anorexia in type 1

[Manogwent]

Hi, need some advice for a friend who is type 1 and food makes her urge so she doesn't eat. she was an alcoholic but detoxed bfore DX about 2 years ago, she is 46. she is exhibiting signs of complications with her feet and still smokes. she has supposedly dropped the vodka but still has a few glasses lager during the week. she lives on her own and doesn't have a big circle of friends so lacks support in that way. point is she does not manage her diabetes very well, hardly tests , always getting hypos or her levels are sky high. she doesn't see GP very often , nurse occasionally,latest is that going to mix her insulin to basal/ bolus ( i think ). problem is if she is not eating then the insulin she is injecting could cause her problems ? she is grossly underweight , she was down 5 stone but started putting on weight only this time it going back on herself. I've said she should be testing more and getting regular meals but it is like talking to a brick wall as she just keeps saying food makes her feel sick. i said she needs to talk to GP about what could be done re counselling for anorexia and diabetes education cos she never got any. Anyone got some advice for her without coming too heavy , she shuts off when you mention the end result if she doesn't take charge,she thinks that is what GP is for. any help greatly appreciated, manogwent :?: :?:

 

[hanadr]

Sounds like her problems need expert psychological/psychiatric help. She can get this through her GP or DSN if she asks, but I don't think anyome else can get it for her.
The best you can probably do is be there to support her whilst she finds the strength to sort herself out.
If she got off booze, she must have strength in her somewhere. Perhaps the weight gain is making her feel depressed?
It's not really for me to diagnose this.
All I can say is; Be a friend

 

[Sugar pie]

Hi manogwent I am replying from an anorexic and type1 point of view. I have suffered on and off for 8years and the only way to help your friend is to support her. I am sure your friend is aware of the complications that go hand in hand with poorlly controlled diabetes. If like me I wasnt very successful in getting any help from the NHS to do with eating disorders and diabetes. I had the odd appointment with a counsellor for CBT but found that was a waste of time, maybe I was too otimistic (which is rare for me!). Letting your friend know that you are there for one another will help and maybe offering to go with her to appointments (ask first if she wants you to go in with her). I am at the diabetes clinic this week which I have put off for the past 8 months and am dreading it. I have to go on my own but just having someone to go with and sit and wait with me would somehow settle my nerves just a little. Having anorexia can be a lonely and miserable affair, so having friends like you are invaluable, I wish I had more friends like you.

 

[Manogwent]

Thanks,hanadr and sugarpie for your advice. i know that it is support she needs more than anything else and although i came to terms with my own DX pretty quick,it was the support i got on here that helped, many thanks , peter