Hey everyone!
So this is going to be a different kind of post, and may be a long one...but I wanted to share my "story" I guess you could say, just in case I can help anyone out there dealing with the same things I'm going through.
Also, I plan on making a video on this same topic and putting it on my Youtube beauty channel, but it's gonna be a while before I can film that.
So, I'll start off by saying, this isn't about getting sympathy, or trying to get attention in any way shape or form. I just want to share what I am going through, because I know it is hard, and if I can help anyone else going through the same thing, then that is what I want to do. <3
I'll start off by talking about living with Type 1 diabetes and what has happened. I won't go into all the details about what Type 1 is, because there is so much info on the internet already, but basically: my pancreas doesn't produce insulin at all, which makes my blood sugar extremely high and life threatening. Having high blood sugar can cause damage to my body and I could even go into a coma...which I am so lucky I DIDN'T: so this is what happened....
This past March, 2 months ago...(March 2012) I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I went into the ER because since Dec. 2011 at about the time of my honeymoon, I started having Type 1 symptoms. I didn't know that I was diabetic until I went to the hospital and was admitted, but I had symptoms for a few months, but thought they were caused by my new birth control pill since I had just switched. Symptoms were: peeing ALLL the time, yeast infections constantly, sleepy all the time, extremely fatigued, and I had a ton of weight loss over the past 3 months, till the hospital. My original weight was 100lbs, and I had dropped to about 85lbs. Well, my mom is diabetic (Type 2) and she asked if she could check my sugar on her meter, because she knew my symptoms sounded familiar. She checked it, and the meter didn't even read my blood sugar level, IT WAS THAT HIGH!
So the next evening I knew I had to go to the hospital, because you can die from having high blood sugar! So I went to the ER and got into a room, they ran blood tests and a urine test and it came back positive for ketones (which meant that the sugar in my body was spilling into my urine, since my body wasn't using it properly). I was close to going into ketoacidosis, which is a life threatening problem and can cause a coma.
So after being in the ER for about 7-8 hours, I was admitted into the hospital for 3 days. I was put on an IV-saline drip as well as an insulin drip. Then I was told all about diabetes, and that I had Type 1. From there...my life completely changed.
Now I have to take insulin shots daily to live. I take 2 types of insulin shots, one kind at night, and then another kind before I eat any meals or snacks. The insulin works just like a pancreas would, and keeps my sugar from rising when I consume food. I also check my blood sugar many times a day with a glucosometer, which means I prick my finger with a tiny lancet device then put the blood on a test strip, insert the strip into the meter, and it tells me what my blood sugar is. I do this all throughout the day, more often on some days than others.
So on top of taking shots daily, I have to be careful with what I eat. I have to limit my sugar and carbohydrate intake, so I switched to diet sodas and sugar free coffee drinks, and I also don't eat a lot of sweets anymore. It may sound awful, and I thought it was when I first got diagnosed, but I've adjusted very quickly and have my blood sugar under control now. For the most part, I enjoy the same things I used to eat before getting diagnosed, but I have to take insulin before I eat it, which is really all that has changed.
Being diagnosed and changing my lifestyle was only the beginning though...and now I'm going to go onto the other topic in the title: hair loss.
I stopped my birth control pill for a month prior to getting diagnosed, since I thought that the pill was causing my symptoms. After getting diagnosed I began the pill again. But with stopping the pill (which screws up your hormones) and being diabetic (which also deals with hormones) I noticed that my hair started shedding a whole whole lot. It kept getting worse, and is still coming out by the handfuls. My hair was really thick and for the most part healthy, considering I dye it a lot, but now it is thinning out a lot. and has thinned out a lot. I don'y have bald spots, but I do have places on my head that barely have hair, or its so thinned out that its transparent. So I got hair extensions to give my length and fullness back (plus I was sick of my short hair lol) But I've decided to wear wigs from time to time, since I want to give my hair a break from heat, and the tugging clip ins can do. I have a few wigs from a couple years ago that I can wear now, but I plan on investing in something good so I can wear it and be comfortable.
I am taking vitamins to renew my hair growth, but it is still hard to deal with. Being the girly girl I am, and even a woman for that matter, hair is important to me. I know it shouldn't be #1, but I do want hair on my head. It could be a lot worse, but it still kills my confidence. So wearing a pretty, long, natural looking wig does help. The hair loss won't last forever and will grow back, but I could continue shedding for the next 5-6 months before I see improvement.
And as for weight gain, I have gained my weight back and look so much healthier! I now weigh 108lbs, and I have never weighed that much! I'm happy that I'm putting some weight on, because dropping to 85lbs really killed my confidence as well.
So to end this, I don't really have a big advice book to write to anyone dealing with the same thing, but I do want to say that this isn't the end. You can adjust to a new lifestyle, and live a normal life! None of it is easy, but surround yourself with support and as much support as you can! Educate yourself and be in control of your disease. I have come across doctors who didn't know what they were talking about when it comes to diabetes, and DO NOT let others, even doctors tell you that you are a one size fits all type of diabetic! That is one thing that irritates me, because not everyone's body is the same. You know your diabetes better than anyone! And as for hair loss, try and make the best out of it as you can. I know that's stupid to say I guess, but I'm not letting it get me down 100%. Sure it isn't easy, but I know that it will get better, someday. For now, I'll wear wigs or do whatever I have to, to get back to 100% health, and I'll do so with a smile. :) That's all you can do! Keep striving and keep pushing for a good life! There's no reason in this world to give up over struggles :)
So hopefully, whoever is reading this, and even if you aren't going through the same struggles as I am...just know that no matter what life throws at you, it does get better. You never know how strong you are until that is your only option. Keep going, and don't give up. <3 Stay strong. >3
No comments:
Post a Comment