Hello Forum :wave:
I have been lurking for a few months now & its time I posted.
I have never joined a forum or done the social network stuff so please go easy on me.
Right here goes, my story/rant
My name is Lee, just turned 30, I live in Surrey UK, diagnosed with type 1 in Sep 2012.
Last summer I tore the Sciatic nerve while helping a friend move home. Shortly after I had a large cyst on my back. When this burst I went to the doctors to get it dressed & also got given some strong painkillers.
A month later I was feeling really weak(I have been Anorexic since my teenage years so I am use to this). Also I was very thirsty & could not walk properly. I foolishly put this down to the nerve problem, cyst, medication & Anorexia.
I took a month off work & just stayed in bed drinking water/fruit juice.
When I started drinking 6-8 litres a day & could not get up for a cigarette I knew something was wrong. I called my brother, he came & called the ambulance.
I don't remember a lot about the hospital apart from the fantastic care, advice & small talk with the nurses & doctors. I also remember as soon as all the drips & tubes were removed from me I escaped(well staggered) for a packet of smokes(what an idiot I was).
I quickly came to terms with my diagnosis & all I wanted was as much information as I could cram into my brain(I wish I had my mac book pro in hospital). I want to be in control of diabetes not the other way round.
I was released after a month & when I got home I could not do too much really. I was so weak, hypo a lot, disorientated, coming to terms with it all & contemplating a whole life style change.
The doctors said being Anorexic probably saved my life as I was not eating & only drinking.
When the honeymoon period was over I started to get on top of it. My average readings are 6-7 mmol before meals & rarely go high unless Im ill or eat a bit of birthday cake with the kids
. I also don't hypo so severely now.
Diabetes has saved my life not made it worse. I have a healthy diet now, exercise regularly, stopping smoking, good sleep pattern, regularly see the doctors & hopefully Anorexia has gone for good(i have put on 4 stone so I am worried)
I consider myself lucky as I don't like sweet or junk foods, don't drink alcohol, don't mind the constant checking or injections & now enjoy talking to doctors.
I do have a fear of hypoglycemia though. Not a mild one where you get the shakes & sweat. A severe one where you slur your speech & don't know what's happening. People have taken the **** out of me & I can't defend myself mentally or physically when in that state.
But since the honeymoon period has ended I have not had a severe hypo.
I admit that I am scared of hypoglycemia as I am powerless while it's happening.
I am new to this & am learning to control it as best I can.
I want to thank the Admins, Mods & users for all their effort, work & views :clap:
When I got out of hospital it was so reassuring to read other diabetics views & experiences.
If this is posted in the wrong place I am sorry in advance.
Kind regards
Lee
