No, not meant for you, though I do stand by what I said about your post not being helpful. After all, OP had said it didn't help hearing horror stories, and first response was a horror story.Ah, thanks for clarifying. I felt that comment was pointing squarely at me. I realise my original post should perhaps have been more explicatory/different in approach.
@Busy1
I bet that OJ story cheered you up, eh?
Sorry - shouldn't be frivolous, but that was the kind of thing that you were saying is hard for you to hear, wasn't it? The problem is that horror stories work the best on people with empathy - and they are the ones who were unlikely to need the lecture. The rhino skinned un empathetic ones could probably hear it 10 times and not realise they should be learning something!
The way I cope with those horror stories is one or more of the following:
And
- I only tell trusted (or necessary) people I am D
- I usually counter such stories with 'goodness, that's so sad. Thank goodness I've learned how to control my blood glucose. That should mean it doesn't happen to me.'
- I avoid insensitive idiots wherever possible (not 100% effective)
- I have fantasies about the fictional machine gun in my back pocket.
When I mention to friends now that I no longer drink fruit juices (except occasion tomato, in small amounts) they think I'm some kind of freak, as - they say - 'fruit is healthy' and by logic 'fruit juice is healthy'. 95%+ of the population seems unaware of current research.
@CheeseJunkie I've never heard a scare story that I wanted to hear, or enjoyed hearing.
So I think though that we have to decide whether we pass them on, depending on context and consideration for the the audience.
Personally, in the context of this thread, I would not have told your OJ story - especially immediately after the OP had said how difficult they were finding hearing such things.
Whoa! Stick around and discuss what is stressing you out, @CheeseJunkie. Diabetes is new for you, so bound to stress you, but nobody here is intending to do that.Fair enough, Brunnera. It hit me harder than I expected. Maybe I took a wrong decision about describing. I'll bow out of forum, as all this is pretty stressing me out.
CheeseJunkie please don't leave the forum. I know you didn't mean any offence. We are all on a journey. I know I am too sensitive but that is because I am worried at the moment. This forum has helped me so much.
Fair enough, Brunnera. It hit me harder than I expected. Maybe I took a wrong decision about describing. I'll bow out of forum, as all this is pretty stressing me out.
Thanks everyone for your kind replies. Don't worry CheeseJunkie I didn't take offence at your reply. Some things we really do need to be aware of.
I just need to stop being so sensiive. I am still at the stage where I am quite shocked that my Blood sugar has risen so much and as I am due to go away soon I have all sorts of worries as the heat seems to affect me badly. I am also worried about taking tablets because some have such nasty side effects. Not something I want while I am travelling. If it makes sense, I need to know at the moment that others started out with a Blood Sugar reading as high as mine. I am interested to know at what point people were told they had to take tablets to control their condition.
I've had a couple of people say Oh you're diabetic are you, Is that why you never had children? Only my self restraint stopped me from saying get lost!
I can't see anywhere where you have disclosed your diagnostic blood results, but for your information, in reading this post, my stats are in my signature.
I was diagnosed in October 2013, completely asymptomatically and out of the blue, following a general blood panel. I was about to go for a long trip overseas, thousands of miles from my home based health care system. Likewise, I didn't want to be taking any medication; especially whilst travelling for several months.
Anyway, I agreed with my Doc that I would have a period of diet and exercise, then review after a few months. I arranged to come back to UK for a couple of weeks mid-trip which was inconvenient and £four-figure expensive, but it seemed a compromise I could cope with. Against guidance, I started testing my bloods, so that I could see how I was doing (and also to convince myself I actually was diabetic, as I had not experienced any symptoms whatsoever). I also decided I would not be telling anyone about my diabetes, except those closest to me.
If asked why I wasn't eating x, y over z, I explained I had discovered I couldn't comfortably eat certain foods, thus I had decided to give them up for the time being. I was also losing weight quite quickly (I never carried much weight, but I was trimming up fast), so folks just thought I was watching the scales. As I didn't invite discussion around it, I was rarely asked anything further.
It worked for me. I really trimmed up, and by eating by my blood readings, my bloods improved dramatically, and as a result, I have never taken any medication. I have been abroad, away from the usual healthcare system for more than 12 of the 19 since diagnosis.
It can be done, with some thought. Don't pander to what "people" think you should do. Do your own research. Invest time in reading, thinking and planning. For your trip, have any supplies of testing strips, for example, before you go, so that you know you will be able to monitor yourself. By monitoring yourself, you will have a good idea of how you are doing and what, if any additional support you may need. If you take control, you are likely to be able to manage things fairly well.
Of course, again, I have to say, I don't know what your blood scores are, or if you have any symptoms, but don't let it get in the way of things you want to to. Perhaps some things need a little forethought, but I can't say it has made a seismic change to my life.
Good luck!
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