had my insulin changed to try to ease hypos but unfortunately it's not helped my confidence. Have been signed off work with stress and due back at gp again tomorrow about it all

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Janine22 said:
Thanks scandichic

I've had my insulin changed to try to ease hypos but unfortunately it's not helped my confidence. Have been signed off work with stress and due back at gp again tomorrow about it all

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
Probably a blip. Just relax. Take some you time. See what doc says. Read the forum! :)
 
Janine22 said:
Hi.

I was diagnosed as type 1 in December following admission with ketoacidosis and almost not being here to tell the tale.

I thought I was managing well and coping with my new lifestyle. Was back at work working full time and enjoying life again if only just having to change my diet and check my bloods before insulin. All seemed to have settled well.

Then I started having hypos overnight and it's turned everything upside down. My confidence is shot I'm scared to be on my own. It's affecting my work as I sometimes have to work on my own and with asking my bosses if I can work in areas with other members of staff they are then questioning how I can continue doing my brownie unit, which is adding to the stress.

I am feeling that I'm in a bit of a downward spiral at the moment and want to know if others have gone through the same and is there a light at the end of the tunnel.

Also does anyone know of any support groups that meet in person?

Janine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

so sorry to hear your going through it,I can understand what you are going through when things go out of control it can over whelm and be scary, I can relate to this to,depending on how your life is if you get support at home or not even from work if there is not enough support it can be harder to deal with, I know that, there is support group links on the diabetes uk site plus they have a customer care line anyone can ring it for support http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Careline/?id=109 can be very helpful plus i think they can guide you to a group in your area to hope it helps, i hope things work out for you, feeling a lone and scared is a awful feeling, you should not have to deal with this alone.
 
Hi Janine, firstly welcome to the group:). I'm type 2 and didn't look after myself but the best thing I did was join this group. In the last few weeks I have changed my diet and got a BG meter and its all working well. Have a look at some of the threads on here there will be some help also the members are very knowledgeable and helpful so just ask away. Hope all goes well at doctors and remember we are here to help and support you;)

Good luck

Terry:clown:
 
Terrytiddy said:
Hi Janine, firstly welcome to the group:). I'm type 2 and didn't look after myself but the best thing I did was join this group. In the last few weeks I have changed my diet and got a BG meter and its all working well. Have a look at some of the threads on here there will be some help also the members are very knowledgeable and helpful so just ask away. Hope all goes well at doctors and remember we are here to help and support you;)

Good luck

Terry:clown:
Click to expand...
Hi Terrytiddy how are you, sounds positive your in control with your diabetes and your on a good diet you got a meter and if your keeping active good on you for that to, this place did me good to i was like janine and others and you feeling no hope, this place has given hope so it is good people are there for each other and are finding control of there diabetes, not a easy road, yet it can be overcome, well done for your inspiration to get your health on a positive track, hugs x
 
Janine22 said:
Hi.

I was diagnosed as type 1 in December following admission with ketoacidosis and almost not being here to tell the tale.

I thought I was managing well and coping with my new lifestyle. Was back at work working full time and enjoying life again if only just having to change my diet and check my bloods before insulin. All seemed to have settled well.

Then I started having hypos overnight and it's turned everything upside down. My confidence is shot I'm scared to be on my own. It's affecting my work as I sometimes have to work on my own and with asking my bosses if I can work in areas with other members of staff they are then questioning how I can continue doing my brownie unit, which is adding to the stress.

I am feeling that I'm in a bit of a downward spiral at the moment and want to know if others have gone through the same and is there a light at the end of the tunnel.

Also does anyone know of any support groups that meet in person?

Janine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

Hi Janine,

Sounds like you are really down at the moment.

What part of the country are you in? I'm in South Wales, but don't think there are any support groups around here.

Fortunately, the staff at my diabetic clinic have given me a number to call them if I have any worries or questions.

I hope that you get that level of care.

Sounds like you would like a friend who is also a type 1 diabetic, that you can hang out with and share advice with.

Are any of your family diabetic? My dad and eldest brother are type 1 too, so I've always got them to talk to.

Another issue that's affecting you is work, by the sounds of it? If your boss isn't taking your health seriously, then you must speak to your HR department if you have one. You should not be discriminated against. The Citizens advice Bureau might be able to help you with that.

Before I was diagnosed, I recognized the symptoms I was getting and asked my dad to take my blood sugar. I remember to this day that is was 10.2. I ran up to my bedroom crying, as I was only 15 at the time.

My advice to you is carry on chatting to us on the forum, and try not to let diabetes take over your life. I failed my GCSE's because of my diabetes, but only because I let that happen, and didn't want to talk about my problems with my teachers or parents.

Hypos are inevitable, I'm afraid. What time in the night do you get hypos? Maybe you could set your alarm around about that time to check your BS? My dad does that, and you'd be surprised how many times he's needed a snack!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Thank you everyone for your replies I really appreciate them. I don't have any family or friends that are diabetic so it's good to speak to others on here and realise that I am not alone.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Janine22 said:
Thank you everyone for your replies I really appreciate them. I don't have any family or friends that are diabetic so it's good to speak to others on here and realise that I am not alone.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

You're not alone. There are so many people on here with good advice, and soon you'll be healthy again and won't be stressed. The first few months of diabetes are not easy, but you'll get the hang of it.:)

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi Janine :) Certainly, you are not alone !
I wanted to ask though - what insulin regime are you on now, Lantus and Novo for example ? What was it changed to, and how much has the change helped with night hypo's ?

Do you have access to your diabetes team to ask questions and gain advice?

Often, night hypos are happening because your basal insulin needs tweaking, or even changing until it's right for you. I sympathise wholeheartedly with the misery they cause, and how it messes up your life. :(

Also I agree with what others have said regarding work, seek advice if you feel they are pressuring you or not taking you seriously. The Equality Act exists to protect you from this happening.

Good luck and I hope to see more of you on here :)

Signy
 
Hi signy

I'm on novorapid and lantus they have changed my lantus to twice a day which has reduced the amount of night time hypos but I'm still having them roughly once per week. The first one was the worst with my bm 2.1 and my partner had to help get my glucotabs and test my sugars. Now I think I'm not sleeping as well so am waking earlier with the symptoms.

I have got foot diabetes team but they have said they want to leave it as is at the Moment and check it again in 3months.

I'm already feeling a bit better following this post am really grateful to all that have replied.

Janine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi again, (love your picture by the way!) :)

Ok another question!:) Has your Lantus been split roughly half and half , or or less at night ? Actually, two questions LOL. Do your hypos happen roughly the same time of night, or does it vary ?

To nail my colours to the mast, I'm not a big fan of Lantus for me, but for others can it work brilliantly once the levels are correct Sometimes tweaking the ratios between AM and PM does the trick, and it's possible your team have already gone through this with you ? (Third question, dammit! LOL ):D

I'm glad you feel better by posting :) It's a truism that a problem shared is halved, and often a solution comes from the good people on here . If not a solution, at least you get a map to help you find one :)

Signy
 
Janine22 said:
Hi signy

I'm on novorapid and lantus they have changed my lantus to twice a day which has reduced the amount of night time hypos but I'm still having them roughly once per week. The first one was the worst with my bm 2.1 and my partner had to help get my glucotabs and test my sugars. Now I think I'm not sleeping as well so am waking earlier with the symptoms.

I have got foot diabetes team but they have said they want to leave it as is at the Moment and check it again in 3months.

I'm already feeling a bit better following this post am really grateful to all that have replied.

Janine

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
Hi Janine

I'm in a similar boat to you at the moment. I was diagnosed 11 months ago. I also had lots of hypos and still have them. Your not alone in thinking that you need people around you as I'm exactly the same. Im still honeymooning since leaving the hospital so it's been very dragged out. I think things settle then my body changes again and I don't need as much insulin? I'm frightened to inject but I do. I'm on very little insulin at the moment. 2 units at night and 1 unit per 40-50g carbs. Anything below this I will hypo. What I'm finding now is that my levels are dropping through the night and although I don't hypo they are quite low to wake up on.Roughly around 5. Things will get better this is what I keep telling myself. Thinking positive is also a great key factor in helping yourself. My councillor recommended this book to me 'Mindfulness for health' you can get it in most book shops. It's mainly aimed for people with constant pain but refers back to chronic conditions like diabetes. Maybe try some yoga which will help you except. This is something I hope to do in the very near future. It's so easy for us to get wrapped up in a diabetes bubble and it's something that we have to get out of otherwise we will be very miserable. I'm based in London btw. Take care Louise
 
By the way, I meant to say that though it probably feels like a looong time since you were diagnosed, sometimes it takes a wee while to sort the whole thing out to the point where you are comfortable:confused: There are so many things to take on board, and we are all so different that what suits one person may not suit another. Eventually though, you become your own expert . If there is a regime or insulin that doesn't work for you, there are others to try that may:)

Having said that, though I've been Type 1 for quite a while now, some days I feel far from expert, and it's only when I look back I realise how far I've come, and I'm learning new coping skills and new knowledge all the time;)

Signy
 
Hi Jannine, I am T2, but just wanted to say welcome. I think we all go through a period where we are anxious and scared to start with until we get our heads round what we need to do.

Hope you soon feel better.

Marilyn x
 
Hi

I just really want to thank everyone I've woken today with a positive outlook which has been the first day in many and I think it's really made a difference speaking to you guys on here.

Signy my lantus is split 6units am & 4units pm. When I have my hypos they are either about 12midnight (am quite an early to bed person in bed between 9-10pm) or 4am.

Louise thanks for sharing sounds really tough for you I'm taking 1 unit novo to 10carbs so can't imagine being on your ratio must be really difficult to inject knowing that the risk of hypo is so high. I'll definitely look into that mindfulness book. My councillor had talked about mindfulness in one of my sessions so think it would be helpful.

I'll definitely be continuing to use this site everyone is so nice and helpful and now reading through other posts am learning different things

Janine
Ps picture is of my wee dog Winnie she is a Jack Russell cross llasa apso. She's almost 3 but is my little ball of fun that keeps me going and gives me lots of cuddles when I'm down.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi Janine great news that you are feeling better:happy: and having a positive outlook:singing:. It is hard at first but as you have seen you are not alone especially with this fantastic group.

love the dog, good thing about having one is mine gets me out 3 times a day for walks on the fields, so very good exercise for us both!!!
Keep up the good work Janine.;)
 
Louise - great suggestion regarding the mindfulness book :)

Janine - you are probably still in the honeymoon stage too, and there will be some adjustments as you go through that and out the other side. I know it's hard to deal with, but if you are now having just one hypo a night, and not every night that's an improvement already . :)

You are on low doses of Lantus at the moment, and could possibly cut the evening Lantus by 1 unit and see if it cuts out the hypos. while monitoring your bloods for for higher readings in the morning. Generally it takes three days for Lantus to settle in to a new pattern. If you feel not confident enough about doing this, check with your DSN by phone before doing so. I know it's hard to be confident to make changes yourself in the beginning, but most of us end up doing that routinely . I know that seemed very very odd for me at the start :)

Hypo's - they can be scary, I know. :) The trick I found that worked for me was to gain back control by accepting there is always the possibility that they happen, and being armed accordingly. I don't go anywhere without a packet of dextrose tablets, and am confident that as soon as I know a hypo is happening or imminent, I can take 2-3 , and will feel better in minutes. Test every time you feel "off" as soon as possible , and you should be able to nip it in the bud before it gets too bad.

It's all about practise, knowing your own body and gaining confidence, and it will happen ;)

Oh and Winnie is gorgeous! And that is high praise coming from catwoman :D

Signy
 
Back
Top