Struggling

Shann3079 said:

Type 1 and have been for 8 years this year, really struggling with everything and can’t face up to the fact that I have diabetes and just want it to go away. But it’s also making me really depressed, any ideas on how to try and make myself feel better? I have bad control as I try to ignore but recently I’ve been working to get a better control but I don’t feel any better
Someone please help

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Hello, have you contacted your team to discuss your struggles? They can refer you to see someone to talk about your struggles. Have you been able to ask for a carb counting course to help you understand a bit more? What insulin are you on?
Things will get better in the long run once you've got your head around everything. I was doing quite badly from the beginning of my diagnosis to when I went to secondary school. DKA wasn't nice, I've put my family through a lot of stress because of it. Then I had an accident in 2013 and that left me very isolated, I came forward about it and it took a while to receive help but I'm doing a lot better now than before.

Shann3079 said:

They think I have an eating disorder as I don’t eat and I’ve had quite a few personal issues that they know about and they’re trying but they can’t do much more. I was carb counting but I’ve gone to set doses again to try and get my sugars between 10 and 20 as they are normally 30 or above. I’m on novo rapid and tresiba

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I'm sorry to hear My GP was able to refer me for help, do you think you can see your GP to ask? I think set doses is counterproductive because there isn't any room to correct your bg levels? Has your team been able to give you some guidelines on correction doses? If I was between 10-20mmol, I'd be quite unwell. 10-13 seems okay, anything between 14-20 can show signs of ketones. I think a carb counting course like DAFNE might help you to readjust your insulin and regain a better relationship with food.

I'd suggest trying to meet up with other diabetics in your area, nobody will truly understand you without being diabetic. Learn how they are managing there condition etc. One thing that really helped me is bouncing ideas off one of my closest friends who is also diabetic. When I mention something he can relate and we tend to provide so much useful info that we just improve each others management all the time.

Shann3079 said:

I don’t know anyone neAr me or my age diabetic

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You can obviously ask on here, I just find its easier to talk to someone than wait for answers on a forum. Maybe see if there are any JDRF events near your area that you could attend etc. I've had diabetes since I was 8, almost 20 years ago, been through all the stages, not caring, bad control, good control, excellent control, worrying constantly about it, not caring at all about it etc. If there's anything I can help you with please feel free to ask.

Hi @Shann3079 Big hugs lovely I know how this can grind you down. Can you tell us what specifically is getting you down ?

I'll be coming up for 8 years next January, I have to admit there's been lots of highs/lows, pretty much like my daily blood glucose graph..

Unfortunately running high is going to make you feel low, your not able to think clearly when you have excess glucose in your blood and so getting you down into single figures should be your priority. Have you done any courses for your type 1, so EXPERT or DAFNE ? Can you buy a copy of 'Think like a pancreas' which is written by a type 1 so it's advice is excellent to help you learn more ?

A good friend said to me once about t1 is that living with this our mental cup is pretty much full most of the time, then add 'life' into the mix and the cup can easily run over, it's quite hard explaining this to anyone else without this condition though as it can be so consuming, and particularly when your levels are all over the shop too. We have to be kind to ourselves and just take a breath when things aren't working out, i've found having a diversion has helped me - so mine is exercising as it gives me freedom from thinking about this.

It's easy for health care professionals to think we are suffering an eating disorder though if you aren't, because the simple impact of managing carbs eaten with insulin doses and fluctuating glucose levels means it's easier to restrict the diet than deal with the management of insulin, I know a few people who eat very restricted diets because they cannot manage their glucose levels, so please have an open conversation with the specialist about how you are managing as they may help with a diet plan.

Happy to chat on PM too if you need to

I've had similar struggles myself, some quite recently, I was always told not to worry if I wasn't eating much but to always ensure I gave myself insulin for what little I did eat and to monitor for hypos regularly.
I agree with with @Juicyj a course like DAFNE would be beneficial, after years of being in your situation I finally have a referral and I attend in December which I cannot wait for! I was also referred to see a nutritionist at the hospital to try and build a healthier relationship with food as I had developed some bad habits around insulin and food which led to DKA.
I found slimming world worked well for me as I was able to maintain a healthy weight and introduce exercise to limit the negative feelings I had around food, weight, insulin etc.
Wishing you the best, always here to talk if you need it.

Hey I’m Joe,

I’ve only been diagnosed since 18 years old, 5 years ago for me, always happy to help if I can as I’m sure many people on here are also such lovely people who can also offer you support, but talk to your specialist team if you can.