Insulin therapy is a fundamental aspect of diabetes management, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. However, starting and managing insulin treatment properly can be a challenging process, especially at first. Travel is different for everyone.
She sat with Faith Riddell Harding, a 22-year-old college student in Colorado, and had Type 1 diabetes for nearly a decade.
Before you start insulin, can you share a bit about your journey with diabetes?
Riddell-Harding was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in early puberty, which is a difficult time for many people.
She says,
She continues,
What were your initial thoughts and feelings about starting insulin?
She was at DKA on a diagnosis, so Riddell-Harding desperately wanted to feel better, so she pushed her anxiety aside about insulin therapy.
She shares,
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Have you had any concerns or fears about insulin therapy?
Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was an overwhelming experience with Riddell Harding, reinforced by her limited understanding of the condition at the time.
She reflects,
How did your healthcare team educate you about insulin use?
Like many others diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Riddell-Harding was necessary to learn how to administer your own insulin before leaving the hospital.
Looking back on this experience, she explains,
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What resources are most useful to learn how to manage insulin therapy?
Riddell-Harding emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in diabetes management. She found it
She adds,
Can we make us walk on a typical day when we manage diabetes with insulin?
Living with type 1 diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint, and Riddell-Harding knows it well.
She explains,
She also describes her routines regarding physical activity.
Ridell-Harding emphasizes the importance of patience in diabetes management, acknowledging that every day is not perfect and adjustments are always necessary.
How has your daily routine changed since you started insulin?
Since her diagnosis, Riddell-Harding’s approach to managing diabetes has evolved significantly. She explains,
Additionally, Riddell-Harding employs new technologies like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which helps her track her blood sugar levels more seamlessly.
What challenges have you faced since starting insulin? Also, how did you deal with it?
Adolescents and college transitions while managing type 1 diabetes was not easy for Riddell Harding.
She explains,
She further addresses the personal effects of public perception.
Are there any tips or tips to help you manage your insulin injection or pump therapy?
According to Riddell-Harding, staying positive is important.
She shares specific techniques for dealing with pain associated with insulin injections.
How has insulin therapy affected your lifestyle, diet, or physical activity?
Riddell-Harding recognizes the essential role insulin plays in her survival.
However, diabetes management is open 24/7.
Have you noticed a change in your overall happiness or energy level?
Management of type 1 diabetes requires strict control and affects many aspects of daily life, such as energy levels and sleep.
Riddell-Harding experiences these challenges firsthand.
She highlights the impact of sleep on diabetes management.
What kind of support did you receive from your family, friends, or support groups?
For Riddell-Harding, community and support are essential to managing her diabetes. She appreciates the balanced approach her family has taken:
She also reflects the broader meaning of parental support.
What do you hope you knew before starting insulin?
Rydel Harding View manages her diabetes as a continuous learning curve. Looking back at her transition to adulthood, she shares,
For more information: Insulin and weight gain: Do you want tighter control and loosen your belt?
What advice would you give to anyone looking to start insulin therapy?
Ridell-Harding reassures you that living with type 1 diabetes is easy to manage and not something to fear, especially when you start insulin therapy. She advises,
Are you starting your journey with insulin treatment? Learn all the essentials Insulin explained: What is insulin? How does it work? Was this article helpful? (Yes) or click “No” to let us know!
