Feeling Overwhelmed

[newbs]

At the moment I feel totally overwhelmed and down about things. I have been told that I probably have gastroparesis so have been started on domperidone tablets and yesterday my DSN told me that with this condition I will probably need to have a pump so to think about that.

It just feels like life as I know it is out of control and I feel really down, can't concentrate at work, just not like me at all. I am a glass half full kind of person so hate feeling this way and am trying hard to be positive but it's hard. (I know others feel this way too at the moment).

I am trying to get my head around the possibility of a pump but it isn't something I have ever fancied, it is just the thought of something being attached to me 24/7 that puts me off. I have read all the replies to a recent thread re pumps which have helped - and I know the sensible thing would be to go for it.

I am thinking of taking the day off work tomorrow and just being by myself for a bit, nobody really understands what I am going through except for all you lovely people on this board.

 

[ukjohn]

Hi Newbs

Try not to feel overwhelmed by things, I know it can be frustrating when everything seems to be thrown at you all at once, sounds a bit like the "Thought for today" 🙂 Many people here are gratefull for being on a pump, and many more would love to be on one, so it can't be that bad, and saving having 4 or 5 injections a day must be good. Why not have a chat with someone already on a pump to give you an insight, I know Pumper_sue is on one, and knowing her like I do, I'm sure she would be only to happy to help you, and shes in Cornwall, so thats another plus 🙂

John.

 

[Northerner]

I am very sorry to hear this newbs You do have a lot to think about so I think that maybe a day to gather your thoughts would be a good idea - we will be here as a sounding board for any questions or concerns you may have.

Whilst these worries are no doubt part of how you are feeling, it's worth bearing in mind that non-diabetics get times when things don't feel good, but I think we often forget this and think it's the diabetes at work.

As mentioned elsewhere, it may be a good idea to get a copy of Pumping Insulin by John Walsh to get a better understanding of what it entails. I think practically everyone I have heard from over the years has had similar misgivings - I do myself - but after a very short time they are forgotten.

You might also like to read the latest newsletter from DWED, which contains an article about gastroparesis and also one about domperidone:

http://www.dwed.org.uk/files/Newsletter_issue9feb.pdf

I hope things improve fr you very soon 🙂

 

[Ellie Jones]

It's a lot to be hit at once, so not surprising that you feel overwhelmed.

I use a pump so can tell you a bit about them both use and being attached to it 24/7

Firstly lets start with control side of things, it's idea piece of kit if you have gastroparesis because you can use the pump in both a pro-active manner and reactive manner to take control.

So on good days when you stomach is behaving itself, you can sort out your insulin delivery to suit your meal, but if you stomach is deciding to go on strike for a couple of hours you can cancel a bolus that's still being delivered, turn down the basal rate which will help towards either preventing a nasty hypo or lessen the impact of the hypo making it easier to treat. When the stomach decides to digest you can again go into reactive mode deliver a correction, turn the pump up to ensure that your BG's either stays in target or not go too high..

As to wearing it 24/7

It's really no different than wearing a bra for the first time, yes you are aware of it for a couple of days, but it soon becomes a normal thing to do, you soon find a comfortable way of wearing it, and realise you can even wear it on open view, and nobody will take a blind bit of notice of it.

You can take if off for baths, and for other activities such as swimming, contact sport and bedroom activities and you learn with each of these activities whether you need to bolus your basal insulin, before or afterwards or if at all (I don't bolus a basal for bathing)

Wearing my pump only give me one unsettled night of sleeping the first night, was a bit strange I allow my pump to roam freely at not, well within 60cm's of me it's tube length... I automatically pick my pump up as I get out of bed, don't realise I'm doing it. Same with dressing and undressing moving the pump from or to it's position is automatic..

Like any sane person, I'd rather not be a diabetic but that isn't going to happen, I can't get the control or quality of life with injections, But with a pump I get excellent control and my quality of life is brilliant, to the extent that I feel like I did in my non-diabetic days..

I hope that explaining about what the pump can do for you, and a little information about wearing one is helpful and brings some reassurance to you..

 

[imtrying]

Oh newbs I'm sorry you're feeling like this, but can totally empathise after feeling exactly the same last week...but everyone's positive comments then really helped me, so I hope these will do the same for you.

And it's horrible when you're feeling not like you at all. I think the day off sounds like a good idea, even if it's just to stop you worrying about not concentrating at work (I do sometimes wonder how we all manage to fit in having a full-time job!!!)

I was also asked to consider going on the pump, which I'd never even wanted to consider before....now I'm screaming for one and feel it's not all moving fast enough!! Once you get your head round it, I'm sure you'll start to really want it too.

Good luck, and keep your chin up. We're all here if you need us.

 

[Copepod]

Tough situation, but sometimes, breaking things down into smaller sections helps.

Ignoring the pump issue for a minute, you've recently started on domperidone medication for your probable diagnosis of gastroparesis. It will take a while to discover if the diagnosis is correct and if the medication is right for you - if either is wrong, then it will, sadly, take longer to sort out. But, it is possible that you will find your condition improves, so you might not have to consider a pump. I hope it doesn't feel too glib to say "cross that bridge when you come to it" 🙂

Hope your day off helps, if you decide to take it 🙂

 

[margie]

Sorry to hear that you are feeling down about things.

I hope taking the day off helps you to get head around things. I suspect you are in a state of shock at the moment. Ask questions of those who can help - I am sure that both those on pumps and those already coping with gastroparesis will be willing to help.

 

[trophywench]

Aaww, I'm sorry.

But hey! - there are stacks more things they can do about it these days - even enterral implants ! and hopefully they have caught yours early - which always helps, whatever we have wrong with us, doesn't it?

 

[AJLang]

Hi Newbs

It will take you some time to get your head round having the gastroparesis - I know that it upset me a lot when I had the diagnosis and I still have the occasional why me moment. It is really important that you get a consultant that specialises in diabetes gastroparesis. My diabetic consultant had to refer me to a diabetes gastroparesis specialist in the next county. It is two years since I had my gastroparesis diagnosed and I've managed it without a pump - although this does sometimes mean up to three humalog injections at night - but if I'm on a carefully controlled diet I don't seem to the humalog jabs - but only because my stomach is empty! It was good of Northerner to post you in the direction of the DWED newsletter - but when I'd previously read abou the options (apart from medication) it completely freaked me and still does. Try to work on the basis that your gastroparesis won't worsen - i.e. try to live for the day - which isn't always easy. It may get worse but try not to think about it. Focus on getting your BGs under control to lessen the chance of further complications. As for taking tablets and insulin - you will soon get used to it - when I get up in the morning I do my levemir, take my lansprazole, domperidon, errythromycin, painkilers and eye drops and then have lots of caffiene, similar scenario at 5pm and then other doses (but total of less medications) before lunch and at bedtime. As for the pump I'm now considering the idea - but it has taken me a long while to want to have something like that attached.........and my diabetic consultant may not even agree to a pump. Make sure that you have some time to yourself to get your head around things - it's a lot to deal with xx

 

[Twitchy]

WHi Newbs...sorry to hear things are so tough at the mo ((((for what it's worth, here's a hug!!))))) If it helps at all re the pump - i was told i could be a candidate for a pump initially around 2 yrs before i went for it, having reservations like you do. It was desperation for a solution to worsening dawn phenomenon that made me go for it in the end & im so glad i did! I have 2 fairly wild little kids, a playful cat & am at times terribly clumsy,so i was worried about having something attached with a loop of tubing that might get snagged, but was surprised how fast i got used to the pump being attached - it just becomes another, natural, part of u to the point where u dont notice it that much. If u get the go ahead why not try it - if you really don't get on you could always revert to mdi. From initially being very reluctant about the idea, i now would have to be knocked out for someone to prise this wonderful bit of kit off me! 🙂 maybe despite the difficult bits of this situation the pump might even come to be the silver lining? (not in any way belittling what you're going through, just suggesting the pump might be a good thing after all). All the best, hope tomorrow's a better day for you. Xxx

 

[newbs]

Thank you for every 1 of your replies, all have been a great help to me.

I had too much to do at work today to consider taking the day off but have the afternoon to myself tomorrow and am quite looking forward to it tbh. I am then going to surprise my little girl by picking her up from after school club which I rarely get to do.

I am feeling a little more positive, I know I will get used to it all and carry on as usual as that is what I do, it's just taking a bit longer than normal for me.

 

[daisymoo84]

Hi Newbs,

Sorry just seen this thread but wanted to send you out a hug. I hope you enjoy your 'you' time tomorrow 🙂

xx