Type 1 and depression

[jackwednesday]

Hi, have been type 1 since 17 (1997), first few years went ok, no real problems. Seemed to keep sugars ok and stuff went fine. Since I hit the 5 year mark I have been really struggling, I kinda feel like I am black and ruined inside and I can't get it out of me. Like having an awful internal tattoo I hate and cant get rid of.

Things over the last year have got worse, I am really low and think a lot about ending it all and escaping from the clostraphobia of diabetes, am on anti depressants and see my doc and diabetes team a lot but the NHS where I am (Tunbridge Wells) don't have any kind of place to meet other diabetics and chat etc.

Anyway sorry to leave such a "downer" message, i hope it does not make anyone feel blue as what I really want is to firstly know if other diabetics feel this way and how they combat it or beat it? I excercise, don't drink, don't do drugs etc, live clean and try and be positive but nothing seems to work.

Am I just a miserable b*$tard?!!

Thanks, Jack x

 

[ham79]

Hi been type 1 for the last 12 weeks and it royally sucks I've had some very low and dark days not so much the diabetes but the side effects. On anti depressants but for the neuropathy you have to focus on the future and let go on here have a rant the guys on here are great listeners and have advise that does help and knowing your not alone is a big help all the best

willie

 

[bigdhughes]

ive had it since i was 5 (13 years). Sometimes i feel abit down about it, but then i think...its not all that bad. You do have to become somewhat of an optimist when you become a diabetic if you arent already one. Heres a little list:

1: Your better taken care of by the NHS...i mean sure it can be an annoyance sometimes but for people to take such an interest in you well being makes me feel kinda good.

2: It could be worse....alot worse, you need to think of the things that other people are dealing with. One of my friends has spinobifida and is in a wheel chair. His life expectancy is to around mid 20's...so i am told. Another person i know has brittle bones disease at the age of 7. He is now 17 but the pain he goes through everyday makes me so thankful to only be a diabetic. As you say you were a good diabetic, and good diabetics see little changes to their life expectancy.

3: This may not be the case with you Jack but when i do my injections in school people take a real interest. All of a sudden im kinda exciting and different. People want to know more about my condition and tell me how brave i am and how they themselves couldnt do it. My parents used to say i was just special. I like to play my diabetes down even to myself, i'm sure some people here will shoot me for this but is it not the same principal as being asthmatic? They like us diabetics have to take their doses when they need to. Sure ours maybe a bit more painful and cumbersome but thats the way it is.

I cope with diabetes by not letting it control my life. You have to find a balance where your looking after yourself but doing what you want and having fun at the same time. If you want to go out, then you should. Just remember to do the necessary things to look after yourself while you are. I find hobbies and sports are great as it lets you almost forget fretting about diabetes all the time.
Hope this helped anyway
Declan.