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Diabetes affecting daily life

I'm answering this as a T2 as I have no experience of T1

In the beginning it can become all consuming, yes you feel "different" from others - that's because you are getting used to the new normal - for a little while no matter how clued up you are you are on a massive learning curve and grieving for your lost lifestyle (even if it wasn't good for you) BUT after a while you settle into it, become more confident in your choices and actions, a realisation that looking after yourself properly give you a real fighting chance of living a long, happy, healthy life. Then things become second nature and you realise that yes it can be a bit of a pain sometimes but "I'm doing ok at this!"

You are very newly diagnosed and feeling a bit adrift is perfectly normal, give yourself time to discover the new you- you are doing amazingly well and taking this thing by both horns so it will soon get a little easier to navigate things like eating out, being with friends, etc, etc

My personal changes are 10 fold all for the good - if you continue on the path you are on now yours will be too - be kind to yourself none of this is your fault :)
 
Apart from jabbing myself multiple times a day and stabbing my finger and having to ensure I have my blood testing kit and insulin with me when I go out, day to day life is not really affected!
 
porl69 said:
Apart from jabbing myself multiple times a day and stabbing my finger and having to ensure I have my blood testing kit and insulin with me when I go out, day to day life is not really affected!
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Simples .............;):p
 
Type-2-Havent-A-Clue said:
How has diabetes affected your day to day activities?

Has it exacerbated or bought on new health problems for you?

I see a lot of things from Neuropathy to Glaucoma to social anxiety affecting people with the condition. But when it comes to the day to day things such as going to work/to the shops or just general household chores does it affect you more doing certain things than others?

Socially for me is a very big issue as I feel as if I’m burdening others being at the back of the pack or I can’t really enjoy what everyone else is doing.

I once had a very interesting conversation with a DN who said barriers to enjoying and fulfilling every day life was in fact a mental block rather than a physical one. I personally don’t think that’s true. I’m of the opinion that unless you’ve lived with the condition and it’s side effects you will never truly grasp its downside. I even include family and friends in this who live along aside us and see the struggles because there is only so much explanation for it and it’s clear research is lacking/information is sketchy to some degree.

I know of people who have been turned down for employment or even let go from current jobs because employers didn’t have any plans in place or couldn’t risk long term absence for appointments etc.


I lie the blame at the feet of Government for not discussing the matter more. Not making more of an effort to promote the condition or better still funding research and development into tackling it or preventative measures.

Where do you think the blame lies?

I once asked this question and the responses I got were simple “lose weight”

Isn’t it stereotypical for people to assume all diabetics are overweight/obese?

People are ignorant towards diabetes and assume it’s always about eating too much!

Why?!

I know some may disagree with my opinion but it’s just how I see things.
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Type 1 has affected my health because I was diagnosed when my Ex left me and our two children in 1989.
6 years ago, when my daughter's dad was dying, I became Coeliac, I was ill during that time and also kept the fact that he was dying from my daughter, even though she knew he was ill and in hospital, then 3 months after Coeliac diagnosis, I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. So yes, I have been autoimmune affected.
 
OK - since diagnosis - try not to be shocked - I have taken up the melodeon. :D
I know.
It means going to folk clubs, to tune sessions, teaching longsword and May pole dancing, oh - and then there's the dressing up and going out to the morris. :eek:
I have a bowler hat and black jacket, for general purpose morris and a brightly decorated top hat and tatter jacket for Border morris - the team colour is Cadbury purple. :rolleyes:
For some of the dances, however - I play a snare drum. :wideyed:
 
Being diagnosed T1 28 yrs ago was a massive turning point in my life.
The best thing that could have happened to me. A reason to get my ar*e in gear, had a reason to do stuff the right way, made me more understanding.
Diabetes has made me far stronger than I ever could have imagined, both mentally and physically.
Would I want a cure tomorrow? Hard one, but the thought of living without my closest friend and foe, continually driving me forward and be a survivor is a scary thought.
Do I blame anyone? Only Mother Nature. But she is very clever, what she has took in one hand she has given back with the other ten fold.
 
Type-2-Havent-A-Clue said:
How has diabetes affected your day to day activities?

Has it exacerbated or bought on new health problems for you?

I see a lot of things from Neuropathy to Glaucoma to social anxiety affecting people with the condition. But when it comes to the day to day things such as going to work/to the shops or just general household chores does it affect you more doing certain things than others?

Socially for me is a very big issue as I feel as if I’m burdening others being at the back of the pack or I can’t really enjoy what everyone else is doing.

I once had a very interesting conversation with a DN who said barriers to enjoying and fulfilling every day life was in fact a mental block rather than a physical one. I personally don’t think that’s true. I’m of the opinion that unless you’ve lived with the condition and it’s side effects you will never truly grasp its downside. I even include family and friends in this who live along aside us and see the struggles because there is only so much explanation for it and it’s clear research is lacking/information is sketchy to some degree.

I know of people who have been turned down for employment or even let go from current jobs because employers didn’t have any plans in place or couldn’t risk long term absence for appointments etc.


I lie the blame at the feet of Government for not discussing the matter more. Not making more of an effort to promote the condition or better still funding research and development into tackling it or preventative measures.

Where do you think the blame lies?

I once asked this question and the responses I got were simple “lose weight”

Isn’t it stereotypical for people to assume all diabetics are overweight/obese?

People are ignorant towards diabetes and assume it’s always about eating too much!

Why?!

I know some may disagree with my opinion but it’s just how I see things.
Click to expand...
I am in my 70s having Type 2 for 10 years, last two on 1 s.r. Metformin. I can’t say that diabetes has had any effect on my life except for the good, getting 6 monthly check etc. I still swim 3times a week cycle and walk distances completed long distance walks of 100 miles in 10 Days. Admittedly I can no longer go up Mountains. I think there is a lot of help and information out there you just have to get on with life and make the best of it. I rarely tell people I’m a diabetic, what’s the point
 
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