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Alone ....

Fayefaye1429

Well-Known Member
Messages
809
Location
Durham
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi I'm just curious doctors always tell me I must not be alone when I'll and even one told me too never live alone it got me wondering people's views on it?

I know what I feel and think about it but would love to hear views.
 
It gives you some sense of security if you have someone around you , just in case if you need a help. I'm single now and I need to be very independent. All I can do is to be super careful and hope for the best. There is no point of being too anxious about this as it may become a serous issue.
 
I spent the best part of ten years living alone. It didn't bother me. Sometimes I think doctors are just trying to scare people.
 
Seems like a doctor with slightly less social and psychological skill than medical. Obviously, I don't know the details that led him/her to this extreme advice - what other/if any complications do you have besides diabetes? If he was just giving nice emotional advice that's very nice..I've no idea how I'd have dealt with life alone (but I have been married since I was 20 (33 years ago), so I'm not one to talk. How we cope is personal and for each of us. I reckon a doctor's place is to diagnose and then treat you, and maybe even give you pointers, strategies on how to cope medically..and they don't always manage that bit so well when it comes to diabetes (in my personal opinion). At most, I'd take my doctor's medical advice..never social advice...Maybe he/she has never lived alone. I'm certain many, many diabetics do! More detail required though.
 
Maybe it was some sort of concern that, when ill, blood sugar is harder to control; that if you get to the point of ketoacidosis you may not make entirely sensible decisions and someone should keep an eye on you.

Maybe the doc just repeated what he read in a book from the 1960s (like the Eatwell plate!).

I personally think that if you follow sick day rules and shove one of these new fangled mobile telephone devices into your pocket, along with all the other paraphernalia, then there is means to contact medical help when it is wanted.
 
well I've lived alone with diabetes for 15 years, prior to that I had a family member living with me but they weren't home that much either... not sure why docs would say that. Mine never has said that to me. They ask the question if I do or not, but don't normally tell me I shouldn't be. I've always managed to get help when needed, even when I can't say a word I will book a for a GP call out online. I've had family members suggest I take in boarders. I have done my time with house sharing and I'm not up to it these days. House sharing is different than living with your family. I have a friend that has asked to live with me numerous times and I say no.. reason being is when I'm home I don't talk and I rest a lot (plus this friend I've lived with years before and she was full on the entire time and I didn't get my own space). The only exception I'd make to not living alone is if my marital status changes. I think it is odd for a doc to tell you not to live alone unless there was very good medical reason why.
 
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I've had type 1 for over 50 years and live alone, can't see the problem myself.
 
I am here on my own, I have a teenager ( she is at another sleepover) but basically brought her up on her on my own for many years. I am still here, safe and sound, had some sticky moments, but it's not 'critical or dangerous ' if alone. Also It would depend on other medical conditions that the person may have, whether serious and possibly associated with diabetes too ? I would say it's rather scaremongering and also irresponsible for a professional to say that I know that I hope for a long life and a healthy life, but anything could happen at any time to anyone and it wouldn't be down to diabetes or another ongoing condition. Live your life to the best that you can and take each day as a blessing. I concur with mep's views too.

Best wishes RRB
 
I've lived alone most of my adult life, the only concern I have is that if I had a stroke or heart attack nobody would be there to call an ambulance. Sometimes I remember to take my mobile phone and leave it next to my bed but usually I don't.
I don't think I'm in imminent danger of having a stroke or heart attack, but if I should start to think it might be likely I would get one of those personal medical alarms you can buy to get assistance.
 
I live alone. The doctor has mentioned it and put it in my notes and considered it when talking about strategies in an emergency (basically that means he says dial 999 before you pass out!). Sue x
 
I live alone and have another condition as well as diabetese. Sometimes I can control it and other times not, My GP says to do 999 if it happens and is uncontrolable. I have a phone by my bed which makes me feel safe during the night and in daytime I carry a mobile, it doesn't matter if you are unable to speak as your number is connected to emergency service and they would soon arrive to help. As Prem 51 said a personal alarm gives real assurance, all you have to do is press a button and somebody will help, I can really vouch for this idea, I used to work as an Emergency Response Warden and have reached people very quickly. I have never heard of a doctor saying this, when my hubby passed away I didn't like being alone but my doctor encouraged me, showed me what I could achieve. Now I love being on my own, I'm not answerable to anyone but myself, come and go as I wish, cook and eat when I want to and found lots of hobbies. By making myself independant I also became confident and my other condition is no longer a problem. As RRB said welcome each day and make the most of it enjoy your life and take doctors with a pinch of salt, they are not always right
 
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My teenager sleeps in the room next to me, but if I had a stroke or a heart attack, god forbid, I might not be able to alert or wake her anyway. During the week she is at school, and out side school clubs, often goes for sleep overs, so I don't see her as much. What worried me the most was when she was a lot younger and I did think what if something happened to me at night and I wouldn't be able to care for her or keep her safe and she wouldn't know, we must, of course to, look after ourselves as best we can and our diabetes too, but she was, and will remain my No 1 priority.
 
Hi everyone thanks for your feedback and I love to hear I'm not the only one that thinks it odd thing to say. I have no other conditions that was caused by diabetes or out of the diabetes condition.
I think the comments made are wise I wondered if when he meet me I reminded him of something or brought something up him in him to say it? But it does bring a good question of how much a doctor needs to say or not I personally feel is rather they had empathy which a lot of the doctors I've meet as a patient don't have and stick to medical. If they feel there might be a deeper rooted issue the. I'm happy for a referral on to a counsellor but not them try to help me. Just my view
 

Hi - agreed..it makes a big difference if doctors empathise and have god social and communication skills...humans and specialist! I have to say that with my transplant, all staff at Edinburgh were excellent on that front (maybe a dozen or so doctors, including the surgical team) and I felt listened to, understood and empathized with as well as informed and considered at all levels. There are plenty of doctors who don't quite have those skills but are still very good doctors. I used to teach, and it's the same there - and everywhere I guess. Maybe your doctor was just nicely concerned and maybe didn't realise that it would cause a bit of alarm. At least, he/she cares and you have a forum you can visit!
 
I HATE being alone in all truth, mainly because if I go hypo during the night (which has happened alot over recent years) I am helpless to help myself, all of the nightime hypo,s I know nothing about at the time so maybe this is what your Dr means?
 
I'm sure he referred to severe hypos. Why otherwise he would mind anyone to live on his own? Surely all of us (type1 living alone) worry about it a bit. I do but having no choice decided to live in denial
 
Ah from my life is like to say yes to the hypos but I've never had a serve one if that means lower than 2.0
 
The doctor told me this when I was around 5 years ago I can only say what was said which was" diabetics shouldn't live alone as its too dangerous" we ended up having a wee are gunner over it. I think if you have a plan live alone and if you have people who can help if this get really bad awesome but if not I guess anyone could have problems diabetic it not?
I wondered if the doctor just didn't like possibly living alone or I tapped into something for him.personally I've had quite a few doctors that I'd love to send on A basic listening and communication course but there are the odd ones who are good and just help physically than personally.
It's interesting when a doctor might intervene on any kind of topic
 
well i have had 2 severe ones today lol, one this afternoon and one tonight just before I posted, I,m very accurate with carb counting and doses but sometimes these things happen.?
 
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