Hi
@MisplacedIdentity, From Australia where everything is upside down!! From my experience as a type 1 diabetic, not as professional advice or opinion:
I have been on insulin for 52 years and still remember my own 'introduction' to diabetes in 1966!!
But.., to let you know that there is life after diagnosis, and happiness, joy and the ability to achieve things.
Your blood sugar levels (BSLs) are now very impressive, but as you say, hypos are more common. There is a very useful section on the Home page of this site, if you use the search box on the right upper section of the screen - and type in '
hypoglycaemia' (hypo = low, -gly = glucose, -aemia = in the blood) or 'hypos' for short. It takes time to 'fine tune' doses of insulin and how much you eat to help prevent hypos but trying to avoid them is best. Your health team is the most important source of help to you.
Our eyes/focus change when blood sugar levels (BSLs) are high. It can take some weeks for this to settle down once BSLs are nearer the normal range. Diabetics are generally advised not to have any measure and maybe change in spectacle prescriptions for at least 5 to 6 weeks after things have settled.
One step at a time: all of us have felt overwhelmed when we were first diagnosed. Trying to deal with all the information, emotion etc at once is impossible. So step by step, building on the experience you gain and information you receive. And we on site have made enough mistakes along the way to help you!!
Humour: As unhumourous as you last few weeks have been, developing humour does help to deal with one's emotions and to cope: For example: I used to refer to my insulin injections as 'javelin practice'; a husband and son of a mother with diabetes would bet on what her before-dinner BSL would be and the loser did the washing up, and I can still recall the funny parts of some 'hypo' experiences from the past: like when only 1 year after diagnosis back before glucose meters and with use of only basic insulins given with glass syringes and reusable needles and I was at a local swimming baths and went hypo. According to the swimming pool attendants I was found trying to put an imaginary token into the turnstile device leading to the ladies change room. Rather embarrassing as an Aussie male!! It is the ability to joke and laugh at one's self that can take the seriousness, guilt and shame out of being diabetic.
Breathe: I found that when stressed and worried I would hold my breath and in that state I was stuck, frozen, unable to think - which only makes the situation worse: When I consciously started to force myself to breathe evenly, not too deeply or fast, my mind clears and I could start to find ways to cope: The truck stuck in the tunnel had to wait for the young boy who was not distressed by the problem, who was breathing evenly, to suggest letting some air out of the truck's tyres.
Support: Congratulations on finding the bestest diabetes site there is: use your family, relatives , friends, health team, this site to help with supporting you (there will be future times when you will do your bit for them so no need to feel guilty at relying on them). And there is no such thing as a simple or obvious or silly question. It is through asking that we learn and we have all at some stage asked a question that we now look back on as obvious. And even after 52 years with insulin as my best friend I still learn things !! I just have to be careful not to assume that I know it all !!
So keep posting, asking questions, dealing with the most important things first such as BSLs, what to eat and avoiding hypos. Of course your own family situation needs some of your attention also. It is the challenge, not matter how underserved or unfair, that makes us stronger and more resilient. Best Wishes, fellow warrior !!
.......................It is all about balance.......Things to do not always go the plan........Things can be daunting at times
View attachment 30255 ....
View attachment 30256 ...... ..............................
View attachment 30257 .............................. ..
View attachment 30258
...................................But most things are possible
..........................................
View attachment 30259