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Still Struggling

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katielb

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi All,

Have been diabetic since 2009 and still fell like am no where near having my diabetes under control consistently i seem to go through phases.
Does anyone else struggle to stick to routines?
 
Hi Katie, welcome to the forum 🙂 I think everyone has their ups and downs, just like people without diabetes do, it's just that it's that much more important for us that we try and keep on top of things - which can be very hard at times :(

What insulin regime are you on and how has your control been? Do you get much chance to talk about how you feel with people who really understand? If not, then hopefully you will feel you can open up here as you are amongst lots of friendly, knowledgeable people who really can perk you up and motivate you when things feel like they are slipping a bit. Plus, it's always good to have a good old rant!
 
unfortunately it goes like that sometimes. We all struggle from time to time. How much support have you got? It is easier with support if you can get it. This is a good place.
 
Welcome katielb.

In answer to your question "Does anyone else struggle to stick to routines?" - well, no, not at all, but that's because I don't have routines. From a diabetes point of view (not the only thing in life 🙂) I use MDI (multiple daily injections) or basal bolus regime, which allows me to eat pretty much whatever and whenever I want. I haven't been offered the chance to do a DAFNE or any other education programme, but have managed to work out ways of coping with sometimes very irregular mealtimes, work shifts, endurance sports, camping trips, travel etc.

So, I hope you have a suitable insulin regime (almost certainly not twice daily bimodal insulin, plus support from diabetes team, as well as here, to enable you to live life to the full. What things make life worth living for you?
 
Hi all,

such quick responses. I inject when I eat but struggle to stick to a routine doing my sugars as i feel i always rush due to varying shifts all the time. Carb counting did help me in the beginning but when i have more control ofmy sugars i seem to have more hypos which puts me off.
I personally dont feel I have been given enough support aside from consultants who seem to lecture all the time.

Maybe it is one big question of willpower - I do not have none.
 
katielb said:
Hi all,

such quick responses. I inject when I eat but struggle to stick to a routine doing my sugars as i feel i always rush due to varying shifts all the time. Carb counting did help me in the beginning but when i have more control ofmy sugars i seem to have more hypos which puts me off.
I personally dont feel I have been given enough support aside from consultants who seem to lecture all the time.

Maybe it is one big question of willpower - I do not have none.
Click to expand...

I heard about a very interesting experiment which demonstrated that what we call willpower is actually something more like brainspace. The fact that you are busy, maybe stressed, and running around, is probably why you find it hard to look after yourself properly. It's about getting into habits so you don't have to use brainspace to think about it too much. Beating ourselves up is never helpful.

In your position I'd try things one step at a time rather than trying to achieve it all at once. For example, set myself a target of testing before dinner, then once that's become ingrained, start testing before lunch, and so on. When I was in a job with a very pressurised lunchtimes I spoke to my employers and asked them to make "reasonable adjustments" to allow me to have time to test, adjust, wait if necessary before eating lunch. It made a huge difference - could you do something like this? Your health is worth it!
 
What I find most difficult is that there is no 'it'. Perhaps it would be easier if you could just find the right basals/ratios/correction factors etc and that would be it. But that doesn't seem to be the way it works. It's just an ongoing succession of moving goalposts and fixing the same problems time after time... :(
 
hi katie

i agree with earlier posts saying if you so busy it gonna be hard to get a routine, it is still relatively early days for you though.... i currently feel on top of my diabetes and i have been type one for twelve years, but i am aware that next month or next year something may change and i may not feel on top of it..... when i started new job it took me ages to get my diabetic routine and food and differing ratios sorted due to change in activity and eating patterns.... it is hard but we are all here to support you
 
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