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Already sick of this ...

M

Mad76

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,
Sorry in advance for being negative.... diagnosed 6 weeks ago after a really serious dka and im feeling really down in the dumps.
I hate being diabetic, losing the fredom to eat and do what i wamt without considering the consequences. Just thinking last night i cant even fall asleep early and not woery about not taking my lantus for over night ..

I know im sounding moany and feeling sorry for myself, but i just cant shake off this negative feeling :(
 
Diagnosis is a big shock and having had DKA your mind and body will still be recovering. Over time, the routine kicks in and it is easier to manage everything. You do have some lee-way with when you take your basal so an early night or nap should not be too much of a problem.
 
Diakat said:
Diagnosis is a big shock and having had DKA your mind and body will still be recovering. Over time, the routine kicks in and it is easier to manage everything. You do have some lee-way with when you take your basal so an early night or nap should not be too much of a problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks, i do hope so. Its all really overwhelming right now. And reading up.online is also making me worry aboit all other risks
 
Mad76 said:
Thanks, i do hope so. Its all really overwhelming right now. And reading up.online is also making me worry aboit all other risks
Click to expand...
Perhaps take a step back for a while? Research is great, knowing what you are doing really helps, but right now just concentrate on the basics and then when that feels ok get onto reading.
We can scare ourselves silly otherwise and if you are feeling low anyway the horror stories will make it worse.
 
Sorry to hear you are in the diabetes club. It is a shock at first and a lot to take in.
I was diagnosed 30 years ago, with two children ( Ex had previously left) so I just got on with it. No internet, no one to talk to, but maybe that's what made me stand up, be strong and keep going.
It will get easier in time, you have diabetes, so don't let it overwhelm you or burden you, it is manageable, so don't let it hold you back.
Take care
Tagging, @therower @helensaramay @Knikki, @Fairygodmother, @porl69 and @Mel dCP who maybe able to support and advise.
 
@Mad76 . Welcome to the forum.
Stop reading online.
Start talking to real time type 1’s on this forum. Type 1 stars r us is a great thread. It offers an insight into how a lot of very long term diabetics live with being diabetic interspersed with newbies like yourself.
There is a lot to take in and it can mean making big changes to how we live our lives. Importantly though we still do live our lives and actually have a hell of a lot of fun along the way.
The one thing that diabetes thrives on is negativity, it’s the greatest weapon it possesses. In time you will be able to think more positively and things will be far easier.
There are a lot of people who will be more than happy to help you.
 
Hi @Mad76, and thank you for the tag @Robinredbreast.
Yes, diabetes does take a bit of getting used to and it’s common to feel depressed and angry in the first weeks. It can seem as though you’ve suddenly had a load of prison bars set around you cutting you off from your former life.
Once you get to see how you can deal with the beast the bars begin to disappear. You can begin to be used to ways to calculate how much insulin you’ll need to eat carbohydrates and you’ll begin to understand how your own body deals with different foods and situations.
I suspect that at this stage you’re on set doses while the medics see how much insulin you’ll need for daily life and once the know this you’ll be able to juggle everything to encompass the things you want to do. Am I right?
I think it was Foucault who said ‘knowledge is power’ and as soon as you have more knowledge of the ways your own diabetes can be managed you should be much more in control. The secret is to see yourself as the one in command.
Ok, it won’t always follow orders, but if it rebels then your knowledge, which you’ll eventually have, will give you the tools to regain control.
One of the tools I use is the alarm on my phone that tells me when I need to take the long-acting insulin (like your Lantus). With this I know I can let my attention go elsewhere. It’s also possible to set your timing so you always take the Lantus earlier and therefore go to sleep earlier. You can take it with you if you go out. I use a frio pouch to keep insulin cool when I’m out and about.
It’s early days for you so you might be able to cut yourself a bit of slack if you don’t expect everything to be perfect.
As for all the horrible things that can happen to a person who doesn’t achieve good blood sugar levels, well I think these appear frequently on the net because humans like sensationalism! There are lots of us on this forum who, like knikki, have had diabetes for many decades and haven’t succumbed to the nasties. 49 years since diagnosis for me, and no complications.
See if you can be put on the list for a Dafne (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) course - it helps regarding being in control.
And you’ll meet others there and be able to share your experiences.
And, of course, have a hug. I think you need one
 
Diakat said:
Perhaps take a step back for a while? Research is great, knowing what you are doing really helps, but right now just concentrate on the basics and then when that feels ok get onto reading.
We can scare ourselves silly otherwise and if you are feeling low anyway the horror stories will make it worse.
Click to expand...
Great advice. Google really is not my friend at the moment. Im unfollowing facebook pages too. Making me extra stressed reading all the things that can go wrong
 
Hello, Welcome to the most fabulous club,

I am sorry you feel down :( It does take some time to come to terms with it. However it's not all too bad if you don't ignore your new friend, diabetes. Once you have done more research, get up to speed with carb counting - definitely ask about a carb counting course to adjust insulin. You'll be like me waiting in mcdonalds and drooling over the options on the menu. :hilarious: Not ideal but it doesn't take your freedom to eat. Also, if your diabetes team has any referrals for a clinical psychologist tailored towards diabetes and long term health conditions, please do ask.

You're not alone on this journey, we are sailing the same boat towards the same goal - better management, understanding and control. It's always a learning curve and don't feel bad for asking questions in future.
 
therower said:
@Mad76 . Welcome to the forum.
Stop reading online.
Start talking to real time type 1’s on this forum. Type 1 stars r us is a great thread. It offers an insight into how a lot of very long term diabetics live with being diabetic interspersed with newbies like yourself.
There is a lot to take in and it can mean making big changes to how we live our lives. Importantly though we still do live our lives and actually have a hell of a lot of fun along the way.
The one thing that diabetes thrives on is negativity, it’s the greatest weapon it possesses. In time you will be able to think more positively and things will be far easier.
There are a lot of people who will be more than happy to help you.
Click to expand...
Thank you, i know what you say makes sense. I just need to try be more positive i guess, and stop seeing thos as a life sentence . I have a 7 year old son, and i really worry about the effect this could have on him. But again im probably just panicking
 
Recently been diagnosed with a chronic condition and just spent time in hospital feeling lousy. I can understand why you don’t feel great at the moment.
We all have bad days and those of us with diabetes have bad diabetes days. But, as has already been said, things will get easier. The extra planning you need to do becomes second nature.

I was very lucky when I was first diagnosed by having a very positive dsn who told me “diabetes shouldn’t stop you doing what you want”. I have tested that sentiment but, so far, she has been right. I eat what I want (and calculate my insulin dose accordingly), I travel both for work and pleasure, I try out all different types of sport from climbing to sailing to running to flying trapeze (is that last one a “sport?”) to darts. Basically, I love my life with the same ups and downs as I would without diabetes.
You don’t have to hike up mountains in Nepal or sky dive or get a job that requires you to do lots of flying. But you can if you want.

When I think diabetes is trying to get in my way, I think of people in the public eye like Halle Berry, Henry Slade and Theresa May. I may not agree with everything they do or say but if they can win an Oscar, score a try against Ireland or run a country with type 1 diabetes, I should be able to overcome my next hurdle.
 
Knikki said:
Thanks for the tag @Robinredbreast

Hello @Mad76 welcome to the forum, I've grown up with diabetes, it's who, what I am but yes I can imagine how devastating a diagnoses can be especially in adult life.

How ever it is not the end of the world.

Early days will be trick just because there is so much to learn and take onboard, get to know your medical team, ask questions, or haunt the forum there is usually someone around to either to help or shoulder to cry on :).

I would not worry to much about the "effects" the condition can cause, the net is full of it, things like that, there are few walking wounded around the forum, but many long termed T1 with hardly if any side effects.

Early days, take care and welcome to an exclusive club.
Click to expand...
Medical team
Gp useless. Misdiagnosed me as type 2.
Nurse quite good but basically has told me to get on with it. I think i bombarded her with too many questions
Consultant appointment in a couple of months
 
Fairygodmother said:
Hi @Mad76, and thank you for the tag @Robinredbreast.
Yes, diabetes does take a bit of getting used to and it’s common to feel depressed and angry in the first weeks. It can seem as though you’ve suddenly had a load of prison bars set around you cutting you off from your former life.
Once you get to see how you can deal with the beast the bars begin to disappear. You can begin to be used to ways to calculate how much insulin you’ll need to eat carbohydrates and you’ll begin to understand how your own body deals with different foods and situations.
I suspect that at this stage you’re on set doses while the medics see how much insulin you’ll need for daily life and once the know this you’ll be able to juggle everything to encompass the things you want to do. Am I right?
I think it was Foucault who said ‘knowledge is power’ and as soon as you have more knowledge of the ways your own diabetes can be managed you should be much more in control. The secret is to see yourself as the one in command.
Ok, it won’t always follow orders, but if it rebels then your knowledge, which you’ll eventually have, will give you the tools to regain control.
One of the tools I use is the alarm on my phone that tells me when I need to take the long-acting insulin (like your Lantus). With this I know I can let my attention go elsewhere. It’s also possible to set your timing so you always take the Lantus earlier and therefore go to sleep earlier. You can take it with you if you go out. I use a frio pouch to keep insulin cool when I’m out and about.
It’s early days for you so you might be able to cut yourself a bit of slack if you don’t expect everything to be perfect.
As for all the horrible things that can happen to a person who doesn’t achieve good blood sugar levels, well I think these appear frequently on the net because humans like sensationalism! There are lots of us on this forum who, like knikki, have had diabetes for many decades and haven’t succumbed to the nasties. 49 years since diagnosis for me, and no complications.
See if you can be put on the list for a Dafne (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) course - it helps regarding being in control.
And you’ll meet others there and be able to share your experiences.
And, of course, have a hug. I think you need one
Click to expand...
Thank you for the hug! When ileft hospital i was on set dosages of novorapud and lantus. The consultant and nirse have told me how tp adjust the novorapid according to what im eating. I also bought the carbs and cals book to help guide me. Its just a lot of info at the moment. I have the libre which im fonding is grwat because ots really reassuring. After the awful dka im so paranoid if it wasmt for the libre id b pricking my finger all day long !!
 
So sorry for all those typos !!!!! Thatll teach me to re read before posting
 
Knikki said:
Yeah unfortunately it is not uncommon to miss diagnosed as a T2 in some respects, early on we tend to share similar symptoms, however they are very different.
Would still question the nurse but hopefully when you see the consultant things will be on the up :)
Click to expand...
I sound harsh saying the gp is useless. But when i first saw him with the symptoms he barely looked at me. Said im type 2. Probably because im fat. Gave me pills and literally sent me on my way.
It took me nearly dying from dka for him tp have a proper conversation with me.
I cant help but feel a bit bitter.
Not healthy i know !
 
Mad76 said:
Thank you for the hug! When ileft hospital i was on set dosages of novorapud and lantus. The consultant and nirse have told me how tp adjust the novorapid according to what im eating. I also bought the carbs and cals book to help guide me. Its just a lot of info at the moment. I have the libre which im fonding is grwat because ots really reassuring. After the awful dka im so paranoid if it wasmt for the libre id b pricking my finger all day long !!
Click to expand...

I love the libre too, and the best bit is the graphs and notice of highs and lows over the last days. It helps with adjustment. I do also use the finger prick to confirm a high or a low.
Glad you’ve got Carbs and Cals, and very glad you’ve found this forum!
All the info will become less overwhelming as you get used to it, and as someone diagnosed in the late 60s I’m a little envious of all the tech, food labels, advanced insulins, etc available to a newly diagnosed person today.
You’re in good company on this bit of the site, we’re happy to share.
Have you looked at T1 Stars are Us yet?
 
Welcome Mad76 As is always said, to the club no one wants to belong to. It is early days, and a lot to get your head around. It sounds like you are doing well so far. When you have your next appointment discuss the timing of your basal. It should be at your convenience and not interfering with an early night, or indeed an evening out. As others have mentioned come join the Type 1’stars R Us. Lots of lighthearted moaning and general life, but amazing support too.
 
@Mad76 . It may seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. Rest assured the light is there, sometimes it is better to let the light come to us instead of going headlong searching for it.
We all know you have a huge amount to take on board. Even after 20+ yrs I’m still learning.
Try to learn a small bit at a time, don’t set your goals and targets unachievable.
From what I’ve witnessed in life motherhood is far and away a greater challenge.
Being a mother will give you the ability to deal with diabetes.
Good luck.
 
therower said:
@Mad76 . It may seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. Rest assured the light is there, sometimes it is better to let the light come to us instead of going headlong searching for it.
We all know you have a huge amount to take on board. Even after 20+ yrs I’m still learning.
Try to learn a small bit at a time, don’t set your goals and targets unachievable.
From what I’ve witnessed in life motherhood is far and away a greater challenge.
Being a mother will give you the ability to deal with diabetes.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you x
 
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