Insulin therapy is a fundamental aspect of diabetes management, especially for patients with type 1 diabetes. However, starting and properly managing insulin treatment can be a difficult process, especially at first. Everyone’s journey is different.
We spoke with Faith Liddell Harding, a 22-year-old Colorado college student who has had type 1 diabetes for about 10 years, about her experience starting insulin therapy and how she has adapted over time.
Can you tell us a little about your battle with diabetes before starting insulin?
Liddell-Harding was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in early adolescence, a difficult time for many people.
She says:
She continues:
What were your initial thoughts and feelings about starting insulin?
Having DKA at the time of her diagnosis, Liddell-Harding pushed her fears about insulin therapy aside in hopes of feeling better.
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Did you have any concerns or concerns about insulin therapy?
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was an overwhelming experience for Liddell-Harding, compounded by the limited understanding of her condition at the time.
She recalls:
How did your health care team educate you about insulin use?
Liddell-Harding, like many others diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, had to learn how to administer insulin on her own before leaving the hospital.
Reflecting on this experience, she explains:
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What resources have been most helpful to you in learning how to manage your insulin therapy?
Liddell-Harding emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in diabetes management. she found it
She added:
Can you walk me through a typical day using insulin to manage diabetes?
Life with type 1 diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint, and Liddell-Harding knows it all too well.
She explains:
She also explains her routine regarding physical activity:
Dr. Liddell-Harding emphasizes the importance of patience in diabetes management, acknowledging that not every day is perfect and adjustments are always needed.
How has your daily life changed since you started taking insulin?
Since her diagnosis, Liddell-Harding’s approach to diabetes management has evolved significantly. She explains:
In addition, Ms. Liddell-Harding has adopted new technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which helps her track her blood sugar levels more seamlessly. This tool wasn’t widely available 10 years ago when she was first diagnosed.
What challenges have you faced since you started taking insulin and how did you deal with them?
Navigating through adolescence and college while managing type 1 diabetes wasn’t easy for Liddell-Harding.
She explains:
She also addresses the impact that public perception has on individuals.
Do you have any tips or tricks to help manage insulin injections or pump therapy?
Liddell-Harding said it’s important to stay positive.
She taught me specific techniques to deal with the pain associated with insulin injections.
How has insulin therapy affected your lifestyle, diet, and physical activity?
Liddell-Harding recognizes the critical role insulin plays in her survival, and is grateful for it.
But diabetes management is 24/7.
Have you noticed a change in your overall health or energy levels?
Managing type 1 diabetes requires strict control and affects many aspects of daily life, including energy levels and sleep.
Liddell-Harding has experienced these challenges firsthand.
She highlights the impact of sleep on diabetes management:
What support did you receive from family, friends, and support groups?
For Liddell-Harding, community and support were essential to managing her diabetes. She appreciates the balanced approach her family has taken.
She also reflected on the far-reaching impact of parental support, saying:
What do you wish you knew before starting insulin?
Riddell Harding views managing diabetes as a continuous learning curve. Looking back on her transition to adulthood, she says:
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What advice would you give to people who are about to start insulin therapy?
Liddell-Harding reassures that life with type 1 diabetes is manageable and not something to be feared, especially once you start insulin therapy. She advises:
Ready to start insulin therapy? Learn all the important details Insulin Explained: What is insulin and how does it work? Was this article helpful? Let us know by clicking Yes or No below.
