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Suicidal thoughts and t2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
R

Rifkah

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
hey what help is there with the sheer hopelessness of this diagnosis?
I see no quality of life for me in the future and a slide into disability.
I'm just wondering at what cut off I should end it all.
 
That nurse was talking complete and utter rubbish - so you can forget about what she said and start planning on what to have for dinner.
I was just 6 months from diagnosis when I was getting totally normal BG readings and I don't need any medication to do that. Nothing at all - just don't eat high carb foods - problem solved.
 
I'm sorry to hear this. Please speak to the Samaritans or your GP about suicidal thoughts. You should not be feeling this I've about diabetes. I've had it for 47 years and apart from some glitches along the way I'm having and have had a brilliant life and so can you. Yes I'm facing a difficult time at the moment but diabetes is the least of my problems. Please get help with how you are feeling.
 
When the nerves in your feet go can you still walk or do you have to use a wheel chair?
 
Honestly Rifkah - that nurse should be reported - all the things she described and you are repeating do not apply to diabetics who control their blood glucose - and I find it easy to stay in the normal range day after day - it is now a year since I was told my results are normal.
I have not been to the clinic for any problems with anything to do with diabetes, just to collect the tablets I take as my thyroid doesn't work - I have had my eyes checked as that is something decreed from on high, but I am healthier now than I was before diagnosis, and have no intention of ever having high blood glucose levels.
 
I've been diabetic for over 2 years now & feel healthier than I have ever been. I've lost 4 stone & my diabetes is now on such good control that I have been discharged by my surgery. I have no plans on losing a leg or having a heart attack. I plan on living to a great age.
 
They've said I'll need several medications and I'll have to keep coming back every week to get tested.
I'll have to give up work to be able to attend the appointments as they are in the middle of the day on a Tuesday about an hours travel from work if I hire a taxi.
I don't think I'm in the right head space to be hunting new jobs around this.
Do you guys think I'll get a year or so quality of life?
I might go travelling instead.
I pretty sure they can't make me take the medication
 
Rifkah said:
They've said I'll need several medications and I'll have to keep coming back every week to get tested.
I'll have to give up work to be able to attend the appointments as they are in the middle of the day on a Tuesday about an hours travel from work if I hire a taxi.
I don't think I'm in the right head space to be hunting new jobs around this.
Do you guys think I'll get a year or so quality of life?
I might go travelling instead.
I pretty sure they can't make me take the medication
Click to expand...
Rifkah I have no idea what you've been told about your condition...whatever it was it clearly has had an really detrimental effect on you...I was diagnosed almost two years ago and now feel better than I have for years...type 2 is perfectly manageable with or without medication...the right diet...activity...do you know what your HbA1c or Blood Glucose results are...that would help us make the right suggestions for you...as for the weekly visits did you ask why you need to attend for appointments so often?...I'm sure at your age ( I looked on your profile) you have many more years ahead of you...you have to put things in perspective...this is a manageable condition...one that we can take control of in most cases.
 
Hello @Rifkah

I’m so sorry you are feeling the way you do, but please do take up the suggestions of calling Samaritans (24 hours) or the Diabetes UK careline (office hours).

Please be assured that diabetes is something you can learn to manage and live a full, happy and fulfilled life much as you have before with perhaps a few small adjustments.

Diabetes is generally a slow-moving foe and with a little learning, some dietary modifications and the help and support of your GP and the knowledgeable folks here you will get to grips with it in no time.

You employer is legally obliged to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ under the Equalities Act, so you should be able to attend the early flurry of appointments without penalty or having to take holiday, and very soon you will only need occasional routine follow-up appointments at a frequency that suits you and your Drs.

But first of all, please, please talk to someone about how you are feeling.

Samaritans:
Diabetes UK Helpline:
Call: 0345 123 2399 , Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm
 
Well I'm no expert but this doesn't sound like the "normal" type of diabetes to me.
As I have said often before my G.P.' s advice was no sugar, no cakes, no sweets, no biscuits and come back in a year, I suspect the correct treatment lies somewhere in the middle
As far as I am aware the guidelines following diagnosis are more tests at three months, six months and once a year after that, there is no point in doing blood tests any more frequently because the test itself measures your glucose readings over a three month time span so testing more often would only be covering the same ground.
Same with eye and foot checks, both as soon as possible followed up once a year.
I was diagnosed eight months ago and certainly I have no intention of either going blind or my feet falling off.
Suggest you tell " nursey" that you will be unable to attend most day time appointments as you are working and also tell your H.R. people at work about your diagnosis as they have a deed of care over your health and treatment.
Might also be worth contacting your union as well so they are in the loop if there are any problems.
What ever you do DO NOT LET EITHER YOUR G.P. OR EMPLOYER BULLY YOU, you are now considered disabled and protected by the law.
Trust me l know about these things both personally and professionally.
 
I agree with all of the above and urge you to speak to someone. There is a way out of this. If you can, get a meter and test foods you can eat and their effect on your blood glucose levels. Try low carb but include good fats and protein. It seems like you've been given a raw deal regarding advice. Don’t settle for this - go back and get a 2nd opinion! You will be ok with the right support. Well done too for speaking out - that’s a really positive step in the right direction.
 
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Feeling a bit better thanks for your help.
The Samaritains were very helpful thanks for the suggestion.
They told me it's okay to say no.
Really admire you guys working your way through things but there is just too much else going on in my life already. At some point the only sensible thing is to call it a day.
 
No it's really not the sensible thing! I am sorry to hear you are feeling that way but believe me this diagnosis isn't terminal at all. No-one on here is a super hero, we just muddle through and support each other and generally do ok.

You say in your first post that you have psychotic depression,do you have a crisis team or someone you can call? Or a support worker? Have a look at the Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/

Tell us a bit about yourself outside of your health problems, what do you like doing? What job do you do, and do you have a family or partner? Some one you can call right now to be with for company?

I do understand you're not in a very good place now but I hope there are brighter times ahead and I think a lot of us would say diabetes has very little effect on our quality of life. I've had it 12 years and no complications yet, my control isn't amazing but I get by.

Please take care and don't google horror stories. I'll find links to some nice positive posts to show this is perfectly do-able.
 
Rifkah said:
Feeling a bit better thanks for your help.
The Samaritains were very helpful thanks for the suggestion.
They told me it's okay to say no.
Really admire you guys working your way through things but there is just too much else going on in my life already. At some point the only sensible thing is to call it a day.
Click to expand...

Rifkah, I suspect whatever else is going on for you right now has coloured your view of diabetes. It may not seem like it now but this is one of the few conditions you can get to grips with. Why on earth do you think blindness, amputations and all the other nasties are inevitable? They’re absolutely not and there’s no reason to view this with so much gloom and desperation.

Why all these medical appointments? I only have an annual review and manage my diabetes without medication. Depending on your individual situation you maybe could too.

If you’re so depressed that suicide is occupying your thoughts, you must seek help immediately. I’m glad you rang the Samaritans. This sounds like it’s been the final straw for you in pushing your coping capacities to the limit so get back to the GP about the mental health issues. Sometimes we can’t do this alone.

Get this into perspective however. Having to eat more sensibly isn’t reason to give up on life. Diabetes is totally controllable and doesn’t need to stop or make your life any less enjoyable. My mother died last week at 88 and she’d had type 2 for decades. Diabetes didn’t dictate or destroy her life.

Forget all thoughts of ‘calling it a day’ and get the right help to sort your life. Good luck!
 
Absolutely agree @Amigo, couldn’t have put it better.

Great that you have contacted Samaritans. Give yourself some time to adjust to the diagnosis, but you CAN do this. We believe in you.
 
Rifkah said:
I'll have to keep coming back every week to get tested.
Click to expand...
Can you tell us why?

Rifkah said:
Do you guys think I'll get a year or so quality of life?
Click to expand...
I was diagnosed over 3 years ago, and I was possibly diabetic for some time before that. My quality of life has not deteriated.
Rifkah said:
I might go travelling instead.
Click to expand...
Thinking what you'd like to do is a reasonable thing. It's something I asked myself three years ago. The answer lead me to some interesting times. Give yourself a chance to start managing as well. You can live a decent life for decades. Don't throw everything in yet.
Try taking control of something. Self testing (as suggested in your other thread) can help you take control of your diabetes.
 
If you are being told that you must go to have your blood glucose checked and that is the reason for the journey - tell your doctor that you will get a meter and check it yourself several times a DAY - so there is no need for you to give up work or travel such a distance.
 
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