New here! 9 years with T1D

[razumova1979]

Hi!
I like to be called Marcel. I am 17, and have lived with T1D for about 9 years.

I struggle a lot with mental illnesses and other physical illness issues. That makes staying on top of my diabetes even more difficult. I feel like such a failure when I have highs or lows, because I’ve had it for so long now and I’d expect it to get easier. I guess that’s not strictly true. I’m too much of a perfectionist and I am scared of disappointing the doctors

Does anyone else roll their eyes when you see people say stuff like “eat healthier!! No carbs!! Exercise!!!! You’ll be fine!”? I feel quite lonely with navigating my diabetes. My older brother is diagnosed but we never talk. I hope some people here can also relate to me.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Marcel, lovely to have you here.

So sorry to hear about your struggles, managing diabetes can be difficult as is! I know it may not feel like it but you're not a failure nor letting anyone down. There's nothing you could have done to prevent this and at a time when most of your peers are throwing caution to the wind, you're doing the best you can to manage a complex situation.

Take a deep breathe and focus on how far you've come. You're doing this for a healthy long life, not doctors so ignore those who know no better and keep doing what has worked well for you.

We're here to support you all the way so do keep reaching out and asking questions as we're more than happy to help.

 

[Spozkins]

Hi Marcel, welcome to the forum.

Each of those things you mentioned can be hard to cope with alone and with diabetes it must be really tough sometimes.

I also used to worry about disappointing the doctors and felt like I would be told off for my poor control even though it felt incredibly hard. You know though that you are trying your best with all of the issues going on in your life and ultimately it's not the doctors job to judge you, only to offer support and advice when you need it. All you can do is your best and the fact that you are here looking for support is a really positive step.

Do you have the freestyle libre or any additional support for managing your diabetes?

 

[MrDaibetes]

Hey Marcel and welcome to the forum.

I find it great that you are reaching out for support. Having Type One Diabetes can cause mental health problems as with any life long condition.

You're doing super and you should focus on what you do daily to help manage those glucose levels it isn't easy, and I bet you are doing a wonderful job.

If you have any questions feel free to ask away.

 

[Inka]

Welcome, Marcel 🙂 Don’t worry about what your doctors might or might not think. It’s your diabetes and your body, and you’re working for yourself not your doctors.

Perfection is impossible. Do the best you can.

Are you on injections or a pump?

 

[razumova1979]

Hi Marcel, welcome to the forum.

Each of those things you mentioned can be hard to cope with alone and with diabetes it must be really tough sometimes.

I also used to worry about disappointing the doctors and felt like I would be told off for my poor control even though it felt incredibly hard. You know though that you are trying your best with all of the issues going on in your life and ultimately it's not the doctors job to judge you, only to offer support and advice when you need it. All you can do is your best and the fact that you are here looking for support is a really positive step.

Do you have the freestyle libre or any additional support for managing your diabetes?

I have a dexcom G6! It’s working really well for me 🙂 I can’t imagine how I’d be doing without it

 

[razumova1979]

Welcome, Marcel 🙂 Don’t worry about what your doctors might or might not think. It’s your diabetes and your body, and you’re working for yourself not your doctors.

Perfection is impossible. Do the best you can.

Are you on injections or a pump?

Injections

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @razumova1979

Managing T1 is hard work, and your team should be there to support you, not to judge you. You are doing what you do to look after yourself, and not for anyone else. Good to hear that you have your Dexcom sensor and that it is working well for you.

Like you I was a perfectionist and it took me a long time to accept that, with Diabetes perfection is impossible. Having said that I did find that moving to a pump reduced my frustration, as I was then able to match things more closely to what insulin I needed.

Keep in touch on here, and do ask any questions that you have. I have learnt most of what I know about my management from others on here.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I struggle a lot with mental illnesses and other physical illness issues. That makes staying on top of my diabetes even more difficult. I feel like such a failure when I have highs or lows, because I’ve had it for so long now and I’d expect it to get easier. I guess that’s not strictly true. I’m too much of a perfectionist and I am scared of disappointing the doctors

Hello Marcel, lovely to have you as a forum member 🙂
You need to put things in context and remember you are not a machine so there is no way on earth you or anyone else will ever have perfect numbers 24/7 365 days of the year. After 56 years on insulin I've never managed it and don't ever expect to either 🙂

The idea of managing your diabetes is to do so to your best ability, it has nothing to do with disappointing the doctors, they are there to help you when and if you need help not to criticise you.

Take one day t a time and always remember if you have a bad day tomorrow will be better.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @razumova1979

Diabetes can be relentless can’t it. And you are right... it would be natural to think it might get easier with time - and I suppose we do build up knowledge and experience... but diabetes seems to delight in changing the ‘rules’ on a whim and shifting the goalposts!

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. it can be a helpful trait for analysing and improving your BG levels, but with something as fickle and frustrating and variable as T1D, it’s no good aiming for perfection, because there are so many variables involved and we only have influence over a handful of them!

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/42-factors-that-affect-bg.84836/

But feel free to keep on ranting and sharing here. We instinctively ‘get it‘. And keep asking questions too 🙂

 

[razumova1979]

Welcome to the forum @razumova1979

Diabetes can be relentless can’t it. And you are right... it would be natural to think it might get easier with time - and I suppose we do build up knowledge and experience... but diabetes seems to delight in changing the ‘rules’ on a whim and shifting the goalposts!

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. it can be a helpful trait for analysing and improving your BG levels, but with something as fickle and frustrating and variable as T1D, it’s no good aiming for perfection, because there are so many variables involved and we only have influence over a handful of them!

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/42-factors-that-affect-bg.84836/

But feel free to keep on ranting and sharing here. We instinctively ‘get it‘. And keep asking questions too 🙂

Thank you so much ❤️ I’m grateful to have so many people understand

 

[razumova1979]

Hello Marcel, lovely to have you as a forum member 🙂
You need to put things in context and remember you are not a machine so there is no way on earth you or anyone else will ever have perfect numbers 24/7 365 days of the year. After 56 years on insulin I've never managed it and don't ever expect to either 🙂

The idea of managing your diabetes is to do so to your best ability, it has nothing to do with disappointing the doctors, they are there to help you when and if you need help not to criticise you.

Take one day t a time and always remember if you have a bad day tomorrow will be better.

This means a lot to hear. It’s like a lot of things in life where it seems like everyone else has it together and they don’t either. Thank you.

 

[razumova1979]

Welcome to the forum @razumova1979

Managing T1 is hard work, and your team should be there to support you, not to judge you. You are doing what you do to look after yourself, and not for anyone else. Good to hear that you have your Dexcom sensor and that it is working well for you.

Like you I was a perfectionist and it took me a long time to accept that, with Diabetes perfection is impossible. Having said that I did find that moving to a pump reduced my frustration, as I was then able to match things more closely to what insulin I needed.

Keep in touch on here, and do ask any questions that you have. I have learnt most of what I know about my management from others on here.

I’m really glad I found this site. I’ll definitely be using this more, for tips and rants

 

[Pumper_Sue]

This means a lot to hear. It’s like a lot of things in life where it seems like everyone else has it together and they don’t either. Thank you.

Lol, I suspect many people only post their outstanding results when they have them because it makes them feel better.
Most forget that someone reading the gold stats they have posted will drag down someone who is struggling.
The easiest way I have found to deal with my diabetes is to use my meter as a tool ........... it gives you a number when you put some blood on it. The number is not a judgement just a number that needs to be adjusted up or down either with a correction or some food.

No 1 rule is do not work over time in trying to please other peeps, It's your condition and diabetes has to live with you not you with it. Once you have found that peace you will feel so much better mentally.