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Published Jul 13, 2022

#718 Pandemic Diagnosis

Nurse Lindsey shares her journey of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges of balancing her demanding healthcare career with effective diabetes management and the crucial role of support systems.
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Episode Highlights

  • Management

    Lindsey shares her journey of managing type 1 diabetes, emphasizing the importance of understanding blood sugar levels beyond just being "in range." She highlights the need for personalized management strategies, noting that higher blood sugars can lead to long-term complications. adds that many patients are not informed about the optimal blood sugar levels, which can hinder their management efforts 1. Lindsey also discusses her personal experience with maintaining an A1C in the 5s since her diagnosis, attributing her success to a proactive approach in avoiding blood sugar spikes 2.

    It's important because the people who think that higher blood sugars are better are the ones who end up having those long term complications.

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    She acknowledges the challenges of managing diabetes in a hospital setting, where temporary measures often lead to poorly managed blood sugar levels 3.

       

    Family

    Lindsey's family history with diabetes has significantly influenced her understanding and management of the condition. Her uncle's severe complications from diabetes, including blindness and kidney failure, serve as a stark reminder of the disease's potential impact 4. In contrast, her aunt, diagnosed at a younger age, benefited from early recognition of symptoms and has managed her diabetes more effectively. Lindsey reflects on her own diagnosis, noting that she didn't anticipate developing diabetes due to the lack of immediate family history 5.

    Compared to what she went through, I do feel extremely lucky.

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    This family backdrop underscores the importance of early detection and proactive management in diabetes care.

       

    Support

    Support systems play a crucial role in Lindsey's diabetes management journey. She emphasizes the value of community resources, such as the Juicebox Podcast's private Facebook group, which offers a platform for sharing experiences and gaining insights 6. Lindsey also highlights the personal support she receives from her partner, who actively engages in her diabetes management by monitoring her blood sugar levels and providing emotional support 7.

    He always asks questions. He has the Dexcom follow on his phone, so if I'm ever low, he'll text me.

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    This combination of community and personal support has been instrumental in helping her navigate the complexities of living with diabetes.

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