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work and coping

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lorri1

Active Member
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Hi everyone, I posted a couple of weeks ago, newly diagnosed Type 2 however maybe Type 1 awaiting hospital app for testing. Well it has come through this morning and it's not untill the 22nd May! I have been signed off work for two weeks as I just was not coping with the extreme measures I am having to go to, to keep my BG levels down below double figures. My job is customer service so I am sat at my desk all day, watching my levels rise was really distressing me. I have been a lot better since being off as the pressure of work has been lifted, I can have my breakfast and go out on my bike and then the same for lunch, very low carbing along with this, I have been able to keep my level below 10!! I know this is not maintainable but I feel it keeps me sane when I see my levels drop, even if it is only for a couple of hours. But is it normal to be signed off work with Diabetes? I feel guilty? but on the other hand I feel this is my health, I do not want to have high levels untill the appointment comes through, I have had them since xmas anyway due to the Glic not really working. (on 80 mg twice a day) The doctor doesn't seem to want to increase this due to the increased risk of Hypo's with this tablet when exercising. so in the meantime do I just carry on this way and get signed off again?? why do I feel like a fraud when I talk to people from work about how I am? I know they don't fully understand how it effects you. :( I am in limbo as to whether I am type 2 or 1?? so makes it harder to know what I should be doing?.....still very confused about it all, even though I have had some very good advise from all you guys :) thank you. x
Lorri
 
Lorri,

Please do not feel like a fraud for being signed off. Your doctor wouldn't do it unless they thought it necessary. If I were you I'd try and push for an earlier appointment - not just because of the impact on work, but it must be hard for you too. Could you try speaking to your GP and see if you can bring this date forward? Another two months (almost) of waiting seems a little unfair.

As for time off, I'm sure work will understand. I've just returned to work after being signed off for six weeks (not diabetes-related). I know exactly how you feel. I felt like such a fraud when I was able to do other things and hated people asking me how I felt - "actually I feel really good but can't overdo things as I had an operation five weeks ago". My employer has been brilliant though and I really had nothing to worry about. If you are worried could you maybe to a phased return to work? Either work from home (if possible) and/or do reduced hours? That way you could still work and try and keep on top of your sugar levels? Might be worth considering.

Emma
 
Hi Emma, thankyou for your reply :) it really helps to know that I am not alone. I have an appointment with the doc next weds so I will ask her to see if she can get the appointment brought forward, fingers crossed! and also discuss what to do about work, I was thinking about reduced hours myself? will see, I am still struggling to accept being diabetic let alone not knowing which Type! lol.....

At the moment I do feel that my life will never be the same :( and I can't see how it will be untill my medcation is sorted. All I seem to do is exercise, test and eat very little.... which I know can't be helping my mental state.

Good to hear you are recovering well :D

Lorri
 
Hi Lorri

My husband is going through the same as you at the moment although his readings are a bit higher than yours and based on the tests he has had so far it is looking like Type 1. He has been off work for about 7 weeks now and i am not sure when he is going back either as his sugars haven't stablised yet.
Don't feel bad for being off work...and don't under-estimate how bad having high sugars can make you feel! I'm type 2 and when my sugars get to 10 i feel dreadful and generally fall asleep wherever i am!
When you consider that a non-diabetic's blood sugar would be around 4-5 then i think that helps you to see you are not a 'fraud' even though you may feel well.

Take care and hope you get sorted soon...
Feebie x
 
Hi there, I was diagnosed T1 6 yrs ago......I cannot understand why you should have to wait and why they don't know if T1 or 2. I developed blurred vision instantly one day whilst on holiday, was constantly thirsty ( ridiculously so ) and constantly peeing. Had lost weight and felt very tired ( had a baby just under a yr before ) I thought it was just part and parcel of being a mum. When I got home went to optitions and she referred me to dr with a letter. got in next day. He did finger pric 16. I had a blood test and the following week got a p/call. Went back to gp on Monday got a call from consultants secretary on thurs asking me to go in to hosp fri. I was on insulin on the monday. ( from the start Dr told me to stay completly away from sugar which I did, and I wasn't allowed to drive as not legal. My sight did come back in time.) It is unacceptable that you have to wait so long as T1 can be extremeley serious! I would chase it up...............Good luck. Once you get diagnosed and the correct info etc things should imrove....xxx
 
Hi all, Thanks Feebie cat, you have made me feel better about things.

Shop, to cut a long story short, I was first diagnosed back in Dec, type 2 however when I went on the Desmond course the dietician was amazed I was there, I guess only being 5ft and weighing only 6' 2lbs.... might have had something to do with it lol but more so that my levels were in double figures whatever I ate even though I had cut my carbs to the extreme and was exericising every day to keep control. She immediatley contacted my GP to advise that I be tested for type 1.

Lorri
 
I'm not suprised you feel a little unsettled at the moment. I hope you find out why type you are soon. As for feeling your life won't be the same again - to a certain extent you're right. You will need to make changes and it is something you will need to lve with for the rest of your life. You know what though, you will cope and you will manage to life live just as you always have (with a few minor adaptions). Once you know what type you are an how to manage it things will be so much easier, I promise :)
 
Hi

I does sound like your T1 especially with the weight that you are. I just find It awful that you are having to wait. The sooner you get it sorted the better. I just feel that there is so much in the media about T2, T1 is just not being given the attention that it, we also deserve. I was not a text book T1 as not young adult but also not text book T2 under 40 and not overweight. I really hope that you get seen and helped soon. It does get better :)
 
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