Mental health and anxiety support

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi SianyBee, welcome to the forum.

It's really common to experience anxiety when dealing with health issues so you're not alone. I think I ate 3 spoonful's of food the day I was diagnosed as I was scared I was going to implode or something! ‍♀️

As soon as I was able to do some reading and learn more about what I needed to do, the fear subsided. That doesn't mean everything will be perfect as there are so many factors that can impact your level, stress being one of them.

It sounds as though you're doing the best you can with the resources you have, can't ask for much more. This is a journey to a healthy lifestyle so just as you learnt the protocols to enjoy festivals or how to meditate, you'll learn how to manage your new health requirements.

Might be worth taking some time to enjoy the things that helped you to be Zen so you can draw on the benefits to deal with this journey. Let us know if we can help in any way as we're here to support you every step of the way.

 

[trophywench]

A CGM or Flash GM sensor NEVER tells you what your blood glucose is - only what your interstitial fluid glucose happened to be 10 -15 minutes ago. Your interstitional fluid does not of itself convey messages to your brain - only your bloodstream can do that.

CGM and Flash GM should not be used for individual dosing for food or corrections. Their use is limited - eg to providing the overall picture over a time period.

You should be advised to AIM for 70% 'in range' over time - because that has been found over decades of research to be indicative in preventing long term diabetic complications arising.

So some months you can achieve 70% - some you won't because you tripped up and broke your kneecap at the beginning of March or the bloke you married 73 years ago (and still adored) popped his clogs - or whatever.

Anything above 70% is merely a BONUS (well bully for you mate, but I'm not you)


All these measuring instruments have inbuilt margins of error - and those measuring blood glucose are officially allowed to have 10-15% margin either way - so a glucometer test strip says 5.0 - so that might really be 5.75 or 4.25, or somewhere in between. If the strip says 20 - somewhere between 17 and 23.


Perfection?

NO WAY Pedro!

 

[helli]

CGM and Flash GM should not be used for individual dosing for food or corrections. Their use is limited - eg to providing the overall picture over a time period.

This advice is years out of date.
CGM and Flash GM can be used for dosing and is the reason why closed loop systems rely on CGMs.
It is also the reason why Libre are being prescribed to save the NHS money on expensive test strips.

 

[Lucyr]

I also have anxiety and for eating out, special occasions, takeaways where it’s perhaps a food that’s higher in carbs or less familiar my strategy is to go with “what amount of carbs is the most I’m comfortable blousing for given this food”. If I estimate that there are say 100 carbs but I’m only comfortable / experienced at bolusing for 80 in one go normally, then I just bolus for 80, accept I’ll be on the high side later but that there are lots of unknown variables, and that I want to relax and enjoy the occasion, and then correct later. In order to reduce the late on high, I take greater care of my bg in the afternoon before the event, checking and correcting after lunch so that I start the event with a good blood sugar.

 

[SianyBee]

A CGM or Flash GM sensor NEVER tells you what your blood glucose is - only what your interstitial fluid glucose happened to be 10 -15 minutes ago. Your interstitional fluid does not of itself convey messages to your brain - only your bloodstream can do that.

CGM and Flash GM should not be used for individual dosing for food or corrections. Their use is limited - eg to providing the overall picture over a time period.

You should be advised to AIM for 70% 'in range' over time - because that has been found over decades of research to be indicative in preventing long term diabetic complications arising.

So some months you can achieve 70% - some you won't because you tripped up and broke your kneecap at the beginning of March or the bloke you married 73 years ago (and still adored) popped his clogs - or whatever.

Anything above 70% is merely a BONUS (well bully for you mate, but I'm not you)


All these measuring instruments have inbuilt margins of error - and those measuring blood glucose are officially allowed to have 10-15% margin either way - so a glucometer test strip says 5.0 - so that might really be 5.75 or 4.25, or somewhere in between. If the strip says 20 - somewhere between 17 and 23.


Perfection?

NO WAY Pedro!

Thankyou. Its good to know that 70% is classed as good control, that eases my anxiety quite a bit and my nurse said exactly the same this morning.

I agree with what you say about the Libre being a great guide but not accurate enough for dosing. I woulda totally ignored two hypos over the past week had I not finger pricked to double check. I still finger prick pre meals to work out my dose as I know the margin of error is just too great sadly. I mean it's fab to learn trends and warns of 90% of hypos so I do love it but it's not perfect

 

[Peely66]

I'm only 6 days into wearing my first sensor so I'm a total novice where this is concerned. I decided I was going to try and approach this sensor wearing by just doing what I normally do and not make any adjustments based on the sensor. Then I could see what my normal approach, that I've adopted over 30 years, was actually doing.

I've seen a difference between the sensor and finger tests which I was forewarned about although someone did mention that the lag with Libre2 was less.

My initial thoughts are that I cant really trust the number that the sensor is giving me so I wouldn't want to base my insulin dosage on an individual number from the sensor. I sort of feel that the snapshot the scan gives me is that I'm either : in range; quite low; very low; quite high or very high.

The AGP is the invaluable piece of the puzzle that the sensor gives us.

Like I said I'm only 6 days in and still a bit bamboozled by it all.

 

[pm133]

Thankyou. Its good to know that 70% is classed as good control, that eases my anxiety quite a bit and my nurse said exactly the same this morning.

I agree with what you say about the Libre being a great guide but not accurate enough for dosing. I woulda totally ignored two hypos over the past week had I not finger pricked to double check. I still finger prick pre meals to work out my dose as I know the margin of error is just too great sadly. I mean it's fab to learn trends and warns of 90% of hypos so I do love it but it's not perfect

Hi SianyBee,

I can pass on my own experience.

When eating takeaways, I usually just guess what insulin will be required. It's pretty rare that I'll eat anything I've not had at home so I have gained a very good feel for what I need. There's no other reasonable way to go about it in my opinion. I can still feel very spontaneous and am quite happy to inject my bolus post-meal if timings are an issue. I am very relaxed about post-10 readings as long as I don't go above 13. I am also relaxed about post-10 readings which come down again after about an hour or two. My strong preference is to avoid hypos at all costs so I'll always err on the side of under-dosing my bolus.

I almost never correct for high glucose readings (that way, madness lies) and I certainly never do within 4 hours of my previous bolus because that would still be in my system and I risk a hypo. In my hallway is a better solution - a cheap exercise bike. If I am a bit higher than I'd like or if my readings stay high for longer than an hour or two I stick it on the most difficult setting, stick the headphones on to some rock music and get peddling at a brisk rate (15 to 20 mph) for about 15 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, a 30 minute brisk walk will do the same. Providing I have some bolus in me that always brings me back down under 10 again - sometimes under 7, regardless of how high I had gotten.

I am very relaxed about all of this. Despite having frequent highs of 10 to 12 an hour after meals, my last two HBA1c results were 46 and 44 (yesterday) so overall I'm doing fine. Also I am around 88% to 92% in range on average according to my Libre (which I love).

Hope this helps.

 

[SB2015]

I actually read your thread last night from a few years ago about techniques that helped you amd it was extremely interesting and helpful to me. I hope I can develop some similar techniques and relax over time.

Really glad that you found my post, on the strategies that I used, of some help. I took a long while to ask for help, and I wish I had done it sooner. It was others on here who encouraged me to take that step, as well as providing a lot of practical advice and moving me away my unrealistic expectations. You will find a way through this. Keep asking questions on here. People will help where they can.

The 70% target is for being between 4 and 10 throughout the day, so taking the data from a CGM or Libre. For me this was certainly easier to achieve on a pump than on injections.

Keep in touch.

 

[helli]

@Peely66 and @trophywench as has been discussed multiple times, I find the problem with Libre is that unlike other CGMs, you cannot calibrate it. However, there are unofficial phone apps which use slightly different algorithms to convert form interstitial fluid readings to blood sugars. These algorithms can also incorporate calibration against blood sugars so if you are not like the factor man that Abbott calibrate their Libre against, you can adjust the readings, The other thing to consider is that CGMs are less accurate when high (above 8 for me) or low (below 4 for me). Therefore, finger pricks are required to confirm Libre readings when correcting highs and lows but fine if you are dosing for food when in normal range.
Many people find the native Libre algorithm and calibration suits them very well.

 

[trophywench]

@SianyBee - I could have just said 'Relax, luv!' to you* - but by saying that it would not have been possible to convey to you that - sometimes ! - the voice of decades of personal experience still counts and that you do always need to weigh up all the pros and cons before forming your own opinion on stuff.

* I fully accept that if people could just do that automatically - then they would do it (been there, haven't been able to do it myself, at times and hence sought help) - these things absolutely do take TIME.

When you need to eat a whole elephant - the ONLY way is to first divide the carcass up into bite-sized chunks. Then consume the chunks at your own, personal, rate.

 

[Peely66]

Really glad that you found my post, on the strategies that I used, of some help. I took a long while to ask for help, and I wish I had done it sooner. It was others on here who encouraged me to take that step, as well as providing a lot of practical advice and moving me away my unrealistic expectations. You will find a way through this. Keep asking questions on here. People will help where they can.

The 70% target is for being between 4 and 10 throughout the day, so taking the data from a CGM or Libre. For me this was certainly easier to achieve on a pump than on injections.

Keep in touch.

Where is that post? I'd be interested to read it.

 

[SB2015]

Where is that post? I'd be interested to read it.

Here I think

Successful strategies so far in dealing with depression and Diabetes

I found it tempting to hide away over the last couple of months. After 9 years of Diabetes I finally hit a wall as HbA1c reached the mid 40s and so no longer improved, spinal stenosis gave me numb feet over night, an MRI showing lesions on the brain and I watched my Mum die of Dementia...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

I hope it proves helpful.

 

[SianyBee]

Thank you all. I will respond in more detail soon. I just wanted to say my comment about finger prickw being more consistent just backfired totally. I tested at 7.1 but it didn't seem right so I tested a finger on my other hand amd it was 5.2!!! What on earth? I washed my hands too so it's not that. I went with the lower reading but am currently amazed at the difference that coulda made to my dosing choice.

Anyone else experience this? Just when I thought diabetes couldn't get any more crazy I have totally lost confidence in meter readings now!

 

[SianyBee]

Hi SianyBee,

I can pass on my own experience.

When eating takeaways, I usually just guess what insulin will be required. It's pretty rare that I'll eat anything I've not had at home so I have gained a very good feel for what I need. There's no other reasonable way to go about it in my opinion. I can still feel very spontaneous and am quite happy to inject my bolus post-meal if timings are an issue. I am very relaxed about post-10 readings as long as I don't go above 13. I am also relaxed about post-10 readings which come down again after about an hour or two. My strong preference is to avoid hypos at all costs so I'll always err on the side of under-dosing my bolus.

I almost never correct for high glucose readings (that way, madness lies) and I certainly never do within 4 hours of my previous bolus because that would still be in my system and I risk a hypo. In my hallway is a better solution - a cheap exercise bike. If I am a bit higher than I'd like or if my readings stay high for longer than an hour or two I stick it on the most difficult setting, stick the headphones on to some rock music and get peddling at a brisk rate (15 to 20 mph) for about 15 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, a 30 minute brisk walk will do the same. Providing I have some bolus in me that always brings me back down under 10 again - sometimes under 7, regardless of how high I had gotten.

I am very relaxed about all of this. Despite having frequent highs of 10 to 12 an hour after meals, my last two HBA1c results were 46 and 44 (yesterday) so overall I'm doing fine. Also I am around 88% to 92% in range on average according to my Libre (which I love).

Hope this helps.

Thank you, I also try to go for a brisk walk and climb up the hill opposite my home when I'm high and not working. It works a treat, exercise is awesome!

Ah that is great to know about your frequent highs yet fab blood results yesterday. I am getting mine done in May , prob the end of May as my control was not so good at first so I wanna get a better picture of it .

 

[SianyBee]

Really glad that you found my post, on the strategies that I used, of some help. I took a long while to ask for help, and I wish I had done it sooner. It was others on here who encouraged me to take that step, as well as providing a lot of practical advice and moving me away my unrealistic expectations. You will find a way through this. Keep asking questions on here. People will help where they can.

The 70% target is for being between 4 and 10 throughout the day, so taking the data from a CGM or Libre. For me this was certainly easier to achieve on a pump than on injections.

Keep in touch.

Thank you. I am currently obsessing about scanning and checking my numbers and it needs to stop. I want to try and scan only at 2 hours post meal or pre meals really but finding it hard to resist. I know it isn't good for me though being so fixated on it all the time.

It has been a big help today reading all of your helpful replies I have to say, I don't feel so alone in this and it's encouraging to hear how many people are relaxed about it all, it gives me hope that I soon will be.

I'm going to log onto my laptop now and self refer for some counselling. Let's see how long the waiting list is!

 

[Peely66]

Here I think

Successful strategies so far in dealing with depression and Diabetes

I found it tempting to hide away over the last couple of months. After 9 years of Diabetes I finally hit a wall as HbA1c reached the mid 40s and so no longer improved, spinal stenosis gave me numb feet over night, an MRI showing lesions on the brain and I watched my Mum die of Dementia...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

I hope it proves helpful.

Yep really good stuff especially about the impossibility of perfection. Thank you.

 

[SB2015]

Yep really good stuff especially about the impossibility of perfection. Thank you.

Glad that it was helpful.
It took quite a while for me to cotton onto that!!

 

[Andra Gabriela]

Hi there! I know the feeling! After I got my diagnosis I completely stopped dating and going out fearing of what might happen. Therapy is amazing or at least it helped me a lot. I still keep a worry diary to this day to help with intrusive thoughts, as for dating although avoided I eventually starred dating again and was extremely upfront about my diabetes. You will find that superficial people will stay away on their own so you’ll only end up with people dating you because you’re you despite anything else which is amazing. I am currently dating an amazing man for 4 months and he is even Helping me count carbs and keeping me company whenever I have hypos! People will surprise you in a good way and provide you with the support you didn’t even think of! Having diabetes is a big change in anyone’s life but it will not stop you from living a norma, fulfilling life.

 

[Anxious 63]

Hey in a very scary place been drinking too much recently and bad sleep , some days i dont take the diabetes tablets because i feel why it is so **** the way i feel , i have been to alchohol groups but blah blah i still feel like **** physically and mentally , i will be dead soon i know that

 

[Inka]

Sorry to hear that @Anxious 63 i know you’ve mentioned groups for support with alcohol, but have you also talked to your GP recently stressed how down you’re feeling and how much you’re drinking? Remember too that the Samaritans are always there if you need someone to listen.

If your drinking is really getting out of hand, I urge you to push for support or get a friend to push for you. It’s a terrible enemy and if you can reduce its grip on you, you’ll gradually feel better and more able to deal with things.

You probably already know this but there are helplines specifically for alcohol abuse eg

• Drinkline is the national alcohol helplinefree helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).