Mentally finding it hard to except
- Thread starter Brian72
- Start Date
Hi welcome to the forum 
T1 isn't about being unhealthy and causing it yourself (and arguably T2 isn't about that either, despite what the media would have us believe, but that's a different topic...)
You didn't do anything to cause this, it's just something that happens to some of us.
Were you very ill when you were diagnosed?
What insulin regime have you been put on? How are you managing with that?
Ask as many questions as you like and I am sure others will be along to help and support you.
T1 isn't about being unhealthy and causing it yourself (and arguably T2 isn't about that either, despite what the media would have us believe, but that's a different topic...)
You didn't do anything to cause this, it's just something that happens to some of us.
Were you very ill when you were diagnosed?
What insulin regime have you been put on? How are you managing with that?
Ask as many questions as you like and I am sure others will be along to help and support you.
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition is understandably shocking.
But it does not have to control your life ... or even change your life.
You may or may not like her but from a type 1 diabetes perspective, Theresa May is inspirational.
If you can run a country with diabetes, it shouldn't stop you doing what you want.
And when I say "run" you could look at it the other way - Henry Slade, the Exeter Chiefs rugby player has type 1 diabetes and does plenty of running.
There is a lot to get your head around. You won't know it all at once and some things (e.g. why me?) you may never know.
Hopefully, you have a good diabetes team to help you out and you have a load of "old timers" on this forum to answer your questions.
As for "accepting diabetes", you have little choice but you can chose what difference it makes to you.
But it does not have to control your life ... or even change your life.
You may or may not like her but from a type 1 diabetes perspective, Theresa May is inspirational.
If you can run a country with diabetes, it shouldn't stop you doing what you want.
And when I say "run" you could look at it the other way - Henry Slade, the Exeter Chiefs rugby player has type 1 diabetes and does plenty of running.
There is a lot to get your head around. You won't know it all at once and some things (e.g. why me?) you may never know.
Hopefully, you have a good diabetes team to help you out and you have a load of "old timers" on this forum to answer your questions.
As for "accepting diabetes", you have little choice but you can chose what difference it makes to you.
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Hello and welcome @Brian72
Amazing quote from Helen - we don't have any choice over the cards we are dealt but it's how we deal with it that makes all the difference. It's over whelming being diagnosed with a life changing condition and will take a while to come to terms with it, I didn't cope well, but I had a toddler, was trying to manage a full time job in business development so was out on the road every day and still run a household, it wasn't easy keeping all the balls up in the air at the same time so a few had to drop, once i'd dealt with the event it was then keeping the t1 under control so it didn't impact on my life.
What helped me was knowledge and learning all I could, so becoming an 'expert', get a copy of 'Think like a pancreas' it's a good reference for t1's and written by one. I got involved in t1 research too so I could speak to doctors, later on you will have a chance to do 'Dose adjustment for normal eating' on the NHS, it's highly recommended as will help in all aspects of t1 and cross check your insulin regime.
- Talk to others, let people know how you're feeling, try not to bottle stuff as it will compound your feelings, and don't be afraid to ask for help too, no question is too stupid.
- Take up exercise if you don't already, it's good to get the endorphins pumping and keep you mentally fit too.
- Also take it one day at a time, don't dwell on the past or worry about the future, just focus on keeping your t1 in check every day, that's the best way to cope when it gets overwhelming.
We have all been through it, so your not alone and keep us updated on your getting on too ?
Amazing quote from Helen - we don't have any choice over the cards we are dealt but it's how we deal with it that makes all the difference. It's over whelming being diagnosed with a life changing condition and will take a while to come to terms with it, I didn't cope well, but I had a toddler, was trying to manage a full time job in business development so was out on the road every day and still run a household, it wasn't easy keeping all the balls up in the air at the same time so a few had to drop, once i'd dealt with the event it was then keeping the t1 under control so it didn't impact on my life.
What helped me was knowledge and learning all I could, so becoming an 'expert', get a copy of 'Think like a pancreas' it's a good reference for t1's and written by one. I got involved in t1 research too so I could speak to doctors, later on you will have a chance to do 'Dose adjustment for normal eating' on the NHS, it's highly recommended as will help in all aspects of t1 and cross check your insulin regime.
- Talk to others, let people know how you're feeling, try not to bottle stuff as it will compound your feelings, and don't be afraid to ask for help too, no question is too stupid.
- Take up exercise if you don't already, it's good to get the endorphins pumping and keep you mentally fit too.
- Also take it one day at a time, don't dwell on the past or worry about the future, just focus on keeping your t1 in check every day, that's the best way to cope when it gets overwhelming.
We have all been through it, so your not alone and keep us updated on your getting on too ?
Jonlennon
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I'm here if you need a chat anytime, I got diagnosed with type one on Sunday finding it hard myself.
MPezz
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Took me 4 to 5 months to really get my head around it. It does get easier, just keep doing the right things and talking to everyone who you can and it’ll fall into place
kitedoc
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Hi @Brian72, I am one of the 'old timers' @helensarmay eloquently referred to!! Now, not as professional advice or opinion:
Diagnosed at 13 back in 1966 - before all the fancy insulins and equipment diabetics have at their disposal today.
In case you have received the bad press about how diabetes can affect your future health, know that a number of us on site have had diabetes type 1 (T1D) for 40, 50 , 60 years, with little or no health consequences. My specialist suggests all newly diagnosed T1Ds ensure they have or obtain a good normal age retirement plan, the results are that good.
Yes, there is a lot to learn and the shock of discovery puts one into outer space for a time.
Learn to breathe, when stressed I tend to hold my breath and that stops me thinking, if I breathe steadily, not too fast, not too shallow or deep, my thinking reboots and I can start to work out what to do.
Step by step: It is easy to flounder in the avalanche or emotions, information and education about diabetes. Taking on the regular breathing mode and taking one thing at a time helps ease the confusion. One success breeds more.
Hypos: On the Home page of this website under Type1 Diabetes (left side of the horizontal menu) under hypoglycaemia (hypo = low, gly = glucose, aemia (in the blood). Low blood sugar is something to learn about early (and diabetes is said to be about high blood sugar levels) BSLs !!) as treatment of T1Ds involves insulin and insulin lowers BSLs! Your family and friends need to know about this also.
Rely on your health team: for advice and help and learn all you can.
Mistakes: making mistakes is usual. The best strategy is not beating yourself up about it - stress only pushes up the BSLs.
Learning from what has happened is the best strategy plus learning that there is not always a straight-forward remedy every time.
Some results do not make sense - even the season and weather can have an influence but doing the best one can is the way.
Ask questions: of your health team, of us - whilst we cannot advise we may have found answers which we can show you.
Humour: humour can help dispel worry ; I used to refer to my injections as 'javelin practice', a mother used to have her husband and son bet on what her pre-dinner BSL would be and the loser did the washing up, when the world seemed overwhelming I would think of a cartoon of a chameleon whose tongue was stuck to the undercarriage of a passenger plane during take-off.
Best Wishes on your journey, fellow warrior. Know that no question to ask is too simple or answer too obvious.
Diagnosed at 13 back in 1966 - before all the fancy insulins and equipment diabetics have at their disposal today.
In case you have received the bad press about how diabetes can affect your future health, know that a number of us on site have had diabetes type 1 (T1D) for 40, 50 , 60 years, with little or no health consequences. My specialist suggests all newly diagnosed T1Ds ensure they have or obtain a good normal age retirement plan, the results are that good.
Yes, there is a lot to learn and the shock of discovery puts one into outer space for a time.
Learn to breathe, when stressed I tend to hold my breath and that stops me thinking, if I breathe steadily, not too fast, not too shallow or deep, my thinking reboots and I can start to work out what to do.
Step by step: It is easy to flounder in the avalanche or emotions, information and education about diabetes. Taking on the regular breathing mode and taking one thing at a time helps ease the confusion. One success breeds more.
Hypos: On the Home page of this website under Type1 Diabetes (left side of the horizontal menu) under hypoglycaemia (hypo = low, gly = glucose, aemia (in the blood). Low blood sugar is something to learn about early (and diabetes is said to be about high blood sugar levels) BSLs !!) as treatment of T1Ds involves insulin and insulin lowers BSLs! Your family and friends need to know about this also.
Rely on your health team: for advice and help and learn all you can.
Mistakes: making mistakes is usual. The best strategy is not beating yourself up about it - stress only pushes up the BSLs.
Learning from what has happened is the best strategy plus learning that there is not always a straight-forward remedy every time.
Some results do not make sense - even the season and weather can have an influence but doing the best one can is the way.
Ask questions: of your health team, of us - whilst we cannot advise we may have found answers which we can show you.
Humour: humour can help dispel worry ; I used to refer to my injections as 'javelin practice', a mother used to have her husband and son bet on what her pre-dinner BSL would be and the loser did the washing up, when the world seemed overwhelming I would think of a cartoon of a chameleon whose tongue was stuck to the undercarriage of a passenger plane during take-off.
Best Wishes on your journey, fellow warrior. Know that no question to ask is too simple or answer too obvious.
