November 21st 2023.
When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007, I thought my life was over. I was about to turn 21 and I felt like all the plans I had made for my future had been taken away. I was so overwhelmed by this news that I had a nervous breakdown and tried to hurt myself. My housemates noticed and called my dad for help. I was sent to the hospital where I was confirmed to have diabetes.
I first began to experience the awful symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes during my time at university. I was so focused on my lectures and essays that I didn't realize that it was my immune system destroying the insulin-producing cells in my pancreas that was causing my dramatic weight loss, blurred vision, and unquenchable thirst. My family thought I had anorexia when I went back home during the new year and that's when we discovered my sugar levels were way over the normal amount.
At the hospital, I was put on a saline drip to help bring my blood glucose down and started on insulin injections immediately. I remember the nurse explaining that I'd need to do this every day for the rest of my life. It was so hard to process this news. I had heard of diabetes but I didn't understand the difference between type 1 and type 2.
When I returned to university, I wanted things to go back to normal but it was impossible. I had to cut out alcohol and partying which caused my sugar levels to drop and my friends stopped calling. I felt so isolated and alone that I decided to attempt suicide. I was kept overnight in the hospital but without the proper support I went back to my student house.
I graduated not long after but I look back at the girl I was then and feel so sorry for her. I had no understanding of diabetes and I was just muddling my way through. But now, I'm in a much better place and I actually think my diagnosis is the best thing that ever happened to me.
When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007, it felt like my life was over. I was about to turn 21 and had my whole life ahead of me, but I thought the life I’d planned was gone. I was in shock and could not comprehend that this was my new reality.
My emotions got the better of me and I experienced a nervous breakdown. I trashed my room and was then found trying to hurt myself by my housemates. My dad was called and then an ambulance. I was in a really dark place.
At first, I struggled to cope with my diagnosis. Thankfully, I have come a long way since then and I now believe it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
My first symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes appeared when I was at university. I was so focused on lectures and essays that I had no idea my immune system had destroyed the insulin-producing cells in my pancreas. I partied over Christmas and New Year, and when I went home to visit my family in the new year they were shocked to see how thin I had become. They thought I had anorexia and took me to my GP.
After a finger prick test, I was sent to hospital. An artery blood test confirmed my diagnosis and I was put on a saline drip and started on insulin injections straight away. In the moment, it didn’t quite sink in just how life altering this would be. I had heard of diabetes, but I didn’t know the difference between type 1 and 2. I just asked why me?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition – like lupus, or psoriasis – there is no widely accepted cause and it cannot be prevented. It was just bad luck.
When I returned to university, I desperately wanted for things to go back to normal. However, I had to cut out alcohol and partying as it caused my sugars to drop too low. This meant my group of friends stopped calling and I felt isolated and alone. I had very little support and no way out, so I attempted suicide.
I was kept overnight in hospital, but discharged the next day as I wasn’t physically in need of A&E treatment. I graduated not long after, but looking back I realise I was just muddling my way through and scraping by.
Now, I am in a much better place. I have gained knowledge over the years and have compassion for the girl I was then. I am grateful for the diagnosis as it has made me understand my own body better and has helped me lead a healthier life.
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