How do others control their diabetes?

Pepe1895

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
I'm 20, (21 in a few months) and I've been diabetic since I was 15. For the first year my control wasn't perfect but it was ok you know as it was all new to me. Then when I was 16/17 I just didn't give a **** at all and since then have struggled. Struggling right now. Developed BG retinopathy, had to leave my job cause I was always sick and so tired. Even though I've always been told I'll develop complications if I'm not careful, now I'm older and slightly wiser it's kind of hit me, if you know what I mean, that I need to start looking after myself. I'm trying really hard and I get frustrated but you are not alone. Just try your best. if you ever wanna talk to someone just message me
Amy

Thank you amy :)
I know how what you mean that's how I am too. Its comforting to know there are other girls my age out there that are dealing with the same thing but also I wish it wasn't the case
 
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Pepe1895

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
@Pepe1895 try to change the way you see a result on a meter. It's so easy to see an out of range result as a dig at you with your meter saying 'you got it wrong (again)'. Try to see it as a piece of information that you can use. Keeping a diary can help. I am **** at that so found that downloading results onto a computer helped. Also getting someone else to look at them helps. My husband could spot patterns where I could only see 'you're ****, you got it wrong'. Unfortunately you have to learn to cope with this. Your life will be different from other 21 y olds but different doesn't have to be boring or restricted. Take control of diabetes. Don't let it control you.

Thanks CJOtter
What you said is very true. Baby steps and I'm sure I will get there. Reading other people's questions and comments have haloed a lot already
 

Pepe1895

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi @Pepe1895

Thank you for sharing your post and being so open. I definitely don't think that you are alone. I also suffered from depression and anxiety, the latter of which I still have but I have significantly improved on the former and recently stopped taking anti depressants, as I found a much better and healthier alternative - exercise and a better diet (not skinny twig ***** but just an improvement). This actually has helped so much, and I know it sounds cliché but it really really does help. And if you are a person who dislikes exercise, I think try and be open about it because the serotonin released from exercising actually makes you feel happier and more energized so you actually start to enjoy it once you get into the habit of doing it.

For example I do a mix of yoga, strength, cardio and kick boxing - all using YouTube workout channels for 20 - 60 minutes five days a week. It has helped boost my confidence and self worth, and it has also helped regulate my sugar levels because of the matabollic boost.

I totally understand your experiences, because I was diagnosed as type 1 a few years ago, not too far off the age that uou are now. Like you, I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with friends. But this came at a price. The type of friends I had back then we're really ignorant about my condition, and I wanted so badly to fit in that I went out and drank a lot, didn't pay much attention to my diet or checking my BG.

Worst scenario, I was left in the girls bathroom (friends said "leave her she will be fine") and the club was closing, so finally two cops came in and I was slurring and puking up all over myself. They called my dad to take me to hospital and they found my BG at 29 with high ketones- that's very bad. I was ill for take days in hospital, being sick everywhere. It was horrible. The same "friends" only texted to feign concern and ask if I was ok. Only my best friend and a close friend came to see me and check if I was alright.

For years I suffered with depression and still only ever wanted to fit in with that group. It wasn't until I matured a bit more that I realised nobody needs friends like that, who can't be bothered to learn the signs and warnings and look out for you in emergencies but expect you to do everything to be one of them. It was then I started taking care of me.

So my point is, don't worry so much about the social stuff. Real friends will stick by you and look after you. Lucky for me I now have a very caring and loving oher half who reminds me to look after myself.

Last point, if you are on the implant have it removed. This caused me so many mood problems for years. I had mine removed a couple months ago and wow I feel so so much better! Not as down and also noticed a bit of weight loss from it.

If you need to talk then holla at me :) all the best x

Thanks swazzle

I am actually very fortunate to have very good close friends that care about me which I am so thankful for. I have also had experiences with alcohol like that and have recently decided to distance myself from my friends only because of the drinking to try avoid any fall backs or loss of motivation to better myself. When I'm having bad days with my mental state I find I have in the past drank and left my diabetes to pay for it, ending up in hospital with high ketones and being put on drips. I have worried my friends and family a lot in the past when I have been drinking and feel like it needs to stop.
The exercise is something I 100% agree with but because of my depression I sometimes find it extremely hard to just do it if you understand what I mean. I hate the thought of exercising but after it's all done I do feel great. I think finding something I enjoy might be the way to go.
As for the the implant that is very good to know thank you for the advise with that.
Thank you
 

Pepe1895

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Way to go, baby steps and keep going slowly steadily x the biggest change for me was going on a DAFNE course,your GP will be able to book you on if you think it will help? There were a few of us who had been diabetic for many years and were not sure whether we wanted to be there. By the end we all agreed it had been life changing. Hope this helps x

That's very good to know I have been told before about the DAFNE course but up until now I have never been interested enough to actually look into doing it. I will definitely take that into consideration
 

ekundayo

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
bad food
hi there I have not been on the forum for some time now but find it useful to dip in now and again for extra motivation. have been type 1 diabetic for 12 years 2 months (initially diagnosed type 2) - and I would say it took me 10 years to really get a grip and fully appreciate that this is my diagnosis and an important part of my life. the positive aspect to diabetes is that we can have quite a bit of control but it does require effort like many things in life eg relationships, studying, child rearing etc. I now monitor daily normally 4 times a day and more if necessary eg when I feel not quite right and I follow a low carb diet most days of the week. when I slip I use a bad word but know I can make it better with the next meal and injection. I am motivated now by how good I feel and wanting to enjoy the simple things in life.
I have found it very helpful getting the rest of my life more organised in order that I can better manage my diabetes - works the other way too - when you manage your diabetes you manage other aspects of your life better.
some messages need to be heard head on - if we have sustained raised blood sugars we increase greatly the risk of complications which affect our eyesight, nerves, heart, gut and other areas.
tomorrow is really the first day of the rest of your life.
what works is individual but for me as mentioned earlier
  • low carbs diet
  • feedback from monitoring blood sugars
  • drinking water and ensuring good sleep
  • walking
  • reading
  • socialising
  • diabetes forum, other stuff be it on YouTube / books like Dr Bernstein's diabetes solution and also blood sugar 101 by dr Jenny Ruhl
  • attending appointments with your diabetes health professional even if you don't want too.
  • Cooking healthy food from scratch.
  • the list goes on
I also know some people have had CAT (Cognitive Analytical Therapy) for diabetes which has been of help.

yes I do drink alcohol though limit the amount and I do eat the wrong thing sometimes but this is not a regular habit.
there is a lot of pleasure in life that does not rely on drinking excessively and eating copious amounts of carbohydrate laden food.

like someone said earlier in this thread - the fact you have come to the forum suggests you are indeed ready to do things differently and better (most of the time!)
hope to hear of your progress in the coming months
SOLIDARITY
xx:happy:

Ps I am age 58 - you will have so much ahead of you
 
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