This topic contains 0 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by Anonymous 9 years, 10 months ago.
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HIYA I am also new to this support group. I think it is wonderful and very uplifting. I also have not come to grips with my diabetes even after 21 years and suffering numerous complications. I feel this forum is invaluable and my outlook is more +++++ !!
Hi Del, Welcome ” title=”Smile” />
I’m sure you will find lots of invaluable information here, and I certainly hope we can help you.
I can certainly understand your not wanting to deal with diabetes, its a very common reaction and you’re definitely no alone with that. D is a very wearing disease with all the things you have to remember and be aware of all the time. I have a friend with endometriosis, and being such a painful illness I totally understand why D would be put on the backburner while you dealt with that, no one wants to put up with pain if we can help it. I guess in that respect D is sort of a silent disease, so its easy to try to ignore it sometimes.I don’t have d myself, my 5yo has Type 1, being in control of her care, I sure want to ignore it for a while. I’ve often been asked what my ideal day would be, and my first answer… a diabetes free day, so I can imagine that the depth of your feelings would make them much stronger having it yourself.
You mentioned lots of questions, please feel free to ask away, I’m sure that all of us can answer some for you.
Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell Del.
My 5yo, Taylor, copes very well with her D. Its obviously easier for her having others to do all the working and worrying. She was diagnosed just after she turned 3, and does all of her own testing now, and gives herself most of her injections. I still draw up insulin etc, but its amazing how quickly she learnt some do’s and don’ts. Taylor started school this year and her teachers are very happy with how she’s fit in and all of her classmates know about her D.
You mentioned your fear of needles, I have a friend who has had type 1 for over 30 years and she’s terrified of them. She generally had her parents or then her husband to give the injections, but of course had to learn herself. So when it was up to her, she started off injecting through her clothes so that she doesn’t actually see the needle pierce the skin. Although its not an ideal way to inject, its much better than not doing it at all. She has slowly worked herself up that she can do an injection direct to the skin now, but it did take time. I guess where there is a will there is a way, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much unless you actually get to that stage.
Your numbers of late sound great, I hope you’re feeling much better within yourself with the better levels too ” title=”Smile” /> Hope you’re also feeling much better after the icky gastro
Del, yes I am on insulin. I actually have a pump yet am taking a break from it due to infections and eating unconrolled due to easy access to insulin. My complications include early stages of kidney failure, extensive laser on both eyes, neuropathy – charcot right foot, severve injury to left ankle due to low bone density ( I am still able to walk luckily I have a very high pain threshold ) low hypo awareness, problems with fluctuating blood pressure especially upon standing or moving suddenly. These things do not bother me as much as my loss of willpower and constant hunger. I do realise things will continue to deteriorate more rapidly if I do not get my act back into gear.
Del, the sugar levels don’t always drop that quickly during exercise, but everyone is different and all react to different exercises in various ways too. At 5 you probably normally wouldn’t feel too low, but having a quick drop, even if it was say 15 to 8 in a short period will make you feel the effects of a hypo. Its also normal to feel self conscious about testing when out, but its good to try to work through that if you can.
Oh one more thing I thought of with hypos too, depending on how low you go and how long you’re down, the icky after effects can last longer, from an hour to a couple of days, so if you find that you have a hypo and the effects last longer its ok so long as your tests show your level is up.I find with Taylor very active exercise she may not go low at the time, but high instead, apparently a reaction caused by the adrenalin, but then 6-8 hours later she drops super fast. Water play makes her go very low very quickly while she is still playing and walking doesn’t really have too much change. You will find over time you will begin to see patterns about how your body deals with different situations which will give you a better idea of what to expect and be better prepared. Unfortunately there is no magic answer for everyone, just trial and error.
And a note to Simone, sorry to hear you’ve had such a bad time with your D lately, but you’ve gained a much positive attitude in the short time I’ve seen you on here, and I truly believe thats half the battle, and wish you luck in achieving better control and better health again
Hi to you all!
I was reading the line of messages that you guys have written and I really was amazed at all of your ideas, support and strength. Basically when I feel that people are really getting to the bottom of things and suporting each other I try to stay out of the loop on this part of the website. I think that a variety of responses from people who understand what you are facing is really helpful. I am impressed with the depth of all of your understanding and empathy for others – keep it up!The long term effects of diabetes can be very scary and sometimes it is the fear of these complications that can either make a person very anxious and obsessed about their diabetic control and therefore more stressed when they can not always keep it under control, OR it can make people just think what the hell – I am going to have all those bad things happen anyway so why bother?
Both of these reactions are common and normal and sometimes people can vary between the two. The challenge is to get to a point where you realise that worrying about what might NEVER happen is a waste of the precious time that we have in the here and now.
How you do this is a personal thing and getting support is very important. It is important to focus on things other than diabetes as well and allow yourself some time out. Learn the best ways to manage your diabetes and keep up with research and change. Try the best that you can. Find things to enjoy in your life. Remember that there are many things that you can do in managing diabetes and in keeping a check on your risks of complications.
It is very important to visit the doctor regularly to have your eyes, kidney, blood pressure and blood fats etc tested as there are ways of stopping some of these complications if they are picked up early.
It is about taking control of your diabetes – but not just that also about taking control of your life. You do not have to feel alone in this responsibility for your diabetes – use friends, family, support groups, your medical team and ask for help when you need it. Take some breaks sometimes! No – you can not always control what your blood glucose levels do – in fact some days it is damn near impossible! – but you can control your part in all of this and in how you react and treat your condition.
The other thing to remember is that the management of diabetes now is so much better than it was when Adele’s Mum was diagnosed and the risks of complications can be significanlty reduced by the better levels of care. Also there is evidence to suggest that a small number of people are prone to complications and others are not. There is research going on right now that is looking at ways of preventing and reversing complications and that is always moving forward.
Also for those of you who may already have some complications or those who may get them down the track – please remember that you have not done anything wrong. Many of us will have gone through a stage in our lives where we did not have blood glucose levels in the "normal" range and where we may have not bothered too much or even outright ignored our diabetes and our health – but hey – so have most people – diabetic or not! You are a human being living with a very hard condition, a daily challenge, so please do not judge yourselves for acting like anyone else and especially if you are unlucky enough to get some of those complications – be gentle on yourself.
Keep up the great support here guys
and keep warm!
Helen EdwardsHi again, been busy and haven’t made it on for days and oh so many messages to read!
I think the water play is mostly with swimming, you tend to use more of your muscles, much more vigourously, but the water cushions the activity so you don’t tire as easily. Kids playing in a pool tend to be much more excited and active, thats my thoughts anyway, one day I’ll get around to reading a bit more about it to find out if I’m right
Hi, first in response to Del. Yes I live in WA.
Coment on Helens last reply – I sometimes ask myself what have I done wrong yet mostly ‘What have I done to deserve this – Why me?’
I am one of the small number prone to complications.hi simone,
im not surprised i have it due to the family history of it, what i hate the most and find difficult to live with is the endometriosis.. but then with diabetes being the "silent" killer that it is, i shudder to think what i will be like in 10 or 20 yrs time, guess that’s why im trying to take control of it now… i think my mum resented it and didnt take it seriously and i sometimes think that if hers had been controlled better then she may still be around.. i dont know.. not an easy thing really is it as i’ve also read you can be the best controlled and still end up blind etc..
how are you feeling today?
del
Hi there Del and everyone. I am feeling OK lately. Del what is endometriosis? I have never heard of it. Hope you are doing at least a little better!
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