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Submitted by Vedashree Patankar on 18 February 2020

Vedashree, a 23 year old from India was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the age of 15. It changed her life completely and it took her time and effort to deal with the emotional aspects, the guilt and self pity. Read her journey of acceptance and moving forward.

How would you like to introduce yourself?

I am a 23 early jobber living with my parents and my grandmother with dreams and aspirations to study far away from home!

Please tell us a bit about your condition - when were you diagnosed, the early symptoms?

I was diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of 15. There weren't any telling early symptoms. But my parents are doctors and a spell of dehydration (as we thought at the time) led them to check my sugars which were through the roof. We then checked my HBA1c which solidified the diagnosis.

Is there a history of diabetes in your family? Was anyone diagnosed so early? Were you overweight?

There is a history of Diabetes in my family on both sides of the family. But no one to my knowledge has been diagnosed this early. No I was not overweight. It's a common misconception.

Please describe your experience of managing diabetes

I was immediately put on medications, they took time to get settled. Since it was so new, I needed to get acquainted with my own body and signals. The first 2 years were spent regulating the dosages. I did not have any complications. I did experience hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia during this period. We tried insulin also but the combination of medicines worked better. Currently I am on metformin, gliclazide and teneligliptin. 

What can you do when the blood sugar drops?

How did the diabetes diagnosis affect your lifestyle, school/college life, personal choices.  How has this changed your life perspectives and ambitions..

I had just entered Junior College. Navigating that in itself is tricky, add a disease to it and it's mayhem. I did not share the diagnosis with anyone for 2 years. I was ashamed, scared and felt vulnerable to judgement. After 2 years, I felt confident to share with my close friends. There was confusion, misconceptions but they took it in their stride and became my confidantes! It took a lot, Diabetes changes your lifestyle. The food is the most obvious but apart from that there is lethargy, weakness, frequent urination and irritability. It didn't bode well for a 16 year old.

I became conscious of what I eat. It changed my outlook on life. I became more patient, more open to experiences. Because everyone else tells you of the things you cannot do because of Diabetes. I took it upon myself to be as normal, to do all the things without feeling pity, ashamed or scared of my decisions.

I am kinder to myself.

Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition? Did you see a counsellor to help cope with the emotional distress?

The emotions in my opinion are the most difficult to cope with, the physical aspects can be managed. Managing the emotions of why this happened. And why me? It took me a long time to accept and dissipate the internal pity and guilt.

I did see a psychologist, she helped me to prioritise and name my emotions. That helped a lot going forward.

What is Diabetes Distress and how to handle it? 

What is the hardest part of living with diabetes? What were some of the challenges you faced and what is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?

The hardest part is accepting the condition, once you cross that bump its smooth sailing. My advice to other patients is get to know your body, don't let complacency set in and whatever you do, do not let others opinions, misconceptions affect your ability to manage the disease.

Have you learnt anything in managing in your condition that you wish you knew before?

I wish I knew how much role stress management plays in managing diabetes. And I wish I knew that I wasn't alone, I just needed to find a community of like minded individuals

How has the diagnosis of diabetes affected your family?

It has brought us closer. It has made us more mindful of each other's needs. Parents are my sounding boards and my punching bags at times. I still haven’t shared it with my extended family yet.

How has your family supported you? How did your friends treat you ? How does your diet change and lifestyle change impact your social engagements?

My family always makes sure I have the correct diet and medications are in order. I made new friends because of diabetes and for that I will forever be grateful.

The diet and lifestyle are like a sore thumb sticking out. I cannot simply do things on a whim, I have to plan carefully, I can't indulge the way my friends do, there are a lot of restrictions. But on the bright side, it has made me cognizant of being active and healthy. One has to embark on a health journey, mine just started due to diabetes.

Complete the following:

My motto in life: Keep at it!
I was inspired by: My fellow young diabetics
The strangest comment/reaction I received: Isn't diabetes an old people disease? How can you have it?
The funniest moment was: I freaked everyone in the office with my insulin needle jabbing
The most annoying moment: People asking me if I was obese/overweight when I got diabetes
The best thing someone said: It's just a disease, it shouldn't have to define you
I love: Eating food I that cook
I hate: When people pity me
I fear: That someday I will not be able fight the disease
My biggest support: My parents
The best gift I got : A lipstick from “sugar” cosmetics

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