Head in the Sand Syndrome

[donnad]

I have been diagnosed as Type 2 for a couple of years. I was very good at the beginning but now I just seem to be pretending that its not me who has the diabetes. I have a bit of nerve damage in my foot but this does not seem to spur me on to behave. I have always been a bit confused about what to eat and have seen a dietician a couple fo times. I sometimes dont even test for a week or so at a time. I know I need to give myself a good kick up the bum but just do not have the energy or inclination to do so. Very down and don't know what to do now to turn this around.

 

[Andy12345]

hi, welcome

the problem is, its an effort, but oh dear if you dont make the effort, with nerve damage already you are heading for a bleak future, my dad ignored it under medical supervision and died at 67, the problem with death is, it too bloody late! amputations? too late! and so on, kick up the bum from me will mean me being mean, how many people with cancer would love to be able to fix themselves, how many people with mental illnesses would love to feel better just by eating better? how many soldiers with no legs would kill to be able to walk a mile a day? how many people with horrible things would love the opportunity YOU HAVE, its not too late! but it will be soon, be grateful for the fortunate position you find yourself in, youve been given a controllable "illness" ***, dont ignore it! dont kick yourself later because you couldnt be bothered to work at it now, its hard work? so what! dig deep, be grateful your only diabetic and stop wasting this one and only chance!

we can help you do it! food, exercise, meds it dosent matter what it is, leave a daily record here as motivation if you wish, but to save your life, act now! we are all routing for you to make you better, no one else can do it, get angry, grit those teeth, roar at the world, roar at the forum and show us all how amazing you are

because you are

be an amazing success or an amazing failure, its your choice, make the choice and live or die with the consequences

 

[uncle]

Sorry I am going to be a little bit harsh or very harsh depending on your point of few. The reason your tired and cannot be a**ed is probably your blood sugar levels being out of control! and you won't be able to give yourself a kick if you have to have your foot amputated, but now for a little bit of empathy, it is hard being diabetic and sometimes easier to pretend your well.
Don't try to do everything at once, start with the easy part, start testing and logging your BGs, have a look at the LCHF threads on the forum, gradually change your eating habits, and try not to be a couch potato, if you need to to do something do it, then sit down. Biggest thing don't be down on yourself come on here for a bit of support or a push if need be.

 

[Madbazoo]

Your situation sounds very much like me 12 months ago. Every 6 months I had blood tests and was then prescribed an increase or additional meds. I had cut out sugar, cakes, biscuits and puddings but thought the meds would deal with the rest of my food.

Then I was faced with injections and decided to start doing my own research to try to get better control. The thought of all the complications I had seen in a friend was added incentive as well. It was then I found this forum and for the first time started to understand all about type 2 and how to deal with it.

In 12 months I have managed to get my HbA1c bloods down to 35 (pre diabetic or non diabetic range), have lost over 20kg, taken 4" off my chest and 6" off my waist, reduced my blood pressure from 140/80 to 125/65, got my cholesterol under control and my fatty liver cured. At the same time I also was able to reduce medication from 6 to 1 tablet per day. All thanks to the advice and support of people on this forum.

I never wanted a short term diet fix but was looking for a change in lifestyle that I could maintain. I cut out all bread, potatoes, pasta, pizza, white rice, cereals from my meals but still managed to have a varied diet and never feel hungry or the need to snack.

Look at the Low Carb Higher Fat (LCHF) threads on the forum for more information and adapt it to suit yourself. And most important get your self a BS meter and test what effect different foods have on your blood sugar levels.

Hope this encourages you to think about getting control. Best Wished

 

[Molly56]

I have been diagnosed as Type 2 for a couple of years. I was very good at the beginning but now I just seem to be pretending that its not me who has the diabetes. I have a bit of nerve damage in my foot but this does not seem to spur me on to behave. I have always been a bit confused about what to eat and have seen a dietician a couple fo times. I sometimes dont even test for a week or so at a time. I know I need to give myself a good kick up the bum but just do not have the energy or inclination to do so. Very down and don't know what to do now to turn this around.

Reading your post I can see that you suffer from the same head in the sand syndrome as my partner....hope you manage to get some support on the forum here to give you the incentive to turn things around

 

[Randburg]

Hi,
Please read this thread, to get some idea of what problems you could be facing. If it does not wake you up to your situation, nothing will.
And look at other threads to see what damage could be lurking, through lack of self care.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/terminal-and-scared-update.54023/

Hope we hear good news from you, in future

 

[donnad]

I was a little surprised at the response that my post got. It took me a lot of courage to go onto the forum to look for support, maybe some people feel that the responses were what I needed to hear but I did think that this forum was a place for encouragement and help not people barrating me for seeming to be lucky to just have diabetes and not anything more serious. I really don't think that this sort of forum is for me and I will have to find the help I need elsewhere.

 

[JTL]

I was a little surprised at the response that my post got. It took me a lot of courage to go onto the forum to look for support, maybe some people feel that the responses were what I needed to hear but I did think that this forum was a place for encouragement and help not people barating me for seeming to be lucky to just have diabetes and not anything more serious. I really don't think that this sort of forum is for me and I will have to find the help I need elsewhere.

If you think writing I'm a diabetic and I aint doing very good at it ... as a random stranger on an anonymous forum takes courage then you aint got much hope I'm afraid.
Doesn't take courage to not eat that biscuit either ... some common sense and will power is much better and there's many on here struggling to do that so ... they seek help and support off each other on here.
This place is a mine of knowledge and experience but as in most mines you have to dig a little and chip away to get to the goodies.
If you can't be bothered to read a web site ... want nothing more than your head patting and your ego stroking ... wrong place.
Lot of people trying to help each other cope get well improve their lot ... that simple.
Welcome or goodbye ... up to you.

 

[sanguine]

I was a little surprised at the response that my post got. It took me a lot of courage to go onto the forum to look for support, maybe some people feel that the responses were what I needed to hear but I did think that this forum was a place for encouragement and help not people barrating me for seeming to be lucky to just have diabetes and not anything more serious. I really don't think that this sort of forum is for me and I will have to find the help I need elsewhere.

You're the one who recognised you need to give yourself a kick up the bum, but hadn't the energy or inclination to do it. Several posters gave ideas on what to do and that the high sugars themselves are possibly causing your apathy. To avoid further complications YOU have to do something. Give some sign that you're willing to give it a go at least.

 

[zand]

Well the replies you got may not have worked for you, but they certainly helped me to pull myself together and start trying harder. Thanks everyone.

hi, welcome

we can help you do it! food, exercise, meds it dosent matter what it is, leave a daily record here as motivation if you wish, but to save your life, act now! we are all routing for you to make you better, no one else can do it, get angry, grit those teeth, roar at the world, roar at the forum and show us all how amazing you are

If that's not motivational and helpful, I don't know what is. Do you get this much support from your HCPs?

 

[Andy12345]

I was a little surprised at the response that my post got. It took me a lot of courage to go onto the forum to look for support, maybe some people feel that the responses were what I needed to hear but I did think that this forum was a place for encouragement and help not people barrating me for seeming to be lucky to just have diabetes and not anything more serious. I really don't think that this sort of forum is for me and I will have to find the help I need elsewhere.

oh dear

 

[AndBreathe]

I was a little surprised at the response that my post got. It took me a lot of courage to go onto the forum to look for support, maybe some people feel that the responses were what I needed to hear but I did think that this forum was a place for encouragement and help not people barrating me for seeming to be lucky to just have diabetes and not anything more serious. I really don't think that this sort of forum is for me and I will have to find the help I need elsewhere.

Donna - I hadn't read your post until just now, then of course I have the benefit of also seeing your response.

As @sanguine pointed out, you signposted the need for "a good kick up the bum", so I'm wondering what sort of responses you expected, or at least would like to have seen? That's not a criticism, just trying to understand what you wanted to see if there is a better way the forum can move forward.

 

[Dillinger]

Life is all about choices and consequences. This person was just offered a route out of their problems, a route that many of us have taken to successfully deal with this condition.

If their response to that is 'you are being mean to me' then that's a choice too; the wrong choice but I think it's hard enough trying to help people who want to be helped to bother helping people who don't.

You claim to have courage @donnad ; show us then; keep posting and see what you can learn.

Best

Dillinger

 

[mo53]

Hello Donna. How are you? Mo

 

[Kezzer4321]

The problem I have found with Type 2 diabetes from my point of view is that it wont go away on its own, the doctor gave me pills and a print out to read, the diabetic nurse gave me a diet sheet they sent me away and said come back in 6 months and I thought that was it - I would be cured... I wasn't, and over the last 3 years or so things have gotten worse, my medication has increased, I've been down and depressed about it, feeling sorry for myself and blaming everyone for the position I am in. The last straw for me was going to see a liver specialist who told me I had fatty liver disease, he then proceed to tell me that if I carried on the way I was I would be dead long before my time.

I thought he was cruel and I cried all the way home. Why me why me!! Then I came across this website and this forum and I started to read and listen through the postings from everyone else. It took we about 6 weeks before I decided to buy a monitor and test my blood. In the very short time I have been testing, I have discovered amazing things about me and my food, I've also discovered that what I thought was healthy isn't and whilst I have a long way to go I am feeling more positive now that I am trying to do something than I did when I buried my head in the sand and did nothing but feel guilty.

Its funny too, I read all the replies people gave you as encouragement... changing your life style and living with this condition is hard, but the only person who can save you is you. There are no magic fixes, and if people told you only what you wanted to hear, it would be a waste of their time and yours.

I really hope you stay around and learn from all those people who have been there and done that before you.... they are proof that with a little effort and hard work, you can and will improve your quality of life and your condition.

 

[sanguine]

Well done Kezzer, it's never too late to turn things around.

 

[mo53]

@Kezzer4321 I read your motivational post but must ask how you are now? I hope things are working out for you

 

[donnad]

If you think writing I'm a diabetic and I aint doing very good at it ... as a random stranger on an anonymous forum takes courage then you aint got much hope I'm afraid.
Doesn't take courage to not eat that biscuit either ... some common sense and will power is much better and there's many on here struggling to do that so ... they seek help and support off each other on here.
This place is a mine of knowledge and experience but as in most mines you have to dig a little and chip away to get to the goodies.
If you can't be bothered to read a web site ... want nothing more than your head patting and your ego stroking ... wrong place.
Lot of people trying to help each other cope get well improve their lot ... that simple.
Welcome or goodbye ... up to you.

I would like to point out that I do not need my head patting or my ego stroking but did in fact think that I would be able to talk to like minded individuals who were having the same problems as me. My practice nurse is very good but I was after a little more information. Maybe I havent got much hope but I certainly don't sit around eating biscuits, I have plenty of common sense but am so depressed that I thought someone out there might be able to help. Obviously not!!

 

[donnad]

The problem I have found with Type 2 diabetes from my point of view is that it wont go away on its own, the doctor gave me pills and a print out to read, the diabetic nurse gave me a diet sheet they sent me away and said come back in 6 months and I thought that was it - I would be cured... I wasn't, and over the last 3 years or so things have gotten worse, my medication has increased, I've been down and depressed about it, feeling sorry for myself and blaming everyone for the position I am in. The last straw for me was going to see a liver specialist who told me I had fatty liver disease, he then proceed to tell me that if I carried on the way I was I would be dead long before my time.

I thought he was cruel and I cried all the way home. Why me why me!! Then I came across this website and this forum and I started to read and listen through the postings from everyone else. It took we about 6 weeks before I decided to buy a monitor and test my blood. In the very short time I have been testing, I have discovered amazing things about me and my food, I've also discovered that what I thought was healthy isn't and whilst I have a long way to go I am feeling more positive now that I am trying to do something than I did when I buried my head in the sand and did nothing but feel guilty.

Its funny too, I read all the replies people gave you as encouragement... changing your life style and living with this condition is hard, but the only person who can save you is you. There are no magic fixes, and if people told you only what you wanted to hear, it would be a waste of their time and yours.

I really hope you stay around and learn from all those people who have been there and done that before you.... they are proof that with a little effort and hard work, you can and will improve your quality of life and your condition.

Thank you for your encouragement

 

[JTL]

I would like to point out that I do not need my head patting or my ego stroking but did in fact think that I would be able to talk to like minded individuals who were having the same problems as me. My practice nurse is very good but I was after a little more information. Maybe I havent got much hope but I certainly don't sit around eating biscuits, I have plenty of common sense but am so depressed that I thought someone out there might be able to help. Obviously not!!

Sorry ... I'm not made of the right stuff to be a counsellor I'm afraid ... the Samaritans would never employ me either.
I hope you can accept my apology.
Great place this and many will be able to help I'm sure.