Hi Cowden,
You know we all (the elite type1 group) get these feelings. It is difficult living in a world where most people (and I would include type 2 'diabetics') simply cannot understand what it means to be insulin dependent. I am 50 and have had this condition since I was your age. I can still remember how isolated I felt then. I have to say Cowden that in some ways that feeling will probably never leave you. But don't take that in a bad way - we ARE different! You know, throughout my entire life, in all student & work situations, apart from once, I was the only diabetic. But our numbers are growing...
'Ordinary' people don't know the horror of a bad hypo and what it's like waking up in A&E with a glucose drip in your arm, or how ill you feel after as your sugar rockets. Nor can they understand how every minute of our lives we have to continually calculate / adjust. Or, it must be said, how **** you often feel - even when things are good. My only advice to you as a young person, other than don't let this hold you back is, keep those sugars under control. If you can manage to achieve an HBA1C of 6 or 7 then you are doing ok. I generally am about 6.something and consequently have no eye damage, or peripheral neuropathy, or feet damage or anything.
I know where you are now, because I was there 34 years ago when the net was not even a dream. In those days, when I was you age, I had to handle glass syringes and big metal needles. Disposable stuff didn't appear in Scotland until the early 80s. I'm not raising this in a 'you've got it good' way, because that's not the case. But, we all do have it good because of Banting & Best (Google them) and their marvellous discovery.
I have had a great life and this terrible condition (anyone who says otherwise is lying) has never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. Chocolate and sweeties are not actually important. If you feel you need support I suggest using this board, because here we type 1s have our own place to discuss our own specific issues.
Always remember, you are not alone. You may be unique in your life but there are lots of us
type 1s.
(I am in Paisley, and lived in Glasgow for many years, so I know where you're coming from)
Stod