Has the forum helped you, and if so, how?

[Northerner]

With the Forum's 6th birthday just a few weeks away it would be nice to know what sort of impact it has had on people and how it has helped them understand and look after their diabetes. What made you decide to come here, and have you been happy with the support you have received?

 

[AlisonM]

When I was first diagnosed, I was confused, ill and frightened. I found this pace after only a couple of days and haven't looked back. I've learned so much from the folk in here, found a wonderful support network and made some great friends. What more could you ask of a forum?

 

[KookyCat]

I lurked on a few forums before this and didn't like the atmosphere much, I'd been out of hospital for a few weeks, dealing with mobility issues and getting nowhere fast with the devil's insulin (premixed). If I'm brutally honest I was looking for hope that life would be somewhere near normal again, because at that point it was pretty dreadful. I didn't really expect much other than to learn about what other insulins were available, but the support I've had has been invaluable. I've learned how to control my diabetes here (not from the medical folk), and met people who understand what it's like. I didn't really expect to feel so "different" from my social group, and having people who understand when it gets too much is a lifesaver.

 

[jalapino]

This is a hard one for me, I was scared and had no idea about Diabetes, even tho I had heard about it, but until being diagnosed, then I finally learned about the ups and downs, and this was only through this forum from the help of every single person on here that I actually started to understand the big D!

It is funny really as when I look back you all must have thought what a prat! 😱

I was over the top was so scared and thought my life had come to an end! 🙄

Then being put on insulin after one year after being diagnosed I was so shocked and scared again!

But this forum and all the members have gave me so much support...and continue to, that it has made me happy and if I ever have a problem I am only one click away to get that support and help!

In short this forum is not only just a chat forum.....but in my eyes a life saver!

This forum is 100% the best thing that has happened to me since being diagnosed.....FACT!

 

[spiritfree]

When I was diagnosed it was very frightening. I have no family members with d and I didn't know anyone with it either. I thought it was a death sentence. However after finding this forum I began to see how people cope with d and live very long and active lives. I really thank all on this forum, especially Northerner, for all of the help and support. Long may it continue.

 

[Maryanne29]

It's helped me a great deal, especially before I got my pump and during the first few months with it. Since then I've learned a lot from reading other people's posts. It's a great place to visit as there is such a wealth of knowledge and experience. 🙂🙂

 

[Bessiemay]

This forum is a great place to learn about diabetes without feeling silly. So much information is given just by reading other people's posts and I am much more comfortable with D than ever before. I am more inclined to challenge or even ignore D professionals if I've tried and tested from information given by people on here. It's also like a friendly place to be. Having never met anyone from here I still feel friendships. Also love to read the news from Alan if I'm up early and some of the jokes - well I really LOL.

 

[Laura davies]

This forum is amazing. Being D for 19 years and its been a rocky road and a huge learning curve. This forum with all you wonderful people has truly made a difference. I have learnt many things about D and people's real experiences, its quite outstanding. I never feel alone and i certainly take everything on board what people say. I've only met one person on here which was great, but i have built friendships and in times of need i feel i can always be frank on here

 

[Amberzak]

For me the forum represents a safe place where I can talk about my issues without risk of judgment. It's a place where we all support each other even if we are all in different boats.

I needed that, as other forums were pushing the no carb diet thing. That's fine if people want to treat their diabetes that way, but I'm happy carb counting. I guess it's like, on other forums I felt like people were trying to convert me to another religion, but here it's like we all have different religions and are okay with it.

 

[happydog]

When diagnosed in September 2012 it was a bolt from the blue as I had no symptoms. My GP painted a very bleak picture telling me that I would be on insulin within 18 months and that my life expectancy was not great. He did not impart much information about the condition other than that it is a progressive disease and would eventually lead to complications and that the risk of heart attack or stroke is high. So with no one else in the family with D I felt alone, frightened and ignorant. This forum has been a lifeline. lots of information, finding others with the same disorder and being empowered to ask anything without fear of censure. It has provided me with the means to discuss my treatment with my Doctor (he is not keen on the forum as they are just lay people with no medical knowledge). I think it is absolutely fantastic and there are such wonderful knowledgeable, patient and caring people who contribute and support. I shall always be grateful for finding it. 🙂

 

[stephknits]

I can all too readily imagine where I would have ended up without this place. Through my year of getting wrongly diagnosed as Type 2 everyone here has provided information, support, kindness and given me the courage and drive to keep at it and get a new diagnosis.
Throughout this time I was feeling worse and worse, with blood sugar results never under 10 for around 3 months. People around me kept telling me I wasn't eating enough and should eat more carbs. This place gave me positive and constructive advice without which I am sure I would have ended up in hospital.
The forum was here for my first hypo, at work, where in my befuddled and panicky state I was unsure when to re-test etc. I got reassuring advice that calmed me down immediately. This place is the first place I think of when I have a query, or need help.
I look forward to hearing everyone's news and progress and enjoy all the stuff not necessarily related to the D as well, it lifts my day.
I am sure we all imagine what life would be like if a magic wand was waved and we could choose to not have diabetes anymore. I for one, would pause and think of this place and how I would miss you all!
Thanks a million, especially to Northerner who runs it all so brilliantly.
steph xx🙂🙂

 

[pippaandben]

I feel so lucky to have found this forum within the first few weeks of diagnosist . No information from Dr apart from a diet sheet (make sure each meal is 1/3 carbs!!) and take these tablets. Have a blood test in one month and see me again. That was it. I went round every chemist in town at the hospital picking up leaflets and found my way to the Diabetes clinic at the hospital where got the Diabetes UK booklet. FOUND YOU!!

Lurked and read every message every day. As my tablets increased monthly with each blood test I discovered that I actually knew more about diabetes and treatments than the suposed DSN. When (after a fight) I was put on insulin - firstly mixed and then MDI - it was only through the help and advice from everyone here that I had all the background info including NICE regulation references to get the treatment and type of insuli that I now knew would suit my lifestyle. The stupid mistakes - that I now kow everyone has made - wrong type of insulin!! Humalog on a fasting blood test day (only this week), leaving all pens at the theatre which not open til nextday. ALWAYS soneone somewhere is there immediately to give advice and support, to calm you out of your hysterics.

When I think back YOU are and have been my FIRST emergency service. THANK YOU

 

[Northerner]

Thanks everyone, it's so heartening to know how much it has helped people who might otherwise have ended up in a very different place 🙂

 

[Lindarose]

As a relative newbie I've read all the above comments and they are all reflective of my thoughts about this forum There is so much support and information on here I've read and searched things and asked questions always getting prompt helpful replies So much more to diabetes than I realised and so glad to be a member here

 

[Flower]

I have found it such a relief to find this forum and not to have to try and explain what having diabetes means, we all 'get it' and you only 'get it' if you've got it 🙂

Being able to put down what I'm feeling with the over whelming worry that complications bring is a real comfort, I have had such kind and thoughtful replies which make a world of difference when you are in trouble 🙂

Thanks to Northerner and everybody else who makes it such a good and kind place to deal with the many and varied cogs in the diabetes wheel. Great stuff

 

[bill hopkinson]

No matter how resourceful I am in finding out what I need to know, there is no substitute for people travelling a similar path.

 

[Bloden]

...you only 'get it' if you've got it 🙂

Brilliant, Flower! I want it on a t-shirt!🙂

In a nutshell, this place makes me feel NORMAL (which I hadn't felt for the whole 5 years I'd had dbs when I found this place).

Group hug, group hug...😛

 

[astbury1]

I would say it is the best thing I ever did in joining this forum. Everyone is very lovely and full of ideas and advice that you just can't get from a diabetic nurse that does not have it. As much as they have helped I have gained more knowledge from this site. It is nie to be able to talk to people who understand. I was scared and had anxiety which made me not want to leave the house in case had a hypo. I learnt straight away that mdi was better than the two injections I was on and it was also great to hear about the pump and their experiences. Which I'm now on. What I have learnt is that it appears to be a postcode lottery with the pump. I feel bad that I got it after a year and half of being diagnosed and there is kids that cannot get it. I learnt about cgms which is the best thing I've purchased however I wish the mgs would.fund the sensors atleast as am sure there would be less severe hypos requiring medical assistance which probably costs more money! Anyway I would like to thanku all for your help on here. I hate my diabetes with a passion however you all make it so much more bearablexxx

 

[HOBIE]

I too had a look about other forums. & pleased I picked this one 🙂 I don't go on farce book or twitchy. This is a good place & well run by people you can trust 😎 Long may it continue 🙂

 

[Sally71]

I joined mainly out of interest, had already been dealing with D for nearly 2 years and lurking here for at least 1 year before I joined. Finally signed up because some of the threads are really interesting and I wanted to join in. So at first I wanted to be able to help people, but also learnt some interesting things.

But I have to say that it's extremely useful to be able to come on here when you need a rant, no matter how trivial it seems there is always someone to sympathise! I used to rant at the DSN, she is lovely and says she doesn't mind me emailing her if I need to let off steam, I always used to feel a bit guilty afterwards though because I know she's got far more important things to be doing. Whereas on here you can rant away and people know exactly what you feel like. It's definitely helpful to be able to communicate with other people who have to live with the condition. The DSNs are very nice and very knowledgeable, but they don't have to live with it 24/7, there is a difference!