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Diabeto hatred

clemo86

Newbie
Hello everyone,

I've finally realised I need to talk to fellow diabetics. I've been on here for a while just reading and stuff.

I was diagnosed as a type1 when I was 26 I'm now 37. At the time of diagnosis I was working as a scientist and studying for my masters. I'm still a scientist and doing well. The masters was not achievable as I had so much to deal with, I never felt the strength to pick it back up.

I struggled massively mentally at diagnosis for about 4 years in and out of hospital refusing to accept, living like the old me.. I still do at times.......It's relentless though the condition

The mental health support was not there and I don't believe it still is, the lack of support had and still does have a massive affect on all aspects of my life.

I don't honestly know what I'm asking, just sometimes I feel im on my own and would love to get involved in a community.

Thank you for reading,

Leah
 
Hi @clemo86 , I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with your diabetes.
Have you reached out to your diabetes team to talk about this?
Many diabetes teams have a specialised mental health counsellor as part of the team who knows all about the specific struggles T1's can have, diabetes burn-out is very common!
 
Thank you for your reply.

I've struggled on my own for a while. I don't think centres at times understand. I think it's a condition until you have it you won't know. As a scientist I respect that you can read a text book, but you are trying to advise about something you can't imagine living with.

I cope very well day to day, I just think I should maybe get involved in the community instead of thinking I'm the only one.
 
Well, the community is right here!
Please feel welcome.
 
HI and welcome , sorry to hear you are struggling , but you definitely made te first step by coming here and wanting to talk, probably everything you’ve been through or will go through someone here has been through the same . Personally I think the secret is to take small steps and achievable goals , bit like a scientific problem , you don’t try and solve the whole problem straight away do it in chunks, I’ve had diabetes over 40 years and I’m still learning how my insulin works for me with different foods etc and that’s the secret to making life with diabetes manageable. Finding what works for you. This forum is a great place as everyone will help you with advice and experiences which if nothing else will show you your not on your own
 
Hi And welcome @clemo86
Type 1 of 50 years here and if i may give you my own simple view on living with diabetes?

Its an equation of insulin food and exercise and if you can understand those 3 things and the effect they have on your own body and then incorporate your cgm (i assume you have one?) or whatever way you use to text your levels then you will see an improvement in your levels then that will make you feel better both physically and mentally.

I know several people who inject insulin and comparing notes is a big help.

I don't want to bore you so will leave it there but please don't despair just keep analysing the data and the effect it has on your own body.
My neighbour and i have completely different regimes with different insulins yet both get good levels.

I wish you well

Tony
 
I am not completely sure how much difference there is between type 1 and type 2 but I knolw that as a type 2 there were many barriers to climb through in my life. However I achieved my aims and that was to join the RAF, which I did in 1963, albeit not in the trade I wanted. However I fought hard and stuck to the diets prescribed (most of the time) and eventually spent time as a Sgt Physical Training Instructor. I went to an array of overseas detachment including Zambia, Bahrain and two 31/2 year tours in Germany. I then went to college and got a degree in Admin Management and Computer Systems and took on a number of management jobs before retiring at 69. I achieved all this whilst managing my diabetes. At times it was very hard whilst trying to keep up with my comrades and it was, at times, extremely hard to say NO whilst joining in. I achieved beyond my childhood wishes and what I am trying to say that if you have a dream then you should go for it. It may cause hardships but if it was too easy it would not be appreciated so much. I tooik my degree at the age of 42 so there is no reason why you should try again at 37. Its suprising how much your perspective changes as you get older. Go for it gal. And the very best of luck.
 

I think this is the part of diabetes that isn’t understood or talked about the tiredness, the feeling everything is a struggle to do, the can’t be bothered feeling, diabetes type 2 changes you in so many ways. The change in my life and how I felt was the reason I asked to be tested 14 years ago, not being overweight in anyway at all the medical professionals were reluctant to run tests saying I had symptoms of depression. Once tested and extremely high blood glucose treatment for type 2 started but never once has anyone spoken to me about how I feel or about how it’s changed me and my life.
I do most things I want to do, and keep active but it doesn’t come naturally I have to force myself to do it.
So glad you have spoken out I also have been feeling that I was alone in the struggle to keep going and doing the things I used to enjoy doing so easily.
 
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