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Lack of motivation!

Annie86

Annie86

Active Member
Messages
38
Type of diabetes
Type 1
OK... so don't wanna write a sob story but need some handy tips or miracles if anyone has any.

I'm a type one diabetic on a pump and my control isn't all that great. It's not the worst either mind you, but it could be miles better if only I could get into a routine of testing regularly and to be honest, stop ignoring that I have this bloody condition!

I know I have burnout and I suppose some form of denial and hatred .... so any clues on how to re kick-start myself preferably not including talking to people such as friends and family or healthcare providers?????
 
I'd highly recommend the books "Pumping Insulin" and "Think Like A Pancreas" as they offer great advice and tips when it comes to managing all elements of the condition (including BG management). A lot of these techniques you may not be aware of, so there is almost a novelty and excitement element when trying them out for the first time.

When you make improvements with controlling your diabetes, it tends to spur you on to keep trying. For me, that included more frequent and regular testing. You may find that reading the aforementioned books has the same effect on you as it did me:)

This will sound strange, but applying new techniques to improve your BG management turns the whole disease into a challenging game - rather than the life sentence that it may seem at times...
 
Annie86 said:
OK... so don't wanna write a sob story but need some handy tips or miracles if anyone has any.

I'm a type one diabetic on a pump and my control isn't all that great. It's not the worst either mind you, but it could be miles better if only I could get into a routine of testing regularly and to be honest, stop ignoring that I have this bloody condition!

I know I have burnout and I suppose some form of denial and hatred .... so any clues on how to re kick-start myself preferably not including talking to people such as friends and family or healthcare providers?????
Click to expand...
you could start by maybe just talking to us :)
I will tag in a couple of lovely pumpers to come along and say hello. @Snapsy , @Juicyj ,@azure .

be kind to yourself. - we all go through times where the D can get on top of us.
 
Thanks for the tag @himtoo

Sorry to hear your feeling like this @Annie86 having a focus on why you want to do better is a massive motivation factor, so for me there's two reasons, eyesight and staying well so I don't become a burden to anyone. I don't find diabetes easy either some days I can wake at 6.4mmol/l other days it can be 14mmol/l, regardless of this I still work at keeping in range and understanding why, as I go along my understanding gets easier and my tactics change, for me it's about constantly monitoring and adjusting but being adaptable to this. When it all gets too much then I just take time out for me so sleep more, have some pamper time. I try not to let things slip because the work required to stay on track then becomes much harder. Testing is key to control, if you can focus on this and make the effort to test min 6 times a day and use this as your short term goal ?

Please also call your DSN tomorrow and talk to them, they are there to help so will support you through this, take care and let us know how you get on :)
 
Hi @Annie86 :)

There's one fantastic person you should have a word with - that's yourself! No, I'm not being flippant. My motivation comes internally. Whatever meds staff and family say, it's us who'll be affected by poor control, and, as much as they might care, no one can care as much as the person affected.

I know its not easy - it's very, very hard some days. But when you're feeling down and worn out by Type 1, ask yourself if you want to hand over control of your life to the b*#%* diabetes. Testing, injecting, keeping good control is a pain in the bum, but it's what we have to do to keep the diabetes under control. The alternative is to let it out of its cage and allowing it to trample all over your hopes and dreams.

Get into a routine of testing so it becomes almost automatic, then you can do it without too much mental effect. If you have less than good control, then try to improve that gradually, maybe picking one section of the day at a time. Kmow you'll never get perfection, but aim for good control and congratulate yourself for every good result. I like to say something rude to the diabetes in my head when I beat it, but that's optional : D

Keep fighting - every Type 1 knows how difficult it is to keep going, but just take one day at a time and do the best you can for that day. Type 1 is a war not one battle. Every win is one in the eye for the horrible thing - that's how I motivate myself.
 
@Annie86. Have to totally agree with @azure. The most important person to talk to is yourself.
As important as sugars, hba1c, diet and testing are the single most important way to deal with diabetes is how you deal with it emotionally.
I'm proud to be diabetic, I use it to make me a better, stronger person.
I've not got diabetes it's got me and I'm the No1 priority in the relationship.
Control not controlled.
Good luck and keep posting we're here to help.
 
Hi @Annie86, and thanks for the introduction, @himtoo!

Firstly, you're human, and secondly what you're experiencing sounds very normal. I've been through periods where I haven't kept on top of testing, and hated my diabetes, but these days - with the benefit of technology and lifestyle choices that I feel actually work for me, I am finding it more manageable.

Three things - no, four - have been incredible things for me just in the last 12 months. During that time I have started on a pump, bought (and am using continuously) a Freestyle Libre, and I have found that eating lower carb and higher fat results in much more manageable glucose control.

Item four is the support and information I've found on this forum - I thought I knew most, if not all, of the stuff I needed to about living with diabetes. How wrong I was! This place has filled in so many of the gaps!

Take one day at a time, and be kind to yourself. See where the numbers land, and ask what steps you could take to encourage them to land a little closer to your target a little more often. Test a little more each day. Read around the forum and see what's being talked about - and have a go at some of the ideas you come across (recipes, testing regimens, new bits of kit). And don't be too hard on yourself.

Small and simple steps, and testing, will make a difference to you not just now but in the future. Testing isn't the most fun thing in the world, but perhaps using a different meter or pricker might appeal, or give the Freestyle Libre a go (I'm hooked!).

We have these diabetes-related blips along the way. Maybe that's what makes us superhuman.

Love Snapsy
:)
 
Motivation point, as my gp quoted me almost 30 years ago when i was a teenager. If I don't keep it in control all my organs will fail, yeah it was depressing seeing him. But my doctor had a point. So i got really drunk it my later teenage years, lived, travelled, hypo'd, passed out.... slowly educated about my diabetes.
Top tip, respect the condition.
 
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