Does having T1D make you more anti-social?

[Juicyj]

I've been type 1 just over month. I don't really wanna go out now. get anxious when getting ready and feel uneasy when out. my moods have been up and down causing lot of home problems. I know where you coming from

Hi Paul, it is hard early days on from diagnosis, it does get better in time

 

[LucySW]

Hey Panda,

I agree with the posters saying your OH could do with seeing it your way, and also that you need to find some practical fixes for your nights out.

But as to anxiety - which I specialise in If you can't get CBT, some physical relaxation can be very helpful, and you can do that yourself. Think basic yoga postures for 15 minutes, just targeting rhythmic, calming breathing. I do Downward Dog and just breathe for five minutes at a time. And slow, calm breathing generally. If you know how to meditate, even five mins meditation breathing will calm you on a physical level, so levels of adrenaline and cortisol go down. That will help you to deal mentally better.

CBT great if you can get it.

Good luck dear.

 

[spurious badger]

It can do, but you have to remember you have control of this condition and it is totally manageable with alcohol.

I've been a T1 diabetic for 25 years so never known alcoholic nights out without insulin.

My biggest piece of advice is "don't be a slave to the meter" - if you continually test you won't see a proper view of your levels. Test before you go out, carb count and know what you're drinking and its effect on BS levels. If you're unaware of alcoholic carb values and what to do let me know and I will share some useful DAFNE info with you.

 

[LesleyAnne1985]

With diabetes, can come alot of anxiety and stress....some cope well, others not so much. I am going through a bout of depression at the moment and the first lot of antidepressants I was put on caused me to have some really bad hypos, even collapsing at home one day....changed anti-depressants and now everything has settled again but the bad hypos and collapse I had have caused me to check my sugar levels constantly through worry of it happening again.....it's fine to check your levels and most of the time, we are encouraged by doctors to do it more but the amount of times I am checking has actually caused my Diabetes team concern as I obviously have alot of anxiety about it, hence, checking my levels a ridiculous number of times a day! I am currently going through CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) but still have a few sessions to go so not sure of its success yet! Having such anxiety about our Diabetes, will eventually drive us crazy so you definitely need to speak to your GP and Diabetic team and see what they can offer to try and help get rid of your anxiety about it. Good luck x

 

[Cambo1107]

I've had diabetes for 19 years, I was diagnosed when I was just 19 months old. I feel this way a lot as there aren't a whole lot of people around you that know what you go through, or what precautions you have to take every time you are being social. I've always been cautious when drinking, only started when I was 18, and don't drink often, and I don't really get out much, because I worry a lot about my diabetes, even though I have them under control. But, as other posts have said, stress, anxiety, and depression will also be a cause for all this, which tie in closely with diabetes. Diabetes is a horrible thing for anyone to live with, as it causes all this and more, but we've been given the challenge of living with it, to me, it's normal, as I was diagnosed when I was still a baby, but for people that are diagnosed when they're older than that, they can find it a lot more difficult to live with. I struggle with mine, although it's under control, and I suffer from stress, anxiety and depression, but I won't see a doctor about any of that mainly because I worry too much about either not being diagnosed with these straight away by professionals (took them about 4 years to diagnose me with asthma after complaining all the time), or being told that I have more things to worry about in my life. I've not told anyone about this, as I don't want to worry my family or friends. It's not an easy life, but there'll always be people around that you can talk to, either friends or random people on forums, like here. We're all going/have gone through the same or similar things, so we all know what to do with it all, if you ever feel like you need help, you'll always find help here from people!

 

[Tanny35]

The hospital admission could be what sparked it off. I have been type 1 for 30years - never had a problem going out or having a drink. Until I ended up in hospital from a terrible hypo after a night out. It scared the life out of me. Anyway - after a while I was fine again n thought I can't let it rule my life! So I still go out I just test my bg very regularly to keep check on what's happening.
Hope u overcome your problem too

 

[ScottyD]

I maybe feel to much info regarding going out puts you off too! I've only been a T1 diabetic for 2 months and still finding my way but simply act on the small pieces of info my DSN provided - don't go out drinking on an empty stomach, test here and there to see what your levels are doing and finally do what you usually do and grab so carbohydrate before bed.

I was out all day at the Edinburgh festival on Wednesday with a big group of mates from work (they all know I'm off with T1 until I get my pilots medical back) and I grabbed lunch before I left, drinking a good number of pints maybe slightly slower that I had done pre-diabetes, then we all went for more food and more drink (as always, checking my blood here and there). I then got a Burger King for the train home, didn't bolus for it and my blood before bed was 10.0 (usually I'd correct but I know it's simply the alcohol) and my Libre slowly showed a gradual decline through the night and I made sure I was up around 9am or so! I guess I know that beer typically raises my blood sugar so if anything, I'm edging away from a hypo and a good amount of carbs in the evening keeps my good through the night. Everyone is different though.

The Libre is a huge confidence tool. Fully recommend it.

 

[phdiabetic]

Before I got the Libre, I was reluctant to go out, but now I feel a lot better about it. A friend invited me out to a night club with some of his friends and we had a great time, even though my sugars weren't perfect. I didn't drink but nobody tried to pressure me to have alcohol and I had fun without it anyway. These people hardly knew me but I let them know I had some health issues and everyone was very kind. They checked up on me throughout the night, got me water when I was high and didn't pressure me into doing things if I didn't feel up to it. I think it's a lot better if you're with good people, and know that if something goes wrong you'll be taken care of.