Getting disheartened

Josie

It's not a downer, you have only been diagnosed a short while really and a lot of things have factors as to levels, and the most important thing you do say is that you are trying.

Try to talk to your HCP's as to how you are feeling about your levels. Please don't feel so disheartened.

I have typed, and retyped a response to you, to try and offer some encouragement, but I can only say, that you will get it better I know, because your posting sounds as if you have determination (as well as being disheartened).

I never had a constant, fantastic level for 25 years, I don't no of anybody that is type 1 that can honestly say that. If injections worked so brilliantly for everybody, why would they invent pumps? If all the pumps worked so brilliantly, why would they have to have support people in their offices to offer help out of hours?

I too, look at some postings and think how on earth can some people be so brilliant all the time? I've been whinging about my pump in recent postings, and thinking why am I the only person who seems to get these problems, but thanks to a few people on these postings, I know I am not the only one that is experiencing these problems.

It is natural that everybody wants praise and glory for good HBA1C's and good BG's because it is human nature. It isn't human nature to admit that things aren't perfect and that is why it is best to accept that there isn't a single type 1 out there that will be constantly perfect unless they have a life like a tortoise....hibernating for winter, crawling everywhere and eating lettuce leaves.

I really would advise that you have a good chat with hcp's and get them to listen to just how you are feeling.....when I have been bad years ago my gp gave me his email address so I could email him my bloods, foods, injections etc on a weekly basis. This year with my DVLA experience I got my DSN's email address, and it helps to get somebody to do that little bit of an extra step to help you when you need it.....when my gp's and nurses have helped me I have given them all wine, chocolates etc as a thankyou-and it keeps them on my side as well, and they know that they are appreciated......

Believe me, we are not all perfect....type 1's getting very low hba1c's on mdi will be getting hypo's more frequently than they admit to, and that isn't good. Every single human has faults somewhere, and that will be in every single aspect of our life's.....99% of people would never have heard me swear, but I do but only ever in front of one person....the other 99 people I know think I have impeccable manners------not true, as I am not perfect!!!!

Lecture over......

Hi Josie,


I know exactly what you mean. A reading of 12 is high for me now...but even now, with my pump, and also the best control I have ever had, a reading of 12 is not that remarkable. In my old days, a 12 was fairly normal. The difference between us is, that you are trying, I took the stupid route and ignored it for years..and sufferered the consequences. I have found, that when I have tried to help myself, teh support I get from teh "professionals" has also increased...so they should be happy to help you get your control into, well, control?

Something to bear inmind, is that there are types of people, and all types of diabetics on this forum, which is great. I do not know as much as I should do about T2, but I think, in general terms, a reading of 12 for a type 2, who is on teh correct treatment is quite unusal, whereas T1 can fluctuate by a far greater amount, at both ends of the scale! Obviously, can, and should are different things! Another thing to be aware of, is, that this forum is made up of many lovely people, who have been diabetic for varying lengths of time. I too see peole results on here, and think wow! 95% of teh time, I find it inspiring...if they can do, then so can I...and indeed, I have improved beyond my wildest dreams. Why is this relevant? Well, comparing my numbers with other T1s on here (and it really isn't a "mine is lower than yours" debate, I still see many peole whos control is so amazing it inspires me, however, to my GP, I am his star...I have the best results he has ever seen! ( I think my last HbA1C was 6.6) What this tells me is, if you do get into a comparing numbers frame of mind, with people on this forum, please remember that you are comparing yourself with some of teh best controlled diabetics in the country. The fact that you are here means that you are being proactive, and will be able to improve things. What the meter says is important, but when you are feeling disheartened, the thing to look at is "how much have I improved".

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound patronising.

Hi Josie

I think personally to get an improvement from 10+ down to 8 ish since being on a pump in August is pretty good, and think you are not giving yourself the praise that you should. If you managed that in such a short space of time be proud of yourself and think positively towards the next 3 months.

Me, I was very lucky that another pumper here gave me such fantastic phonecalls every single day to help me, and still continues to do so. Without her help I think I too would have felt really, really disheartened. Each time I have come upon a hiccup with my levels, pump etc she has always been 'there' for me. When citilapram so badly affected me, sending me hypo, she knew exactly what was causing it, and advised me what to do.

I changed from Novorapid to Apidra because of the airbubbles, but Apidra and bad sets and raised levels have really badly affected me for the past 4 weeks. When I researched Apidra the actual manufacturers state for it to be in the reservoir for up to 48 hours, and they only say that external pumpers should use infusions in their abdomen, they don't say to place sets in bum or legs or anywhere else except that they 'may be places in abdomen'. Today I have changed back to Novorapid, and reprimed to get bubbles out after 4 hours and my levels have now returned to being good again. I was also having problems with the flexilink plus sets (not the ones that come with the tubes).

My DSN and consultant both said to me that it akes 6 months of hardwork and commitment to get to improved levels, so I do firmly believe that you will still manage to get yours lowered during this time (shame Christmas is coming up though!!!).

I was so despondent this week, not knowing what had caused me so many problems for the past 4 weeks, that a 'stand in' dsn told me that I may wish to consider going back to mdi until I saw my consultant and proper dsn next week. I told her I am not a quitter, just a very frustrated pump user, and sure enough this morning came the realisation just as to what my problems have been caused by.

Don't get disheartened, things will definitely come right for you.....