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Coping with type one diabetes

S

_smarshall

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Hi, i am 19 and I am a type one diabetic and have been since the age of 4. I'm a first year university student, studying teaching which is a very demanding and hard working course. I live by myself, and pay for all of my bills. I also suffer with anxiety.

I just wanted a little bit of advice. I have very poor control over my diabetes, I find myself to be very lazy about it and shy in front of other people, so I don't tend to check my blood sugars or do my injections in front of people. I don't carbohydrate count, although I did try it back in the summer and I found that it worked really well for me but didn't continue to carry on.

From now, until the start of May, I will work in a school which is two bus trips away from me. This will be 7.45am-5.30pm. With travelling included it will be 6.30am-7pm. I also work part time on a weekend, doing two 8 hour shifts, Saturday and Sunday to pay for my bills. This is all on top of my uni assignments and my lesson planning.

If you was in my situation, how would you deal with your diabetes in the best possible way? I'm scared that I'm going to be too exhausted and really tired over the up coming months to be able to do what I want to do.

Thank you

Shanice - type 1
 
You have a lot on your plate at the moment Shanice, but you've highlighted yourself where you are going wrong so you just need to make a few changes.

Try not to be shy about your diabetes, it's a very common condition and people do understand, once people see you testing and injecting for the first time they won't bat an eyelid thereafter, so do try and get back to counting carbs and matching your insulin, if you need any help then have a look at the following, it's an on-line version of the DAFNE course:

http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/

Good luck.
 
Thank you so much. I have been invited to do the DAFNE course but all of the dates are when I'm at uni which is really unfortunate. I will have a look at that website, thank you.
 
Hello and welcome. I'm type 2 but you will get advice on the forum from Type 1s tailored for you. Jumping in with both feet I would guess that you're a very able person at organising your life and getting on with it, but that (guessing again) you're doing it by yourself, without backup or support. You admit to feelings of anxiety and I also guess you don't feel able to discuss your diabetes with anyone.
The beauty of this forum is that you can post here at any time with anything that's bothering you and there is always someone to offer practical help and comfort. It's practically a 24-hour listening line thanks to the time difference between continents!
Soon you'll be back on track ;)
 
Hi Shanice, I agree with Noblehead, you do have a lot on your plate. First things first, don't be shy about your diabetes, you can inject and finger prick more discretly if you wanted to. Never be ashamed of being type 1, it's part of who you are :)

You need to test and carb count again, as you said it worked out well when you did it in the summer. Your health is so important, as you are, so get your diabetes under control with good management. I'm sure you will feel much better in mind and body if you are in control. Just see it as a little blip and try to look forward. Being part of this forum is such a great help :)

Take care and I hope you start to feel more positive about your life in the very near future.

Good luck ps have you seen your GP about your anxiety, if you have, are you on any medication for this, as some medicarions have side affects ? Take care

RRB :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi,

Yes I have seen my GP and I am on medication for my anxiety, it might be worth going to see them again and discussing it as it has been a least a month and a half since I have been.

I'm just feeling very down and feeling I cannot do it by myself. The fear of someone else watching me do my injection I find really intimidating. Some people have no idea about diabetes and I hate being stared at.

Thank you for your advice,

Shanice
 
Iv been through exactly what you are now, I worked two jobs,Ives basically alone and was doing a high assessment based course at uni as well.

It may be difficult, but just make sure you have someone close enough if you ever need help, this I can't stress enough.

Just check your blood as often as possible, work should always be aware of your diabetes and will be more than okay with you needing to check your blood or take a snack.

For everything your trying to achieve you need to make sure you eat regularly.
 
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