You can't stay at home forever, and eventually you'll find yourself managing everything from all of your diabetes care, household cleaning, to paying the bills!
Don't let a busy life lead to diabetes complications. If you don't take care of your health now, it will have a greater impact on your life in the future by needing extra hospital care and medical attention.
TRANSITION AND INDEPENDENT DIABETES CARE
The transitional period from clinic care to taking charge of your own appointments can be difficult to juggle when many other areas of your life are also changing and evolving. This doesn't have to be too difficult, and you could even look at it as a positive situation where you are old enough and responsible enough to be in charge of your future diabetes care! Follow some of our tips to get the most out of your new situation:
- If there is one available near where you live, a transition clinic is a good way to merge into adult diabetes care. Transition clinics are for young people who are launching from paediatric care to independent care. The endocrinologists and diabetes educators associated with transition clinics are ready to help you if taking full independent responsibility for your diabetes is a bit overwhelming.
- If there is no transition clinic in your area, and it is no longer a possibility for you to attend your paediatric endocrinologist, then you will need to put together a plan on how to manage your diabetes independently. If you don't have a plan in place, it is really easy to forget to make appointments and have your diabetes monitored regularly by a diabetes specialist. Then you can end up on a 'slippery slope' with a gradual deterioration of your diabetes care - and your health.
- Many rural country areas do not have access to adult diabetes specialists. For most people, this means that they need to consult with their local General Practitioner (GP) about their diabetes care. The GP can then refer you to a diabetes specialist in another town or in the city, either yearly or whenever you are having trouble with your diabetes management.
- It is a good idea to book your appointments with your GP in advance (perhaps after each appointment), so you don't forget to make the next one, or let the time drag out. If you find you don't have a good relationship with your GP, or you find them hard to talk to, you can always 'shop around' to find a doctor that suits. Your local diabetes educator might be able to help you with this.
- Even if you don't have a diabetes specialist in the area, it is a good idea to try and see a Diabetes Educator regularly as well as your GP. They are also a great resource to help you manage your diabetes, and you might find that you don't have to travel quite so far to see a diabetes educator - they might also be available on the phone.
- The most important thing is that you DON'T FALL OUT OF THE SYSTEM!!!
