Diabetes Burnout.

Sally66

Well-Known Member
Messages
69
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thanks RRB. We are not numbers but it often feels that way in how we are and led by both medics and media. Guess I'm new to it all but you find yourself obsessing about it it, thirsting for answers, full of anxiety about how you will manage. Your loved ones become saturated with it and can only take so much. In practical terms I am finding I am spending a disproportionate amount of time on this forum (half term and I should be writing reports). You see if you have stress at work you can try to remedy by taking time out, a holiday for example, but diabetics can never get away from it cos they have to eat and the minute you start thinking food , which you have to, the issues come flooding back. Anyone who has had weight problems and dieted know what I mean. I'm not trying to say smokers don't have a hard time giving up, I'm sure it's tough. They don't have to put a cigarette in their mouths but we cannot avoid putting food in ours, In fact going on holiday often means less control over your food and therefore more anxiety for diabetics. There is simply not enough support for this emotional need for diabetics weary of dealing with their condition. A very useful post which I hope more GPs will see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8 people
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
For anyone going through tough times regarding their diabetes management and from reading on the forum how some younger type 1 members really, really struggle, this is a must read for all.Remember you are not alone.

Connecting people with diabetes

Putting the Brakes on Diabetes Burnout


Helen Edwards; Founder and Director Diabetes Counselling Onlinewww.diabetescounselling.com.au
Diabetes burn out is a common problem for many people, but what is it? Basically this occurs when you grow very tired of managing your diabetes. You might experience feelings of exhaustion and instead of sticking to your regular blood glucose checks, medications, exercise, insulin and other self care tasks, you only do them partially or possibly neglect them altogether for a period of time. It is more than just having a bad day. You just can’t seem to muster the motivation to keep on managing and the guilt and stress about what this is doing to your body just builds up…..adding to your distress.

The challenge for people living with diabetes and this includes family members and caregivers, is to walk the fine line between stress and worry about diabetes, with feeling comfortable about where diabetes sits in your life. You need to try and have perspective about what your goals are and what you can realistically manage at this moment. When you balance this you are able to better manage under times of stress and prevent burn out. One of the biggest things that can help is to have good support. This includes from family, friends, other people with diabetes and your health care team. Exercise and relaxation strategies really help. Learning mindfulness, which teaches you to worry less and be present in your daily life helps to reduce anxiety and distress. Being able to feel in control and have a tool kit for what to do when things feel like they may be getting out of control in any aspect of your life really makes a difference. Diabetes is not just about your blood glucose and stress and problems in other areas of life will have an impact on you control. So it is important to make sure you stay healthy in all areas of your life and keep on top of stress.

Diabetes is different to other chronic disease as it requires self management by you on a daily even hourly basis, with guidance from your health care team. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by all the tasks you need to do and the day to day effort needed to manage. Burn out is particularly likely if you work really hard at managing your diabetes but the results are not what you would like. It is also more likely when you have pressure or stress in other areas of your life that you feel you can not control. Diabetes burn out can last a short time, be ongoing, or can come and go. Studies have shown that a majority of people living with diabetes do experience worries, fears and negative feelings at some stage. Some high risk times where you may experience burn out due to added stress or changes in your life include:

  1. If you are not meeting diabetes targets, frustration with lack of movement towards your health goals
  2. Experiencing family/relationship problems, breakdown or violence
  3. Transition or times of change in your life
  4. Loss of someone you care about or other grief/loss
  5. Experiencing poverty or homelessness
  6. Drug and alcohol problems
  7. Problems with work and financial stress
  8. Other physical or mental health problems – such as another chronic disease, depression, mental illness, eating disorders
  9. Pregnancy – planning pregnancy and trying to conceive, during pregnancy and parenting when you have diabetes yourself
  10. Growing older and dealing with changes to your body, your health and your diabetes
  11. Diagnosis of diabetes complications
The recent 2011 study Diabetes MILES which surveyed over 3000 adults with diabetes in Australia found that overall, people were least satisfied with their health, as compared to other aspects of their life. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin had lower levels of satisfaction across all life areas (e.g. health, relationships, safety, standard of living) as compared to adults with type 1 diabetes or with those who had type 2 diabetes but were not using insulin. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin were also more likely to experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than other respondents. Moderate to severe depressive symptoms affected 35% of adults with type 2 on insulin, as compared to 22% of those with type 1 and 23% of those with type 2 who were not using insulin. Moderate to severe anxiety symptoms also affected 19% of adults with type 2 who were using insulin, as compared to 15% of those with type 1 and 14% of those with type 2 non-insulin-managed diabetes. Adults with type 1 diabetes were more likely to experience severe diabetes-related distress than other respondents. 28% of adults with type 1 diabetes experienced severe distress, as compared to 22% of people with type 2 insulin-managed and 17% of type 2 non insulin-managed diabetes. The most commonly reported problem area for respondents (consistent across diabetes types and treatment regimens) was worrying about the future and the development of diabetes related complications.

Rates of diabetes related distress are high yet people are often scared to ask for help, particularly if they have not been managing well. It is important that you DO ask for help and remember there is no such thing as a silly question! Most of us get tired of doing everyday tasks and diabetes sure adds to those! Few people can maintain all the tasks of diabetes care week-in, week-out AND keep blood glucose and HbA1c’s in the narrow target range all the time. Without realistic expectations and practical strategies for managing the thoughts, feelings and emotional side of diabetes, the risk of burnout is higher. The way we think and talk about diabetes has a major impact on how we feel and manage diabetes. Using words like “ high and low” blood glucose instead of “good and bad” can help and so does using CHECK instead of the word TEST when talking about blood glucose monitoring. The reality is most people have an immediate reaction to a high or low BGL. That is normal and fine, but once you have this reaction move on to looking at the number and working out how to manage this and prevent it in the future if possible.

Seven Steps to dealing with Burn out

  1. Consider what particular areas of diabetes are causing you problems – usually it is not all of it! Then develop steps for sorting these areas. Get help if needed.
  2. What else is happening in your life that might be conflicting with diabetes care, or making it harder?
  3. How might you address these things?
  4. What are your expectations for your diabetes management? Do you need to lower or increase your expectations?
  5. What sorts of thoughts and feelings are you having about diabetes/
  6. How are you managing these and are these strategies working? What have you tried?
  7. Do you have any support? Is it the right support? Is it enough support? If not, how can you get this?
Support is vital. Make sure you get this from a variety of sources:

  • Health Care Team
  • Family and friends
  • People with diabetes
  • Online and in person
  • Books, magazines and other sources of information
  • Counselling and other specialists
  • Take time out from diabetes and other stress – try to be a “human being” not always a “human doing”!
Diabetes might thrive on maths – to be corrected and added up BUT You are not a maths problem! See yourself as a sunset – not something to be solved, but appreciated –your achievements, attempts at change, dreams and goals – sit back and appreciate them from time to time and remember there is more to life than diabetes.
Excellent piece of information :)
 
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Reactions: 4 people

Jum

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
For anyone going through tough times regarding their diabetes management and from reading on the forum how some younger type 1 members really, really struggle, this is a must read for all.Remember you are not alone.

Connecting people with diabetes

Putting the Brakes on Diabetes Burnout


Helen Edwards; Founder and Director Diabetes Counselling Onlinewww.diabetescounselling.com.au
Diabetes burn out is a common problem for many people, but what is it? Basically this occurs when you grow very tired of managing your diabetes. You might experience feelings of exhaustion and instead of sticking to your regular blood glucose checks, medications, exercise, insulin and other self care tasks, you only do them partially or possibly neglect them altogether for a period of time. It is more than just having a bad day. You just can’t seem to muster the motivation to keep on managing and the guilt and stress about what this is doing to your body just builds up…..adding to your distress.

The challenge for people living with diabetes and this includes family members and caregivers, is to walk the fine line between stress and worry about diabetes, with feeling comfortable about where diabetes sits in your life. You need to try and have perspective about what your goals are and what you can realistically manage at this moment. When you balance this you are able to better manage under times of stress and prevent burn out. One of the biggest things that can help is to have good support. This includes from family, friends, other people with diabetes and your health care team. Exercise and relaxation strategies really help. Learning mindfulness, which teaches you to worry less and be present in your daily life helps to reduce anxiety and distress. Being able to feel in control and have a tool kit for what to do when things feel like they may be getting out of control in any aspect of your life really makes a difference. Diabetes is not just about your blood glucose and stress and problems in other areas of life will have an impact on you control. So it is important to make sure you stay healthy in all areas of your life and keep on top of stress.

Diabetes is different to other chronic disease as it requires self management by you on a daily even hourly basis, with guidance from your health care team. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by all the tasks you need to do and the day to day effort needed to manage. Burn out is particularly likely if you work really hard at managing your diabetes but the results are not what you would like. It is also more likely when you have pressure or stress in other areas of your life that you feel you can not control. Diabetes burn out can last a short time, be ongoing, or can come and go. Studies have shown that a majority of people living with diabetes do experience worries, fears and negative feelings at some stage. Some high risk times where you may experience burn out due to added stress or changes in your life include:

  1. If you are not meeting diabetes targets, frustration with lack of movement towards your health goals
  2. Experiencing family/relationship problems, breakdown or violence
  3. Transition or times of change in your life
  4. Loss of someone you care about or other grief/loss
  5. Experiencing poverty or homelessness
  6. Drug and alcohol problems
  7. Problems with work and financial stress
  8. Other physical or mental health problems – such as another chronic disease, depression, mental illness, eating disorders
  9. Pregnancy – planning pregnancy and trying to conceive, during pregnancy and parenting when you have diabetes yourself
  10. Growing older and dealing with changes to your body, your health and your diabetes
  11. Diagnosis of diabetes complications
The recent 2011 study Diabetes MILES which surveyed over 3000 adults with diabetes in Australia found that overall, people were least satisfied with their health, as compared to other aspects of their life. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin had lower levels of satisfaction across all life areas (e.g. health, relationships, safety, standard of living) as compared to adults with type 1 diabetes or with those who had type 2 diabetes but were not using insulin. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin were also more likely to experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than other respondents. Moderate to severe depressive symptoms affected 35% of adults with type 2 on insulin, as compared to 22% of those with type 1 and 23% of those with type 2 who were not using insulin. Moderate to severe anxiety symptoms also affected 19% of adults with type 2 who were using insulin, as compared to 15% of those with type 1 and 14% of those with type 2 non-insulin-managed diabetes. Adults with type 1 diabetes were more likely to experience severe diabetes-related distress than other respondents. 28% of adults with type 1 diabetes experienced severe distress, as compared to 22% of people with type 2 insulin-managed and 17% of type 2 non insulin-managed diabetes. The most commonly reported problem area for respondents (consistent across diabetes types and treatment regimens) was worrying about the future and the development of diabetes related complications.

Rates of diabetes related distress are high yet people are often scared to ask for help, particularly if they have not been managing well. It is important that you DO ask for help and remember there is no such thing as a silly question! Most of us get tired of doing everyday tasks and diabetes sure adds to those! Few people can maintain all the tasks of diabetes care week-in, week-out AND keep blood glucose and HbA1c’s in the narrow target range all the time. Without realistic expectations and practical strategies for managing the thoughts, feelings and emotional side of diabetes, the risk of burnout is higher. The way we think and talk about diabetes has a major impact on how we feel and manage diabetes. Using words like “ high and low” blood glucose instead of “good and bad” can help and so does using CHECK instead of the word TEST when talking about blood glucose monitoring. The reality is most people have an immediate reaction to a high or low BGL. That is normal and fine, but once you have this reaction move on to looking at the number and working out how to manage this and prevent it in the future if possible.

Seven Steps to dealing with Burn out

  1. Consider what particular areas of diabetes are causing you problems – usually it is not all of it! Then develop steps for sorting these areas. Get help if needed.
  2. What else is happening in your life that might be conflicting with diabetes care, or making it harder?
  3. How might you address these things?
  4. What are your expectations for your diabetes management? Do you need to lower or increase your expectations?
  5. What sorts of thoughts and feelings are you having about diabetes/
  6. How are you managing these and are these strategies working? What have you tried?
  7. Do you have any support? Is it the right support? Is it enough support? If not, how can you get this?
Support is vital. Make sure you get this from a variety of sources:

  • Health Care Team
  • Family and friends
  • People with diabetes
  • Online and in person
  • Books, magazines and other sources of information
  • Counselling and other specialists
  • Take time out from diabetes and other stress – try to be a “human being” not always a “human doing”!
Diabetes might thrive on maths – to be corrected and added up BUT You are not a maths problem! See yourself as a sunset – not something to be solved, but appreciated –your achievements, attempts at change, dreams and goals – sit back and appreciate them from time to time and remember there is more to life than diabetes.
Thanks for posting this. 5 years from diagnosis I am a Type 2 diet uncontrolled diabetic, definitely experiencing burnout. I seem to be coming back up to the surface, it was good to read the stats on depression with diabetes, remind me that I'm not alone and why I want to be diet controlled again.
Thanks for posting this. 5 years from diagnosis I am a Type 2 diet uncontrolled diabetic, definitely experiencing burnout. I seem to be coming back up to the surface, it was good to read the stats on depression with diabetes, remind me that I'm not alone and why I want to be diet controlled again.
 

Jum

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thanks RRB. We are not numbers but it often feels that way in how we are and led by both medics and media. Guess I'm new to it all but you find yourself obsessing about it it, thirsting for answers, full of anxiety about how you will manage. Your loved ones become saturated with it and can only take so much. In practical terms I am finding I am spending a disproportionate amount of time on this forum (half term and I should be writing reports). You see if you have stress at work you can try to remedy by taking time out, a holiday for example, but diabetics can never get away from it cos they have to eat and the minute you start thinking food , which you have to, the issues come flooding back. Anyone who has had weight problems and dieted know what I mean. I'm not trying to say smokers don't have a hard time giving up, I'm sure it's tough. They don't have to put a cigarette in their mouths but we cannot avoid putting food in ours, In fact going on holiday often means less control over your food and therefore more anxiety for diabetics. There is simply not enough support for this emotional need for diabetics weary of dealing with their condition. A very useful post which I hope more GPs will see.
 

Violetluis

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Yes I agree, I feel it's a marathon. For me it's become a marathon with my feet tied as my disability stops me from exercising and my depression stops me from holding onto my will power to diet. A real vicious circle which I must snap out off if I am to survive. Now my lactactes went up, also my potassium levels. I feel I need to control those sugar levels if I am to survive.
I am going to start the low carb diet as a last resource.
Anyway else in my situation??
 
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Pump
I am T2 and have been since 2010.Yesterday I went for my diabetes review blood levels good and doing well then I was asked if I felt depressed and I broke down and finally admitted I felt serverly depressed and felt like taking all of my insulin at once and just go to sleep and all my problems would be over. She made me a gp appointment straight away and he put me on citalapram and refured me to diabetic specialist. This is all because I can't bare to stick that little needle in to me any more. He said that they might put me on a pump do T2s go on pumps?.
I have put on 2 stone in 6 months because my insulin dose has changed also the insulin itself. I am on a low carb diet it hasn't stopped the weight going on.
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
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I am T2 and have been since 2010.Yesterday I went for my diabetes review blood levels good and doing well then I was asked if I felt depressed and I broke down and finally admitted I felt serverly depressed and felt like taking all of my insulin at once and just go to sleep and all my problems would be over. She made me a gp appointment straight away and he put me on citalapram and refured me to diabetic specialist. This is all because I can't bare to stick that little needle in to me any more. He said that they might put me on a pump do T2s go on pumps?.
I have put on 2 stone in 6 months because my insulin dose has changed also the insulin itself. I am on a low carb diet it hasn't stopped the weight going on.
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Hi Jane, sorry to hear of your problems. I have never heard of a Type 2 going onto a pump, but you can never say never with diabetes. Spiker has just come off of his pump, he's type 1, as he was having lots of hiccups, but many find it a godsend. There is a lot to understand and having cannula's inserted, it's a lot to take in. Has your GP or DSN suggested any type of counselling, which could be helpful to you ?
Good luck, RRB
 
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kevinfitzgerald

Well-Known Member
Messages
692
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
All things that hurt (emotional and physical)
I to like the marathon analogy accept with a marathon it ends after 26miles but for us it goes on and on.

Marathon runners hit "the wall" where they hurt and struggle and just want to stop. They don't though, they keep discipline and they keep running and though painful they get through it and their running becomes easier again.

Unfortunately for us we hit "the wall" more than just the once on our journey but like the marathon runner we need to try our best to keep discipline and we need to keep going every time we hit it !.

We need to keep doing what we know is the right thing even if we are not seeing results, seek support whilst doing it from those that understand and remember that if we continue in this vain we will get through it,

Burnout is awful and there are so many variables on what can happen living with this illness but I keep running even when I'm hurting.

The main thing is Don't Give Up !
 
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diondom12

Member
Messages
6
I've been type 1 diabetic for nearly 30 years I've had 2 strokes due too diabetes I'm 47 and had enough between severe hypos dka which I've just recovered from retinopathy where I can't see too clearly end stage renal failure all too do with this horrid disease I have I'm in and out of hospital on a regular basis this past 6 months mainly the hypos be being 0.2 or no readings at all I'm now suffering from no warning sign for high or low bg my last hba1c my doc said was really good I've had enough of feeling **** and everything that's happening too me I'm just hoping this doesn't last too long :-(
 

AnnieBernice

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Please could you tell me how I can talk to people, there does not seem to be any way I can ask questions ! So frustrated !
 
Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
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Dislikes
Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
Hi Steve and welcome, sorry to hear of your downhill path. I think many have been through a denial of some sort with the couldn't care less attitude that comes to the surface and tries to take over. The best thing is that you have posted on here about it and it shows you are acknowledging it. Maybe you could start a thread on how you are feeling in the Type 2 thread, or the discussion thread, as you would probably get more views ? as it's a good place for lots of help, advice and support.
Take care RRB
 
C

catherinecherub

Guest
I have moved Steve's post to the greetings and introductions board @Robinredbreast as it is his first post. Our posts must have crossed as yours wasn't here when I moved his.
 

kman

BANNED
Messages
711
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Knowing others Won't learn from my mistakes, Being TERMINALLY ILL !
I might pop in and share experiences occasionally.

Take Care.

Love.

xxx.
 

axle 222

Well-Known Member
Messages
243
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Not being able to do what I would like to be able to do
For anyone going through tough times regarding their diabetes management and from reading on the forum how some younger type 1 members really, really struggle, this is a must read for all.Remember you are not alone.

Connecting people with diabetes

Putting the Brakes on Diabetes Burnout


Helen Edwards; Founder and Director Diabetes Counselling Onlinewww.diabetescounselling.com.au
Diabetes burn out is a common problem for many people, but what is it? Basically this occurs when you grow very tired of managing your diabetes. You might experience feelings of exhaustion and instead of sticking to your regular blood glucose checks, medications, exercise, insulin and other self care tasks, you only do them partially or possibly neglect them altogether for a period of time. It is more than just having a bad day. You just can’t seem to muster the motivation to keep on managing and the guilt and stress about what this is doing to your body just builds up…..adding to your distress.

The challenge for people living with diabetes and this includes family members and caregivers, is to walk the fine line between stress and worry about diabetes, with feeling comfortable about where diabetes sits in your life. You need to try and have perspective about what your goals are and what you can realistically manage at this moment. When you balance this you are able to better manage under times of stress and prevent burn out. One of the biggest things that can help is to have good support. This includes from family, friends, other people with diabetes and your health care team. Exercise and relaxation strategies really help. Learning mindfulness, which teaches you to worry less and be present in your daily life helps to reduce anxiety and distress. Being able to feel in control and have a tool kit for what to do when things feel like they may be getting out of control in any aspect of your life really makes a difference. Diabetes is not just about your blood glucose and stress and problems in other areas of life will have an impact on you control. So it is important to make sure you stay healthy in all areas of your life and keep on top of stress.

Diabetes is different to other chronic disease as it requires self management by you on a daily even hourly basis, with guidance from your health care team. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by all the tasks you need to do and the day to day effort needed to manage. Burn out is particularly likely if you work really hard at managing your diabetes but the results are not what you would like. It is also more likely when you have pressure or stress in other areas of your life that you feel you can not control. Diabetes burn out can last a short time, be ongoing, or can come and go. Studies have shown that a majority of people living with diabetes do experience worries, fears and negative feelings at some stage. Some high risk times where you may experience burn out due to added stress or changes in your life include:

  1. If you are not meeting diabetes targets, frustration with lack of movement towards your health goals
  2. Experiencing family/relationship problems, breakdown or violence
  3. Transition or times of change in your life
  4. Loss of someone you care about or other grief/loss
  5. Experiencing poverty or homelessness
  6. Drug and alcohol problems
  7. Problems with work and financial stress
  8. Other physical or mental health problems – such as another chronic disease, depression, mental illness, eating disorders
  9. Pregnancy – planning pregnancy and trying to conceive, during pregnancy and parenting when you have diabetes yourself
  10. Growing older and dealing with changes to your body, your health and your diabetes
  11. Diagnosis of diabetes complications
The recent 2011 study Diabetes MILES which surveyed over 3000 adults with diabetes in Australia found that overall, people were least satisfied with their health, as compared to other aspects of their life. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin had lower levels of satisfaction across all life areas (e.g. health, relationships, safety, standard of living) as compared to adults with type 1 diabetes or with those who had type 2 diabetes but were not using insulin. Adults with type 2 diabetes who were using insulin were also more likely to experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than other respondents. Moderate to severe depressive symptoms affected 35% of adults with type 2 on insulin, as compared to 22% of those with type 1 and 23% of those with type 2 who were not using insulin. Moderate to severe anxiety symptoms also affected 19% of adults with type 2 who were using insulin, as compared to 15% of those with type 1 and 14% of those with type 2 non-insulin-managed diabetes. Adults with type 1 diabetes were more likely to experience severe diabetes-related distress than other respondents. 28% of adults with type 1 diabetes experienced severe distress, as compared to 22% of people with type 2 insulin-managed and 17% of type 2 non insulin-managed diabetes. The most commonly reported problem area for respondents (consistent across diabetes types and treatment regimens) was worrying about the future and the development of diabetes related complications.

Rates of diabetes related distress are high yet people are often scared to ask for help, particularly if they have not been managing well. It is important that you DO ask for help and remember there is no such thing as a silly question! Most of us get tired of doing everyday tasks and diabetes sure adds to those! Few people can maintain all the tasks of diabetes care week-in, week-out AND keep blood glucose and HbA1c’s in the narrow target range all the time. Without realistic expectations and practical strategies for managing the thoughts, feelings and emotional side of diabetes, the risk of burnout is higher. The way we think and talk about diabetes has a major impact on how we feel and manage diabetes. Using words like “ high and low” blood glucose instead of “good and bad” can help and so does using CHECK instead of the word TEST when talking about blood glucose monitoring. The reality is most people have an immediate reaction to a high or low BGL. That is normal and fine, but once you have this reaction move on to looking at the number and working out how to manage this and prevent it in the future if possible.

Seven Steps to dealing with Burn out

  1. Consider what particular areas of diabetes are causing you problems – usually it is not all of it! Then develop steps for sorting these areas. Get help if needed.
  2. What else is happening in your life that might be conflicting with diabetes care, or making it harder?
  3. How might you address these things?
  4. What are your expectations for your diabetes management? Do you need to lower or increase your expectations?
  5. What sorts of thoughts and feelings are you having about diabetes/
  6. How are you managing these and are these strategies working? What have you tried?
  7. Do you have any support? Is it the right support? Is it enough support? If not, how can you get this?
Support is vital. Make sure you get this from a variety of sources:

  • Health Care Team
  • Family and friends
  • People with diabetes
  • Online and in person
  • Books, magazines and other sources of information
  • Counselling and other specialists
  • Take time out from diabetes and other stress – try to be a “human being” not always a “human doing”!
Diabetes might thrive on maths – to be corrected and added up BUT You are not a maths problem! See yourself as a sunset – not something to be solved, but appreciated –your achievements, attempts at change, dreams and goals – sit back and appreciate them from time to time and remember there is more to life than diabetes.


Thank you for such an informative insight.....I have mental health issues coping with lung disease, was seeing a psychiatrist,but havnt told her yet about my diabetes diagnosis,trying to cope with insulin regime first, then will speak to her...
I look at photo of dizzy and dory each day,oh to be so carefree........
Thanks for the post.....
 
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Reactions: 2 people
Messages
18,448
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
Thank you for such an informative insight.....I have mental health issues coping with lung disease, was seeing a psychiatrist,but havnt told her yet about my diabetes diagnosis,trying to cope with insulin regime first, then will speak to her...
I look at photo of dizzy and dory each day,oh to be so carefree........
Thanks for the post.....

You are so welcome axle and I am chuffed you like dizzy and dorry, they brought a smile to my face as soon as I saw them , so I wanted to share these adorable little creatures <3
Take care x
 

SarahB97

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I am a type 1 and have been for 9 years. I was taken into hospital a couple of weeks ago for 5 days for monitoring and testing because I can't seem to control my diabetes and forget to do my sugars. Even after the horrible experience I am still forgetting and not controlling it as well as I could but I don't know how to improve. Do you have any ideas??
 

rachel162

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I'm 21 and have been type 1 for 19 years. I've never really had issues previously, I've always had reasonable control of my condition, although obviously there are sometimes issues as there is not a textbook approach to diabetes, much as medical professionals would like to convince you that it's easy (at least in their eyes) to stay between 4 and 7 the entire time!

Over the past 6 months or so I've been developing real problems. My blood sugars are all over the place all the time, what with final year exams, and especially now I've just finished uni and am doing a lot of 12 hour days waitressing at fast paced events with very limited breaks, I can't deal with it any more. I've collapsed and fitted from a couple of hypos at work recently because I can't eat at 'normal' times but I don't want to be the one having to have special treatment and take breaks mid service. I'm not recovering from one shift to the next and it just means my levels are getting more out of control each time as I get more tired and my body doesn't know how to deal with the repeated fluctuations, but I can't fix it.

I just feel I have something to prove. Why shouldn't I be able to work ridiculous hours and not have breaks; why should I have to stop and use my pump and do blood tests and all of that? When I was little I was testing like 5-6 times a day, now its once when I wake up or not at all if I'm running late. I used to count the carbs in everything and dose accordingly, now I guesstimate 90% of the time. I've no idea what's even going on with my basal rates. I want a break, even just for one day, to be a 'normal' person and not have to deal with it any more.

Struggling to find people to talk to; I last saw my diabetes doctor about 5 years ago, I'd lost a lot of weight and was heading towards what turned out to be a 3 month stay in hospital for anorexia, and they threatened to take me off my pump, so basically I was too scared and just didn't go back. Now I don't know where to start in terms of getting any support from people who understand and will actually be supportive and proactive rather than just judgmental. As @Flowerpot said, 'the only time I have had help in dealing with any aspects of coping with a chronic illness was from an eating disorders clinic where I was helped to recover from anorexia.' It feels like everyone either pities me or feels they could live my life better than I do, and even when I do my absolute best things still go wrong anyway, so why should I bother keeping on top of it all when ultimately it just causes more stress! Scared I'm on a downward spiral.

Any advice/similar situations/people to chat to would be greatly appreciated!
 

SarahB97

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @rachel162 it is very hard dealing with diabetes and trying to live a normal life. I have been working in a kitchen where they do 18 hour days with no breaks and it the simplest terms it has ****** with my diabetes but I made it clear to them that I needed the time to sort it out or I was going to have really bad health problems. You need to do this because from what you've said it is becoming dangerous now! I was in hospital for a week with mine and I can tell you it was horrible. Please don't get yourself into that and please go back to the doctors. They will be able to help you with what's happening and get you back on track.

When you said what the point in controlling it when it doesn't really help - I feel the same way everyday. Mine is all over the place and doctors are just sitting in there chair saying you need to sort it out and don't even think about normal life and how much it affects us!

I'm in the same boat as you with your thoughts about diabetes and have been in the same place with controlling it so if you ever need to talk more just message me
 
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Mike d

Expert
Messages
7,997
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
idiots who will not learn
Kudos to both of you .... @rachel162 for reaching out and @SarahB97 for offering your help. It hits everyone differently, it does not care who or what we are, and hurts us at levels only "we" understand, regardless of type.

You hide from it, you confront it and every single emotion in between. I'm pleased you're in contact and hope it all works out for you both. You deserve no less and this is what the forum is all about ... help .....

Mike :)
 
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mo53

Expert
Messages
7,869
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@Robinredbreast thank you so much for starting this thread. I have just returned to the site after a 6 month absence. I was diagnosed t2 a year ago and worked hard for the first 7 months with a lchf diet and an hours swimming every day. My levels dropped and dropped and then I just fell off the wagon! And it is so very hard to start again. This thread, which I have just read all the way through was very helpful and motivating.
 
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