New to this...just diagnosed at 21 years old

Diseases & Conditions Diabetes
1
I was just curious if there are any other people around my age that might want to talk a little bit about this. I just got diagnosed about a month ago. I'm a healthy college student with no past of obesity so this came as a really big surprise for me. I would love to share some of my feelings with other people who may be in the same situation or feeling the same way. Thank you!
2
Hey, Julia.

I was diagnosed a few months before I turned 21 and am now 23 and getting ready to graduate in a couple of weeks, so I'm pretty familiar with being a college student with diabetes. But I've always struggled with wieght, and I have a family history of diabetes and had been checked for it before, so the only surprise in my case was that I went to the hospital because I couldn't stop throwing up and the dr eventually came back and told me I was fine (just a stomach bug) but oh, by the way, it looked like I had diabetes and should see my physician. Anyway, you're more than welcome to share your feelings.
3

Hi Julia

I am 27 and have been type 1 diabetic for almost 2 years.  I have never had weight problems and there was no family history of diabetes so it came as a major shock like it was for you.

At first it is frightening and stressful and may take a while to get your head around but things get better.  You need to have a sensible diet but there is nothing you can't have - it's all about balance.  You will get used to injections and it will be come a routine rather than ordeal.  You will get on top of it and while you will never have perfect blood sugar control you will do the best you can either with the use of 2 or 4 injections a day.

You can get depressed and let diabetes control you but the key is to be positive and control it the best you can.  You may also hear scare stories of bad things that can happen but if you can keep good control of your blood sugar levels then there is no reason why anything bad should happen to you.

There are alot worse things than diabetes out there and treatment is readily available.  Keep positive and you'l do fine I am sure.

Kevin

 

4
Julia,

Are you type 1 or type 2?

~ Jeannie

"People are like stained glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

5
My doctor thought type 1 from the odd circumstances but they did an antibody test and it came back negative. So they are saying it is type 2.
6
Hi Julia,
 
I was diagnosed at the age of 22 with diabetes. The year was 2002 and things were great. Then one night while out ot eat with family...... I began drinking lemonade excessively. On the way home my stomach was killing me, the pain was so great that I thought I may have to go to the hospital.... Luckily I didnt- maybe I should have- who knows. BUt anyways back to the thrilling story.... I was on the way home and luckily we all rode together in the same vehicle. I crawled in the back and went to sleep. When I awoke I was feeling better. (This is fun telling my life story.)
 
So about a week later I started feeling terrible, no energy, pale, losing weight... It sucked! Water Bill went up bc I was flushing the toilet so often. hmmm... It probably did go up. hmm.. Anyways, went to the doctor and sure enough 480 blood sugar reading.... That cant be good.. :) My quack doctor disnt know to much about diabetes and what to do, so he sent me to a specialist. He got my numbers down well, all on oral meds...
 
Now the key to this story is NEVER FOOL yourself. See after a few visits to the specialist and great H1C numbers... I thought I had it kicked... Wrong answer. :) So now I am taking insulin shots. Booo! :)
 
What was your question again bc I think I jumped off the subject matter. :)
 
Anyways the key is, diabetes wont stop you, IF YOU ARE smart about it. Do what you are supposed to do. Eat small portions, stay positive, and exercise.
 
Type 2 since who knows when but diagnosed 2002. 135lbs 5'8"
 
Greg
Sumter, SC
yahoo= sho_greg
 
I think I may write a book. That was special. :)
 
 
 
7
I appreciate you telling me your story. So you are Type two and take insulin shots? I have an appointment on Monday to discuss different treatment because Im not responding to my oral meds as much as they would like. I have heard about a new inhalant insulin. Im pretty afraid of shots. Have you heard of this new insulin?
8
Julia,
I'm Type 2 and I take Lantus insulin each evening. It's easier than putting on mascara, honest! I go into the bathroom, hike down my slacks a bit and look in the mirror. I give myself shots in the derrier (buns) because I have lots of extra padding there and injecting into the fat layer is the best place for your shot. Also, you have less nerves close to the surface of the skin there... (ever hear of anyone getting tickled on the hip?)

Warren suggests drawing up the insulin and replacing the cap on the needle end then placing the syringe under your armpit. This warms the insulin up to body temp and causes less sting. Also, even though we were all taught to stab the needle in we have found that gently easing the needle in is much less painful.

But first things first! Get yourself a blood testing monitor and get some numbers every day so you may control your own destiny. Once you have done a few days of finger poking, shots are no big deal.

The inhaled insulin is still not perfect... A cold or stuffy nose could cause a problem with the amount of medication delivered. Your doctor will probably start you with injections but we will be here for you if you need us every step of the way.

~ Jeannie

"People are like stained glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

9

:-)  Hey Julia

I myself am 25, type 2 diabetic. I found out cause I too was excessively thirsty and losing weight.

I am new to this too, but if you have any questions u can always ask me.