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Coping/not coping

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EmmRoseTat

Member
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23
I'm fairly new at this iv only been diagnosed as type 1 for about 10 week's now. Will never forget I got it 3 weeks before my 19th birthday.

I feel like I am coping with my levels and all. They rarely go above 9, normally staying between 4-7 and I havent had a hypo for a few weeks now (touch wood)
So all my family and friends see is that I'm doing really well and "coping" well. To be fair who can assume otherwise when my consultant said I was an excellent patient who is doing really well.

However saying all that I don't feel like I am. It's started, for no reason in particular, to really start to get me down.
Finding it difficult to be myself as I find myself thinking about food.
Had a complete nightmare the other week, freaked out and made myself a bowl of butter icing. Scoffed the lot, mentally slapped myself and took some insulin.

I find it stupidly difficult to talk to anyone about it though because I feel like they brush it under the carpet so to speak as all they see is how well I'm keeping my bs levels.

Please tell me I'm not totally alone feeling like this and if you've got any advice I'd be so so grateful at this point!

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Absolutely not alone! I'm at the 17 weeks mark now (not that in counting) and the phrase I've come to hate is "but you obviously cope with it so well"

But really, do I? I make a lot of jokes about diabetes, I test and inject on time, I don't make a big deal of it. But is that coping?

I've just had an amazing weekend I London, but I could really have done without the testing stuff and needles to cart around. We were at the Shard for dinner, felt a right idiot injecting at the table.

It's draining having it and I find myself more tired now than I ever was before I was diagnosed because I'm constantly thinking about what I have to do next.

So yes we "cope" because we have to. I've never cried about my diagnosis but it doesn't mean I never want to.

I guess I just keep going in the assumption that it'll get easier!
 
Yeah I guess that's how I'm like.

When I go for a meal with some friend they will all stop and wait for me but I just feel like everyone is watching.

I don't want to feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing and being like a drama queen. So I just think to myself man up and get on with it but it's so disheartening.

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They stop waiting after a while, mine crack on and I catch up with the eating when I've injected!

I have up and down days. It's not THAT bad though, I'm in control and that's what is important
 
Hello

I can relate so much to how you are feeling. I have always struggled with my diabetes but have never said as such to my family as all they see is me getting along fine or getting cross if they don't see me test. I as desperate to know I'm not on my own with this but family can't understand what good talking to other type ones will do.

Just to speak with someone who lives it everyday would be nice. Unless ur type 1 no one can understand how it makes u feel.

29 yrs this year, diagnosed on my 11th birthday.


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SewK8 said:
Hello

I can relate so much to how you are feeling. I have always struggled with my diabetes but have never said as such to my family as all they see is me getting along fine or getting cross if they don't see me test. I as desperate to know I'm not on my own with this but family can't understand what good talking to other type ones will do.

Just to speak with someone who lives it everyday would be nice. Unless ur type 1 no one can understand how it makes u feel.

29 yrs this year, diagnosed on my 11th birthday.


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My cousin was diagnosed at 11, she is now 22. She WILL NOT talk to me about being T1. She's annoyed because I've "shown her up" (my aunts words). She is very poorly controlled and doesn't test regularly enough to get things sorted. So I've swooped in and doing it all "perfectly" (again - aunts words) and sorted myself out immediately. So she looks a little silly for not bothering. So we don't talk much now which is a shame. Especially as a comrade in the early stages would have been appreciated!
 
Hi. I know everyone is different in the way they cope with things but definitely talking about it helps immensely. And I think the only people that would understand are those going through it like you. Emma – do you know any other T1s your age you could talk to – perhaps ask at the clinic to put you in touch with some. I’m not T1 but I want my daughter who is, to always have T1 friends she can talk to. It’s hard when you are the only one in your own circle of friends. As a parent the only reason I now feel ‘at peace’ with things is having other parents to talk to and meet up regularly. That’s more support than any of the healthcare team or family and friends. Hale, I’m sorry about your cousin, I imagine she’s probably had a lot to deal with. Time changes people so I’m sure it’ll be different in a few years. You’re totally on the right path, I read your posts and am so proud of how responsible you all are. Of course managing diabetes and coping with it are 2 different things. x


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I feel exactly the same way. I've been diagnosed for 17 years and I've always kept up the illusion with my family and friends that yes, I'm fine, I've got it all under control. Nothing is a worry, but really deep down and only my fiance and mum know is that I am absolutely fed up! Fed up of thinking about food, weighing foods, panicing if I go hypo at the gym or out for a walk.

It is a constant drain and no one really understands unless they either have it them selves or live with someone who has it. I find it great that I can talk to you all about when I'm having ups and downs and struggles though. Just knowing that someone else has been through or is going through what you are helps to get you through it.

Keep pushing with a smile, we will conqour diabetes.

Ps. I have been so down lately that I've been put onto a low dose anti -depressant, was against them for years and years but can honestly say now after being on them for 6 weeks I feel a lot more positive and more like me again. x
 
CambridgeLass said:
You’re totally on the right path, I read your posts and am so proud of how responsible you all are.
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Thanks :) I know my own family are proud too, but it's nice to hear it occasionally. I've always been "the good one" so it's just expected of me to do well and cope!

Faith you are absolutely right to go on the anti-depressants. If they're what you need then it's the right way to go. I think there's been a stigma with them but even that is lessening now. They were developed for a reason and if they're helping you then that's perfect!
 
I think we all have to stick together in getting through day to day life. I can go a few days and have perfect sugars and be happy and just plodding on with things and then bamb.... a day of **** sugars, headaches, stressing yourself out over it all and you feel like your fighting a never ending battle, and people wonder why we're up and down like yo-yos! Hope your all ok guys and girls
 
Ah Emm - you are ok, and you are definately not alone.

You go through such a amazing variety of emotions with finding this out and so just remember to be kind to yourself and take it easy, it's a bit hit and miss working things out so dont beat yourself up if it doesnt go your way, some of the time it will and some of the time it wont but or time things will settle down and you'll work out patterns to suit you, just try and learn as much as you can and get to grips with it.

I am only a year in and still learning so much all the time, but really chuffed when I met a Doctor and had to tell him all about it because his T1 knowledge was so poor (best moment ever!).

Talk and let it out - dont be afraid to share how you're feeling, thats the most important thing.

Good luck and big hug x
 
for no reason in particular?? no you have a very good reason, try to stay strong but remember its ok not to be ok, just dont hold it in as said find someone to talk to if not, talk to us :) im "only" t2 but understand not coping and the importance of talking, good luck x
 
EmmRoseTat said:
Thanks guys, thats why I really like this forum. I don't know anyone my age with diabetes at all, that's why I feel really quite alone in all of this.



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Well you're not alone, because you've got this motley bunch going through it too with you ;)
 
Andy12345 said:
for no reason in particular?? no you have a very good reason, try to stay strong but remember its ok not to be ok, just dont hold it in as said find someone to talk to if not, talk to us :) im "only" t2 but understand not coping and the importance of talking, good luck x
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Andy, in my head you're a man I worked for briefly last year
........you can decide if that's a good or a bad thing yourself haha!
 
No reason to be worried, he was very nice. You just both seem to share a name, similar personalities (on paper anyway) and an infectious enthusiasm!
 
He is from Kent, I was seconded down to England-shire for 3 months! So no scots in him haha
 
hi. well ive been signed up for a hour on the forum now and this will be my third post already. i signed up to try to answer some questions etc some people might have, even though im not perfect at all the injecting myself.
Im 23 and been diabetic t1 for only 10 months now but learning.

Ive learned so far that you will always have ups and downs. more now. since all of this happened my emotions can be everywhere. Take things wrongly. I too dont know anyone with t1 to talk to (auntie has t1 but never see her). Ive got my parents but they dont understand. I personally think ive bored them to death with it all as at the early stages it was all i used to talk about. eyes, bloods, insulin, units, testers etc. lol.

You will learn to know what works best for you and get used to it. Try to look on the bright side and im sure you will all manage ok. You can still do whatever you want. I still have a few beers after work ect. your blood levels are alot better than mine. i average 7mmol from my hba1c tests so you are doing something right.

When i was in hospital i was worrying about it all and the person next to me had prostate cancer. It opened my eyes. I know which one i would rather have.

Good luck to you all!
 
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