Diabetes Burnout.

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18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Heya guys u feel I need a bit of a rant because no one I know is diabetic nor has anyone looked after my illness when I was young and because I have mental health issues the diabetes has plagued my mind, all I keep thinking about is what I'm losing but I can't seem to pick myself up. I know I'm in an difficult relationship but it because we both have adhd and he didn't know. I've got him diagnosed and things are getting better but it's still hard we've been waiting for therapy off the nhs for 4 years I feel it's not going to happen.
Ever since my step dad died when I was 13 I've struggled with my diabetes the people who looked after me couldn't even medicate me right let along feed me correctly or inject me. My insulin wasn't even kept in a fridge I hated my biological father for what he did he love he's drink more then anything and was heavy handed when drunk, i dont know why soical services put me there. there was no heating for water or the radiators. Many times I tried to end my life because I didn't want to be a burden to anymore and after my brother died I just lost my grip on relatity. I suffer with lots of nerve damage now I'm 28 and I don't want to die anymore I want a chance to live a normal life but I've been burnt put for years with my depression. The diabetic team keeps on letting me down and doesn't care and I cannot bare the torture of hospital again, they take take my insulin away and denice me pain relief when I'm giving Oramorph by my doctor because I vomit blood. Please I don't want my story to end like this I'm so scared and don't know what else to do.

Sending big ((( (HUGS ))))) as you have been through so much. I hope you will comeback and let us know how you are X
 
Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
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Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
It’s difficult to trust a medical professional who doesnt have T1 themselves. I’ve talked to nurses who really have no clue about form function cause and effect of (trying) to live with T1D.
Then again the shame, sadness and self hate is a personal thing.

Hi @ThaxT1D, never be ashamed, diabetes is just a small part of who you are.
I wish you all the colours of the rainbow - except blue x
 

ThaxT1D

Member
Messages
5
When your spouse moves out of the bedroom and no longer loves you ?
Tell me my life wasn’t wrecked by T1d ! I dare you. Sadness shame and it’s my fault. Autoimmune means you did it yourself.
remember god is spelled in lower case. Because she/he does not exist.
Happiness gone.
 
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ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies
When your spouse moves out of the bedroom and no longer loves you ?
Tell me my life wasn’t wrecked by T1d ! I dare you. Sadness shame and it’s my fault. Autoimmune means you did it yourself.
remember god is spelled in lower case. Because she/he does not exist.
Happiness gone.
I hear your pain. What should be different in your life? You go fight for everything you want. If you want it badly enough. I hear your feistiness so you go get what you should have. You can do this!
 
Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
When your spouse moves out of the bedroom and no longer loves you ?
Tell me my life wasn’t wrecked by T1d ! I dare you. Sadness shame and it’s my fault. Autoimmune means you did it yourself.
remember god is spelled in lower case. Because she/he does not exist.
Happiness gone.

It's supposed to be through sickness and health, love and care, if I had a partner who did that, who treated me with such
indifference, I wouldn't want to be with such a person :(
Any autoimmune conditions, is when the body attacks it's self, no blame whatsoever to that person.
Take care

.
 

Hatpacker

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I think that most of us likely go through this period of frustration if not worse. And I still have times when I feel like giving up. But with support and little victories progress will come... Though it is also like a religion where you think everyone else are "unbelievers" full of the wrong stereotype impressions of what DM is and yet still ready to dispense advice and experiences.... yawn... it is or can be a lonelier life... the answer is simple tho. Persistence.
I was impatient for progress maybe even a solution and got very cross. But I have never given up. It is I think appropriate to get a new balance. Try to look at it longer term. You WILL succeed but it may take a year before you really can look back and wonder why you got the way you are now.
I call it the tyranny of numbers. Stupid digits on a tiny screen ruling our lives and bring joy or misery. This is of course nonsense. It is in our heads, it is a state of mind. And therein lies the answer to your frustration. Keep trying and maybe different tacks are needed. Maybe you simply need to get organised and do a table and keep filling it in day by day for a month say and be detached a bit more. Go back and revise based on the trends that will appear... it probably needs a different menu or a change in relative amounts. And you can always put what you do up here for feedback.
All the best... ! 8)
For anyone going through tough times regarding their diabetes management and from reading on the forum how some younger type 1 members really, really struggle, this is a must read for all.Remember you are not alone.

Connecting people with diabetes

Putting the Brakes on Diabetes Burnout


Helen Edwards; Founder and Director Diabetes Counselling Onlinewww.diabetescounselling.com.au
Diabetes burn out is a common problem for many people, but what is it? Basically this occurs when you grow very tired of managing your diabetes. You might experience feelings of exhaustion and instead of sticking to your regular blood glucose checks, medications, exercise, insulin and other self care tasks, you only do them partially or possibly neglect them altogether for a period of time. It is more than just having a bad day. You just can’t seem to muster the motivation to keep on managing and the guilt and stress about what this is doing to your body just builds up…..adding to your distress.

The challenge for people living with diabetes and this includes family members and caregivers, is to walk the fine line between stress and worry about diabetes, with feeling comfortable about where diabetes sits in your life. You need to try and have perspective about what your goals are and what you can realistically manage at this moment. When you balance this you are able to better manage under times of stress and prevent burn out. One of the biggest things that can help is to have good support. This includes from family, friends, other people with diabetes and your health care team. Exercise and relaxation strategies really help. Learning mindfulness, which teaches you to worry less and be present in your daily life helps to reduce anxiety and distress. Being able to feel in control and have a tool kit for what to do when things feel like they may be getting out of control in any aspect of your life really makes a difference. Diabetes is not just about your blood glucose and stress and problems in other areas of life will have an impact on you control. So it is important to make sure you stay healthy in all areas of your life and keep on top of stress.

Diabetes is different to other chronic disease as it requires self management by you on a daily even hourly basis, with guidance from your health care team. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by all the tasks you need to do and the day to day effort needed to manage. Burn out is particularly likely if you work really hard at managing your diabetes but the results are not what you would like. It is also more likely when you have pressure or stress in other areas of your life that you feel you can not control. Diabetes burn out can last a short time, be ongoing, or can come and go. Studies have shown that a majority of people living with diabetes do experience worries, fears and negative feelings at some stage. Some high risk times where you may experience burn out due to added stress or changes in your life include:

  1. If you are not meeting diabetes targets, frustration with lack of movement towards your health goals
  2. Experiencing family/relationship problems, breakdown or violence
  3. Transition or times of change in your life
  4. Loss of someone you care about or other grief/loss
  5. Experiencing poverty or homelessness
  6. Drug and alcohol problems
  7. Problems with work and financial stress
  8. Other physical or mental health problems – such as another chronic disease, depression, mental illness, eating disorders
  9. Pregnancy – planning pregnancy and trying to conceive, during pregnancy and parenting when you have diabetes yourself
  10. Growing older and dealing with changes to your body, your health and your diabetes
  11. Diagnosis of diabetes complications
The recent 2011 study Diabetes MILES which surveyed over 3000 adults with diabetes in Australia found that overall, people were least satisfied with their health, as compared to other aspects of their life. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin had lower levels of satisfaction across all life areas (e.g. health, relationships, safety, standard of living) as compared to adults with type 1 diabetes or with those who had type 2 diabetes but were not using insulin. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin were also more likely to experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than other respondents. Moderate to severe depressive symptoms affected 35% of adults with type 2 on insulin, as compared to 22% of those with type 1 and 23% of those with type 2 who were not using insulin. Moderate to severe anxiety symptoms also affected 19% of adults with type 2 who were using insulin, as compared to 15% of those with type 1 and 14% of those with type 2 non-insulin-managed diabetes. Adults with type 1 diabetes were more likely to experience severe diabetes-related distress than other respondents. 28% of adults with type 1 diabetes experienced severe distress, as compared to 22% of people with type 2 insulin-managed and 17% of type 2 non insulin-managed diabetes. The most commonly reported problem area for respondents (consistent across diabetes types and treatment regimens) was worrying about the future and the development of diabetes related complications.

Rates of diabetes related distress are high yet people are often scared to ask for help, particularly if they have not been managing well. It is important that you DO ask for help and remember there is no such thing as a silly question! Most of us get tired of doing everyday tasks and diabetes sure adds to those! Few people can maintain all the tasks of diabetes care week-in, week-out AND keep blood glucose and HbA1c’s in the narrow target range all the time. Without realistic expectations and practical strategies for managing the thoughts, feelings and emotional side of diabetes, the risk of burnout is higher. The way we think and talk about diabetes has a major impact on how we feel and manage diabetes. Using words like “ high and low” blood glucose instead of “good and bad” can help and so does using CHECK instead of the word TEST when talking about blood glucose monitoring. The reality is most people have an immediate reaction to a high or low BGL. That is normal and fine, but once you have this reaction move on to looking at the number and working out how to manage this and prevent it in the future if possible.

Seven Steps to dealing with Burn out

  1. Consider what particular areas of diabetes are causing you problems – usually it is not all of it! Then develop steps for sorting these areas. Get help if needed.
  2. What else is happening in your life that might be conflicting with diabetes care, or making it harder?
  3. How might you address these things?
  4. What are your expectations for your diabetes management? Do you need to lower or increase your expectations?
  5. What sorts of thoughts and feelings are you having about diabetes/
  6. How are you managing these and are these strategies working? What have you tried?
  7. Do you have any support? Is it the right support? Is it enough support? If not, how can you get this?
Support is vital. Make sure you get this from a variety of sources:

  • Health Care Team
  • Family and friends
  • People with diabetes
  • Online and in person
  • Books, magazines and other sources of information
  • Counselling and other specialists
  • Take time out from diabetes and other stress – try to be a “human being” not always a “human doing”!
Diabetes might thrive on maths – to be corrected and added up BUT You are not a maths problem! See yourself as a sunset – not something to be solved, but appreciated –your achievements, attempts at change, dreams and goals – sit back and appreciate them from time to time and remember there is more to life than diabetes.

This all sounds so easy. The body is a bothersome thing. I think I have the diabetesII under control. Insulin and pills at regular and appropriate times, not too many carbs, fresh cooked diet, home made soups, often vegan friendly even though I like eating meat. Then for no reason I can fathom up go the blood glucose numbers. More insulin if I do it right 70 units of insulin then 95 units at bed time. Usually a 12 fast between 9pm and 9am. When the BGL Go up I stop taking my medications. Wrong? Probably but it keeps me sane, just about. Diabetes is a pernicious nasty disease that gets worse over time no matter how well you stick to the medication regime. Don’t get me started on why I think the medication exacerbates the diabetes rather than helps.
 
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Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
This all sounds so easy. The body is a bothersome thing. I think I have the diabetesII under control. Insulin and pills at regular and appropriate times, not too many carbs, fresh cooked diet, home made soups, often vegan friendly even though I like eating meat. Then for no reason I can fathom up go the blood glucose numbers. More insulin if I do it right 70 units of insulin then 95 units at bed time. Usually a 12 fast between 9pm and 9am. When the BGL Go up I stop taking my medications. Wrong? Probably but it keeps me sane, just about. Diabetes is a pernicious nasty disease that gets worse over time no matter how well you stick to the medication regime. Don’t get me started on why I think the medication exacerbates the diabetes rather than helps.

Diabetes can be predictably unpredictable. I can't really comment on your management, but without Insulin, I wouldn't be here. Sometimes we feel so exasperated and so frustrated with diabetes and the BG's, I know I have many, many times. but still battling on and remembering my signature :
TYPE 1 since 1989, SOLDIER IN THE INSULIN ARMY, FIGHTING THE WAR AGAINST DIABETES

Take care and stay safe.
 

ianf0ster

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
2,398
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
exercise, phone calls
This all sounds so easy. The body is a bothersome thing. I think I have the diabetesII under control. Insulin and pills at regular and appropriate times, not too many carbs, fresh cooked diet, home made soups, often vegan friendly even though I like eating meat. Then for no reason I can fathom up go the blood glucose numbers. More insulin if I do it right 70 units of insulin then 95 units at bed time. Usually a 12 fast between 9pm and 9am. When the BGL Go up I stop taking my medications. Wrong? Probably but it keeps me sane, just about. Diabetes is a pernicious nasty disease that gets worse over time no matter how well you stick to the medication regime. Don’t get me started on why I think the medication exacerbates the diabetes rather than helps.

Hi Hatpacker, Although Carbohydrates in excess of what your body can tolerate is the main reason for high BGL in a Type 2 diabetic, there are lots of other things which can spike BGLs including:
1. Stress
2. Lack of Sleep
3. Other medications such as statins and Steroids
4. Infections
5. Injury

If you are cutting carbs then that seems like a very large amount of insulin you are taking.

It puzzles me as to why you mention often eating 'vegan friendly' when you say you like meat. It is much harder to go l9ow carb on and still get your protein and nutrients on a vegan way of eating and so unless you are trying to cut out meat for ethical reasons I don't see why you would want to make it harder for you to be healthy. Note that those extraordinarily healthy 100+ yr olds in Japan are not vegan - they eat a heck of a lot of fish (and some also eat meat). Even many of the 7th Day Adventists in Loma Linda eat meat once per week (they still call themselves vegan if they do so).

Why would you stop the medications when your BGL is high? - The whole point of them is to reduce the BGL in the short term (with the longer term effect of making your insulin resistance worse, your weight higher and you pancreas more worn out in the longer term). We all know that long term it makes no sense to give increasing doses of Insulin a T2 diabetic, just as it makes no sense in the long term to use medications which wring as much Insulin as possible out of the pancreas until it fails and effectively puts them in the same state as a Type 1 of having no natural insulin production.
 

ShailyManohat

Newbie
Messages
1
I think most of us are likely to go through this frustration period, if not worse. I still have times when I want to give up. But progress will provide support and led to small victories... Although it's also like a religion in which you think everyone else is "unbelievers" full of false stereotypical impressions of what DM is and still ready to give advice and experience. Remember, you're not the only one to go through this and many other things you thought and felt rasped. Just to say I sat and cried saying all I want is a moment of peace when I've been in a hypo state for 24 hours. But after 17 years I'm still here and I'm still fighting. Never ever allow your to win.
 
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aard

Well-Known Member
Messages
141
well I for one feel totally burnt out and have given up over xmas. Everything I like has carbs in it.

Of course this has resulted in me having the highest blood sugar recordings I have ever recorded and the last two days I have literally collapsed and zone out for couple of hours from diabetes related sleepyness.

So tommorow I guess it's back to the grind following awful diet because the only thing worse than low carb diet is feeling like **** every day due to diabetes :(
 
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Ymdawd

Well-Known Member
Messages
498
Type of diabetes
Type 2
well I for one feel totally burnt out and have given up over xmas. Everything I like has carbs in it.

Of course this has resulted in me having the highest blood sugar recordings I have ever recorded and the last two days I have literally collapsed and zone out for couple of hours from diabetes related sleepyness.

So tommorow I guess it's back to the grind following awful diet because the only thing worse than low carb diet is feeling like **** every day due to diabetes :(

If truth be known we all probably have periods like this. As you correctly point out most likeable food has significant amounts of carbs in it. Been there done that.
Unless diabetes is going to win the war you just have to knuckle down and get on with it. Hang on in there my friend.
 
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Sheepish

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Needles!
Eating, especially going to restaurants.
well I for one feel totally burnt out and have given up over xmas. Everything I like has carbs in it.

Of course this has resulted in me having the highest blood sugar recordings I have ever recorded and the last two days I have literally collapsed and zone out for couple of hours from diabetes related sleepyness.

So tommorow I guess it's back to the grind following awful diet because the only thing worse than low carb diet is feeling like **** every day due to diabetes :(
Hello, I'm totally with you that everything I like has carbs in it. I had my annual mince pie and a very small roast potato on Christmas Day, then back to the **** 'it-isn't-a-diet' diet. No idea how much my BG spiked because the diabetes nurse won'tlet me test. I'd be even more anxious and obsessive than I am already, apparently! I never felt physically bad with diabetes; didn't know I had it for probably 10 years or more, but I've felt bereaved, depressed and anxious about food since I got the diagnosis. I hope you can keep going. I just tell myself I only have today to get through, then do it again the next day. You're not alone!


Edited by moderator in line with forum policy on acceptable language
 
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1970clea

Well-Known Member
Messages
419
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
If the diabetes nurse doesn't recommend testing you can still get your own meter and test strips for a reasonable price. The ones I get from Amazon are about £14 for 100 strips, as I don't get any from my doctors either. Testing really helps work out the food that have to go.
I have tried many meters over the years, they seem to be much improved these days though. Currently using a Gluconavii.
 

Sheepish

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Needles!
Eating, especially going to restaurants.
If the diabetes nurse doesn't recommend testing you can still get your own meter and test strips for a reasonable price. The ones I get from Amazon are about £14 for 100 strips, as I don't get any from my doctors either. Testing really helps work out the food that have to go.
I have tried many meters over the years, they seem to be much improved these days though. Currently using a Gluconavii.
Thank you. Quite a few people have said this. I had no intention of asking the NHS to pay for it, anyway. I'll look into it further, though the market seems rather saturated. I only need to have an adjustable lancet (seriously needle phobic!) and not anything highly technical.
 
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aard

Well-Known Member
Messages
141
Thank you. Quite a few people have said this. I had no intention of asking the NHS to pay for it, anyway. I'll look into it further, though the market seems rather saturated. I only need to have an adjustable lancet (seriously needle phobic!) and not anything highly technical.

you dont see the needles, even when you take lancet apart they are really small.
I could never put a needle in my like say drug users.

They feel flat to touch and you press them in like the end of a pen , at least the one i have. I originally thought they would be like syringes.
 

Fluffycat_

Member
Messages
15
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Just found the thread it's very intresting I am struggling at them moment as I have been off work sick with a chest infection since nov and still not going away. I am struggling to eat. As constant antibiotics make me loose my appitate or not eat sensible. It is dose not help i have other health issues. I am the main cook and find it hard to cook decent meals for 1 when my mom is unable to eat as she has gastroprisis so often has sick days where can't eat as being physically sick.

I am having trouble with ladies prombles as well so get really bad cravings for either sweet or savory.
Had a routine when i was at work but now no routine as i am just sleeping a lot. So making bad choices as don't want to cook. My cravings at the moment is bread sticks i have a few most days as this month is a savory carbs craving can be sweet like chocolate.

I have a gp who never see we don't have a diabetic nurse as she left and it is now managed by the very busy practice nurses I have not seen them in person for over a year as due to covid no face to face at my dr's I have my annual blood done just get all ok contiune with the metformin 1000 mg (2 × 500g) after evening meal as take a very slow release coated tablets as others trigger my ibs.
 

jokei

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So, having read the literature on what to do about burnout, I cannot at all say I am impresed.

* I don't want to discuss this with friends, family members or any kind of support, that is just further reinforcement of how I hate being diabetic.

* Give myself a treat day. A treat day would involve not being a diabetic - but, let's say I do, a "treat day" doess nothing to balance out the grinding tedium of it all and pre-diabetess for me a treat day would have involved cocaine and lots of alcohol and an element of surprise at where I woke up, but none of that now. A chocolate bar? Wow.

It's been burnout ssince day one and I'm now in year 6 and even with the odd indulgence here and there, it'ss still the ssame grinding bull ****. Go see my GP? Well, maybe if the GP had had ssome competence and actually advised me I could die if I didn't go see the pre-diabetes team or whatever, then perhaps I'd have some sembleance of not wanting to make the GP cry at every given opportunity, she's got Tourettes, every time I go she tells me she'ss got Tourettes, I've been asking her about her medication for Tourettes, because apparently I'm the GP now, maybe we should put it in my medical notes that my GP has Tourettes? Change my GP, they're all the same insipid * that irritate me.

Yeah, it's a bit angry, but for 6 years I've been nothing but angry.
 

SaskiaKC

Expert
Messages
6,308
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Hatpacker, Although Carbohydrates in excess of what your body can tolerate is the main reason for high BGL in a Type 2 diabetic, there are lots of other things which can spike BGLs including:
1. Stress
2. Lack of Sleep
3. Other medications such as statins and Steroids
4. Infections
5. Injury

If you are cutting carbs then that seems like a very large amount of insulin you are taking.

It puzzles me as to why you mention often eating 'vegan friendly' when you say you like meat. It is much harder to go l9ow carb on and still get your protein and nutrients on a vegan way of eating and so unless you are trying to cut out meat for ethical reasons I don't see why you would want to make it harder for you to be healthy. Note that those extraordinarily healthy 100+ yr olds in Japan are not vegan - they eat a heck of a lot of fish (and some also eat meat). Even many of the 7th Day Adventists in Loma Linda eat meat once per week (they still call themselves vegan if they do so).

Why would you stop the medications when your BGL is high? - The whole point of them is to reduce the BGL in the short term (with the longer term effect of making your insulin resistance worse, your weight higher and you pancreas more worn out in the longer term). We all know that long term it makes no sense to give increasing doses of Insulin a T2 diabetic, just as it makes no sense in the long term to use medications which wring as much Insulin as possible out of the pancreas until it fails and effectively puts them in the same state as a Type 1 of having no natural insulin production.

Your "we all" doesn't include me because I did not know this. Nor do I know what medications you are talking about that "wring" insulin out of the pancreas. I would like to know.