Hi, I'm Callum I'm 26 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just over a year ago. I want to start by saying, if you've just been diagnosed this is the worst part. It gets easier once you get to grips with it and you can continue to live a completely normal life.
My first piece of advice is... Get any flash or continuous glucose monitor as soon as possible! The worst part was the fingerpricks. It makes you feel like you have a disease and also hurts! I don't care what anyone says those evil little lancets are painful. You can get a month's worth of sensors for under £100 privately and they'll be at your door in under a week. Do it you won't regret it. It will also help you track your bloods much more easily. I personally use a libre 2 but other options are available.
Secondly... No-one is perfect. This site is an excellent resource for finding information from other people just like you. It's been immensely helpful; however, you'll always see someone who's only activity in life is keeping their blood sugar between 4-7 judging others. Ignore these people! Your blood sugar will fluctuate until you find your rythm. Even then you'll get highs and lows, it's part of the condition, so don't panic and don't become obsessed with perfect blood sugar if you want any kind of quality of life.
Thirdly... If someone tells you that you can't eat something, give them the middle finger. You can eat whatever you like as long as you take the insulin for it. Now this isn't license to eat yourself into a coma. Annoyingly you do have to be more careful with your diet, everything in moderation is a good mantra. I'm sure you will have already had a consultation with a nutritionist by now and know the details.
Fourth and finally... Take some time off. If you've just been diagnosed it's a huge amount to take in, nevermind focusing on work. My employer was an absolute nightmare and expected me back the same day of my diagnosis. I still took a week off to adjust with no repercussions. You're now protected by the equality act (lucky you) Reasonable time off is to be expected.
There are a million questions you'll have at this stage and the memory of just how depressing and overwhelming this new diagnosis is lives fresh in my memory. If you do have any questions I'll try my absolute best to respond.
You've got this!
My first piece of advice is... Get any flash or continuous glucose monitor as soon as possible! The worst part was the fingerpricks. It makes you feel like you have a disease and also hurts! I don't care what anyone says those evil little lancets are painful. You can get a month's worth of sensors for under £100 privately and they'll be at your door in under a week. Do it you won't regret it. It will also help you track your bloods much more easily. I personally use a libre 2 but other options are available.
Secondly... No-one is perfect. This site is an excellent resource for finding information from other people just like you. It's been immensely helpful; however, you'll always see someone who's only activity in life is keeping their blood sugar between 4-7 judging others. Ignore these people! Your blood sugar will fluctuate until you find your rythm. Even then you'll get highs and lows, it's part of the condition, so don't panic and don't become obsessed with perfect blood sugar if you want any kind of quality of life.
Thirdly... If someone tells you that you can't eat something, give them the middle finger. You can eat whatever you like as long as you take the insulin for it. Now this isn't license to eat yourself into a coma. Annoyingly you do have to be more careful with your diet, everything in moderation is a good mantra. I'm sure you will have already had a consultation with a nutritionist by now and know the details.
Fourth and finally... Take some time off. If you've just been diagnosed it's a huge amount to take in, nevermind focusing on work. My employer was an absolute nightmare and expected me back the same day of my diagnosis. I still took a week off to adjust with no repercussions. You're now protected by the equality act (lucky you) Reasonable time off is to be expected.
There are a million questions you'll have at this stage and the memory of just how depressing and overwhelming this new diagnosis is lives fresh in my memory. If you do have any questions I'll try my absolute best to respond.
You've got this!