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How hard was it to manage diabetes in university?

K

kbickham

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Hi everyone,

New to the forum. I just introduced myself in the Greetings section. I have a nephew who will be starting college soon, and I wanted to ask the forum, "How hard was it to manage diabetes in university and away from home?"

If I look back at my own college experience (kinda crazy haha), I'm just really worried about how he will manage as a recently dianosed diabetic in that kind of environment.

Would anyone like to weigh in on this question?

Much appreciated!

Kevin
 
I was diagnosed just before the start of my final year, and so far the impact on my life has been minimal (apart from diverting countless research hours to subjects not related to my studies).

I'd imagine that coordinating care with the local GP and care team "at home" might be problematic though
 
I did my BSc before getting type 1 diabetes, then my MSc after. Despite much heavier workload for MSc and research for 5 months in Northern Ireland, I had not real problems. Registered with GP near college in London, then got repeat prescriptions by post and used NI chemist. If security of food or insulin in shared fridges in halls of residence is an issue, then worth getting a small fridge for your room. Also, worth alerting exam service in case you need to leave desk to test / eat; or in a separate room to avoid disturbing other students.
 
Great insights! Thanks for the replies. I suggested to my nephew registering with the local GP would probably be best. I'm hoping that he'll find some good mates that could help him along, as well. But, he needs to step up and take a bit more responsibility for his management now. At least he knows that his good ol' uncle will nag him along the way!

Cheers everyone!
 
He might find his University has its own Health Centre - they did at Birmingham, many years ago - in which case he should get very good care because they will be completely geared up to cope with young people's problems - including Type 1 diabetes.

He needs to register asap when he gets there, and tell them all about himself. Also get him to ask his care team at home if they know anything about the facilities at the University he's going to.

Viv 8)
 
I was in exactly your nephew's situation - was diagnosed only a few months before I left home for university.
The things I would have wished to say to myself are as follows:
- you will be drinking a lot, especially in the first few weeks. Make sure you understand the action of alcohol on blood sugar. Make sure you understand what your favourite tipple does to your bg (eg beer contains carbs. Alcopops contain sugar. Vodka contains no carbs. Alcohol in general can send you hypo. It's a balance). Practise at home where it's safe!
- yes register with your university health centre, but don't leave it at that; they may be good as Viv says, but some are more like an ordinary GP. Suss out what the local diabetes specialist clinics are like. Make sure you work out where you are going to get your annual check ups, at home in the holidays or at uni in term time? It's really easy to end up missing those checks because you are moving about.
- you will make mistakes and you may find your hba1c goes up while you get used to the new life. Don't beat yourself up about it. Enjoying yourself is also important.
- you'll end up explaining diabetes to a lot of people so it's a bit like being diagnosed all over again. Personally I found that hard, and I wished I'd sat down and worked out what I was going to say so I didn't make it sound weird/scary/like a disability when I was making first impressions. This may not apply to your nephew.

hope he has a fantastic time.
 
i agree with Snodger :)

it should not affect it much if you keep things under control.
I am kinda paranoid about my health so did not drink much and told people it was cos I was diabetic :(

having your own mini fridge is a very good idea as thats what I had while I was in halls and mine was provided for by the Uni.
 
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