Compartmentalising...

[Munjeeta]

Firstly, a quick thank you for all those who replied to my rant yesterday. I'm feeling a bit more positive today!

Secondly... I'm beginning to realise that my problems lie in my inability to compartmentalise (if that's even a word!) all the things I need to think about! Sometimes my diabetes takes over: all I can think about is food and blood sugars and insulin etc. But other times work takes over and then it feels like there's no room for me to do all the things I know I need to do for my diabetes. It's difficult to find room in my brain/ time in the day to give myself to all the things I need to do... I guess it will get easier as I get used to managing my diabetes alongside working full time in a job that does seem relentless (I know I've posted about it before). While I realise this is probably a personality thing rather than a direct result of being diabetic do any of you have any good tips on how to manage both without drowning in one and neglecting the other..?

 

[rossi_mac]

making up new words is great fun!

I think you hit the nail on the head there, it's more a personality thing.

However I think you can teach old dogs new tricks, and if you keep at it you should be able to juggle all the balls at once eventually. I guess I've got it easy as my work is very flexible, is there anyway you can reduce your pressures at work and try and blend your diabetes management to every day? Maybe have a chat with the boss, or is he an ass?

Perserverance, and good rants on here will always help, so don't hold back!

Good luck.

 

[katie]

don't worry, compartmentalise is a word 😉

The way I deal with it is not thinking about Diabetes too much. I just test, guess the carb and inject. then it's on to thinking about everything else again...

How is the carb counting going? are you weighing out portion or anything like that? because at first carb counting takes up alot of time but you will start to guess things more eventually.

 

[Munjeeta]

making up new words is great fun!

I think you hit the nail on the head there, it's more a personality thing.

However I think you can teach old dogs new tricks, and if you keep at it you should be able to juggle all the balls at once eventually. I guess I've got it easy as my work is very flexible, is there anyway you can reduce your pressures at work and try and blend your diabetes management to every day? Maybe have a chat with the boss, or is he an ass?

Perserverance, and good rants on here will always help, so don't hold back!

Good luck.

I'm a teacher and my headteacher is great. But unfortunately there's only so much you can ease off when teaching: you still have to plan and deliver the lessons, mark the work and deal with all the other stuff! That's partly why I struggle. But then, I did choose to be a teacher long after I was diagnosed so I just gotta find ways to deal with it really... And yes - good rants make the rain go away!

don't worry, compartmentalise is a word 😉

The way I deal with it is not thinking about Diabetes too much. I just test, guess the carb and inject. then it's on to thinking about everything else again...

How is the carb counting going? are you weighing out portion or anything like that? because at first carb counting takes up alot of time but you will start to guess things more eventually.

Yes... Good advice! I just find it hard to follow 😛 Carb counting is getting there... I'm getting close to being past the weighing every single thing I eat thing and getting better at estimating but it's a long winded process. I still seem to be spiking and troughing and can't seem to stop hypos. Using my exciting software it told me that out of 177 readings 23 were hypos. That's quite a high proportion and it worries me that my HbA1c was only 8 because of the lows. Although, in all fairness I am more likely to test if I'm feeling low so that could account for the disparity in some ways...

 

[sofaraway]

And also when you are low you might test a few times in a short space of time to see how the treatment is working.

I think that when you start carb counting it takes up more physical and mental time. Once you get the hang of it and get better at just knowing how many carbs are in things it gets easier and less of an effort.

I think for me I have had to not seperate diabetes and work (and other areas of my life), but to learn how they affect each other and how they fit together. I was bad in the past about not linking things together, particulary with regards to my mental health, work and diabetes.

 

[Caroline]

It is difficult to juggle things, and have a fair balanace between your needs and everyone elses.

I work full time, and have an understanding boss. Hubby is retired so he has taken the pressure off housework and stuff indoors, and we have a rising five year old who wants LOTS of attention.

I did try planning my routine and saying this time is for me, but it didn't work, so now I take whatever time I can.

I think this forum helps as there are other people in the same situation. It is good to know we are not alone, so a big thank you from me too for all the support!

 

[Steff]

I would agree with Caroline it is very hard juggling it all r.e work,family,diabetes, i dont know if this is the right way to think but i put my diabetes to the back of my head as much as possible i also have a great boss who is very understanding the only problem with work i have is the guilt which is for me to deal with myself, by guilt i mean all the time off i had in the first 2 month sometimes i felt like i should just of packed it in and let someone have the job that was 100% fit but my boss being the great lady she is talked me out of it,regarding my family well my OH and my son are great they have both learnt to deal with me and know how to handle me lol..This place is a great tonic it really is not only is it a place i come for advice and info but i also have a laugh and a joke.

 

[Caroline]

This forum is a place for us, we have made friends here. Steff don't feel guilty. we all have a right to work if we want and are able too.

 

[runner]

Hi Munjeeta, I don't necessarily think it's a personality thing - more an overload thing. I expect you work way over your hours like most people in public services (and other areas, I hasten to add). I have very similar problems juggling it all. Just realised i got so carried away answering work emails and dipping into the forum, I forgot to take my breakfast insulin, and BS was 13.1 arghhh. Done it now....

Hopefully as time goes on, management of diabetes will become more routine and part of 'normal' life.

 

[runner]

Oh no! It's going from bad to worse - just come in from feeding the chickens getting rid of compost etc. and realised I've got my t-shirt on inside out (well it does save on washing you know!) Glad I haven't been to Post Office yet! 😱

 

[Steff]

lololol when the weather was good last week one day think it was a Sunday i went to the local papershop for milk a nd a paper and when i got back i realised i had my top on the wrong way around label and all sticking out

 

[Northerner]

lololol when the weather was good last week one day think it was a Sunday i went to the local papershop for milk a nd a paper and when i got back i realised i had my top on the wrong way around label and all sticking out

Yes, I've seen the pictures on youtube...! 😉

 

[Steff]

Yes, I've seen the pictures on youtube...! 😉

blimey!😱😱 you must send me the link

 

[runner]

Ha Ha - Just pretend the label is supposed to be at the front and sticking out! Der!

 

[Munjeeta]

I think for me I have had to not seperate diabetes and work (and other areas of my life), but to learn how they affect each other and how they fit together. I was bad in the past about not linking things together, particulary with regards to my mental health, work and diabetes.

Ah... That's a way I've never looked at it before... But I guess really that's what I'm trying to do. Separating it all out just makes each bit try and take over. It's funny, you wouldn't think I was an old hand diabetic, I feel like I've been re-diagnosed...

Hi Munjeeta, I don't necessarily think it's a personality thing - more an overload thing. I expect you work way over your hours like most people in public services (and other areas, I hasten to add). I have very similar problems juggling it all. Just realised i got so carried away answering work emails and dipping into the forum, I forgot to take my breakfast insulin, and BS was 13.1 arghhh. Done it now....

Hopefully as time goes on, management of diabetes will become more routine and part of 'normal' life.

Yes, hopefully, thanks runner. It is a lot to deal with on a daily basis. I'm not finding good control an easy thing to master!