Abeeda, 27, grew up in East London, acting as a young carer for her non-verbal brother who has advanced learning disabilities. When she turned 14, she began to experience symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
“I remember feeling horrible all the time, really sluggish. I had an unimaginable thirst, and 99% of the time I had a headache. I don't know how I got through it.”
A diagnosis of the condition at 17 gave Abeeda an answer as to why she had such symptoms. However, she struggled to cope with feeling like she was to blame for it and her mental health worsened.
Common misconceptions about type 2 diabetes include the belief that it is caused solely by eating sugar and only affects overweight people. In reality, it is a complex condition caused by genetics, lifestyle, and insulin resistance.
The turning point arrived when Abeeda moved to Norwich to study graphic design.
Her move led to the invitation from her doctor to join the COYOTE trial at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The automated insulin delivery system, sometimes called an ‘artificial pancreas’, is currently only offered to people with type 1 diabetes in the UK. The COYOTE trial is testing if the closed-loop system can also help people with type 2 diabetes.
For the trial, Abeeda wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a device that tracks glucose levels 24/7. A small sensor inserted under the skin measured her glucose every few minutes, sending real-time data to her smartphone. This offers an alternative to finger-prick tests for diabetes management.
She said the experience has changed her life, transforming both her physical and mental health.
“The trial was life-changing. I used to find it awkward and difficult to do a finger prick in public spaces. With the CGM, when I’d go out for social events or just in everyday living, I knew I could instantly check my phone to keep track of my glucose.”
- Abeeda
Abeeda felt she also learned more about her condition on the trial, giving her a sense of control over her life.
She said: “Having this level of support in my everyday life made such a difference, I felt like a different person.”
Abeeda was also glad to help others like her. She said: “It felt good to be in a trial that could potentially help other people in the same spot as me. My journey could mean other people wouldn't necessarily have to go through what I’ve had to.
“Everything about the research trial was really nice. I'm now waiting for another trial to go on!”
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