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Scared 21 Year Old Type 1

SBChxnk182 said:
Hi, just to clarify why I made this post rather than just going through the forums, I actually encountered some posts of people expressing their frustrations at having diabetes, which can be a bit disheartening, especially as I haven't fully recovered from my first hospital visit and I've only just tried doing my first own insulin injections in the hospital.

Thank you for the tips so far they're making me feel better and I do appreciate it a lot!

Faith in humanity restored!
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For a youthful, upbeat and practical approach I suggest you download this free e-book by Adam Brown of Diatribe. https://brightspotsandlandmines.org
Then, if you enjoy it, you can find updates and more articles by Adam and others on the Diatribe site: https://diatribe.org/search/advanced/?f[0]=im_field_section_name:294
 
The latest advice on hypos is to firstly get the quick acting sugar into you (glucose tablets, carton of juice, jelly babies) then wait 10 mins to check your blood glucose levels are on the rise before having something more carby like a biscuit.

I have haribos in the car and glucose tablets in coat pockets, bags, drawers in the house etc.

Today I had 4 tubes of smarties nearby when a hypo hit. I ate 3
 
Circuspony said:
The latest advice on hypos is to firstly get the quick acting sugar into you (glucose tablets, carton of juice, jelly babies) then wait 10 mins to check your blood glucose levels are on the rise before having something more carby like a biscuit.

I have haribos in the car and glucose tablets in coat pockets, bags, drawers in the house etc.

Today I had 4 tubes of smarties nearby when a hypo hit. I ate 3
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I think Smarties are quite different in the UK from in the US? In the UK they contain chocolate, which I would have thought would delay absorption.
 
Alexandra100 said:
I think Smarties are quite different in the UK from in the US? In the UK they contain chocolate, which I would have thought would delay absorption.
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I am in the UK & yes, that is probably why 3 packets were needed. Excuse for a binge
 
Hi again, and once again thanks for all the replies!

Looks like jelly babies and glucose tablets are the way for me!

I just had to (attempt) my third solo injection but took a big step backwards and had to get a nurse to do it. Nothing I could tell myself could get me to do it.

I've got to the root of my fear and I just don't like the idea of a needle going into my skin - pain doesn't scare me at all and hitting a vital organ/messing it up isn't on my mind, I just find it grotesque. I've spoken to my HCPs in my hospital about getting needle covers so I don't have to look at the needle and I was wondering if this was something anyone else has had to do/still do?

Thanks again everyone for being so friendly I really feel a lot more at ease.
 
Hi @SBChxnk182 welcome to the forum :)

Ok injections are a fact of life, I had a few wobbles when I was first diagnosed, my method was using a distraction technique, so to sing/hum my favourite tune look at the clock, pinch an inch and inject, count for 10 and done. The more you practice the easier it gets, remember that the injection takes 15 seconds at tops, it really doesn't hurt, so have a positive tune, thought in your head and you will overcome this.
 
The needle is small and thin.

I was an absolute mess when I first tried but was surprised to know it didn’t hurt a bit.
 
I am in a very similar position to you! 21, student Andrew newly diagnosed (one month tomorrow weirdly - gone in a flash!!). When the nurse got me to practice my injection I was a mess - couldn't do it at all! Next day I tried my lunch injection in hospital and was such a sense of achievement when I (finally) did it! 65 injections later and I had a total breakdown - had done so many but just couldn't do the injection for dinner... 45 minutes later I finally did it 0 pain. Was completely the thought of what I had to do freaking me out! Still don't enjoy doing it but found my leg hurts less than my stomach now, but even when I do my stomach I just suck it up and try and do it quickly before I have time to think about what I'm doing you'll get there, it's $#!@ but you'll get there!
 
I have been diagnosed 28 years ago. After diagnosis I was 17 and lost. I focused on losing weight and becoming extremely fit. I cycled 20km daily and worked in a minesite that required very physical labour. This was all to prolong my honeymoon stage. I enjoyed that for 19 months.
Once I became dependent on insulin again I got depressed and injected to live. I allowed myself to be normal by partying and socializing over indulging in foods I should not eat
As a result I have experienced several complications that I believe I could have avoided if I stayed under tighter control
I now have a stronger focus on what I eat manage my cravings and focus on what I still want to achieve in life. I can only do this by managing my diabetes
It takes work and focus. You can still do everything others do just with a more cautionary step. The one thing that keeps me focused is life is too short to gamble with diabetes. Many can if they follow what they need to to maintain better control lead a healthy life.
It is worth it and forces you to be healthy
Don’t look at it as an inconvenience but a guideline to live healthy
 
AFoxy74 said:
I am in full agreement with this sentiment , I was diagnosed almost 30 years ago and didn't take any time to learn about this life changing illness. Subsequently I am still learning!
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It will be my 30th year next year and it has really flown by. Like you, I am always learning.
 
Hi @SBChxnk182, some really helpful and supportive advice from members. Be prepared when you go out, have hypo treatments available, I go for jelly babies or foam shrimps and banana's, at the moment I have Meerkat jellies from an animal park I visited recently. Take each day as a small step to learning more and understanding and managing type 1, it will give you the confidence to carry on with everyday life and enjoy living it. Sometimes we have blips, but we try to pick ourselves up and try to put our best foot forward.
This is my 29th year and most of the time a single parent, I had my child 17 years ago at the age of 42 ( but looking after my older children, on my own, when diagnosed) I work, I am active and only 6 lbs heavier than I was over 30 years ago, I have also just become a nana again and so looking forward to seeing my beautiful week old granddaughter grow up:) Take care :)
 
Contralto said:
I hope someone has told you about pen needles. They are not like regular shots. You kind of position them somewhere on your bod and push a button which automatically gives you a short shot. And this can be different parts of the bod.

You are not old enough to have solidified a lifestyle - you are only old enough to have tried a littlethis, little that. You are barely begun.

Anxiety often comes from not being prepared. You can not only prepare yourself her on this forum, you can also watch stuff happen on the Youtube. Modern time is on your side. Also, they are closer to acure for type one than type two by implants of stem cells, so it is not like you have a life sentence lifestyle. It is not too bad to endure plus technology will help you a lot
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I was told they were near a cure in 1989 when diagnosed and now it's 2018 and still waiting for that ( hopeful) eureka moment, so yes, it is a lifetime condition and which I'm sure with help and support about living with Type 1 from forum member's the OP will have a good life.
 
SBChxnk182 said:
Hi, just to clarify why I made this post rather than just going through the forums, I actually encountered some posts of people expressing their frustrations at having diabetes, which can be a bit disheartening, especially as I haven't fully recovered from my first hospital visit and I've only just tried doing my first own insulin injections in the hospital.

Thank you for the tips so far they're making me feel better and I do appreciate it a lot!

Faith in humanity restored!
Click to expand...

Hi there, yes It can be frustrating at times, but that's life and type 1 is just a small part of who you are, in time, with experience, help and support it is manageable, take care :)
 
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