Diabetes coping with the worrying

[Charliewatch]

l have really been amazed at the replies that l have received with my posts so l will use you again--- the worrying and the constant mind games with oneself really does my head.For example the need to sort a will out because l am not going to live so long l am 57 while l realise that what 57ers should be sorting out wills out ,having diabetes makes me think about it more urgently.Last year when l received the letter from the retinophy eye test and it said "there are changes to the back of the eye"l nearly collapsed with fright oh god l am going blind l thought.l could go on and on but l would appreciate comments/feelings/emotions from other members thanks Charlie.

 

[LeeLee]

Try to find something positive to focus on, and whenever negative thoughts creep in make yourself think of that instead of D. Remember that diabetes doesn't have to shorten your life - I plan to die at a ripe old age of something completely different!

For the last 18 months, I've concentrated on losing weight and becoming a bit fitter. My diabetes has improved as a result, but not because I was thinking about it constantly. By becoming slightly obsessive about food, I haven't had the time or energy to worry about things that might happen but probably won't because I'm paying attention to my diet and fitness.

Once you're in control, you will hopefully feel a lot more positive.

P.S. I really must sort out my will too - not because I think my diabetes will kill me, but because I cycle to work with idiot pedestrians on the cycle track who are clearly out to get me!

 

[Pumper_Sue]

l have really been amazed at the replies that l have received with my posts so l will use you again--- the worrying and the constant mind games with oneself really does my head.For example the need to sort a will out because l am not going to live so long l am 57 while l realise that what 57ers should be sorting out wills out ,having diabetes makes me think about it more urgently.Last year when l received the letter from the retinophy eye test and it said "there are changes to the back of the eye"l nearly collapsed with fright oh god l am going blind l thought.l could go on and on but l would appreciate comments/feelings/emotions from other members thanks Charlie.

Charlie, please stop worrying you wont die any younger because of diabetes. In the good! old days where treatment was hit and miss fair enough but not in todays age.
The eye test letter is badly written and put's the fear of God in people who receive it 😡
As long as you use common sense with controlling your condition then there's no reason not to live to a ripe old age.
We have a young gentleman (Richard) who posts occasionally he has been on insulin for well over60 years and is as fit as a fiddle. I'm almost 53 and have been on insulin for nearly 49 years and have no complications either.

Everyone has fears and worries when diagnosed, this is normal 🙂
But having diabetes does not mean you stop enjoying life to the full. What it boils down to is it's your condition so look after it and you will be fine 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Yes, indeed, please stop worrying, Charliewatch - I am 63 and do not plan on going any time soon. I've lost over 2 stone in weight since going low-carb and taking more exercise, so I am fitter than I have been for quite some time! Take time to find out more about how your body is affected by Diabetes and take charge of looking after it. Keep posting here and discover an enormous wealth of support and information 🙂, which can only be of benefit.

As for making a will, EVERYONE should do this, and update it regularly as necessary. People still seem to think that their partner will inherit but it is simply not the case - just watch the TV programme Heir Hunters to see the huge problems involved when someone dies intestate. Someone I used to work with first made a will when she was 21, and has updated it regularly ever since, and she's now in her late 70s.

All the best to you

 

[yorksman]

For example the need to sort a will out because l am not going to live so long l am 57 while l realise that what 57ers should be sorting out wills out ,having diabetes makes me think about it more urgently.

Most diabetics die with their diabetes rather than from their diabetes. In fact, a large proportion manage it well. It is one of those diseases where you can help yourself.

Last year when l received the letter from the retinophy eye test and it said "there are changes to the back of the eye"l nearly collapsed with fright oh god l am going blind l thought.

Yes this is the standard letter. Really helpful because it says we will see you next year.

My opthalmologist explained this to me. He said that the NHS pay him to take the photos but that the photos were sent to a company who had the contract to analyse them all. He showed me the photos and showed me one spot and said that was due to the diabetes, probably before I was even diagnosed, but it was nothing at all. He then explained that I would get a letter saying that there had been background changes and that I would be placed on the at risk register and that I would be monitored.

The same happened with the podiatrist. "We had better see next year again".

I have experienced a minimal amount of damage before diagnosis but now that I know I have diabetes, I can do something about it. The problem is for those who have diabetes and who don't know they have it or those who do have it but who believe it is upto the doctor and the medication to sort everything out. And then there are those who ignore it or who simply don't care or who tell themselves they will start to think about it next year.

There are people in their 80s who have diabetes and who have had it for decades.

 

[yorksman]

I cycle to work with idiot pedestrians on the cycle track who are clearly out to get me!

To be fair, come of the cycle tracks are a bit narrow but making a will seems like a good idea.

 

[Vicsetter]

I take the positive attitude that now you are officially a 'diabetic' you should get regular health checks, like the retinopathy scan, annual foot checks, blood test for kidney function, cholesterol, blood pressure etc etc. If you weren't diabetic you wouldn't get the checks and no-one would know if anything had gone wrong with you. You could easily have retinopathy and never know until it was too late, whereas now, you will be looked after and treated for anything that may be wrong. Changes to the eye detected in these scans are common and may disappear with good control of your Blood sugar. You would have been called for another appointment if it was considered to be needing further investigation/treatment.

If you have family then you should really have written a will long before 57! Having just sorted out my mothers affairs (having died intestate), I can assure you that it is well worth the trouble for those left behind. Not having a will causes all sorts of problems, not least of which is the that the Government might get it all😱 ( don't you watch Heir Hunters)

 

[Northerner]

I'm 55, diagnosed aged 49 and have no doubt I will be having the Nabarro Medal (for living 50 years with diabetes) hung around my neck where it will clink against the finisher's medal for the 46th annual Yorkshire Marathon, a year before I get my telegram from King George VII

 

[zuludog]

Oh dear, try not to panic too much, though I know it's easy to say
If you can just clear your mind and settle down to a proper course of treatment you'll be fine.
This combines medication and a diet which was initially advised by your doctor, but the day to day control is mostly looked after by yourself.
I was diagnosed in 1998, though I realise I had the symptoms months before it dawned on me that there was something wrong. I'm 63 now; my blood sugars, blood pressure etc are fine and apart from being a bit overweight my DSN (Diabetic Specialist Nurse) is happy enough.
Yes, the letter about your eye test is worrying, but someone, somewhere has decided that this will be the standard reply; have a word with your doctor, your optician, or both, and they will reassure you

Here is a comment by my doctor , which I've posted before to help reassure people with similar worries

"If you've got to have an incurable disease or condition, be grateful it's diabetes, we can do more for that than anything else"

I still go backpacking, and can still see well enough to make model planes
I suggest you get books on diabetes from your library, they will help to explain things, reassure you and get you used to the jargon, but remember that as with any subject you will find slightly different ideas
Also join Diabetes UK. They publish a magazine and an information pack for the newly diagnosed. They are very good at support and encouragement

 

[happydog]

When I was diagnosed in September last year it was a massive shock. My Doctor (who I now know is an idiot with regard to diabetes) painted a very black picture, it was pretty much get measured up for your coffin, but did not give me much useful information. This forum helped so much. I have used diet and exercise to bring my levels down and bought a meter and although I get some test strips I buy more. Doctor and DSN remain very down beat and don't give any encouragement, but I decided to take control, make the decisions about my care and enjoy each day as it comes. I updated my will. There really is not a lot to be gained from worrying and the stress does not help BG levels. So I just enjoy life, listen to my body, test my blood and try to be happy. Every day is a bonus so I try to make to most of it. As someone else said we are lucky to have been diagnosed and even more to have lovely people on this forum to ask and to listen to our rants when we need to get something out. Take care and good luck 🙂