Not Just Needles
Ashleigh, aged 14, tells all about her diagnosis with diabetes and how it affects her daily routine.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last August, when I was still 13. I had heard of diabetes before but I didn’ t know how it could affect someone’ s everyday life.
We had just got back from a two week holiday in Spain and I felt fine. We were having a few days at home before going to visit family in Cornwall. Looking back at it now I started having symptoms then: I was feeling very thirsty, drinking a lot and going to the toilet more than usual. During the week we were [ in Cornwall ] I also became very tired, falling asleep instead of having fun at the beach. I had also lost weight without realising it. I don’ t really remember coming home as I slept the whole way and felt worse.
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I didn’ t know how it could affect someone’ s everyday life.
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The next day Mum took me to the doctor’ s and by this time I needed her support just to help me into the room. Mum told her my symptoms and she immediately tested my blood sugar levels and sent us straight to the hospital. On arrival we were told that I had Type 1 Diabetes which was a huge shock.
Even though I have diabetes it’ s not going to stop me being the person I’ m meant to be!
I spent 5 days in hospital while my blood sugar levels were brought under control. During this time myself and my whole family were taught everything we needed to know and how to manage it.
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I spent 5 days in hospital while my blood sugar levels were brought under control.
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My life since has changed completely, I have to inject myself [ with insulin ] before eating or drinking anything that contains carbohydrates and test my blood on average 8 times a day and, if I need to, correct my hypers( when my levels are high) and hypos( when my levels are too low) with extra sugar.
I still dance two nights a week as before but now I have to have extra sugar and 2am checks. Sometimes, I get frustrated and upset but I have all the support I need; family, friends and the diabetic team at the hospital to help me get through the tough times.
Know what to look for.
These are some signs that you or someone you love might be diabetic.
Type 1
Diabetes the big 3 symptoms constant thirst frequent urination
However, I am still the same person, if anything more determined to not let anything get in my way. Even though I have diabetes it’ s not going to stop me being the person I’ m meant to be!
16 Whateva- Issue 1
Rapid weight loss experiencing these symptoms? see a doctor