Diabetes - The silent killer
I was diagnosed with Diabetes Tipe 1 at the fragile age of 14. I can remember losing a lot of weight despite having a very healthy appetite. I wore winter clothing in the middle of summer (our summers averaged around 45-55 degrees Celsius), I had to urinate about every 30min, I was always tired, my eyesight started to weaken.
Being a rebellious teenager I just kept convincing my parents that I was fine and there was nothing to worry about. This continued for a couple of weeks when my mother just decided that I will now visit our doctor. He took one look a me, did a blood and urine test, put me on a mobile drip and sent me off to hospital. My sugar levels were so high that none of the machines used to do the tests could give a reading as they did not read that high.
I was in hospital for 2 weeks while they got me back to normal levels and teaching me how to use insulin, the correct way to inject myself, what to eat, what not to eat etc.
I hated every second of this as my lifestyle had to change, I could no longer eat and drink the same things my friends could. I felt weak and like a drug user having to inject myself everyday.
Every emotion I experience, to this day has an effect on my sugar levels. I get excited - my sugar levels drop. I get stressed - my sugar levels rise. Having something as stupid as the common cold makes my sugar levels rise to dangerous levels.
My eyesight gets worse every couple of months. My teeth for some reason is extremely brittle and breaks chewing on soft foods. I still never really have any energy and really have to put my mind to every physical activity I do, to convince myself beforehand that it is good for me, it is going to be fun - which it always turns out being, but to get my mind and body to agree takes some time. I am very prone to bladder infections as my kidneys took some damage. Walking even a couple of hundred meters makes my hands and feet swell up. I also have Dupuytren's contracture in my right hand, this causes pain sometimes and my hand can not fully open or lay flat on a surface, this condition mostly effects older men, but my doctor said due to the Diabetes this is now affecting me. My pregnancies was extremely difficult as my hormones was all over the place (as with every other pregnancy out there), but this caused my sugar levels to fluctuate to dangerous levels, so I had to be very careful as to not harm the babies and myself.
I have been hospitalised a couple of times where I was very close to death, my body just did not accept the insulin I was feeding it.
Earlier this year I was also diagnosed with Diabetes tipe 2. Meaning the insulin that I inject does not get absorbed by my cells so I keep feeling ill. They changed my meds and I now need to take pills with my insulin to ensure that my body gets what it needs.
Food is always a struggle, as in South Africa (don't know about the rest of the world), the healthier the food, the more it cost. So living on a single income and having to look after a child I can not afford to live off the food that I need, meaning pastas, bread, meats, pap is our main source of food.
Looking at me, you would think that I am a healthy slightly overweight woman. But if you had the chance to look at my insides, you will see a completely different story. This is but a drop of information in a very big bucket. Thank you to Yoors for giving the opportunity to talk about this. #autoimmunedisease
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- Comments (24)
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Madeleine
3 years ago
I really hate for you. so sick so young and for so long. I wish you a lot of strength to deal with this again every time. Brave you have told your story here, but it's nice that it's possible on Yoors and a lot of people listen to your story as well.
1
Encaustichris
3 years ago
So! What a fierce story!! I didn't know you could have type 1 and 2 at the same time (but why couldn't that actually). It's good that you write about it so openly.!
1
roxana_ac
3 years ago
You are a very brave woman! And you're right, the healthier the food, the more expensive it is.
1
Dewaputra
3 years ago
That sure has a hugh impact on your life and certainly in the beginning, being so young, it must have been hard to cope with it.
1
willbelysy
3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your story, diabetes does indeed change the lifestyle, I hope you continue to carry everything very well!
1
Henkjan de Krijger
3 years ago
What a good post . Are there more coming ?
carlaperezz_zz
3 years ago
I'm so sorry for you, it must have been very hard to go through all that.
Rosidex
3 years ago
Diabetes is a terrible disease my younger sister suffers from it and she is barely 15 years old
qwertyuiop
3 years ago
That must have a huge impact on your whole life, brave that you share it all with us.
Niria
3 years ago
You are very brave diabetes is a terrible disease I consider you very much take care
MAGALY
3 years ago
Terrible disease, it only remains to learn to live with it. You face it very well.
Juli.carmen
3 years ago
Reading your story I realized that I have several warning symptoms of diabetes. I think I'll have to see a doctor
Leo 1
3 years ago
Anya a lot of exercise through daily walking at a good pace will certainly positively affect your glucose levels. Try to avoid pastes, chocolate, pastries, cookies, bananas, and white bread as much as possible. I know these issues. I myself have also had... Show moreAnya a lot of exercise through daily walking at a good pace will certainly positively affect your glucose levels. Try to avoid pastes, chocolate, pastries, cookies, bananas, and white bread as much as possible. I know these issues. I myself have also had diabetes 2 for many years. I therefore assume that you are now presumably getting metformin and glimepiride to keep your glucose levels low. Is that true?
abreusoleidy
3 years ago
Diabetes is a disease that has affected a large part of the world's population
mlourdesbermudez
3 years ago
I admire you and congratulate you on your spiritual strength. God bless you.
Rudy Siedlecki 🌳
3 years ago
Very fierce your story and brave you want to write about this.
Maria
3 years ago
is a disease that affects our daily lives, not only in nutrition, but also in social performance
Gustavo Perez
3 years ago
Wow! I was really speechless to know with a little writing what you are suffering from, I think I will now be able to better understand people who have this silent disease that unfortunately attacks many people all over the planet. I think that since I don't... Show moreWow! I was really speechless to know with a little writing what you are suffering from, I think I will now be able to better understand people who have this silent disease that unfortunately attacks many people all over the planet. I think that since I don't have it I can't say “I'm sorry” or something like that because I don't know what it is like to live with it, but at least from what you wrote I can reflect and understand a little, that's why I'm sending you a hug from a distance so you can keep fighting with this.
Ingrid
3 years ago
Heavy! I hadnot heard type 1 and 2 before.
Naturefreak
3 years ago
That must be tough something that controls your whole life.
Diana Lima
3 years ago
An emotional first person account, I was very moved to read. My father developed type2 and I have a bit of knowledge about the disease. Because if him I read and got information about what diabetes can do when it's not in check. You are a very brave admirable woman.
Ruth@dri
3 years ago
I was very impacted by this post 🥺. Not to be easy at all. a hug 🤗
Animal lover
3 years ago
So what a fierce story, I get that's turning your whole life upside down.
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