I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 14 years. I was diagnosed at age 4, I have been scared to join these sites because of ridicule judgement and bullying in past experiences. I don’t know what to do about controlling my sugars, dealing with school (senior year
High school), two jobs, family
And my love life… I feel it’s too much and I just would like to not have a lot of pressure you know?
Unfortunately I know exactly how you feel. I’ve only had T1D for about 9 years; I was diagnosed when I was 10. Somehow I still can’t seem to get my sugars under control. I feel like in order to have a healthy life I have to be a diabetic 1st and person 2nd but thats super stressful and not a fun way to live.
@dunnwitht1, @Helen,
life is what it is. If I waited around for the perfect moment Id’d spend my life waiting… if I am waiting for a time when “all this” settles down… then I am in for an even longer wait.
since life is what it is, then the pressure comes from how you look at it. (you can’t change the world, you can change how you feel about it). I suffered many years from depression and had issues with anxiety, these things get better with therapy and when you are open to talking bout it.
I am really sorry you have had trouble with bullying, I hope it was not from this site. PM me if it was and I can alert the main moderators.
we have to deal with an incurable, chronic disease. taking care of diabetes is painful and irritating. the only reward for doing a perfect job is we get to feel normal for a little while, while the penalty for ignoring diabetes or denial can be devastating. We are dealing with it is 24X7 with no breaks, no vacations, and no time off for good behavior. it can wreck your brain if you spend your days wishing you never got diabetes or praying it would go away, or waiting for that cure. there is no normal life, there is no dress rehearsal, this is really all we have. I can promise you that it is possible to find happiness, serenity, compassion, strength, and hope, but it can take a lot of work and require physical and emotional growth.
i’ve been doing this since 1979, I am 38 years into a life sentence with no chance of parole, and if I think about it ONLY in that way, then I am doomed to depression. the best place for me to be is in a place where I feel like I can help other people. this can be in great things or in tiny things. try a fundraiser, try a diabetes walk, run, or ride. get involved with advocacy, be a counselor at a diabetes camp for kids, study biomedical research or engineering and cure it, whatever, but if I am doing something, anything really, then I feel better. if you don’t believe me then prove me wrong. try to do something and tell me if it’s better or worse after.
Well I have been doing this since 1950 and still going strong.I exercise regularly by cycling (Not downhill or along level area roads, but up a 25 degree incline for approximately 8 miles. I walk instead of going by car to collect post, milk, newspapers etc. That would be a seven mile walk. Although I am 67 years of age, have had 2 total hip replacements and a back fusion, I remain positive and motivated. Do not ever allow negativity and self pity to ruin your life.
Remain motivated, watch your diet portions and eat as few carbs as possible. Test regularly (4 to 5 times a day) and be proactive in terms of control.
One soon learns correct portion sizes and what to avoid.For goodness sake leave out the highly processed, refined foods and switch to very low calorie unprocessed foods, lots and lots of vegetables (Greens), fruit and grilled low fat meats. (Game meat is the healthiest). Remember animal fats (Processed meat, full cream milk,cream,butter, gravies) drastically increase cell absorption resistance to insulin, and the only way to alleviate that is by exercise.
Good luck and do not ever give up or loose interest.
OShoot,
Can you give me a reference for this: " Remember animal fats (Processed meat, full cream milk,cream,butter, gravies) drastically increase cell absorption resistance to insulin, and the only way to alleviate that is by exercise." This is a new one on me. I’d like to know more about it.
The reason I ask, is, I consume a lot, compared to others I know, of heavy whipping cream in my coffee, butter on everything like steamed veggies and for cooking my eggs. I don’t eat much processed meat and never milk or “gravies”.
I do eat low carb and consume most of my calories in animal based foods. Fresh and tasty.
Oh yes, Type 1 for 20 years. Stable and never been unable to take care of myself. No emergency room visits, ever. Online prescription i’ve ever had is for insulin. The rest, as it seems with you, is up to diet and exercise. And I’m 53 years old.
Please share your info on the cell absorption resistance,
Thanks,
Andrew
I was having a hard day today, and just posted something similar to this, which I’ve never done before either after 12 years since being diagnosed.
Do you have someone in your life who is really understanding and supportive, someone to cheer you up for a little bit? That’s the only thing I’ve found that really helps me. It’s like a temporary fix though, we’re always going to have to deal with this and it totally sucks on top of all the regular life stuff. If you deal with things day by day and have someone to talk to when you’re feeling under pressure it definitely helps. I guess we just need to deal with what the most important thing is right at that moment instead of taking on everything all at once.
I know from experience that the more stressed you are the harder it makes it to control sugars though, so when you’re having a rough time just do something that makes you happy for a while. Try and forget about everything and catch up on it later. Even though you’re super busy, if you allow yourself to take a break then you can come back to school or work or your blood sugar when you feel a little more relaxed and refreshed. It’s hard enough already to balance everything, but it’s even harder when you’re in a negative mindset.