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In a bit of a mess...

caity.x

Active Member
Messages
35
Location
Girvan, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Arrogance, Selfishness, Ignorance
Diagnosed at 17, my control was great for the first 6 months or so.

Now nearly 23 I could probably count on my fingers the number of times I've taken my insulin since then. Unfortunately as a larger lass, I discovered how much weight I could lose by not taking my insulin. I've now lost 6 and a half stone and starting to look unhealthy rather than the slim girl I wanted to become. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get myself back into taking my meds - when I really put the effort in I'm lucky if I even manage 2 days and then I'm back to square one. Despite the constant feeling ill, not being able to go a day without a nap and crazy moodswings I just can't seem to push myself to do it.

I don't visit the doctor or diabetes nurse anymore because it feels like they've given up on me - I don't blame them, I would too, after all the time they've spent explaining the dangers, side effects and telling me probably every scare story they know they must seriously be losing patience. After working in a nursing home I've also seen first hand the effects poorly controlled diabetes can have on a person.

I don't look for sympathy, I know I've brought it all on myself. Just merely hoping someone out there has a similar story but have managed to turn it around - I suppose I'm looking for inspriration to sort myself out once and for all.

Cait
 
Sounds like you have heard all the horror stories so that's not going to help, but coming on here to talk to people is a good start, it's sounds as if you just need a bit of encouragement. Even thoughi am only type 2 please don't give up, I'm on insulin and I know what it's like. But I will leave the advice for the type 1s to help you as they have more understanding with the condition


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi hunni,
ive never not taken my insulin at all as i have that many health probs i dont need to add to them, im soo glad youve joined us,that to me shows that u want to change and need help,
Can u tell a parent/friend everything and start again at the beginning by maybe seeing your gp/dn ? explain to them what u have been doing and ask them to help you start again,hopefully someone will come on here whos been in the same position as you,
we are all here to help and you will get a lot of support from all of us,
You have made the 1st and biggest step by joining, good luck and hope to hear from you soon
 
hey,

you have done the right thing by coming for support from fellow diabetics so well done......

you have it inside you to take control and its never too late.......

if you can get the motivation to get it under control for even a short time, the feeling of normality and the energy you will have should be enough to get your attention.....

from what you have said it sounds as though you are on a mixed insulin, as if you were not its unlikely you would last very long without injecting.......

you should go to your clinic because its there you will find out about new insulins,meters and technology that exist and make control much easier....regardless of the quality of health care professionals there...

I personally know more than my nurses especially regarding my own control....so when you get the education the only person you need is your self......

what insulin are you on...........?

what is your diet like....?
 
Please think about your eyes. The gift of sight is so very precious.
 
Thank you, trying not to give up but it's getting more difficult the longer this goes on
 
I thought it migt be the best place to come. It's all well people saying speak to friends etc but I find it frustrating as they don't fully understand. Sometimes they don't quite get how I can look ok but feel so horrible inside. Even been accsed of being lazy due to how much I sleep but I struggle to keep my eyes open most days. I feel like I can't go to the clinic as (maybe just me being paranoid) it feels like they can't be bothered with me anymore. I'm meant to take novomix and as for my diet I don't really eat much anymore. The appetite is there but due to my sugars being constantly high I worry about eating. As I say, I'm in a bit of a pickle!
 
caity.x said:

Thank you, trying not to give up but it's getting more difficult the longer this goes on
Click to expand...
It may seem that you are in a impossible situation, but it seems that you want to try and get out of this situation by joining this group and wanting to talk about it, the most important thing you need to understand is why you find it so hard to take your meds, if you feel uncomfortable talking on the forum you can always pm me


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
DiamondAsh said:
Please think about your eyes. The gift of sight is so very precious.
Click to expand...
I know, and I do appreciate that. Just another thing on my long list of things to worry about - my vision is already blurry most days and it has deteriorated every time I get my eyes tested.
 
I don't mind speaking about it - infact I hope people see it and realise what a slippery slope it can be. I got hooked on the weight loss aspect after years of being a lot heavier and it sort of became a bad habit.
 

I think you will just need to bite the bullet as far as the clinic is concerned.....if they see you are keen to get things under control they will respond to that positively because they will feel needed then, which will encourage them............

you need to get on a multiple daily injection regime of a background insulin [Levemir, Lantus etc..] and a mealtime insulin [Novorapid etc...]...........this regime allows you to stabilise your blood sugars when not eating and for when you are.......

you should be able to get some educational course to go on, DAFNE is likely the most commonly known one.......this changed my life and it was all down to simply being educated, being given an understanding of what the insulin does, what the carbs do, what the blood sugar readings mean.........better control just becomes much more achievable even before you have actually started the regime properly.....

I was in the exact same boat as you about 8 years ago and it was just because i didn't know the ins and outs.....

the clinic is the first stop.........then the insulin, then the education.............and obviously coming on here to get advice will help you on your way.........

I know you can do it.........
 
Hi caity.x and welcome to the forum You have received plenty of good information from members so I hope this can help you. Carry on asking questions here and members will help you from their own experiences.
 
I was originally on Lantus and Novorapid as I did have routine (I was still at school) but it was changed when I left school as I went into a full time job and there was no routine or set meal times and I was struggling with taking 4 injections so they thought moving me to 2 injections a day would help.

I was sent on a DAFNE course. It's not that I don't understand diabetes, I have a good knowledge of the ins and outs - it's just my own stupidity for falling into an extremely dangerous habit. Time to try for help though I think, can't take much more of this.

Thanks for believing in me, at least one of us does!
 
no routine or set meals is the ideal circumstances for MDI..............

that's was probably a bad decision form your nurses there......

that's good you have the knowledge then...............getting back on the multiple injection will help though, as if you eat something and don't inject, you will feel rubbish relatively quickly......

but you can decide not to eat and as long as the background is OK, you will be fine.......
 
Hey Caity,

Well done for talking about it on here, that's a good start and shows that you want to get better.

At the moment you know what you need to do and the shock stories about losing your sight means you are high risk and you need to get better at looking after you.

What do value more good health or your body size ? I know from experience that you can't turn back time and if you could visualise yourself in 20 years suffering from the very real complications of this awful disease you would really wish to give yourself a good talking to. Sadly no one but you can sort this out.

Would you believe that even living with type 1 you can maintain a healthy weight whilst being in good health from insulin management ?

You need to get back in touch with you DSN tomorrow and call them up, you need support as you can't continue like this - I wish I could help support you as you sound like you need a good hug and someone who understands you, but unless you ask for help in the right direction then you won't be able to move forward, please make that one call tomorrow and send me a message if I can give you any more support x
 
Perhaps taking the minimum amount of insulin will mean that your weight will stay down. (Just a thought) Talk to the Nurse about your REAL FEARS of weight gain! They are there to help you individually! If they make you feel bad for neglecting it all, you just tell it to them as it is. NOW is the time to act. They have to assist you... You are the customer!!

Get back on track and you can maybe reverse some of the damage already done.

Keep a log on here (in a thread) of your routine/improvements and we can all check in and encourage you etc every day, if you wish.
 
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