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Jiin&Toniic

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello

This is my first time here, so be gentle with me!!

I have really struggled with being diabetic since my diagnosis, and have finally made the decision to sort myself out! (Can you hear my doctors sigh of relief!:rofl:). I’ve been finding this journey quite a lonely experience and thought it would be helpful to speak with people that just get it.
 
Hi and welcome.

So pleased you have reached out to the forum because it really is a goldmine of practical support, knowledge and empathy from people who have followed the rules, broken the rules, lost their way and found a way back and understand the relentlessness of it but find ways to make that less oppressive. It is important to understand that managing diabetes is difficult and complicated so give yourself a pat on the back for getting this far even if it has been a bit of a rough ride and hopefully we can make the onward journey a bit easier.

Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes? Things like :-
How long have you been diagnosed?
Do you have Libre or some other CGM?
Are you on a pump or Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) and which insulin(s) do you use?
What are the aspects of managing your diabetes which you find most difficult? I know that is probably everything but sometimes it helps to take things one step at a time and break things down.

One of the most important things with insulin therapy is getting your basal insulin dose(s)/profile correct, because if your basal isn't holding you reasonable steady, then the rest becomes horribly frustrating. So perhaps starting with some basal testing is a good first step. If you haven't done this before it involves skipping a meal each day to see if your basal insulin is holding you steady in the absence of food/bolus insulin for that period of the day. Libre or other CGM makes this so much easier than it was finger pricking, so if you don't have Libre/CGM then getting that prescribed would be the first step.

Anyway, if you can give us a bit more info about your situation I am sure we can point you towards things you can try to improve your diabetes management and hopefully feel better and perhaps make some virtual friends along the way.
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

So pleased you have reached out to the forum because it really is a goldmine of practical support, knowledge and empathy from people who have followed the rules, broken the rules, lost their way and found a way back and understand the relentlessness of it but find ways to make that less oppressive. It is important to understand that managing diabetes is difficult and complicated so give yourself a pat on the back for getting this far even if it has been a bit of a rough ride and hopefully we can make the onward journey a bit easier.

Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes? Things like :-
How long have you been diagnosed?
Do you have Libre or some other CGM?
Are you on a pump or Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) and which insulin(s) do you use?
What are the aspects of managing your diabetes which you find most difficult? I know that is probably everything but sometimes it helps to take things one step at a time and break things down.

One of the most important things with insulin therapy is getting your basal insulin dose(s)/profile correct, because if your basal isn't holding you reasonable steady, then the rest becomes horribly frustrating. So perhaps starting with some basal testing is a good first step. If you haven't done this before it involves skipping a meal each day to see if your basal insulin is holding you steady in the absence of food/bolus insulin for that period of the day. Libre or other CGM makes this so much easier than it was finger pricking, so if you don't have Libre/CGM then getting that prescribed would be the first step.

Anyway, if you can give us a bit more info about your situation I am sure we can point you towards things you can try to improve your diabetes management and hopefully feel better and perhaps make some virtual friends along the way.
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Hi @rebrascora

Thank you for reaching out! 🙂

So I was diagnosed back in 2003, 20 years ago I know it’s been a journey to get to this point.

I have been trialing a Libre on and off at the moment with the support of the diabetes team in an attempt to start being able to look at my readings. (They currently do this for me.)

I’m on multiply daily injections, 4 a day. This is novorapid and glargine.

You’re right it does all feel difficult at the moment, but my main aim for now is to be able to test and to look at my readings. Then to start being able to take the day time insulin. (I appreciate this is a lot in one go, but aim high right! :rofl:)
 
Bloden said:
Hi there @Jiin&Toniic - sorry to hear you’ve been struggling and feeling lonely. I was exactly the same after dx. I’m glad you’ve found us - make yourself at home. 🙂
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Hey @Bloden

Thank you, there is something very reassuring to know that you’re not alone in this. I certainly will make myslef at home here! :D
 
Hi @Jiin&Toniic and welcome to our merry band!

Add the others have said, pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. You’re amongst ferns here!
 
You clearly are having very significant struggles (sending virtual (((HUGS))) but it is good that you are managing to take your basal insulin (Glargine) and intermittently managing to use Libre with support from your team. The numbers can feel quite daunting or judgmental sometimes and it helps me to view Libre more as a long running computer game rather than an indication of how well or poorly I am managing my diabetes and I aim to improve on my personal best when things are going well and find some sort of basic maintenance level when I am struggling either physically or mentally.

I really hope that by sharing your thoughts and feeling with others here you will be able to take up the reins a little more and feel like you are more in the driving seat, rather than being tossed about in the back with a lunatic at the wheel! 🙄 Some people here see their diabetes as a petulant child or irritating friend. They are with you all the time and need attention, but if you can find a way to give them enough attention to keep them reasonably happy, it makes life a lot easier. Some even give them a name! For me the video game analogy works. I hope you can find a mindset which helps you to cope better.

Have they offered or considered giving you a pump or would that be too intrusive for you mentally, having something attached to you?
 
Welcome to the forum @Jinn&Toniic

It is a lonely journey dealing with T1, so I am really pleased that you have found the forum.

Well done on deciding to take some steps to getting on board with your own management. There is a wealth of experience to tap into on here, and plenty of support, as you will have seen already.

The Libre can be a very helpful tool and it is good that your team are working alongside you in using it to help you. You have a clear target already and each day of completing your injections is a big step forward.

No questions are considered silly on here, so just ask whatever comes to mind.
One step at a time with lots of undertsanding from the Community on here.
Keep in touch.
 
Welcome to the forum @Jiin&Toniic

Diabetes can be tough! And you certainly aren’t alone in struggling to get to grips with it - but it’s great to hear that you have decided to give your diabetes management a bit of a reboot.

Have you ever been offered a structured education course like DAFNE or BERTIE?
 
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