Nick Johnson, 24 years

Hello! Who are you? And tell us a little bit more about your diabetes.

I was diagnosed when I was 15 years old. I didn’t hide my diabetes, but I also didn’t grow up with it.

It was mostly emotional, and realizing I was going to have a disease with me for the rest of my life. I had planned to join the military. It was my dream that was taken away from me by diabetes, and it put me in a very dark place for most of high school.

“It was mostly emotional and realizing I was going to have a disease with me the rest of my life.”

Nick Johnson, United States

Your treatment

How do you treat your diabetes, did a lot change over the past years and are you able to manage it well?

Currently, I use a Dario glucose meter and insulin pens. I had been on a Dexcom G5, but that was very expensive, and I couldn’t afford it for more than one year. I am using Basalglar and Humalog insulin. Before that, I used Lantus and Novolog. I have tried a Toujeo sample from my endocrinologist.

Mentally, it’s draining. I’ve had so many highs and lows (Pun intended). I was found to have anxiety and panic disorder after my diabetes type 1 diagnosis, which has made my current situation a rollercoaster. I try to remain positive; however, I think diabetes is a constant negative chilling in the back of my mind.

On a scale of 1-10. Ten is ‘on the ball,’ and 1 is ‘no care at all.’ I’m a 6. I do skip some injections, and I tend to run high when sleeping for fear of dead-in-bed syndrome (DIB). I have an endocrinologist. They aren’t very helpful or empathetic. I do have a pharmacist who is very kind and helpful.

Can you recognize the symptoms of a low/high blood sugar? Do you test often and can you tell a bit more about your experiences with low blood sugar?

Sometimes, I can recognize them. I get shaky, confused, and very warm. 70% of low blood sugars are felt with these symptoms.

I’m supposed to check four times daily, but sometimes, it’s up to 10 because my glucose levels throw me curveballs.

I chug any non-diet soda I have to cure my low blood sugar. Occasionally, I use juice boxes.

I’ve had two hypos that resulted in loss of consciousness. One was post-workout. Passed out in a GNC (store) and came to the ER. The second one was while at work, and my continuous glucose monitor (CGM) was giving bad readings due to the battery on its way out. I woke up in an ambulance after seizing at the desk.

Food and diet

How does your diabetes affect your eating and do you find being on a diet restrictive?

I don’t eat breakfast. I Just drink coffee. Typically, I skip lunch. Around noon, I have a sandwich. Dinner is always around 6pm and varies.

I don’t vary my insulin dose if I eat something different. I try to follow the same routine no matter what I eat, or I avoid bad food altogether.

I try to drink lots of water. Sometimes, I drown myself, and other days, I struggle to get a couple of glasses. I sometimes skip meals and eat snacks like string cheese or pork skins in between meals.

A diet is basically a restriction of foods, so I’d say yes, that I find it restrictive. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. I get annoyed a thousand times when people ask about eating certain foods.

Do you believe that a plant based diet can improve diabetes? Did you ever experiment with this?

I believe a well-rounded diet is still best. I understand that a plant-based diet’s low glycemic index could be very helpful in diabetes management.

Do you have a hard time eating out in a restaurant? And what are you thoughts on making this easier?

When eating out at unfamiliar places, I tend to eat whatever I want and correct my blood sugar levels with insulin once I’m finished. I think it would be cool to see items listed on the menu in the way gluten-free items are listed. Perhaps have a carb count and glycemic index next to dishes, which is best for those eating low-carb. Since keto diets are a big thought right now, diabetics wouldn’t be the only ones benefitting from that.

“On a scale of 1-10. 10 being ‘on the ball’ and 1 being ‘no care at all’. I’m a 6.”

Nick Johnson, United States

Exercise and work

Does your diabetes restrict you from exercise or your daily job?

I lift weights, cycle, and use the sauna six days a week. Roughly 2 hours on the floor and half an hour in the sauna. I’ve worked in an office at a desk as well as in construction. Office work had no real effect on my diabetes. Construction is a different story because I was never doing the same thing each day. Kept me on my toes.

Final

Do you have any positive or negative effects because of your diabetes?

I don’t beat myself up. My mantra is just to do my best day in and day out. I have really good days. And really bad ones, too. Dwelling on a bad day isn’t going to help. Instead, I just take it as it comes.

The hardest part was that I hated needles as a kid. Now, they don’t even make me flinch. I struggle most with the disease in general. I am no replacement for an autonomous organ.

I’m constantly worried about going low. So much that I would rather run 200-300. After having two seizures, it made me realize that the room for error with diabetes is so small, but the complications that result are huge.

The best part is, I’ve been much more grateful about my life and empathetic for people who are worse off than I am. It changed my outlook on life. I was in a very dark place and addicted to drugs around the time I was diagnosed with T1D. It was a wake-up call, for sure.

I am lucky to live in the United States, where care is more easily accessible than in other developing countries. My heart goes out to those who don’t even have the basics.

What is the best advice that you can give to non-diabetics, new diagnosed diabetics and diabetics?

It doesn’t “go away”. Diabetics can be very crabby people. Most people not dealing with a lifelong disease have no idea of the mental strain.

Take this seriously, it’s going to suck. It isn’t going to be fun, and you may need to make lifestyle changes. But stay on top of it and anything is possible.

But make some time to have fun. If you aren’t feeling right in the head, seek out a therapist. They are amazing, and I find mine to be very helpful.

What would you ask the other diabetics?

Do you have any tips and tricks to pick yourself up when you’re having a rough day or when numbers aren’t cooperating?

Share your thoughts in the comments. I cannot wait to hear from you!

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