There are a few things you should consider with your diabetes. It can be as good or bad as you make it. Thinking about the negative parts of it is the natural thing to do, but there is plenty of good that can come of it as well. First up, free prescriptions. Sounds small, but this covers everything, not just diabetic stuff.
Next point, as diabetics we get a lot of medical tests done regularly, far more so than non diabetics. This means that any unrelated medical conditions will get picked up on much earlier, and for some that could be life saving.
The next thing to ask yourself is what it is that you are most afraid of. Is it the injections and blood tests, or is it admitting you have a condition you feel you can't control? If regular injections are a problem for you, it may be worth looking into insulin pumps instead. I met a diabetic of 40 years that had never gotten over his fear of needles. He was tormented daily by having to inject, and having an insulin pump fitted made a huge difference to him, because there was a lot less injecting.
The next point is the one that takes time: coming to terms with your diabetes. I was diagnosed age 3, so this has never been an issue for me. It's something I do, and in a wierd way I would miss it if it wasn't there. This is obviously very different for you. First of all, I went through university, and all the social aspects that came with it. I did not miss out at all due to my diabetes. That said, you need to control it and be sensible (easier said than done I know). The most important thing, and I can't stress this enough, is that you CAN get on top of this. I was a terrible diabetic as a teenager. I have only really started getting a handle on my own diabetes in the past couple of years, and I have been amazed how well I have done compared to before.
The way I did this was to change my outlook. I used to hide from my diabetes, and tell everyone on the outside that everything was fine, and it was not a big deal. The effect this had on both me and those I loved was not good. On the inside I was a wreck. I would lay awake at night wondering if I was damaging myself, and if I would be alive by the age of 40. What's more, my facade was not working. When my girlfriend asked about my diabetes, I would get irritated. I didn't want to tell her the truth, so I hid the facts. I told her it was all fine, everything was fine, stop asking, I'm fine. However, she had to deal with my hypos, and worried constantly. It was not until we got married that I really started looking at the future, and I realised things had to change.
Anyone that tells you that you can't control your diabetes is a liar, and that includes yourself. You will have days of poor control, there are no 100% perfect diabetics. Don't let that dishearten you. The first thing you need to do (I know this is hard but I promise you it will improve your life dramatically) is to acknowledge your condition. Speak to those close to you, I guarantee they will want to help. See this as a challenge, something to be conquered. I can't begin to tell you how pleased I get when I show my wife the 5.2 my blood test meter has just recorded, I am like a 5 year old with a drawing he has just done. It sounds stupid, but get that pride into your mindset. Every good blood sugar result is a win.
But how do you get good results? If it was as easy as just testing and injecting, life would be simpler. The truth is that it takes work and dedication, but it is so, so worth it. The more you understand diabetes, the better you can manage it. There is an array of literature out there, and various ways of eating that can help with good control. I have found that a low carbohydrate diet works very well, but this is a controversial topic, and has seen many a dispute on this forum and across the world. If you are interested in learning more, this video really opened my eyes.
. There is also Dr Bernstein's complete diabetes solution, which is a guide to normalising blood sugars by following a low carbohydrate diet. Whatever you decide, I would suggest reading the most up to date diabetes literature you can find, so you can better understand how to manage well.
The best way to get good control is to live by your test results. If you eat a meal and it sends your blood sugars high, think about why this was. It may be the portion was too large. You may need more insulin to cover it. It's possible that eating a smaller amount will make for an unsatisfying meal that you can't stick to. If that's the case, look for alternatives. An example: Potatoes are great at giving me high blood sugars no matter what quantities I eat them in. I found out about a vegetable called celeriac, which has a fraction of the carbs, and can be used in just about anything that would use potato. It takes longer to prepare, but I actually prefer the taste now. Every time you switch out a food for something else, that is a victory for you. It is something you can be proud of.
There will be times when you wonder if all this work can be worth it. Letting things slide is easy, in the short term. However, making a concerted effort has so many benefits. High blood sugars make you irritable and lethargic. Bring them down to healthy levels, and you will be amazed by your energy levels after a while One very important point though: if your blood sugars have been running high for a long time, you get used to the feeling to some extent. In the short term, normal blood sugars can then make you feel hypo and drained. This is quite a short term effect, but unfortunately it does require some willpower to get through. I found I felt a bit wierd for about three weeks with normal blood sugars. Testing your blood is massively important here, because sometimes you will feel hypo because you are. Keep a supply of glucose on you at all times (dextrose tablets work best for me).
It's a pain, but try and keep a diary of your results, food and insulin. That way you can measure your success, and work out where you can make changes if things are not working so well.
Always remember that this forum is here for you. You are more than welcome to share your experiences. Tried hard but had a bad day? Come on here and have a rant. Had a great day of exemplary control? Make a post and brag, shout it from the rooftops. Made a decision to avoid a type of food? Let everyone know, and post regular updates about how well you are doing sticking to your resolve. You can do it, you really can. Oh and one more point, discuss as much as you can with your healthcare team. They are paid for by the nation's taxes, so they have a duty to be as helpful as possible. Ask for their advice, and discuss ways to make controlling your diabetes easier.
Best of luck, once again, you can do it!
