high blood sugar etc :(

[caram]

Im 18 years old and have T1D since 11, it has been badly controlled for years due to burnout. my blood sugars are still high but at the moment i am starting to eat very healthily. i want to do exercise and i look forward to it but every time im about to, i check my blood sugar and it's too high to do exercise with. this just makes me more and more annoyed at myself and makes me want to give up. I cycle as my main mode of transport but i dont count that as working out. i have high cholesterol also.

none of my close family or friends have diabetes and i find that they dont really understand how exhausting it is trying to be on top of everything all the time.

i also have wanted to get tattoos for ages but i dont want to risk infections if my blood sugars are high

i hate going to the doctors/nurses because they are always judgemental and condescending and make me rather ignore it altogether.

 

[Juicyj]

Hey @caram Welcome to the forum

Well done on taking more care of yourself, that's a positive move and in the right direction.

It's never to late to take control, getting your BG levels under control will help you take ownership of your type 1, a favourite saying round here is that 'you own your diabetes'. Exercise is brilliant for better control, so as well as getting some endorphins loose in your body, your energy levels and glucose levels will improve too.

As for nurses and doctors - they don't live with this, you do, no one should ever make you feel they way you have, they do however serve a massive contribution to our well being as they are there to help you. I tend to take over my appointments so they are never in a position to question/judge me on what I do, I take questions and a copy of my results and if I dont feel comfortable with their advice I either tell them to try walking in my shoes or ask them what they would do if they were me. Taking control of your appointments is key to positive thinking, and as we have so much to put up with in managing this 24/7 so you need to get out of appointments what you need to manage better - don't back down either. I do reckon you should call up though, be honest tell them how you feel I think you would be surprised at their reaction and I am sure you will get the support you need to move forward and gain better control.

Please shout on the forum for help too - so many from such different walks of life here to help and support you in your progress, so don't be afraid to talk to others, we are all in it together

 

[azure]

Welcome @caram The good thing is that you've made a start on changing things. Taking that first step is often the hardest.

Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up about highs. You're not going to,get everything right in a few goes. Give it time and congratulate yourself for every tiny improvement.

You can do it You sound determined. Just don't let yourself get disheartened with temporary setbacks.

 

[ljmercer]

Hi

I'm 17 years old and I've had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 7 (over ten years).

You were unfortunate that you were diagnosed at the beginning of puberty. It's when insulin resistance is at its highest, and from then on it's difficult to control.

How do you manage your diabetes? Injections or pump? If you haven't been offered one, look into and ask about getting one.

I changed from injections to the Ypsomed Omnipod pump four years ago now and I've never looked back. So much more freedom and overall better control.

My HbA1c isn't perfect by any means; it's 8.0% or 64mmol. I've managed to keep this stable though throughout puberty and high resistance.

I'm due to temporarily go on Metformin to speed up the process of lowering my HbA1c because I'm fed up of it.

Exercise is always good, for the mind, body and blood glucose control. I used to always test before exercise and I used to be anywhere from 7-20+mmol. Don't let this stop you from exercising. If you're in a better place mentally, it's so much easier to tackle the physical side of things, and in reality doing what we're supposed to do

We're not different from others. We just have to do things differently. No one will ever know what it's like to be diabetic unless they are themselves. You're strong and we deal with a lot of ignorance. Put it aside as much as possible and know in your head that you're doing a good job.

I hope this helps and you can always private message me if you need someone to talk to who knows what you're on about x

 

[donnellysdogs]

I used to feel similar to you about docs n nurses but I got to say things like attitudes and especially options are changing with diabetes.

For example since your diagnosis theres new basal insulin available, insulin pumps, cgms etc.

Only hospitals and consultants have the authorisation to give T1's these new innovations that ate coming out as they do need specialist knowledge.

In the past 7 years I have had nothing but excellent care from my diabetes people. Nowadays some hospitals have specialist diabetic nurses that deal more with younger people that struggle.

There are differet pens now with 1/2 unit dosing rather than 1 unit dosing.. I dont know if you have these?

There are carb counting courses that are quite informative and even oldies like me learn things!!

It may be that you could (like me) get some confidence back with health professionals...

At the end of the day they are there to try to help to stop you getting complications..

On the positive it is great to hear that you are wanting to help yourself more so know with eating and exercise.

Some exercises lower bloods, some raise them. You may be able to try some exercises but not others. I forget which they are though.

With T1's a good way to gain better control is to reduce the carbs you eat.. however to do this you must have good knowledge about adjysting your doses.
The less carbs, the less insulin and the less room for error!!

Incidentally, even types of blood testing machines are limited by some GPs so consultants and nurses at hospital could give better blood machines etc...

Are you going to hospital appointments?