Emotional Stress And Diabetes

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
I am currently studying A levels as I would like to become a nurse and specialise in Diabetes. However, my first year of A levels was not enjoyable as I started a new school ( my old school didn't do sixth form). The first 3/4 months was hell, I felt that I couldn't cope as my blood sugar control was on a rollercoaster. A typical school week for me was having a blood sugar range of 15-20 mmol. I really struggled to mix as I felt so unwell, my immunity also took a beating which left me fighting off many colds. I felt misunderstood and the school nurse hasn't a clue and isn't a very nice person. I felt burnout and that all hope was lost, I was sent to see a psychologist who automatically told me that I had social anxiety and that my diabetes management is fine. In the past I have struggled with panic attacks though I am much better now. I have lived with diabetes for 10 years, diagnosed at 7 and turning 18 soon, diabetes is part of my life and I can accept that. However, I do believe that it can affect my personality as I find that when my blood sugars are erratic I fall into a kind of " diabetic depression" which makes me feel awful. I isolate myself, put myself down psychologically and give myself torture in school believing that I am a freak as I don't drink or flirt with the boys. I just feel out of place at the moment. My diabetes is causing me a great deal of stress as I feel that it has control of me in my current situation and that I am alone.
 

Mia4554

Active Member
Messages
27
Hi banana2000, sorry you are feeling like this at the moment. It can feel quite lonely sometimes but I am finding that there are lots of lovely people on here who can offer support and advice when things are tough. I really find that i get into a high blood sugar/ emotional roller coaster ride sometimes and it feels like a cycle I can't get out of but this will just be phases and I am sure that you will be able to find a more steady pattern in time. Do you have a good GP or DN who you could talk to about other options for emotional support if you don't feel the psychologist is helping? Have you finished your first year and will be starting your second in a few weeks? Sending best wishes
 
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Energize

Well-Known Member
Messages
810
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi @banana2000

I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now even though I struggled with depression all my life [now an 'oldie' ;) ] When I'm feeling really low, I always need to hear 'it'll get better and you'll do OK' rather than 'don't worry'! So, this is what I feel I want to tell you -

You will feel better! You will settle down at 6th Form! There is light at the end of the tunnel, even when you can't see it! Please believe this and believe in yourself.

I can't advise re Type 1, I have to say but, being older, I'd like to think I might have gained some wisdom over the years.
So,- perhaps you have a good rapport with your Diabetes nurse or doctor, either at your GP surgery, or at the hospital?
- Could you arrange to see him/her, urgently - if hospital, then ring yor Consultants secretary /or hospital Diabetes team and tell them you need urgent help and advice?
- Perhaps your parents could help re contacting one of the profession medical team who you feel you can talk to?

I really feel you need to talk to someone you can relate to and feel comfortable with, who can help you through this difficult time, and the sooner the better, eh?

Wishing you all the best. Remember, you will get through this and come out the other end much wiser, eh!!! :)
 
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Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,216
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @banana2000 ,

I'm a 50 year old guy. I remember those years... "Late starter myself" school days, hell. & was alway prone to colds & flu at your age felt like i was under a rock..
Life will get better as you find & develope your own identity.

Going to tag in some female response for you. Though i feel not all issues are gender specific it may help with more appropriate feedback.. @Juicyj @Diakat @Mel dCP @helensaramay
 
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Juicyj

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
9,018
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Hi @banana2000 sorry to hear of your anxiety, it’s not easy managing with type 1 when your levels are erratic, I have to be honest I too get down when mine are all over the shop, it’s almost as though I feel out of control.

My thought process is that by stabilising my bg levels I feel much more in control, so for me personally that means eating low carb and avoiding taking large amounts of insulin to avoid going yo yo, also the less insulin I take also means less room for error too.

Also try and think of times when you didn’t feel so anxious, what was it like for you then and how did you manage your insulin then ? Focus on the positives and remember you are not alone in how you feel, lots here are happy to help support you :)
 
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kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,783
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
Hi @banana2000, I feel for you. I went through a somewhat similar process some 46 years ago, before glucose monitors, fancy insulins, pumps etc - and it is survivable !! And as a male in Australia there were also social pressures, stress and expectations.
I feel different, isolated, and stubborn about being independent rather than needy but needing to pull myself up by my own bootlaces !!! Who else was there to blame but myself ??
In hindsight it was probably sticking to an exercise regime, long walks to the train station, regular swimming in the pool near the school (and later the one near the university), use of self humour and being prepared to really adjust my insulin to allow for the stress of exams ( stepping up to 3 times normal doses at times), cultivating a few close friendships and minimising comfort eating, which is a natural response to stress I found.
Through my University course in Medicine I learnt about the hormone cortisol, released from the adrenal glands as a response to chronic stress and which makes insulin less effective (or in more modern parlance, increases insulin resistance). I appreciated that I was lucky in the sense of not having the added stress of coping with menstrual cycles. Although I did notice seasonal changes in my diabetes and sensitivity to insulin.
I learnt of experiments suggesting that URTIs were less common if safe doses of Vitamin D supplements were taken through winter and that influenza vaccination was a good idea (although insulin requirements went up 30% plus for 4 to 5 days after the vaccination in my case). In one study the proximity of sleeping bunks in a military garrison correlated with the spread of flu, in another with the presence or absence of hand washing. Why do health professional courses in universities cram people together in lectures and emphasise hand washing just in hospitals and not at university, particularly in wintertime ? And in schools, the same thing?
Having at least one friend was a great help, he was from Mauritius and shared a feeling of isolation. As can happen a group formed, male and female, over time which helped. There was one other person that year with T1D, we actually lived several streets away as we found out, but we developed our own support networks whilst still being in touch.
Hypos in public are an incredible source for embarrassment. I can still recall some and being grateful that others learnt to look out for me. One occurred whilst waiting for a practical exam. Fortunately the nurse on duty, who was minding the patients we were to see, recognised me from eye clinics (I was attending clinics at the hospital as an out-patient) and intervened.
Outpatient clinics back then were cruel. Doctors seemed to resent me, still battling with the slings and arrows of adolescence and contrary hormones, with not having perfect BSLs - and informing me that I was heading for diabetic complications. The nurses were much more understanding. I expect that attitudes have changed markedly. My private endocrinologist advises all his new TID patients to ensure they obtain a good normal age retirement plan.
Bottling up feelings would lead me to feeling anxious. My exercise routine provided an answer (with a much needed power surge to my brain to turn on the light) - Breathe ! If I slowed my breathing, not too shallow and rapid, not too deep I could breathe out the worry which my holding of breath had trapped. It works, steady even breaths wherever..., whatever..., however..... And exercise helped my diabetes control. I was doing something to help myself and I learnt that I, with T1D, was trying my best to pilot a particular function of what my pancreas had abandoned - Not My Fault - and being one of those unusual males who taught himself to machine sew, I know what it is like for a sewing machine to malfunction and you end up trying to hand sew - it takes time and effort to get the stitches right. With persistence one learns how to re-use the sewing machine in a fashion, but it is no longer an automatic affair.
Self humour allowed me to not take things too seriously. I found I became very obsessive about controlling my BSLs and in planning forward - to avoid being without insulin, missing lunch etc. These things all helped but took time for the anxiety to ease. Taking things step by step, use steady breathing, avoiding over-thinking, allowing what worked to become automatic, inventing an imaginary person, Muggins, my self-reflection - "Now what would Muggins do in this case, or with what happened ??" "Muggins, do I really need this Chocolate Sundae cone ?" And finding a dsn and counsellor who understood enough about diabetes to empathise.
I often tell the story of having accidentally given myself my evening dose of insulin twice (short and long-acting). What to do?
I thought about the out-dated Aussie practice for snakebite of cutting down to the end of the fang bites (injections) and sucking out the venom (insulin) but this was anatomically impossible. ( and i chickened out anyway, it was was a whimsical and outrageous idea anyway! ) Instead i 'punished' myself with judicious doses of ice-cream through the night.
Love yourself - I am a person who happens to have diabetes, yes it does shape me in some ways but I am still a person with feelings, passions, thoughts and opinions. I can become interested in pastimes, hobbies etc, could participate in school clubs or outside school if I wished. Facing challenges can make me stronger in ways, more confident ( and self-humour prevents me from going over the top !!). I can be pleasant, humourous without having to drink alcohol (and real no-no on insulin, I believe) or flirt. I can be a designated driver, a teller of jokes and whilst diabetes may be a turn-off for some, the people who are really friends and who are genuine will not be put off by my diabetes. The same applies to you.
Please keep posting. share your thoughts, your victories and where things have gone less well. Welcome, fellow warrior.
 
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D

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Hi @banana2000

In hindsight, being a teenager can suck. Without diabetes it is a roller coaster as you have the stress of exams and fitting in whilst really discovering yourself and having extra hormones floating around.
Unfortunately, often part of fitting in is not admitting you are struggling because you think everyone else is having fun, having no trouble coping and don't want your problems.
Then you add diabetes to the mix with the added stress it can bring (especially as all the stress i mentioned previously makes it even harder to manage you diabetes. And, it is probably the time when your parents are letting go and leaving you to do more of your diabetes management.

Ok, so that doesn't sound great. But what it means is that you are not alone - most people of your age, regardless of diabetes, are struggling some way. And, you are not the only 18 year old person with type 1 diabetes.

Like the other replies, I am an "oldie" (although, I try not to tell many people that too often :) ) and I was lucky to be diagnosed with type 1 later in life. However, it can still be very stressful and make me want to hide from the world when it is not going well.
Most of the time this happens, I give myself a stern talking to and remind myself of the people in the public eye with type 1 who probably also experience the diabetes ups and downs whilst acting, playing professional sport, performing in a band, managing the country, ...
Another way of managing (I don't like the terms "coping" or "controlling" because they either suggest I am only just getting by or I have it sorted 100% and I am somewhere in between), is to go back to basics, work out what is causing the BG highs or lows and then work out how I can manage it better (avoid situations, take more or less insulin and don't be so hard on yourself). Is there a possibility for you to go on a diabetes course such as DAFNE. It is easy to think after 10 years we know how to manage diabetes but techniques change, research uncovers new ideas and it is good to be reminded. I went on a course 12 years after my diagnosis. One of the huge benefits for me was meeting other people who have type 1 and know how I feel.
I am also stubborn and won't let anyone or anything stop me doing what I want. When I was first diagnosed, dating was incredibly hard (when should I tell him? what should I tell him? what if I have a hypo? ...) but I never told a guy who ran away (at least not because of the diabetes :) ), they never judged me for the diabetes and I only had one major hypo on a date (with the guy who I now live with).
My stubbornness means I also do the things I want which could make my diabetes a bit harder to manage - I eat what I want, I do all sorts of exercise from running to mountain biking to climbing to hiking and even tried flying trapeze and I drink when I want. These may take a little more planning than they would without diabetes but over time I have got used to eating some carbs after a night out and reducing my basal or eating some carbs before exercise or taking multiple insulin doses with a pizza or ...
If you want to drink or flirt with some guys, don't let diabetes stop you.

I admire your career choice - it sounds wonderful to be able to channel your experience with diabetes into helping others as a diabetes specialist nurse. I have met a few in my life and none have diabetes so they are all talking in theory. I would love to be able to share my experience with a professional who has been where I am.
 

Diakat

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,591
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
The smell of cigars
Hi @banana2000
You've already had decent suggestions above. Having numbers in the 15-20 range make me feel rubbish as well so if possible focus an control as a starting point. Assuming levels are ok at the weekend you may need to try different ratios during the week.
The other thing to say is, ah well school! This too shall pass, one more year and you are out of there - free to fond people that do get you and places where you feel comfortable. Ask for some professional support for the anxiety now so that when you move on from school you are in a better place to start again.
 

KK123

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,967
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
All the advice given here is good but I suspect it is mainly from older people who are talking about their struggles 30 plus years ago. It reminds me of trying to give advice to the younger generation now about (non diabetes) issues we faced years and years ago, it is a whole different society and a generational difference. Although diabetes remains the same of course, the way young people socialise now is massively different and it feels to me like Banana may benefit from those around her age in very similar situations. There seems to be such a lack of support (other than this site) and I'm not sure if that is because there are fewer type 1's out there or there is a lack of will. Banana, I cannot help you but I wonder if you could ask to be put in touch with other teenagers at Uni (yours or others) with type 1? It seems as if you feel isolated and this in turn causes a vicious circle with diabetes all mixed up in the middle of it. You are NOT a freak, there must be many individuals coping with all sorts of conditions whilst at Uni maybe all of them hiding away and suffering. Is it possible you could strive to get a group going? x
 

PenguinMum

Expert
Messages
6,782
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
All schools have pastoral care. Its very important because so many students diabetic or not are very stressed. I suggest you find out who that is and try and talk to them. If you get on well (and these people are carefully chosen or should be) then you have someone to talk to when you feel bad. The cool kids need never know your privacy should be respected. I do think you will make a group of friends who will support you. In some ways when you go to Uni its easier because everyone arrives in their halls not knowing anyone else so make more effort. Hope things improve and you get to be a nurse.
 
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LooperCat

Expert
Messages
5,223
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Morning @banana2000 - I’m an old fart too, diagnosed 20 years ago at the age of 24, when I was studying for my PhD. I don’t know any T1s in the wild, so really rely on my online support network.

Stabilising your levels will really help your mental wellbeing, but I don’t think I’m telling you anything you don’t already know there. What testing and insulin regime are you on?
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000

I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now even though I struggled with depression all my life [now an 'oldie' ;) ] When I'm feeling really low, I always need to hear 'it'll get better and you'll do OK' rather than 'don't worry'! So, this is what I feel I want to tell you -

You will feel better! You will settle down at 6th Form! There is light at the end of the tunnel, even when you can't see it! Please believe this and believe in yourself.

I can't advise re Type 1, I have to say but, being older, I'd like to think I might have gained some wisdom over the years.
So,- perhaps you have a good rapport with your Diabetes nurse or doctor, either at your GP surgery, or at the hospital?
- Could you arrange to see him/her, urgently - if hospital, then ring yor Consultants secretary /or hospital Diabetes team and tell them you need urgent help and advice?
- Perhaps your parents could help re contacting one of the profession medical team who you feel you can talk to?

I really feel you need to talk to someone you can relate to and feel comfortable with, who can help you through this difficult time, and the sooner the better, eh?

Wishing you all the best. Remember, you will get through this and come out the other end much wiser, eh!!! :)

Hi banana2000, sorry you are feeling like this at the moment. It can feel quite lonely sometimes but I am finding that there are lots of lovely people on here who can offer support and advice when things are tough. I really find that i get into a high blood sugar/ emotional roller coaster ride sometimes and it feels like a cycle I can't get out of but this will just be phases and I am sure that you will be able to find a more steady pattern in time. Do you have a good GP or DN who you could talk to about other options for emotional support if you don't feel the psychologist is helping? Have you finished your first year and will be starting your second in a few weeks? Sending best wishes
Thanks so much for the reply , I really appreciate it!
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi banana2000, sorry you are feeling like this at the moment. It can feel quite lonely sometimes but I am finding that there are lots of lovely people on here who can offer support and advice when things are tough. I really find that i get into a high blood sugar/ emotional roller coaster ride sometimes and it feels like a cycle I can't get out of but this will just be phases and I am sure that you will be able to find a more steady pattern in time. Do you have a good GP or DN who you could talk to about other options for emotional support if you don't feel the psychologist is helping? Have you finished your first year and will be starting your second in a few weeks? Sending best wishes
Thanks for the best wishes. I am starting back soon and hoping all goes well
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000 ,

I'm a 50 year old guy. I remember those years... "Late starter myself" school days, hell. & was alway prone to colds & flu at your age felt like i was under a rock..
Life will get better as you find & develope your own identity.

Going to tag in some female response for you. Though i feel not all issues are gender specific it may help with more appropriate feedback.. @Juicyj @Diakat @Mel dCP @helensaramay
Thanks very much
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000 sorry to hear of your anxiety, it’s not easy managing with type 1 when your levels are erratic, I have to be honest I too get down when mine are all over the shop, it’s almost as though I feel out of control.

My thought process is that by stabilising my bg levels I feel much more in control, so for me personally that means eating low carb and avoiding taking large amounts of insulin to avoid going yo yo, also the less insulin I take also means less room for error too.

Also try and think of times when you didn’t feel so anxious, what was it like for you then and how did you manage your insulin then ? Focus on the positives and remember you are not alone in how you feel, lots here are happy to help support you :)
Thanks for the advice and support
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000, I feel for you. I went through a somewhat similar process some 46 years ago, before glucose monitors, fancy insulins, pumps etc - and it is survivable !! And as a male in Australia there were also social pressures, stress and expectations.
I feel different, isolated, and stubborn about being independent rather than needy but needing to pull myself up by my own bootlaces !!! Who else was there to blame but myself ??
In hindsight it was probably sticking to an exercise regime, long walks to the train station, regular swimming in the pool near the school (and later the one near the university), use of self humour and being prepared to really adjust my insulin to allow for the stress of exams ( stepping up to 3 times normal doses at times), cultivating a few close friendships and minimising comfort eating, which is a natural response to stress I found.
Through my University course in Medicine I learnt about the hormone cortisol, released from the adrenal glands as a response to chronic stress and which makes insulin less effective (or in more modern parlance, increases insulin resistance). I appreciated that I was lucky in the sense of not having the added stress of coping with menstrual cycles. Although I did notice seasonal changes in my diabetes and sensitivity to insulin.
I learnt of experiments suggesting that URTIs were less common if safe doses of Vitamin D supplements were taken through winter and that influenza vaccination was a good idea (although insulin requirements went up 30% plus for 4 to 5 days after the vaccination in my case). In one study the proximity of sleeping bunks in a military garrison correlated with the spread of flu, in another with the presence or absence of hand washing. Why do health professional courses in universities cram people together in lectures and emphasise hand washing just in hospitals and not at university, particularly in wintertime ? And in schools, the same thing?
Having at least one friend was a great help, he was from Mauritius and shared a feeling of isolation. As can happen a group formed, male and female, over time which helped. There was one other person that year with T1D, we actually lived several streets away as we found out, but we developed our own support networks whilst still being in touch.
Hypos in public are an incredible source for embarrassment. I can still recall some and being grateful that others learnt to look out for me. One occurred whilst waiting for a practical exam. Fortunately the nurse on duty, who was minding the patients we were to see, recognised me from eye clinics (I was attending clinics at the hospital as an out-patient) and intervened.
Outpatient clinics back then were cruel. Doctors seemed to resent me, still battling with the slings and arrows of adolescence and contrary hormones, with not having perfect BSLs - and informing me that I was heading for diabetic complications. The nurses were much more understanding. I expect that attitudes have changed markedly. My private endocrinologist advises all his new TID patients to ensure they obtain a good normal age retirement plan.
Bottling up feelings would lead me to feeling anxious. My exercise routine provided an answer (with a much needed power surge to my brain to turn on the light) - Breathe ! If I slowed my breathing, not too shallow and rapid, not too deep I could breathe out the worry which my holding of breath had trapped. It works, steady even breaths wherever..., whatever..., however..... And exercise helped my diabetes control. I was doing something to help myself and I learnt that I, with T1D, was trying my best to pilot a particular function of what my pancreas had abandoned - Not My Fault - and being one of those unusual males who taught himself to machine sew, I know what it is like for a sewing machine to malfunction and you end up trying to hand sew - it takes time and effort to get the stitches right. With persistence one learns how to re-use the sewing machine in a fashion, but it is no longer an automatic affair.
Self humour allowed me to not take things too seriously. I found I became very obsessive about controlling my BSLs and in planning forward - to avoid being without insulin, missing lunch etc. These things all helped but took time for the anxiety to ease. Taking things step by step, use steady breathing, avoiding over-thinking, allowing what worked to become automatic, inventing an imaginary person, Muggins, my self-reflection - "Now what would Muggins do in this case, or with what happened ??" "Muggins, do I really need this Chocolate Sundae cone ?" And finding a dsn and counsellor who understood enough about diabetes to empathise.
I often tell the story of having accidentally given myself my evening dose of insulin twice (short and long-acting). What to do?
I thought about the out-dated Aussie practice for snakebite of cutting down to the end of the fang bites (injections) and sucking out the venom (insulin) but this was anatomically impossible. ( and i chickened out anyway, it was was a whimsical and outrageous idea anyway! ) Instead i 'punished' myself with judicious doses of ice-cream through the night.
Love yourself - I am a person who happens to have diabetes, yes it does shape me in some ways but I am still a person with feelings, passions, thoughts and opinions. I can become interested in pastimes, hobbies etc, could participate in school clubs or outside school if I wished. Facing challenges can make me stronger in ways, more confident ( and self-humour prevents me from going over the top !!). I can be pleasant, humourous without having to drink alcohol (and real no-no on insulin, I believe) or flirt. I can be a designated driver, a teller of jokes and whilst diabetes may be a turn-off for some, the people who are really friends and who are genuine will not be put off by my diabetes. The same applies to you.
Please keep posting. share your thoughts, your victories and where things have gone less well. Welcome, fellow warrior.
Thanks so much for that reply and your knowledge on how to manage your diabetes is very helpful
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000

In hindsight, being a teenager can suck. Without diabetes it is a roller coaster as you have the stress of exams and fitting in whilst really discovering yourself and having extra hormones floating around.
Unfortunately, often part of fitting in is not admitting you are struggling because you think everyone else is having fun, having no trouble coping and don't want your problems.
Then you add diabetes to the mix with the added stress it can bring (especially as all the stress i mentioned previously makes it even harder to manage you diabetes. And, it is probably the time when your parents are letting go and leaving you to do more of your diabetes management.

Ok, so that doesn't sound great. But what it means is that you are not alone - most people of your age, regardless of diabetes, are struggling some way. And, you are not the only 18 year old person with type 1 diabetes.

Like the other replies, I am an "oldie" (although, I try not to tell many people that too often :) ) and I was lucky to be diagnosed with type 1 later in life. However, it can still be very stressful and make me want to hide from the world when it is not going well.
Most of the time this happens, I give myself a stern talking to and remind myself of the people in the public eye with type 1 who probably also experience the diabetes ups and downs whilst acting, playing professional sport, performing in a band, managing the country, ...
Another way of managing (I don't like the terms "coping" or "controlling" because they either suggest I am only just getting by or I have it sorted 100% and I am somewhere in between), is to go back to basics, work out what is causing the BG highs or lows and then work out how I can manage it better (avoid situations, take more or less insulin and don't be so hard on yourself). Is there a possibility for you to go on a diabetes course such as DAFNE. It is easy to think after 10 years we know how to manage diabetes but techniques change, research uncovers new ideas and it is good to be reminded. I went on a course 12 years after my diagnosis. One of the huge benefits for me was meeting other people who have type 1 and know how I feel.
I am also stubborn and won't let anyone or anything stop me doing what I want. When I was first diagnosed, dating was incredibly hard (when should I tell him? what should I tell him? what if I have a hypo? ...) but I never told a guy who ran away (at least not because of the diabetes :) ), they never judged me for the diabetes and I only had one major hypo on a date (with the guy who I now live with).
My stubbornness means I also do the things I want which could make my diabetes a bit harder to manage - I eat what I want, I do all sorts of exercise from running to mountain biking to climbing to hiking and even tried flying trapeze and I drink when I want. These may take a little more planning than they would without diabetes but over time I have got used to eating some carbs after a night out and reducing my basal or eating some carbs before exercise or taking multiple insulin doses with a pizza or ...
If you want to drink or flirt with some guys, don't let diabetes stop you.

I admire your career choice - it sounds wonderful to be able to channel your experience with diabetes into helping others as a diabetes specialist nurse. I have met a few in my life and none have diabetes so they are all talking in theory. I would love to be able to share my experience with a professional who has been where I am.
Thanks for your response, it really would be a pleasure for me to help other diabetics as I find nurses who base their knowledge on theory do not see the bigger picture associated with diabetes
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
Hi @banana2000
You've already had decent suggestions above. Having numbers in the 15-20 range make me feel rubbish as well so if possible focus an control as a starting point. Assuming levels are ok at the weekend you may need to try different ratios during the week.
The other thing to say is, ah well school! This too shall pass, one more year and you are out of there - free to fond people that do get you and places where you feel comfortable. Ask for some professional support for the anxiety now so that when you move on from school you are in a better place to start again.
Thank you for your response, it means a lot
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
All the advice given here is good but I suspect it is mainly from older people who are talking about their struggles 30 plus years ago. It reminds me of trying to give advice to the younger generation now about (non diabetes) issues we faced years and years ago, it is a whole different society and a generational difference. Although diabetes remains the same of course, the way young people socialise now is massively different and it feels to me like Banana may benefit from those around her age in very similar situations. There seems to be such a lack of support (other than this site) and I'm not sure if that is because there are fewer type 1's out there or there is a lack of will. Banana, I cannot help you but I wonder if you could ask to be put in touch with other teenagers at Uni (yours or others) with type 1? It seems as if you feel isolated and this in turn causes a vicious circle with diabetes all mixed up in the middle of it. You are NOT a freak, there must be many individuals coping with all sorts of conditions whilst at Uni maybe all of them hiding away and suffering. Is it possible you could strive to get a group going? x
I agree with you, socialising is very different nowadays and the older generation seems to not fully understand especially when diabetes is thrown in the mix. I think that I should try to meet people around the same age as me with type 1
 

banana2000

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
High and low blood sugars!
All schools have pastoral care. Its very important because so many students diabetic or not are very stressed. I suggest you find out who that is and try and talk to them. If you get on well (and these people are carefully chosen or should be) then you have someone to talk to when you feel bad. The cool kids need never know your privacy should be respected. I do think you will make a group of friends who will support you. In some ways when you go to Uni its easier because everyone arrives in their halls not knowing anyone else so make more effort. Hope things improve and you get to be a nurse.
Thanks very much
 
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