What causes anxiety in those with diabetes?

donnellysdogs · Sep 17, 2017

I think though that control aspect is different between cancer and diabetes too.

Diabetes we can control. Cancer we cant really. We can do our best with both diseases but diabetes we can do more to help ourselves and most importantly we can see it working or not in regular blood tests.

I think the hardest thing for me to manage was I was not in control with cancer. I can try to do my best. I fought to get my supposedly 2nd healthy boob removed (which wasnt!). I cannot tolerate the cancer tablets and radiotherapy damage is quite significant. I cannot see my efforts to help myself with cancer working, or not.

I get more anxious about the cancer returning than the daily injections, testing etc.. as that is pretty much in my control..

Bluetit1802 · Sep 17, 2017

I had almost 17 months of cancer treatment. They threw the kitchen sink at me, and I was grateful. Exactly 12 months after cancer diagnosis and around 4 months before my treatment for cancer completely finished, I was diagnosed with T2. Wonderful! So now I had even more medical appointments to keep and even more anxiety.

I threw myself in to controlling my diabetes because I could do this. I spent so much time researching, learning, and most of that on this forum, that I almost totally forgot about my cancer. That was January 2014. I still don't think about my cancer. The only time it crosses my mind is when a review mammogram is pending (my last one will be in December this year) and I get a wee bit anxious. I have several friends that went through treatment at the same time I did, and almost all of them still worry themselves silly about the cancer, thinking every tiny ache and pain is a sign of spread or recurrence. The anxiety makes them ill. I have diabetes to thank for steering me clear of this anxiety and for giving me that kick up the bum I needed to get back in shape.

donnellysdogs · Sep 17, 2017

I feel so much more relieved after fighting for 2nd mx and being a total flattie now. Making risk of cancer below that of a normal non cancerd lady...
Do everything to keep healthy but just dont feel in control... do of diabetes being an injector, I honestly think its easier for me....

When you are used to being in control then its hard to get some illness that you cant control. I've even managed my stomach/colon now but although never thinking of cancer as such by myself.. when writing or hearing of peoples journeys with it.. well it does make me think that is now something that I have no control over... Done my best, fought and won for being a flattie (thankfully) and got a superb Professor... and regained some confidence in NHS again..

Just wish to add that gaining knowledge and confidence AND control can reduce anxiety with managing all illnesses...

Tony337 · Sep 18, 2017

Langerhans Failed 1993 said:
Hi Tony
Losing strength of will.....I can totally relate to that, I am a pritty strong willed and determined person but every 5 years or so I go through a bit of a bump where I just don't even feel like facing it all. The finger pricks, constant monitoring, calculating and yes.... that sheer will to get out of bed. What helps is knowing thatIi have my son and husband who would be thrown into chaos and dispair if I wasnt there anymore, its hard going man, its like a job you never get a vacation from. Goodness so many years under the belt, well done!!! It gives me hope.

Thanks Langerhans
The losing my strength of will only refers to early morning hypos.
Its that getting back to Normal (?) thing that I have been doing for years I am struggling with.
All the other stuff that comes with diabetes is like breathing and am programmed to do.
In fact I am better programmed now than i have ever been because as I get older I am more anxious about my health.

I can feel a song coming on..............

Tony

danthediabeticman · Sep 18, 2017

I am t1 diabetic and have been for about 11 years, i dont really get anxious about my diabeties because i dont care about what other people think. I am more then happy to do an injection in front of people and if anyone has an issue (3 people ever) i just tell them i have to do this 3-8 times a day and if they dont like it they can always look the other way. I do however suffer from major anxiety on a regular bassis which then turns to addrenaline (cant spell) which makes me have low blood sugar but i use this as an advantage so i dont have to do as much insolin but regular blood sugar checks are needed. I have never posted before so hello to all my fellow diabetics everywhere.

donnellysdogs · Sep 18, 2017

Hello @danthediabeticman..welcome!!

Langerhans Failed 1993 · Sep 19, 2017

Linda_Clark said:
That's a very good way of putting it - a huge job we are thrown into. I remember being diagnosed with cancer in 2012. My specialist suggested major surgery to get rid of it and I was supposed to rest for a few weeks to recover afterwards. Yet it was enough so that I didn't have to go for radiation or chemotherapy or go on medication. Having that operation changed my life in that it took care of a health issue that was robbing me of living life and had done so for years (even going out for a walk was too much). After that though, my life was given back to me and now I am 5 years past it in November.

But this diabetes thing it is changing my life again because it is something that is going to be with me the rest of my life and something that I will always have to be partly thinking about every day in a way the cancer experience wasn't. I got diagnosed and had an operation and then it was over pretty much. But with this, I will never be able to go back to eating and living the way I used to. That isn't a bad thing but it is a huge change to make all at once. When I first heard the news it was like "Great - that's just great". I think I am in the feeling sorry for myself stage though in that I feel like I was given my life back only to lose it again.

That is the best thing about learning about this illness though - it is showing me that it doesn't have to be a life sentence and the most horrible thing to happen to me. So I am trying to think of the positives. I am finding I am getting really creative with cooking with new ingredients or old ingredients in completely new ways I hadn't thought of before. Then I think of the clothes I might buy if I ever am too small to fit into the clothes I have now (my existing clothes are getting very loose). Shopping sprees are always fun. I was getting ready to go out a few days ago and I looked in the mirror and noticed something too. People have always complimented me on my complexion and the other day even I noticed that my skin looks incredible. I am not usually vain and I can only credit the changes since my diagnosis. As trivial as these things might be it is helping me want to make these changes - and that's a positive.

I laughed at your "Did you check your blood sugar" comment. It reminded me of a joke made by a woman that suffered from PMS and depression. Every time she would get upset people would ask her if she had taken her meds for those conditions. They couldn't conceive at all that perhaps she was just responding to them being a jerk! LOL Humor is another positive thing.

You are a true inspiration to our kind!!!

Langerhans Failed 1993 · Oct 7, 2017

danthediabeticman said:
I am t1 diabetic and have been for about 11 years, i dont really get anxious about my diabeties because i dont care about what other people think. I am more then happy to do an injection in front of people and if anyone has an issue (3 people ever) i just tell them i have to do this 3-8 times a day and if they dont like it they can always look the other way. I do however suffer from major anxiety on a regular bassis which then turns to addrenaline (cant spell) which makes me have low blood sugar but i use this as an advantage so i dont have to do as much insolin but regular blood sugar checks are needed. I have never posted before so hello to all my fellow diabetics everywhere.

Hi
Thank you so much for posting, its always good to hear from others with diabetes, it has helped me a great deal in knowing there are others with similar difficulties and also being able to read about how they find wonderful ways of managi g the condition. I hope you will post again.

livabet1 · Oct 7, 2017

Hi
I think your anxieties are justified. I was the same until I got approval for a CGM (Dexcom) from my local CCG. It has changed my life as I no longer get serious nocturnal hypos as the CGM wakes me up if my BS is getting low. I can see what is happening with my BS at any time and don't have to worry.
I hope you can get one!

What causes anxiety in those with diabetes?

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