- Messages
- 2,705
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
I am a recently diagnosed T2 diabetic and with my limited experience of two months with the disease, I have come to believe that managing my diabetes has more to do with my mind, my emotions and my decisions, than it has to do with my pancreas and what it can or can not do.
Being diagnosed with a serious long term helth condition like diabetes is like being hit by an emotional sledgehammer and at first I was stanned by the blow, drifting from doctor to doctor listening and following passively and unquestioningly whatever I was advised to do.
At the same time, I was feeling both anxiety and uncertainty about my future ,as well as a strong feeling of guilt and failure as I fealt that I had brought this on myself through inappropriate diet and insufficient exercise. I have since come to realize that such feelings of guilt are both unjustified and counterproductive. My diet and level of physical fitness was not that different from that of the majority of the population in "delveloped" society, but I got diabetes while most of the rest did not. Without absolving myself completely, surely developng T2 diabetes must have more to do with picking some genetic short straw than just diet and fitness.
Developing diabetes means that controlling my glucose levels, a function previously carried out by my body automatically, is now largely dependent on my own choices and actions. Although empowering, this new level of authority/responsibility may appear overwhelming initially. I determined that the way to cope with this, as well as with my feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, was to learn as much about the disease as I could and in this I was helped by both a close friend who is a long time T2 herself, as well as internet sites like this one.
Managing diabetes is about gaining control and making informed choices about your lifestyle. A vital prerequisite to making progressively improved choices is feedback on the outcome of the choices just made, hence why I decided that self monitoring of my glucose level was a necessity despite initial medical advise to the contrary and despite the fact that I have to bear the complete cost of testing myself.
With hindsight, I would say that I was fairly self obsessed in the last two months, possibly to the detriment of my family, however I believe I needed to concentrate on handling this condition and regaining a sence of control. Having to abandon long term habits and learning new ones was never easy. Although ultimately, we are ourselves responsible for managing our bodies and our condition, this becomes a lot easier if those close to us are supportive. I am extreemly greatful to my wife, parents and other close family for their understanding and support.
My diabetes is now under control and I am begining to feel a lot more relaxed and positive about the future.
Being diagnosed with a serious long term helth condition like diabetes is like being hit by an emotional sledgehammer and at first I was stanned by the blow, drifting from doctor to doctor listening and following passively and unquestioningly whatever I was advised to do.
At the same time, I was feeling both anxiety and uncertainty about my future ,as well as a strong feeling of guilt and failure as I fealt that I had brought this on myself through inappropriate diet and insufficient exercise. I have since come to realize that such feelings of guilt are both unjustified and counterproductive. My diet and level of physical fitness was not that different from that of the majority of the population in "delveloped" society, but I got diabetes while most of the rest did not. Without absolving myself completely, surely developng T2 diabetes must have more to do with picking some genetic short straw than just diet and fitness.
Developing diabetes means that controlling my glucose levels, a function previously carried out by my body automatically, is now largely dependent on my own choices and actions. Although empowering, this new level of authority/responsibility may appear overwhelming initially. I determined that the way to cope with this, as well as with my feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, was to learn as much about the disease as I could and in this I was helped by both a close friend who is a long time T2 herself, as well as internet sites like this one.
Managing diabetes is about gaining control and making informed choices about your lifestyle. A vital prerequisite to making progressively improved choices is feedback on the outcome of the choices just made, hence why I decided that self monitoring of my glucose level was a necessity despite initial medical advise to the contrary and despite the fact that I have to bear the complete cost of testing myself.
With hindsight, I would say that I was fairly self obsessed in the last two months, possibly to the detriment of my family, however I believe I needed to concentrate on handling this condition and regaining a sence of control. Having to abandon long term habits and learning new ones was never easy. Although ultimately, we are ourselves responsible for managing our bodies and our condition, this becomes a lot easier if those close to us are supportive. I am extreemly greatful to my wife, parents and other close family for their understanding and support.
My diabetes is now under control and I am begining to feel a lot more relaxed and positive about the future.
