Tips For Processing a Diabetes Diagnosis

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

For many people, the hardest part of living with diabetes comes at the beginning. Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can be shocking and scary. Getting such news is not only unexpected, but it also raises countless questions and worries about what the future will look like. But getting a diagnosis is the first step in treating and managing diabetes. Getting the information and answers they need from their doctors puts patients in control of the disease, rather than the other way around.

Here are some tips for how to process and deal with an unexpected diabetes diagnosis:

  • Give yourself time. Rare is the person who walks out of a doctor’s office with a shrug and devil-may-care attitude after being told they have diabetes. You’ll be feeling a lot of emotions: sadness, anxiety, disbelief, anger, guilt, just to name a few. Allow yourself time to feel any or all of these things in the days and weeks ahead. Over time, as you educate yourself and learn how to manage your condition, these feelings will pass.
  • Get support. Your doctor and other members of your medical team will guide you through the implications of diabetes and the things you will need to do going forward to keep your blood sugar in check and minimize the chances of complications. But don’t neglect your mental health. Whether you lean on friends and family, seek professional help, or join diabetes support groups and communities, discuss your feelings and fears honestly and openly.
  • Empower yourself with knowledge. You don’t know what you don’t know about diabetes. The more you educate yourself about the condition and how to manage it, the less scary things will become.
  • Try to relax. Find ways to relax your body and take your mind off your worries, such as exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.
  • Keep hope alive. You’ll quickly learn that a diabetes diagnosis isn’t a death sentence, it doesn’t mean that you won’t ever be able to eat your favorite foods or enjoy your favorite activities ever again or that your life will be turned upside-down. Once you make the necessary lifestyle adjustments and become more comfortable and confident about monitoring your blood sugar levels, you’ll soon realize that you are the same person living largely the same life you did before your diagnosis.

Making Diabetes Management Easier With Continuous Glucose Monitoring

One way to make glucose monitoring more comfortable and convenient is through Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Traditional glucose monitoring involves pricking a finger multiple times a day to test blood samples. Now, however, technology has provided those with diabetes with a more accurate and easier way to keep track of their blood sugar levels. CGM is a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay in control of their condition and their lives.

If you have recently received a diagnosis of diabetes, ask your doctor about CGM and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading