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Living with type one diabetes and studying medicine-stress and depression

Life as a medical student can be pretty stressful and the extra burdens you are carrying don't help. I am long-retired but I still remember my days as a med student. I have T2, not T1 but I am happy to talk!
 
michellejl said:
Hello! I have been studying medicine for 2 years now and I the last year have been struggeling with my mental health togeheter with living with diabetes and studying... Is there anyone else out there who would like to chat and discuss how you cope with it.. it would be very helpful, I just feel so lonely and stressed and I feel like no one understands...
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Michelle, I was with the Ambulance service for 12 years when I was diagnosed type1.
I was mid way through my Paramedic University course. The only advise I can offer is find a routine that works for you.
Are there any Diabetic nurses you trust to have a good chat with?
I was very lucky when diagnosed I made the choice to go on a drug trial, while this was testing at times the support I had from the research team was awsome.
 
michellejl said:
Thank you so much for your reply! <3 I am still struggling because the workload is so much this semester(worst it has ever been so far), and I have also been having a hard time moving to a different country alone and having to be so responsible for eveything and it just feels like I have a lot of pressure on me... But I have been trying to go out for walks more and that helps a lot! Also calling my family at home more often helps with the stress and anxiety. But my blood sugar is so irregular right now and it is very frustrating... Do you have any good breakfast tip for maintaining a good glucose level after breakfast? I have a hard time with that...
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Hi Michelle,
As you know, the stress, the work, etc etc can play havoc with blood sugars. We’re all different, so it may not suit you, but I found that Morrisons wheat, spelt & rye bread was excellent at smoothing out morning blood sugars. I think the different release profiles of the grains helped with the smoothing of bs. It only works if I also get the dose right to silence the liver’s unhelpful dawn chorus.
I used to swim a lot when I was working, and trying to shed stress. That helped.
You’re very very brave to move alone to a different country. Many Universities have clubs set up that might make life more social. There might be one or two where you are. Best choose something you’d like; be it chess, film, sport, music . . .
Are you living alone, or in a hall? Do you have to travel far to get to Uni? It all makes a difference.
Have another hug from a Type One granny (yes, I really am a granny).
 
Fairygodmother said:
Hi Michelle,
As you know, the stress, the work, etc etc can play havoc with blood sugars. We’re all different, so it may not suit you, but I found that Morrisons wheat, spelt & rye bread was excellent at smoothing out morning blood sugars. I think the different release profiles of the grains helped with the smoothing of bs. It only works if I also get the dose right to silence the liver’s unhelpful dawn chorus.
I used to swim a lot when I was working, and trying to shed stress. That helped.
You’re very very brave to move alone to a different country. Many Universities have clubs set up that might make life more social. There might be one or two where you are. Best choose something you’d like; be it chess, film, sport, music . . .
Are you living alone, or in a hall? Do you have to travel far to get to Uni? It all makes a difference.
Have another hug from a Type One granny (yes, I really am a granny).
Click to expand...

GarethSM said:
Michelle, I was with the Ambulance service for 12 years when I was diagnosed type1.
I was mid way through my Paramedic University course. The only advise I can offer is find a routine that works for you.
Are there any Diabetic nurses you trust to have a good chat with?
I was very lucky when diagnosed I made the choice to go on a drug trial, while this was testing at times the support I had from the research team was awsome.
Click to expand...
My go to breakfast is toasted seeded bread peanut butter and a smoothie.
I just find it works!
 
michellejl said:
Hello! I have been studying medicine for 2 years now and I the last year have been struggeling with my mental health togeheter with living with diabetes and studying... Is there anyone else out there who would like to chat and discuss how you cope with it.. it would be very helpful, I just feel so lonely and stressed and I feel like no one understands...
Click to expand...
Hello there!
I saw some of the comments suggesting to give up your career...but I think that is worst you could do.
You can't let diabetes define you! You can't give up because of it.
You will look back and will be forever regretting and thinking what you have missed out on.
I am a renal specialist nurse, I have type 1 DM and pancreas insufficiency ( I have to take enzyme replacement capsules too along with my insulin)
I work 12 hrs shifts days nights. And I am not going to lie it is hard. But you have to play the cards you were dealt.
You'll probably need to work harder than some but it will make you stronger! You will appreciate more what you achieve, you will have better understanding of how it is to live with chronic conditions and patients will benefit from that! So please don't give up
I have a friend who is a cardiologist and have DM and cardiovascular disease.
I know an anesthetic doctor with rheumatoid arthritis...
We all have our packages .
Hang on there, don't give up what you want and remember you are who you are and it is perfect the way it is. You will make the most of this life xxx
 
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