Type 1 High blood sugar and no drive to test sugars.

[JessLMae23]

I've been type 1 diabetic for 1yr 2 months now. I didn't know i had it so it nearly killed me due to ketoacidosis. My blood sugars were under control but for about 6 months now they've been high (about 18 as a highest). I recently found I've stopped checking my blood sugar too.. And for that i feel so guilty as i have my consultant appointment in October. But i have no drive to want to do it all the time, I barely have tje drive to do insulin anymore but force myself to do it.


I just don't know what to do i constantly feel down about it and guilty for not checking my sugars, and I'm scared about what my doctors will say about it all.

 

[EllieM]

Welcome to the forums @JessLMae23. Your profile suggests you are just 18?

Being a teenager with T1 is no fun and I promise you that you are not the first one to lose motivation/ have diabetic burnout or whatever other term you want to call it. This is very very common, particularly in teenagers, when there's enough going on in your life already without adding T1 to it. Plus getting T1 during covid can't have helped you either.

So, the good news is that you are taking your insulin, which is possibly the most important thing you can do. The thing about T1 is that although your current levels are not where you want them, you have the power to change this and though things may seem overwhelming now, as a new and young diabetic, they really don't have to stay like that.

Your doctors and team are there to help you, not to tell you off. However high your levels are when you go to see them, they will probably have seen higher. It's not a school exam where you pass or fail, your team are there to help you take control of your T1 and achieve the levels that will let you get on with the rest of your life. The technology available for young T1s is awesome (cgms and insulin pumps for example) and there's a good chance that you will be eligible for this at some point if you and your team thinks it will help.

The thing is, if your levels are very high then it tends to make you feel ill and depressed, which makes you less motivated to test. and you get stuck in a vicious circle. So, how about doing a blood test right now so you know where you are starting from, whether it's 4, 14 or 24 .... And you don't have to wait for your clinic appointment to ask for help from your DSN. Why not email or phone now for some support/help?

And feel free to vent here whenever you wish. Many (most?) of us long term T1s have been in your position at some point(s) in our lives. (I certainly have). If it helps, there is a specific subforum for young people here
Young People/Adults | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community
where you might find some posters nearer your own age, though you are of course welcome to browse and post in all the forums.

Lots of virtual hugs.

 

[Jaylee]

I've been type 1 diabetic for 1yr 2 months now. I didn't know i had it so it nearly killed me due to ketoacidosis. My blood sugars were under control but for about 6 months now they've been high (about 18 as a highest). I recently found I've stopped checking my blood sugar too.. And for that i feel so guilty as i have my consultant appointment in October. But i have no drive to want to do it all the time, I barely have tje drive to do insulin anymore but force myself to do it.


I just don't know what to do i constantly feel down about it and guilty for not checking my sugars, and I'm scared about what my doctors will say about it all.

Hi,

It sounds like you may have a form of "burnout" with regards to the daily managment of the condition.
The higher BGs you experience as a result may not help you with the more positive thought processes either?
So one can get caught in a negative cycle.

To be quite frank. It maybe worth while contacting your diabetes team in the meanwhile, before your October appointment?
& speak with your DSN.

Best wishes,

It can get better.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

I've been type 1 diabetic for 1yr 2 months now. I didn't know i had it so it nearly killed me due to ketoacidosis. My blood sugars were under control but for about 6 months now they've been high (about 18 as a highest). I recently found I've stopped checking my blood sugar too.. And for that i feel so guilty as i have my consultant appointment in October. But i have no drive to want to do it all the time, I barely have tje drive to do insulin anymore but force myself to do it.


I just don't know what to do i constantly feel down about it and guilty for not checking my sugars, and I'm scared about what my doctors will say about it all.

Diabetes really brought home to me how the body is effectively a system of chemical and electrical reactions. The chemistry is very finely tuned and normally automatic. Trying to mimic this by taking control of Insulin, which has an effect on every part of the body, is a daunting task. I completely agree with @EllieM in her advice above. You are in no way blameworthy, and should certainly not feel guilty. Over many years I found some medics, often the younger ones, talk to you as though you are a toddler.
They do not have the problem of micro-managing their body and lifestyle on a continuous basis. I often comforted myself with this thought. If at any stage you feel you are being unprofessionally treated I found that taking my few complaints to the hospital PALS department worked a treat - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/ . Once your levels are reasonably balanced you should feel so much better in every way. Good luck!