10th year anniversary, can't cope with type 1, help

[tennis12]

A

 

[Mike d]

That's not so great to hear. I'm not a T1 but many on here are. Have you consulted with others about your concerns? I think you should as you can't be shouldering this all on your lonesome. There are GREAT people here that will provide some guidance, many with decades behind them dealing with this condition.

.... and never apologise for "throwing your problems" at us. Wanna see you stick around and get over these issues

Welcome Mike

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi @tennis12,

There are lots of Type1s who will empathise with you and it is clear from your post that you really are in a bad place.

Have you heard of diabetes burnout? This article may give you some insight into why you are feeling like you do and please remember that there is psychological help for you. Your DSN can arrange this for you.

http://www.diabetesexplained.com/diabetic-burnout.html#top

Your college course is a hard one, according to my son who did it and he is a laid back lad lad who usually finds studying easy. This one required more effort from him so add diabetes to the mix for you and life can be pretty stressful.

I urge you to read the article and see if you can relate to it and please keep in touch with the forum. There are some very knowledgeable Type1s here who may be able to relate to your problems and even if they haven't experienced them they will all support you and try and help.

 

[himtoo]

Hi @tennis12

first -- a very warm welcome from me -- even writing to you now is making me well up with tears -- it is a real ***** at times being me so can imagine you in a bad place right now. i will say that i got over wanting to be normal by realising that a lot of so called normal people are actually a*seholes in real life and the important people surrounding and in your life have their own issues too.( they may be good at hiding these things )

as for the dysfunction side i think if you went to either your gp or endo they would prescribe you viagra -- as you are young and fit otherwise.

as to tackling the motivation side of things it is easy for me to say not being you -- but do use all the people like your diabetic nurse and let her know how bad you are feeling. also talk to your parents , brother , friends , all of us -- important thing is to keep talking and try to take things 1 day at a time .
it will get better

 

[noblehead]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes you need to make your HCP's aware that your having problems and they will work with you to try and resolve things, diabetes can be challenging and difficult to live with at times and it can become overwhelming, but there is a good support network out there who can help you but you need to let people know that a problem exists.

As for your ED, things may improve once you get your diabetes under control, if it doesn't then there are drugs that can help as himtoo as mentioned above.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @tennis12 .

The "teenage hangover". I've been there.. I actually don't think I got life sussed till I was 26? I kept people at "arms length" thinking I would soon join Cobain & Hendrix.. The high sugar levels don't help with this thought process..
You will actually be surprised how many of apparently "defect less" go on to develop more worrying health issues as time rolls on needing similar support in their own issues..

I would say small steps first with the blood sugar level control.. You may also find the "personal performance" issue might disapear? Surprising yourself & impressing "potential" partners into the bargain.

 

[Heathenlass]

Hi and welcome, @tennis12
I'm sorry you are feeling so down and going through such a rough patch with it all Its easy to think that all Type 1's cope with it all swimmingly, and we alone are the only ones that seemingly can't cope and get it all wrong. The truth is, none of us is a " perfect diabetic " , in fact that beast is a mythical one

Most, if not all of us experience a degree of burnout , dealing with all it involves, planning, making accommodations , anxiety about the Big D itself and its current problems, future complications and pressure, pressure, pressure. I think this picture illustrates it well, and I apologise that I can't credit who drew it :

In addition to all of the above, you are going through a tough Uni course, and dealing with all the pressures that brings, and social pressures also. No wonder you feel you have had enough ! As a side note, ED is more common than you think, even in non diabetics, in men who are under severe stress. It's not necessarily permamanent.

You have taken the first step in helping yourself by posting your brave post on here, which is acknowledging that you do need help, and in fact, despite your BG's being in the 20's, you do care. Talking about it is a major step,not only on here and you will get huge support and advice, but also taking the advice given by those above, taking advantage of the psychological support offered by your diabetes team. Just knowing that you are not alone in this is in itself a great burden lifted.

You can come through this , many of us can testify it's possoble. And having come out of the other side, you will recognise in the future if you start to feel burnout again, but will have gained the tools to deal with it before it gets a grip.

Hang on in there, and keep on talking There is life after burnout, and it can be good

Signy
(Burnout , Aka Diabetes Armageddon survivor )

 

[jaywak]

As you are still a youngster just think to yourself there is going to a cure for my diabetes in my lifetime so until that day comes I'me gonner look after myself and then enjoy the party when it comes.

 

[Spiker]

Hi @tennis12

Looks like you have removed your original post. Please don't feel embarrassed. Your post took courage and we are here to help.

I too have been affected by burnout. Managing T1 every single day takes its toll on us all. Add in extra stresses from Real Life and it easily becomes too much. Lots of us have fallen off the bus. We just have to forgive ourselves for not being perfect, pick ourselves up and try again. After a rant and a cry and a bit of a break.

 

[Dillinger]

@tennis12 You are far from alone in feeling like this. If you trawl through the back pages here there are dozens of similar posts.

You know, of course, that you can't keep going with daily bloods in the 20's so I'm not going to bang on about that.

You talked about the moment when you are old enough to deal with this and as you may be realizing there is no day when that happens by default. You decide when that is; and it is about you taking control of your life, you taking the reigns and stepping up. I guess some people never do that.

I really like the writings of Christopher Hitchens. When he was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer he wrote "why me? Well why not me?" I think that's exactly it; certain things happen beyond our control. Diabetes is certainly one of those things; there's absolutely no mileage in wondering why you? Or what your life would be without this? There are no answers to those questions.

The solutions to controlling your diabetes are right here on this forum. They are no good to you though until you accept that you are a diabetic and you have to make some changes to your life. It's tough, but it's the only way.

Best

Dillinger

 

[Gaz-M]

I do not know what you wrote but I am thankful it was me given this type 1 instead of another family member, I am stronger than alot of them so that makes sense.

Just try stay posative and get the bloods under control with help from the DSN etc

 

[Mike d]

I hope he comes back ... that took some guts to post that message

 

[LucySW]

Yes it did. Please do come back, @tennis12. You were speaking the truth, and that is how it is. We've been there too.

For what it's worth.

Lucy