• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Feeling low about diabetes

david.ed.bullock

david.ed.bullock

Active Member
Messages
35
Location
Loughborough
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi all
I seem to be getting down about my diabetes as I have had it for around 25 years and got put on the insulin pump at the start of January last year. I seem to have got into a habit of not doing bedtime bg tests, not changing pump cannula on a 3 day basis sometimes goes to 5 days, and also I seem to just eat for comfort.
I am married and this week will be 2 year anniversary which we are both happy and doing well, I am enjoying work and social life.

I'm not sure why I am feeling low, I have recently just took caffeine out of my life as I used to have around 6 coffees a day now limiting it to 1 a day!

I also seem to have ulcers appearing in my mouth quite a bit. Finally I have a hernia on my groin which I'm awaiting an operation date maybe this has something to do with it?

Sorry for all the different bits of info but wanted to put all of it in one message. I am hoping I can sort myself out, pick myself up and sort my hba1c to a good level as it had started coming down slightly.

Any help, advice, support etc will be greatly appreciated :)
 
cant really give you any advice david but i have a cup of tea first thing then its coffee all day long for me .is there a reason why you have given it up.maybe you are a little bit rundown ie the ulcers and with your other problems maybe a little stressed .congratulations on your upcoming 2 year anniversary now that is something to celebrate have you got something nice in mind :)really hope your feeling better soon sending big hugs xx
 
Hi David
Diabetes is classed as a chronic illness and the more chronic illnesses you have the more likely you are to suffer mentally I'm afraid.
Add to this a hernia then its not surprising you are feeling low.
You say you got put on a pump?
Did you have a choice?
Do you want to go back to your old regime?
Why quit the coffee if you like it?
What does your GP say about the ulcers?

I have suffered mentally after 44 years of type 1 but have learnt to deal with it.
Speak to your GP or someone professional who can help and talk to your wife but whatever you do don't keep it to yourself and don't feel guilty about it either.

I wish you well sir

Tony
 
Hey David, congratulations on your anniversary - lovely picture of you and your wife:) We just celebrated our 45th last year and honestly, it does keep getting better if you are a team and work together on issues. I would guess that your wife wants to encourage you as much as possible - don't be afraid to be really honest with her about how you are feeling....it is extremely important and helpful as she is affected by all this as well.... There is a really good article on the Forum here about Diabetes Burnout - maybe have a read.... going from 6 or 7 coffees a day to only 1 is tough - was the caffeine causing you problems? Don't know what I would do without my two cups/day - had to decrease because of gut issues...
I would really encourage you to give yourself a shake - I mean that nicely - as to your self care....if you are anticipating surgery in the near future, the last thing you want is to have sugars that aren't controlled....maybe surgery would be cancelled, much slower healing if you do have it....not a pretty picture, so go one day at a time, one pump function at a time, one test at a time.....Blessings/L
 
karen8967 said:
cant really give you any advice david but i have a cup of tea first thing then its coffee all day long for me .is there a reason why you have given it up.maybe you are a little bit rundown ie the ulcers and with your other problems maybe a little stressed .congratulations on your upcoming 2 year anniversary now that is something to celebrate have you got something nice in mind :)really hope your feeling better soon sending big hugs xx
Click to expand...
I was just wanting to refresh and detox my body.. Part of me was wondering if that's why I feel run down but I think with other stuff going on it just all clumps together!
 
Tony337 said:
Hi David
Diabetes is classed as a chronic illness and the more chronic illnesses you have the more likely you are to suffer mentally I'm afraid.
Add to this a hernia then its not surprising you are feeling low.
You say you got put on a pump?
Did you have a choice?
Do you want to go back to your old regime?
Why quit the coffee if you like it?
What does your GP say about the ulcers?

I have suffered mentally after 44 years of type 1 but have learnt to deal with it.
Speak to your GP or someone professional who can help and talk to your wife but whatever you do don't keep it to yourself and don't feel guilty about it either.

I wish you well sir

Tony
Click to expand...
I originally hated the idea of going on the pump however over recent years I looked at the benefits and my future with my wife etc! I haven't spoke to anyone regarding ulcers as I presumed I was just at a low point and body is telling me this! Just want to get back on track with diabetes etc and don't want to go back to injections! Maybe I should talk to a professional about low feelings?!
 
lindijanice said:
Hey David, congratulations on your anniversary - lovely picture of you and your wife:) We just celebrated our 45th last year and honestly, it does keep getting better if you are a team and work together on issues. I would guess that your wife wants to encourage you as much as possible - don't be afraid to be really honest with her about how you are feeling....it is extremely important and helpful as she is affected by all this as well.... There is a really good article on the Forum here about Diabetes Burnout - maybe have a read.... going from 6 or 7 coffees a day to only 1 is tough - was the caffeine causing you problems? Don't know what I would do without my two cups/day - had to decrease because of gut issues...
I would really encourage you to give yourself a shake - I mean that nicely - as to your self care....if you are anticipating surgery in the near future, the last thing you want is to have sugars that aren't controlled....maybe surgery would be cancelled, much slower healing if you do have it....not a pretty picture, so go one day at a time, one pump function at a time, one test at a time.....Blessings/L
Click to expand...
Thanks for the message and my wife is a huge support even if she says otherwise! I just wanted to detox my body a bit and see what benefits cutting a lot of caffeine out has on me :) I suppose I have to give it time and see what happens
 
david.ed.bullock said:
I originally hated the idea of going on the pump however over recent years I looked at the benefits and my future with my wife etc! I haven't spoke to anyone regarding ulcers as I presumed I was just at a low point and body is telling me this! Just want to get back on track with diabetes etc and don't want to go back to injections! Maybe I should talk to a professional about low feelings?!
Click to expand...

The way you worded your original post made me think you were unhappy with your pump.
It wouldn't suit me so I was going to suggest you go back but I misunderstood.
Ulcers are not normal so should be investigated.
Putting up with "one thing on top of another" has a bigger effect than people realise and deteriorating mental health can sneak up without realising.
Yes do please speak to someone, it will help, and I speak from experience.

Wishing you all the best

Tony
 
Hi @david.ed.bullock I tend to think at this time of year it's harder anyway, lack of sunshine, short days, longest month etc etc, sometimes it's easier to think of the obvious when it could simply be time of year, just take one day at a time, don't focus on the future, focus on just doing those BG tests, and changing the cannula set, it's easier to manage smaller steps, also try and incorporate some exercise if you're not doing any already and finally call up your DSN and talk about what's going on, some more support might give you the motivation to crack it, it's relentless I know but just take more time to look after yourself and it will get better :)
 
Hi David, lots of things can cause burnout and depression for IDD's. I've had it a few times in my 47 odd years as IDD. As already mentioned ask for some help and look at what your taking, are you on statins ? as there are a number who have issues with the cheaper statins causing depression (me for one). Also recently found out that lack or low vitamin D can cause depression too.

I also have had great support from my wife too, it does help to have someone close you can talk to, I was IDD for 8 years before we met and then another 4 until we got married.
 
Hi David, everybody gets down about diabetes at times! I was diagnosed at the age of 11 after being rushed to hospital in a serious DKA, coming out of hospital was the worst I just wanted to be like all the other kids. My blood was very poorly controlled, and I was worried about telling people and being judged I was seriously depressed for years. now at the age of 21 am I now only getting my diabetes on track after finding a girlfriend and receiving help of her that I never thought I would ever get! And I have learnt more of this forum as I have from the doctors. I also got mouth ulcers and the doctors told me I was gluten intolerant which apparently is a higher risk with diabetes! Hope all goes well for you. Dale
 
I recently started drinking coffee after ~ 5 year break. I have noticed a big improvement in my mood since I resumed coffee again. I'm drinking around 5-6 cups in the morning , not later than noon. Any reason you stopped caffeine ?
I've never been down about diabetes as I see it as challenge , something to fight against , I adopt a siege mentality and won't let it beat me.
 
Chas C said:
Hi David, lots of things can cause burnout and depression for IDD's. I've had it a few times in my 47 odd years as IDD. As already mentioned ask for some help and look at what your taking, are you on statins ? as there are a number who have issues with the cheaper statins causing depression (me for one). Also recently found out that lack or low vitamin D can cause depression too.

I also have had great support from my wife too, it does help to have someone close you can talk to, I was IDD for 8 years before we met and then another 4 until we got married.
Click to expand...
I'm not on statins no! I think as you say it's probably burn out and realise it happens throughout diabetes but for some reason this has hit me quite a bit!
 
Juicyj said:
Hi @david.ed.bullock I tend to think at this time of year it's harder anyway, lack of sunshine, short days, longest month etc etc, sometimes it's easier to think of the obvious when it could simply be time of year, just take one day at a time, don't focus on the future, focus on just doing those BG tests, and changing the cannula set, it's easier to manage smaller steps, also try and incorporate some exercise if you're not doing any already and finally call up your DSN and talk about what's going on, some more support might give you the motivation to crack it, it's relentless I know but just take more time to look after yourself and it will get better :)
Click to expand...
I think maybe if I started cannula changes on a 2/3 day basis then my readings would probably come down! I guess it's my own fault but want to resolve issues! I do struggle getting up in a morning! Usually fall back to sleep after alarm, recently brought a Sad lamp but I don't even think that's working haha!
 
Dalejordan_ said:
Hi David, everybody gets down about diabetes at times! I was diagnosed at the age of 11 after being rushed to hospital in a serious DKA, coming out of hospital was the worst I just wanted to be like all the other kids. My blood was very poorly controlled, and I was worried about telling people and being judged I was seriously depressed for years. now at the age of 21 am I now only getting my diabetes on track after finding a girlfriend and receiving help of her that I never thought I would ever get! And I have learnt more of this forum as I have from the doctors. I also got mouth ulcers and the doctors told me I was gluten intolerant which apparently is a higher risk with diabetes! Hope all goes well for you. Dale
Click to expand...
Yeah I want to start looking at the forums more and trying to "feed" of information from others and share experiences! Sometimes that does the world of good!
 
Wurst said:
I recently started drinking coffee after ~ 5 year break. I have noticed a big improvement in my mood since I resumed coffee again. I'm drinking around 5-6 cups in the morning , not later than noon. Any reason you stopped caffeine ?
I've never been down about diabetes as I see it as challenge , something to fight against , I adopt a siege mentality and won't let it beat me.
Click to expand...
Maybe if I went back on coffee I would be better then! No matter what I drink caffeine wise I always feel drained and tired! I came off it a few weeks ago just to see if I can reset my system so to speak! Bit of a detox!
 
Hi David,
Yeah every so often it comes and bites all of us, so you are not alone. Please change that set every 3 days or you may end up with even more problems. When is your next scheduled change? Guaranteed there will be at least one person and most probably a small army doing it at the same time. Come and join in the set change party.
 
Chowie said:
Hi David,
Yeah every so often it comes and bites all of us, so you are not alone. Please change that set every 3 days or you may end up with even more problems. When is your next scheduled change? Guaranteed there will be at least one person and most probably a small army doing it at the same time. Come and join in the set change party.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for that have you got a link to the group? Also my next set change is tomorrow :) I have missed my last one so going to do it tomorrow
 
david.ed.bullock said:
Thanks so much for that have you got a link to the group? Also my next set change is tomorrow :) I have missed my last one so going to do it tomorrow
Click to expand...
You can join my party! I'm changing it in about 18hrs. I will race you as I'm doing my 3rd solo change you will win, so to make it bit more fair you have to do it with one hand behind you back. I will give you a link to the army once I get them all organised and you think herding cats is hard!
 
Back
Top