DIABETIC FOR 37 years!

[CF11]

Hi. I am here cause I want to sort myself out. I have been diabetic type 1 since I was 5. I have never really been very good at controlling it, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, back in 1976, diabetes was controlled differently. I think nowadays it is easier to control. Secondly, my parents were never very supportive and thirdly (and most importantly) I have a problem, with accepting that I have diabetes and always have done. I am looking for inspiration and help in changing my attitude towards doing blood tests and accepting this. I was wondering if anyone has felt the same as me. I now have diabetic complications and really want to reduce the risks in getting any more in the future as i'm very scared.

 

[Northerner]

Hi CF11, welcome to the forum 🙂 Times have certainly moved on since you were diagnosed, so hopefully by bringing you up to date with the latest thinking, this will help you get control of your diabetes so that it is something you can accept, deal with and then enjoy your life. I often think that not accepting it is actually harder because you have this constant nagging feeling that you ought to be doing better, taking more care and being a 'good' diabetic.

What insulin regime are you on? What sort of HbA1c do you generally get? We've got lots of people here who have been diagnosed a similar length of time, or longer, so hopefully you can share experiences and realise you are not so alone in this, that everyone has their ups and downs, but with the support of others in the same boat it can be that much easier to get back on track with things 🙂

 

[jalapino]

Welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[AJLang]

Hi CF11 we must be similar ages, I was diagnosed in 1971 when I was 2🙂. Complications are a pain in the butt - I have various eye problems, the early stages of neuropathy and Severe gastroparesis - I have days when I feel really down, but the people on this forum are great. I also try to focus on the brilliant things that I've done despite the diabetes, and the lovely things that occur on a daily basis, such as having my beautiful doggy laying at my feet. I used to be afraid about testing my BG because I couldn't do anything about it - that's why I loved MDI and now my pump because it puts me in control. I don't do everything I should - I love my wine and I'm overweight and I push myself too much, but neither do I beat myself up because having diabetes affects us all in different ways. Please post lots, share your thoughts and let us know how we can help you🙂

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum CF11 🙂

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hello CF11 and welcome to the forum. I'm another diagnosed at a very early age (4 1/2) and almost up to year 49 year on insulin 😱

 

[pav]

Hi CF11, welcome to the forum.

 

[Royston46]

Hi. I am here cause I want to sort myself out. I have been diabetic type 1 since I was 5. I have never really been very good at controlling it, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, back in 1976, diabetes was controlled differently. I think nowadays it is easier to control. Secondly, my parents were never very supportive and thirdly (and most importantly) I have a problem, with accepting that I have diabetes and always have done. I am looking for inspiration and help in changing my attitude towards doing blood tests and accepting this. I was wondering if anyone has felt the same as me. I now have diabetic complications and really want to reduce the risks in getting any more in the future as i'm very scared.

Hi CF11,

Welcome to the forum and you have already made the first step and can now move forward with your diabetes.