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Regaining control of diabetes/Denial

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kieran3766

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1
Hello everybody i just thought i would join the forum and post somethings about myself in hope that some of you kind people would be generous enough to possibly give me some advice/help in my situation. Ok so heres the story. I have been a type 1 diabetic since 2002 i am 23 years old now. When i was first diagnosed i took real good care of my diabetes and everything was working out great. For the past 6 or 7 years everything has just completely gone out of control. What i mean by this is im on four injections per day novorapid and lantus but i only take two per day i am missing the other two out. Im afraid that if i go back to four now that i will be taking too much insulin because my body has become acustomed to it now. I never check my blood glucose levels infacti cant remember the last time i did. I eat a lot of sugary foods and in general i just act the way i did before i even had diabetes. I know it may sound odd to some people but i still feel like im in denial that i have this condition even after all of this time. I am supposed to go for regular check ups every three months with a diabetic specialist nurse but to be honest i have not been for an appointment within the last two years or so. I want so much to go back but i kind of feel scared now as to what they would say to me considering i have not been for appointments in so long. I am really worried about going back. A year ago i was diagnosed with depression and this does not help either. I just dont know what to do about the situation. I feel like in terms of diabetes wise im really at rock bottom now and never felt lower with it. I really want to get back in control and take care of this all before its too late. For my friends/family and others to show that i really am in control and i can cope. I just need to start fresh as if i was recently diagnosed again and keep on track. But i would not know where to start now as it has been so long that i have felt this way. Any help or tips/advice would be greatly appreciated thank you so much in advance.
 
The first step is going back to the hospital. The doctors and nurses will understand. I had depression due to diabetes and it does help to talk and get yr sugars sorted. Mine were running high and that meant I had no energy and could not be bothered to do anything. I took a deep breath and went back to the hospital. That was the scariest bit but it all worked out ok as I feel great!!! Please don't leave it too long to go back

Good luck !


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Get back to hospital and say you want to start taking care of yourself again. They are there not to judge you but to help. Im sure they will understand and it will be great to get back on the right track again. Think of benefits, not about your fears. Good luck
 
Hi,

Im kind of in the same situation - missing injections and eating anything, without checking blood levels. I was diagnosed in 2002 and 21 years old now, so have been diagnosed a while, but it does feel like denial and yours sounds like it! After trying to get back on track a few times though I can say that returning to 4 injections will not be too much insulin for you, just make sure you're not injecting too much for what you eat. It may make you put on a bit of weight but only in the beginning, because your body won't be used to having access to all the energy! The first step needs to be testing your blood sugar level and go from there..

Do your family/friends know you're struggling or do you hide it? Really try and get a checkup at the hospital, although the doctor - in my experience - can seem annoyed, the nurses are really understanding and will realise your depression will just be making it worse.

I remember talking to another diabetic when i was at a checkup and she was saying her hba1c was 13% because family problems and depression was making her skip her injections - so i doubt you'd be the only one there struggling, there are plenty of us around!

I hope this was helpful! Good luck
 
Hi Just to say I've been in the same place but for much longer! Just starting blood taken for the first time in about 2yrs yesterday and an appoint on thurs! Really scared right now but trying to push through it.

Have you tried mysugr a really helpful app I've found.

Goodluck!
 
HI kieran,

I understand the denial thing all too well, you will go through it a few times so it's nothing to worry about. What you need to do first and foremost is start checking those sugars and go to your GP or diabetic nurse.

Just because you seem to be getting away with it doesn't mean you actually are, high sugars will be causing you all sorts of trouble in the background. I know this specially from the brain research I do, beleive me you don't want to get to a point where you have brain damage because of your diabetes.

You are young and your body can take a bit more on but there are limits. The diabetologists will understand, but YOU need to make the effort and get things going. Check your glucose, then keep a log of it jsut for a week or two it's all that's needed to give the nurse/GP the data they need to get your insulin fixed up. Once you have that done start taking it! You will FEEL much better straight away! Insulin causes release of serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Those two neurotransmitters will help you lift that depression and give you clarity of mind and ability to concentrate, after a few weeks you will feel like a new chap! I would also go and have your testosterone checked out (diabetics are known to be deficient, and that can cause lethargy and depression too).

One step at a time, but do take action, it is well worth it both in the short term and the long term!

Keep us updated
 
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