Diagnosed a year ago today.

uontype1diabetes
Oct 28, 2015
3 min read

Exactly a year ago today I was suddenly introduced to all these new things you can see in the picture. All of a sudden I was responsible for my own blood sugar, counting carbs and injecting myself.

I had walked into the GP expecting a routine response of 'you're ok, just rest' and came out with 2 full carrier bags of new medication and equipment. Not quite what I was expecting.

I wasn't diagnosed in the most usual way, in fact I was quite lucky. As a medical student I take part in clinical skills sessions, where practical skills are taught to us in groups of 5. During this particular session we were testing each others blood glucose, needless to say it came as a bit of a shock when mine measured 19.2mmol/l compared to everyone elses 5mmol/l. At the time no one really knew what to say or do, I don't think it had ever happened before that a student had an odd reading. So I went home a little confused, but didn't follow anything up.

During the week I began to notice I was more thirsty than normal, drinking around 8 glasses of water a day (a lot for me!), and I was going to the toilet more often. At the time I remember worrying I had diabetes, but I also thought I might have just been imagining it because of my high reading in clinical skills. Luckily the worry got the better of me and I made a Doctor's appointment.

Even after a year, I still feel as if I've only had diabetes for 5 minutes, and yet at the same time it's becoming more and more difficult to remember what it felt like to not have to prick my finger before meals.

I definitely still struggle with some aspects, and sometimes when I'm really hungry counting how many carbs i'm eating seems like the hardest task in the world. I think as I carry on things will get a little easier, as frustrating as it sometimes is I have found that checking my blood glucose more often really helps me get things under better control.

What I have found really difficult this year is getting used to peoples new interest in my blood... I think of my diabetes as quite a personal thing, I set my own goals and its dissapointing when I don't meet them. I always know people are trying to be friendly and helpful but I hate hearing "So what are your levels then?" from the people around me when I'm testing.

To begin with I also felt like I was the only one who understood what I was going through, before recently I didn't know anyone with diabetes, and I especially didn't know anyone who had been recently diagnosed. I felt like I was fumbling along trying to do something I didn't understand with no one to talk to about what I was experiencing. Plus it's always nice to have a moan at someone who knows how you're feeling!

There have however been some positive aspects to my diagnosis; I've met lots of great new people, I'm more conscious of what I eat, I can carry sweets with my everywhere! And most importantly of course I get free prescriptions! ;)

Though there have been ups and downs during my first diabetic year, I'm hoping I can carry on improving and accepting my diabetes. :)

Ps, please get in touch with you own stories and comments!