Insulin therapy is a foundational aspect of diabetes management, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. However, starting and successfully managing insulin treatment can be a challenging process, especially at first. The journey is different for everyone.
We sat down with Faith Riddell-Harding, a 22-year-old college student in Colorado who has had type 1 diabetes for almost 10 years, to talk about her experiences with beginning insulin therapy and how she has adapted over time.
Can you share a bit about your journey with diabetes before starting insulin?
Riddell-Harding was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in early adolescence, which is a difficult time for many.
She recounts,
She continues,
What were your initial thoughts and feelings about starting insulin?
Because she was in DKA at diagnosis, Riddell-Harding desperately wanted to feel better, so she pushed aside her apprehensions about insulin therapy.
She shares,
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Did you have any concerns or fears about insulin therapy?
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was an overwhelming experience for Riddell-Harding, intensified by her limited understanding of the condition at the time.
She reflects,
How did your healthcare team educate you about using insulin?
Riddell-Harding, like many others diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, was required to learn how to administer her own insulin before leaving the hospital.
Reflecting on this experience, she explains,
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What resources were most helpful in learning to manage your insulin therapy?
Riddell-Harding highlights the importance of personal responsibility in her diabetes management. She found that
She adds,
Can you walk us through a typical day of managing your diabetes with insulin?
Life with type 1 diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint, and Riddell-Harding knows that all too well.
She explains,
She also describes her routine around physical activities:
Riddell-Harding stresses the importance of patience in diabetes management, acknowledging that not every day can be perfect and adjustments are a constant necessity.
How has your daily routine changed since starting insulin?
Since her diagnosis, Riddell-Harding’s approach to managing her diabetes has evolved significantly. She explains,
Additionally, Riddell-Harding has embraced new technologies like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which helps her keep track of her blood sugar levels more seamlessly — a tool that wasn’t widely available when she was first diagnosed a decade ago.
What challenges have you faced since starting insulin, and how have you addressed them?
Transitioning through adolescence and into college while managing type 1 diabetes has not been easy for Riddell-Harding.
She explains,
She additionally addresses the personal impact of public perceptions:
Are there any tips or tricks you’ve found helpful in managing insulin injections or pump therapy?
Staying positive is crucial, according to Riddell-Harding.
She shares a specific technique to cope with the pain associated with insulin injections.
How has insulin therapy impacted your lifestyle, diet, or physical activity?
Riddell-Harding is aware of the essential role insulin plays in her survival, for which she is grateful.
But managing diabetes is 24/7.
Have you noticed any changes in your overall well-being or energy levels?
Managing type 1 diabetes demands rigorous control and affects various aspects of daily life, including energy levels and sleep.
Riddell-Harding experiences these challenges firsthand.
She emphasizes the impact of sleep on managing diabetes:
What kind of support have you received from family, friends, or support groups?
For Riddell-Harding, community and support have been vital in managing her diabetes. She appreciates the balanced approach her family has taken:
She also reflects on the broader implications of parental support, noting,
What do you wish you had known before starting insulin?
Ridell-Harding views managing her diabetes as an ongoing learning curve. Reflecting on her transition into adulthood, she shares,
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What advice would you give to someone who is about to start insulin therapy?
Ridell-Harding reassures that life with type 1 diabetes, especially once you start insulin therapy, is manageable and not something to fear. She advises,
Are you starting a journey with insulin treatment? Learn all the essentials in Insulin Explained: What Is Insulin and How Does It Work? Did you find this article helpful? Click Yes or No below to let us know!
