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Feeling down

Woodywoodpecker

Woodywoodpecker

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Pronouns
She/Her
I’ve been on holiday this week, can’t say it’s been my best week diabetes wise. I know I’ve tried different food, and my routine is different. Just don’t seem to be getting anything right, it’s getting to me which I know I should not let it. Seem to be sitting higher even though the night, Mibi my honeymoon is coming to an end. Sorry for the moan but hubby doesn’t understand why I’m getting mad with myself
 
Woodywoodpecker said:
I’ve been on holiday this week, can’t say it’s been my best week diabetes wise. I know I’ve tried different food, and my routine is different. Just don’t seem to be getting anything right, it’s getting to me which I know I should not let it. Seem to be sitting higher even though the night, Mibi my honeymoon is coming to an end. Sorry for the moan but hubby doesn’t understand why I’m getting mad with myself
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Really sorry Donna, @Woodywoodpecker, but cut yourself some slack. Going away is unquestionably tricky and that alone adds to your background stress levels, which can raise your BG. AND you are unaware that this extra stress "thing" is making your D management worse while away.

My wife definitely understands when I get mad with myself, but she still throws that switch which isolates her from my frustration. That, of course, adds to my frustration. I want some empathy with the predicament of that moment - I want to tell her that yet again something didn't follow the D rule book. But I don't want suggestions or advice for solutions. I know best, of course!

Take heart and comfort from reminding yourself Donna that you've been away; that you didn't need A&E or to phone 111; you've learnt some things about your ability to not just survive but manage well enough, to guess carbs, to guess bolus doses and still wake up each morning! Nobody said it was easy and that same "Nobody" won't tell you how well you've done - but you can pat yourself on the back. It's been just over 12 months since your original diagnosis; how amazing that you are not just alive - but getting on with your life. Great stuff, well done.
 
This is exactly the right place to come and have a moan @Woodywoodpecker . We all need to at times and as you say we ‘get it’.

Holidays are always difficult as so many things are different: levels of activity, types of meals, timing of meals , …. It is always a juggling act. I try to ignore TIR throughout a holiday (not always successfully) and just do the best that I can.

Your beta cells are also sitting there waiting to catch you out, and it sounds like they are doing just that, which is no surprise for anyone. This then leads to more variation, so definitely not an easy time.

Try to remember just how well you are doing. How much you have learnt in a short time, and that the more variables we are dealing with the lower our TIR is likely to be. Do give yourself a pat on the back and have a good week. Things will be a lot easier at home but we still want to be able to enjoy our holidays.

Take care and a big hug from me.
 
Proud to be erratic said:
Really sorry Donna, @Woodywoodpecker, but cut yourself some slack. Going away is unquestionably tricky and that alone adds to your background stress levels, which can raise your BG. AND you are unaware that this extra stress "thing" is making your D management worse while away.

My wife definitely understands when I get mad with myself, but she still throws that switch which isolates her from my frustration. That, of course, adds to my frustration. I want some empathy with the predicament of that moment - I want to tell her that yet again something didn't follow the D rule book. But I don't want suggestions or advice for solutions. I know best, of course!

Take heart and comfort from reminding yourself Donna that you've been away; that you didn't need A&E or to phone 111; you've learnt some things about your ability to not just survive but manage well enough, to guess carbs, to guess bolus doses and still wake up each morning! Nobody said it was easy and that same "Nobody" won't tell you how well you've done - but you can pat yourself on the back. It's been just over 12 months since your original diagnosis; how amazing that you are not just alive - but getting on with your life. Great stuff, well done.
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Thank you just gets me down at times, seem to go great then it all goes south. I’m not always sure I’m making the right decisions with doses, still feel a bit of a novice and lack confidence at times
 
SB2015 said:
This is exactly the right place to come and have a moan @Woodywoodpecker . We all need to at times and as you say we ‘get it’.

Holidays are always difficult as so many things are different: levels of activity, types of meals, timing of meals , …. It is always a juggling act. I try to ignore TIR throughout a holiday (not always successfully) and just do the best that I can.

Your beta cells are also sitting there waiting to catch you out, and it sounds like they are doing just that, which is no surprise for anyone. This then leads to more variation, so definitely not an easy time.

Try to remember just how well you are doing. How much you have learnt in a short time, and that the more variables we are dealing with the lower our TIR is likely to be. Do give yourself a pat on the back and have a good week. Things will be a lot easier at home but we still want to be able to enjoy our holidays.

Take care and a big hug from me.
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Thank you just having a down day. Dentist tomorrow which I hate, least I will know why glucose probably be high
 
@Woodywoodpecker, I wouldn't worry about it too much, it was a holiday and the overall impact on your management of your diabetes is likely to be temporary as you settle back in to your normal routine and activities. There is only so much you can do on holiday to maintain your management while enjoying yourself.
My approach to dealing with my diabetes (type 2) is what is in the past is not worth worrying about as I cannot change it, all I can do is manage things going forward. Based on that I learn what I can from past issues and plan alternatives to allow me to better manage things in the future.
 
JimmyBlue said:
@Woodywoodpecker, I wouldn't worry about it too much, it was a holiday and the overall impact on your management of your diabetes is likely to be temporary as you settle back in to your normal routine and activities. There is only so much you can do on holiday to maintain your management while enjoying yourself.
My approach to dealing with my diabetes (type 2) is what is in the past is not worth worrying about as I cannot change it, all I can do is manage things going forward. Based on that I learn what I can from past issues and plan alternatives to allow me to better manage things in the future.
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Thank you
 
@Woodywoodpecker managing Type 1 diabetes can be tough. I am pretty sure we have all been there and all had our "off days". As you say, we "get it".
For me, it help to look at my wins. Think about where I was before diagnosis and weeks later. Then compare that to now.

I went through this with diabetes over 20 years ago but I have done it in the last year when I broke my elbow and was feeling down about how long it was taking to fix and how I was missing my usual hobbies like rock climbing.
I made a mental note of when I could do something for the first time. They were little things like the first time I bent my arm enough to get my hand in a pocket. Then the first time I could bend it enough to fold my arms. Then the first time I scratched my nose. Then the first time I could run my fingers through my hair.
Every time I started to inwardly moan that I couldn't go climbing, I looked back to the days when I could feed myself properly and realised how far I had come. But it was also important for me to realise, the "journey" (sorry, it's not my favourite word but I think it is the right one here) is still continuing. I broke my elbow in August and, on Monday of this week, I climbed a route at the grade I used to manage.

From your threads, I can see that you are improving. It wasn't that long ago when you went out by yourself for the first time, Now you have been on holiday, which, as others have said, is a big thing when so much is different to your daily life.

Diabetes is a pest. I think the only rule it follows is "don't be too predictable"! It took my a long time to stop thinking about mistakes I have made (typically, giving myself too much or too little insulin) but now I don't think of them as mistakes because I am trying to do the full time job of a major human organ whilst living my life. I give myself a pat on the back when I recover from a high or a low because I have learned to do so.
There is no point dwelling on what happened in the past beyond "what would I do differently next time?"

Give yourself a pat of the back for all you have achieved and start planning for your next step with diabetes.

(Sorry if that came across as too much "me me me m". I hope the example illustrated my point without going on too much about me me me.)
 
helli said:
@Woodywoodpecker managing Type 1 diabetes can be tough. I am pretty sure we have all been there and all had our "off days". As you say, we "get it".
For me, it help to look at my wins. Think about where I was before diagnosis and weeks later. Then compare that to now.

I went through this with diabetes over 20 years ago but I have done it in the last year when I broke my elbow and was feeling down about how long it was taking to fix and how I was missing my usual hobbies like rock climbing.
I made a mental note of when I could do something for the first time. They were little things like the first time I bent my arm enough to get my hand in a pocket. Then the first time I could bend it enough to fold my arms. Then the first time I scratched my nose. Then the first time I could run my fingers through my hair.
Every time I started to inwardly moan that I couldn't go climbing, I looked back to the days when I could feed myself properly and realised how far I had come. But it was also important for me to realise, the "journey" (sorry, it's not my favourite word but I think it is the right one here) is still continuing. I broke my elbow in August and, on Monday of this week, I climbed a route at the grade I used to manage.

From your threads, I can see that you are improving. It wasn't that long ago when you went out by yourself for the first time, Now you have been on holiday, which, as others have said, is a big thing when so much is different to your daily life.

Diabetes is a pest. I think the only rule it follows is "don't be too predictable"! It took my a long time to stop thinking about mistakes I have made (typically, giving myself too much or too little insulin) but now I don't think of them as mistakes because I am trying to do the full time job of a major human organ whilst living my life. I give myself a pat on the back when I recover from a high or a low because I have learned to do so.
There is no point dwelling on what happened in the past beyond "what would I do differently next time?"

Give yourself a pat of the back for all you have achieved and start planning for your next step with diabetes.

(Sorry if that came across as too much "me me me m". I hope the example illustrated my point without going on too much about me me me.)
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Thank you and it doesn’t come across as me me me. Think I’m in my head to much, trying to be perfect, when I know full well it won’t be. It’s just been doing not bad lately, then few c**p days seems to make me loose confidence. Need to stop looking at app and TIR
 
Sounds like you are a very strong person and your partner needs to be too -- Get mad grab your Diabetes by the scruff of the neck and shout at it --You don't control me,-- you will not beat me,-- I am better than you--And you are ok -- talk to your Husband if he cares for you then he needs to work with you remember in a relationship one might become ill but it takes two to understand --Help --and find a way through -- so start shouting ok
 
Ged said:
Sounds like you are a very strong person and your partner needs to be too -- Get mad grab your Diabetes by the scruff of the neck and shout at it --You don't control me,-- you will not beat me,-- I am better than you--And you are ok -- talk to your Husband if he cares for you then he needs to work with you remember in a relationship one might become ill but it takes two to understand --Help --and find a way through -- so start shouting ok
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I usually am, just not today. Hubby does care just doesn’t understand it all. His dad had it years ago before all this technology, not even a machine to finger prick, just inject morning and night and carried sugar lumps. Some days a don’t understand it myself, but will start shouting out thank you
 
Woodywoodpecker said:
Thank you and it doesn’t come across as me me me. Think I’m in my head to much, trying to be perfect, when I know full well it won’t be. It’s just been doing not bad lately, then few c**p days seems to make me loose confidence. Need to stop looking at app and TIR
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Sometimes, I am glad I was diagnosed before CGMs became so common. I only knew my BG when I tested - before meals and if I felt "off". I now have my moments of CGM-obsession but usually think it is lying :D and have to do a finger prick to check it. This gives me some confidence I can manage if the CGM fails which is important for me.
How would you feel about taking a Libre-holiday? Don't attach the next one as soon as your current one fails but give yourself a day (or even a few hours) without being "sensored". Do it in a familiar surroundings the first time and it might give you more confidence or at least less reliance on the app.
 
helli said:
Sometimes, I am glad I was diagnosed before CGMs became so common. I only knew my BG when I tested - before meals and if I felt "off". I now have my moments of CGM-obsession but usually think it is lying :D and have to do a finger prick to check it. This gives me some confidence I can manage if the CGM fails which is important for me.
How would you feel about taking a Libre-holiday? Don't attach the next one as soon as your current one fails but give yourself a day (or even a few hours) without being "sensored". Do it in a familiar surroundings the first time and it might give you more confidence or at least less reliance on the app.
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I also think it’s lying at times, sometimes can’t believe what I’m seeing. The thing that’s really getting to me is the burning I get in my back and bum, doctor said it neuropathy. I’m not sure if it is, burns when glucose goes up stings when going low. Never had it till about 2 weeks after starting insulin, doctor said it’s my nerve endings repairing and could last 2-3 years. Think it’s that that makes me look at app as much, but Mibi a small break would do me good
 
Alan44 said:
@Woodywoodpecker you have a good old moan and rant, doing it here on these pages is for sure the right, because we all understand and of course, we all love you <3
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Thank you don’t know what I would do without this forum, certainly wouldn’t be phoning diabetic clinic, some of them can be not very nice, like you are bothering them
 
Hi @Woodywoodpecker we all have times when we need a rant because managing the condition can be so frustrating and we understand here on the Forum. There's just no break from it and we can't leave it at home when we go on holiday! I've had it over 30 years and my partner, who does care, simply doesn't understand what's involved and assumes that because I've had it for so long I can manage it without any issues. Some days are good and others not so good, just deal with it as best as I can without letting the condition take over my life 🙂
 
HayleyR said:
Hi @Woodywoodpecker we all have times when we need a rant because managing the condition can be so frustrating and we understand here on the Forum. There's just no break from it and we can't leave it at home when we go on holiday! I've had it over 30 years and my partner, who does care, simply doesn't understand what's involved and assumes that because I've had it for so long I can manage it without any issues. Some days are good and others not so good, just deal with it as best as I can without letting the condition take over my life 🙂
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Thank you, tomorrow is another day hopefully a better one
 
helli said:
Sometimes, I am glad I was diagnosed before CGMs became so common. I only knew my BG when I tested - before meals and if I felt "off". I now have my moments of CGM-obsession but usually think it is lying :D and have to do a finger prick to check it. This gives me some confidence I can manage if the CGM fails which is important for me.
How would you feel about taking a Libre-holiday? Don't attach the next one as soon as your current one fails but give yourself a day (or even a few hours) without being "sensored". Do it in a familiar surroundings the first time and it might give you more confidence or at least less reliance on the app.
Click to expand...
I encounter the CGM obsession too, I over scan and then test on my finger thinking it's wrong and of course, there is a time difference between both of them, as it states. It really gets in my head, I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I second the idea about going 'libre-free', sounds like a good idea and I may even try it myself
 
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