So what do you do?

Being new to the forums, I would be interested to know generally what other people's jobs are. I've had a few jobs, office-based and customer-service based which have never really been too challenging diabetes-wise.

However, I am hoping to become a barrister, and would really like to know how existing barristers cope in the formal courtroom environment.

Anyway, it's a long shot that there will be anyone on here who is or knows a barrister and so I just wanted to know what you do and how you manage your diabetes at work?

I for the most part inspect bridges and culverts for my local authority, mainly office based, but 2 days of the week I am out and about inspecting.......sometimes when i return i find i need a few carbs to bring my numbers up, but I always make sure I have some jelly babies with me..........

Prior to doing DAFNE and this job I was a site based engineer which was quite physical, especially on the bigger jobs, however my control was crap, on 2 jags a day and was in a mess really, tired all the time, skinny, riddled with thrush for over a year......so couldn't really complain of hypos as there was no chance of that happening........

Thank the lord for DANFE.......

Hi Guys,,, When I was a classroom teacher I found it ideal Your life runs to a bell! I then became a consultant and was on the road a lot...much more interesting and challenging but I was also able to run my own timetable. It required me to be much better organized. Only one incident...I was addressing a group of 20 odd parents (usual speil) then in the middle i just sat down. A teacher aide (also a diabetic) bought me a sticky bun,,,I had enough sense to eat it and then I just stood up and continued. The two doctors in the audience had no idea what had happened! Helen

I work as a Receptionist / Cashier at my local authority. My work load can be very demanding and unpredictable considering the customer demand is often very high.

I have been investigating the effects of mental stimulation on my BGs for a good few years now and I do find that my BGs can drop when I'm say, on the cashier post which can be non-stop for most of the day, but I do just sit and just take payments or answer payment queries which does suggest that it's not physical exercise alone that makes BGs drop.

I'm so glad you've not had any diabetic issues with your previous reception work - it gets rather annoying some days for me! Used to never have the trouble I do now when one of the receptions I worked on was a lot quieter and I only worked for two departments... hardly had to worry at all!

Fraid I don't do anything exciting. I am a registered nurse currently seeking work as I made the mistake of leaving the NHS 10 years ago and now can't get back in. I do wish that I had done DAFNE 10 years ago as t breaks very much depended on the business of the ward and what staff were on shift.
In saying that I learned very quickly to say "If I don't get something to eat now you'll be picking me up off the floor!"
They learned quickly to make sure I got my breaks lol

Wullie

I work in a factory and my managers are usually ok with me takin my breaks when i need them, needless to say they're not too happy when i need to go of the floor to fix a hypo, still tryin to work out my bi during my monthlys, so findin im hypo up to 3 times a day those wks. all in all i try to eat a few carbs at my workstation if i feel an symptoms of bein low rather than take time of floor to take bg test. i've had all sorts of problems with my work an my diabetes more bcoz they dont want to know about it they think its just a case of takin my medication and i should be fine to not bother with my diabetes for the rest of the day. my workmates are just as bad, they seem to think i enjoy bein hypo and have made comments like 'i wish i had diabetes, u get to take extra breaks and eat on the workfloor' bcoz my job is quite phsycal i wait till my bg is 4 or above after a hypo b4 i go back to work. I apologise that was more like a rant about how unsypathetic my work is where diabetes is concerned.

tweety said:
I work in a factory and my managers are usually ok with me takin my breaks when i need them, needless to say they're not too happy when i need to go of the floor to fix a hypo, still tryin to work out my bi during my monthlys, so findin im hypo up to 3 times a day those wks. all in all i try to eat a few carbs at my workstation if i feel an symptoms of bein low rather than take time of floor to take bg test. i've had all sorts of problems with my work an my diabetes more bcoz they dont want to know about it they think its just a case of takin my medication and i should be fine to not bother with my diabetes for the rest of the day. my workmates are just as bad, they seem to think i enjoy bein hypo and have made comments like 'i wish i had diabetes, u get to take extra breaks and eat on the workfloor' bcoz my job is quite phsycal i wait till my bg is 4 or above after a hypo b4 i go back to work. I apologise that was more like a rant about how unsypathetic my work is where diabetes is concerned.

Really interesting! JWo, I used to just leave my post to the other girl and have hot chocolate breaks! This only works if there are 2 of you though.

HelenP: That's good to know. Even if you're not a barrister, at least I know it's possible to pull off a hypo in public!

Tweety: That's really terrible, novorapidboi is right.

Tweety usually the best option is to speak to your line manager - it is very much a lack of understanding of how diabetes is treated thast leads to people being unhappy. Imagine how they will feel if you are DAFNE trained.
Before jumping on the discrimination line - talk to them. I informed my lline manager (all be it an Agency manager) but she is very aware of what I need to do and why so if any complaints come in she can deal with it appropriately.

Wullie (RNA)

Thanks Wullie, I know what u mean. I have spoken to so many line managers as they change so frequently for me. I have noticed that the ones who do understand only understand when it suits them, I've even had to produce letters from my opthamologist to get time of for clinics as im unable to c or drive after my appointment! (I've had laser done a few times now). They are a total nightmare, novorapidboi is right as soon as you mention DDA they couldn't be more helpful although it doesnt last very long. If it werent for my union fightin for me all the time i prob wldnt be there now, bn with company for 13yrs.